| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
BankruptC
Senior Member
1030 Posts |
 Posted - 25 September 2008 : 12:16:52
|
Hi all,
I've been doing even more reading (if that's possible!) and am now starting to think maybe we haven't asked for a high enough allowance for food and housekeeping costs. It all goes back to the usual not having the money while we had all our debts and so really not eating properly, but just ensuring little one was. What do you consider reasonable for a family of 3 (2 adults and a 2 yr old in nappies), bearing in mind the rising cost of shopping?
Secondly, as I've already stated our expenditure can I ask for it to be reconsidered even if the OR doesn't suggest it?
Thanks again!
C. x |
|
|
John
New Member
United Kingdom
73 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 13:20:54
|
Hi C
as usual it's difficult to say exactly but my own rule of thumb for housekeeping is £225 for the first adult £150 for the second, if applicable, then £125 for each child aged 10yrs or above and £100 for each child 0 - 10yrs. Obviously there are many many arguements which could blow these figures out of the water but it's where I usually start.
So in your case I would have started at £475.
As far as revising the figure, I would tell the examiner at interview that you were still very much in a panic when you completed the forms and that you would just like to revise the housekeeping figure. The point here is the examiner will have a guide relative to your family make up and as long as the revised figure is not grossly above it I'm sure he will allow the revision.
www.Bankruptcyhelp.org.uk
0800 078 9367 |
 |
|
|
BankruptC
Senior Member
1030 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 13:30:06
|
Thanks again John!
Gosh, I thought I had underestimated it and I was right-we only put £390 down!! Do you remember when you were going through my expenditure with me and we were trying to get my DI down?! This would have done it if only I'd thought to mention it!!!
C. x |
|
|
|
BankruptC
Senior Member
1030 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 13:46:58
|
Ooooh and I've just found out both our interviews are a week today!! Ian's is at 11:30 and mine's after work, at 4pm!!! Scary!
C. x |
|
|
|
John
New Member
United Kingdom
73 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 13:47:08
|
Hi
yes I remember but I don't think either one of us thought to look at housekeeping.
For your info, the current allowance in IVA for your family make up, which I do have to hand, is £392 however these figures were published much earlier in the year so I guess there must be a percentage additional allowance by now.
I also think that at £475 the examiner may have tried to trim it a little, say to £450.
But quite possibly an opportunity missed. Still, if you don't receive an IPA then all is well.
www.Bankruptcyhelp.org.uk
0800 078 9367 |
|
|
|
BankruptC
Senior Member
1030 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 13:51:08
|
I think we definitely will, John. My pay is slightly more than I thought, Coucil tax is slightly less, and all they'd need to do would be to take off our 'contingency' and 'Christmas' and we're well into IPA territory!
Do you think there's a chance he'll let me up the housekeeping then, or definitely not if it means the difference betwee IPA or no IPA?
C. x |
|
|
|
pix1
Average Member
689 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 14:20:27
|
It is advisable to to be realisitic in putting down your living expenses. Ironically, people go bankrupt partly because they do underestimate expenditure on necessaries and so it is really necessary to get it right on the petition. If you need to update or reassess what you have put down there is nothing wrong with writing to the OR with a fresh set of figures. Provided the sums fit within their guidelines the OR will not query any amendments unduly.
please look through the following link from the Insolvency Service
http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/DocumentLibrary/Policy/Excel/Household%20Expenditur.xls
It may take a while to open but it lists the exact items the OR will refer to.
E.g. alcohol and cigarettes are not considered essential items! |
|
|
|
soscared
Junior Member
United Kingdom
229 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 14:35:26
|
| cant open that link at all, would you think £200 per month for a single person plus £10 per month for toiletries and £10 per month reasonable? |
|
|
|
soscared
Junior Member
United Kingdom
229 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 14:39:09
|
| sorry that should read plus £10 per month for household reasonable |
|
|
|
BankruptC
Senior Member
1030 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 14:42:56
|
Thanks Pix,
That list is the 'reading' I mentioned I'd been doing! It shows I didn't put enough down for clothes either, but then gas, electricity and water are SO unrealistically low on there as others have said before! We haven't had our interview yet so I'll mention it then.
C. x
PS. As for cigarettes and alcohol, luckily I don't use either! :-) |
|
|
|
maizie
Average Member
United Kingdom
566 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 14:43:22
|
I was allowed £185 for all food/household costs... doesn't seem that much now!
Maizie |
|
|
|
BankruptC
Senior Member
1030 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 15:04:19
|
I know Maizie! Mad, isn't it?
About to email you hon! :-)
C. x |
|
|
|
maizie
Average Member
United Kingdom
566 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 15:21:10
|
I did put down £370 for two people but the OR recalculated all my expenditure as a single person... i.e. halving everything.
Maizie |
|
|
|
BankruptC
Senior Member
1030 Posts |
Posted - 25 September 2008 : 15:23:43
|
Ah well, maybe you're not too far off then.
xx |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Expenses AGAIN! Food/Housekeeping
