SOA - start, suggestions please

Anna39

Thank you all so much for all the answers in my other thread - very much appreciated.

As it was getting rather long, I have decided to start a new one, specifically for help with my soon to be needed SOA.

As I will be on half pay from my 38k per year job at the point of going BR - I have just checked on:

http://listentotaxman.com/

Inputting £19000 per year as salary, I got £1243 clear monthly so will base my starting figures on that.

I am very much guessing few of my outgoings at this point as this will be firt time in many years that I am not working etc so please bear with me and please give me some input on the figures.

Household:

me
my 18 yo daughter (at College full time)
1 large dog
1 cat

Salary £ 1,243.00
ChB £ 75.00
Total Income £ 1,318.00

Rent (water included) £ 314.00
CT £ 97.00
Gas £ 80.00
Electric £ 40.00
TV License £ 12.00
BT £ 40.00
My Travel £ 20.00
Daughter Travel (College) £ 60.00
Daughter Lunch (College) £ 50.00
Housekeeping/Food/Toiletries £ 400.00
Perscriptions (3 per month) £ 20.00
Clothes £ 60.00
SKY £ 20.00
Mobile (2 mobiles) £ 30.00
Dog/Cat Food/Litter and Vet £ 60.00
Total Expenses £ 1,303.00

Balance £ 15.00

Now, the last 3 items on the above I know (from reading the boeard and friendly advice here) may not be allowed and may need to be covered from the "surplus" which I seem not to have at the moment with those figures.

What I do not have in the SOA above are: dentist (and I badly need one), optician (need that too) or any emergencies whatsoever.

I also badly need pet insurance for both dog and cat and as the cat is 8 yo and the dog is a German Shepherd (need full insurance with third party etc etc)- this is not cheap.

I never had pet insurance so far as with my salary (and credit available - wish it was not) I never had to worry about vet bills so far.

Now - this is not about "telling porkies" etc etc - this is about being able to put a genuine SOA together without running a risk of it sounding unreasonable and/or faling flat on my face due to underestimating things.

I do not have a car or any insurance, I live in London where the cost of public transport is just a joke.. actually the cost of anythign is a joke here.

I do not have any shop close by (apart from a Petrol Station with prices wayyyyyyyyyyyyy out) so any shopping involves a long bus trip so the cost of anything adds up a lot etc etc

Thanks to all kind people on here for possible advice and commentes re the above.

So_Sad_Angel

Hi Anna

I`d probably look at reducing housekeeping/food etc & adding in Hair, dentist , Opticians....any personal insurance & contents insurance?

Angex

Anna39

reducing housekeeping/food etc & adding in Hair, dentist , Opticians

Thanks for that...

any personal insurance & contents insurance?

Nope, I am afraid not......

peachyprice

Your mobiles should be allowed, no problem there. Perhaps take away sky and reduce your pets to £40 and call it pet insurance as food & litter should come out of housekeeping, then up clothes by the £40 to compensate.

marklunn3602

Evening all

Sorry to but in but I've got the BR pack from Court today and we'll be starting to do it over the weekend.
First we will have to work out the soa which is where im starting to get confused as its only the OH thats going BR.

My salary covers all of the household bills and mortgage and from what I can see on here we will have to make the soa look as though most of OH's salary is used up on other sundry expenses.
So when the soa is complete and everything handed in to the OR will he check it off against the wifes bank accounts? I ask as all they will show for a considerable amount of time is sporadic spending. (a lot of it;) )

Mark

deedee_3

Anna, you could also up your travel as well, I think £20 is very low.

Anna39

Dede thanks - as I do nto work at the moment , this is only to cover going shopping/doctors etc....Should I top it up?

Daily adult bus pass is £3.50 in London

Anna39

Is this better?

Salary £ 1,243.00
ChB £ 75.00
Total Income £ 1,318.00

Rent (water included) £ 314.00
CT £ 97.00 Gas £ 80.00
Electric £ 40.00
TV License £ 12.00
BT £ 40.00
My Travel £ 35.00
Daughter Travel (College) £ 60.00
Daughter Lunch (College) £ 50.00
Housekeeping/Food/Toiletries £ 400.00
Perscriptions (3 per month) £ 20.00
Clothes £ 60.00
Haircuts £ 20.00
Mobile (2 mobiles) £ 30.00
Optician £ 10.00
Dentist £ 10.00
Pet Insurance £ 40.00
Total Expenses £ 1,318.00
Balance £ -

betterlatethannever

Ann, this is not a dig, really it isn't, in fact it will be interesting to know, but i wonder if the OR would accept your costs for your daughter.
I'm guessing she receives EMA of £30 a week which more than covers those costs you've put down for her.
I've not seen an SOA thats included them before so will be a good guide for others if accepted.
Please let us know for future reference.

Anna39

My daughter does not receive any EMA at all - and I/she can not claim it (checked) as my original salary is 38k per year, just due to ilness going on half pay now.

never said my situation was straight forward

betterlatethannever

Anna39 wrote: »

My daughter does not receive any EMA - and I can not claim as my original salary is 38k per year, just due to ilness going on half pay now.

Arh right.
It seems wrong though that you can't claim now.
I know how awkward EMA is though.