Statement of Affairs - Idea??

Alleycat

Edit to add:- Just been pointed to Southern Scousers excellent thread titled First Time Posters. It hasn't been made a sticky as it covers some of the points Martin makes, BUT it would be really useful to have a post/thread with a statement of affairs on the first post as a quick userguide to new posters and for older posters to refer to when trying to assist newbies. When we ask newbies to post a SOA and they don't know what one is, or lots of useful info is missing, it would be such a help to be able to say "here, have a quick read of this sticky, it will tell you what to include!".

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280 - This be the thread in question. Hopefully it will be made a sticky, but until then can we all keep bumping it.

If anyone agrees, add your support!! Pleeeeeaaaaase, Board Guides!!

Hi all,

I was thinking, might it be an idea to have a post that details what a Statement of Affairs is, so when a new poster is asked to do one, we can refer to something easily for them to use as a template? I have put a basic one below, which could be tailored to fit each person as not everyone will have the same items they spend on and the same types of income. If there is anything major I have missed, I can edit and add it on. If this is a rubbish idea, just let it drop off the page.

I've also put a bit at the bottom to include useful links. I know Martin has some on the site and in the toolbar at the top of this board, but some may not be there. The only one I could think of is the whats the cost snowballing calculator.

I thought it would be useful as posters can easily link into it (if its any good, could it be a sticky?) and copy and paste into their own post.

Statement of Affairs:-

Income per month/week/4 weeks

My income - £
OH income - £
Child Benefit - £
Tax Credits - £
Other Benefit (Income support/pension etc) - £
Other income (maintenance/shares etc) - £
Total income - £

Expenditure per month/week/4 weeks

Rent/mortgage (inc service charge) - £
Council Tax - £
Water Rates - £
Electricity - £
Gas - £
Other fuel - £
Home phone - £
Mobile phone - £
Travel expenses (bus/train) - £
Petrol/Diesel - £
Car tax, MOT etc - £
Groceries (food, cleaning products, toiletries) - £
Socialising - £
Clothes - £
Childrens expenses (toys, clothes etc) - £
Children's packed lunches/school dinners - £
Adults packed lunches/meals at work - £
Christmas/birthdays - £
Regular prescriptions - £
Buildings/contents insurance - £
Life insurance - £
Pet insurance - £
Health insurance - £
Private pension contributions - £
Payments to savings (ISAs, bonds etc) - £
Me spending money - £
OH spending money - £
Children pocket money - £
Other regular contributions/payments (charity donations, book club etc) - £
Total expenditure - £

Debts

Loan (name) - current balance (£) - monthly repayments (£) - APR (%)

Credit Card (name) - current balance (£) - credit limit (£) - monthly repayments (£) - APR (£)

Store Card (name) - current balance (£) - monthly repayments (£) - APR (£)

HP/Credit (name & what for) - current balance (£) - monthly repayments (£) - APR (%)

Arrears debts i.e. council tax/gas/inland revenue (name) - current balance (£) - monthly repayments (£)

Any other debts...

Total debt repayments - £
Total debt owed - £

Total income - £
Total outgoings - £
Left to pay debts - £

Useful links

https://www.whatsthecost.com/snowball.aspx - debt snowballing calculator

Broken_hearted

Good idea, but I'm too lazy/scared to do one. :A

Alleycat

Thats okay! To be honest, I have never posted one on here before. I do have a very very strict budget which we are happy with and all our utilities etc are with the cheapest provider. It amazing how many great tips can be picked up on here!

Chortle_2

great idea :T

Alleycat

Can anyone see if I have missed anything or does it need to be worded any differently? I used my spreadsheet, Martins budget planner and the one we use at work. Both Martin's and the work one are a lot more detailed, but thought they might be a bit scary for a newbie!

ozzyfan_2

I think its a brilliant idea Alleycat, wish it had been here when I did mine!

I think it will make things much easier for everyone to read through too & give advice if everyone keeps to the same format.

How about putting the link on for looking to see if you are entitled to any benefits.

https://www.entitledto.com

& the one which tells you approximately how much benefit you should be receiving (sorry don't know the link to this one but I'll try & find it if you think its a good idea)

These seem to be mentioned quite alot on this board.

well done, I hope its made a sticky for you :T

Alleycat

Hi Ozzy and thanks for the vote of support! Re the entitled to calculator, I did think of that, but on another board we were having a play with it and it wasn't overly accurate. It would be better for people to go to their local authority website and see if they have a benefits calculator there which will be tailored to their local area (i.e. housing benefit eligible rent differs depending on where in the country you are).

If you can remember what the other site is called, that would be great!

moozie_2

Well done Alleycat, hope it makes it to a sticky. Nice one :T

ozzyfan_2

I think you're right not to include it then Alleycat, I didn't realise it wasn't too accurate.

I'll have a search around for the other site tomorrow or if anyone else knows what the link is that would be great.

CLAPTON

great idea : definitely needed

my suggestions:

add summary of personal situation i.e. single, with partner, number of childen
a little about background to debts i.e. illness, breakup of relationship, business collapse, general over spend etc. etc...
assetts : property owner, house price, mortgage, equity
any savings:


add to list of expenses

; internet costs

change car etc to explicitly : car tax, insurance, mot, serving

for loans and HP (as opposed to Credit cards) need number of months left to pay

also ask: is there PPI on any cc or loans?

southernscouser

What was wrong with my one? :rotfl:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280


I asked for it to be made a sticky before but was rejected!