what are acceptable outgoings - dmp

itsalongroad

All

I am shortly to leave CCCS and self administer my DMP, as I wish to vary payments to certain crediotrs and I dont have this flexibility within the dmp

I have been advised on here that creditors may well ask for resubmission of Incomings and Outgoings etc etc. Is there a fefinitive list of what is likely to be deemed acceptable
For example I have my OH, 3 children and 2 dogs.....how much money can I say I need for food each month - I am thinking £620 for all food inlcuding packed lunches, but this is probably £200 higher than other DFW's spend and budget for.

Guidance appreciated

Regards,

itsalongroad

good morning bump!

dancingfairy

What are you paying on your CCCS dmp? the amount you have said for food doesn't seem too bad although maybe a little on the high side. If that is what you have on your CCCS dmp though I would have thought it would be fine - although I've no direct experience myself.
Hopefully some more people will be along with their advice.
df

gonzo127

well i personally think an acceptable amount for groceries is about £60 per person per month (some people do it for a LOT less ie family of 4 for £150 so under £40 pp) dogs i am unsure of but i would hope less than a person

so 5 people at £60 = £300 + 2 dogs so at a guesstimate of £50 a month for a dog you would be looking at your £400 a month

basically at your current £620 a month you are actually looking at ~£150 a week on groceries which is what some families of 4 live of for a month which i think you can understand might be looked on as excessive - ok if you have specific dietary requirments (diabetic, lactose intolerant etc) then i would expect your food bill to be a bit higher but it does seem extream at the moment

quick edit - have you tried the drop a brand challenge? do you plan your meals? batch cook and freeze excess? use left overs to make different meals (lunch for the next day etc)?

mummy2mygirls

I think it looks a bit excessive but im not sure if it is on a DMP or not - I could not afford £620 a mth. We spend £250 - £300 a mth on 2 adults, 3 kiddies (soon to be 4) and a dog and hampster (very cheap but still adds up...) This includes formular and nappies which cost a fortune so if your including them as well i can understand how it bumps it up a little.
If you need to cut this down look on the oldstyle as there is loads of great advice on there. Try meal planning, cooking from scratch, Bulk cooking and also bulking out foods with veg and lentiles.....
Good luck with doing your DMP on your own and i hope it all works out for you

crispycornflake

Good morning its a l r!
I am on a dmp with cccs 2 adults, 3 kids, 2 pets also. We are 'allowed' £550 per month groceries, £21 pets and school dinners/meals for work seperate which works out about another £35 per week I think. They do have guidelines and my figures definately fall within those although I think at the top end!! Make sure you seperate your school/work meals and pets from the groceries then you definatley won't have a problem. Hope this helps.

itsalongroad

hi I am really looking to see how high I can push costs - of course I dont then have to spend the money on this as I am stashing for emergencies and full n finals...

thanks

crispycornflake

Don't forget to include an an amount for sundries/emergencies, home maintenence, kids bus fares, clothes, haircuts, dentist, prescriptions, all your car costs, insurances etc!!!

crispycornflake

oh and kids pocket money ; )

thewad

£60 per person per month.
That seems a tad low.

gonzo127

not really when you consider a lot of people on these boards say they are doing it for UNDER £40 a month per person, yes it is hard work to cut down for a lot of people but £60 a month per person it comes to about £250 a month for a family of 4 which if you go by most suggestions on the SOA's is also thought of as being the 'target' for groceries for a family of 4