The Law of Sod

BaldEagle

For what seems like forever, I have been just about scraping by with little or no money to pay my regular bills as well as keeping up with the informal DMP with my creditors. Can't remember the last time I had a good night out or a trip to the local curry house; my money has been all spent on surviving.

After years of putting it off, I finally went BR. One look at my SOA would tell you that an IPA is simply not on the cards for the remainder of my undischarged period. My income/expenditure has stayed pretty much the same for ages.

In all that time, I've been knocked back for jobs and felt like things would never get any better unless I took the plunge and declared myself a [STRIKE]social leper[/STRIKE] bankrupt.

Less than two months in - BOOM. A job offer today that, whilst not my dream job, would give me a better standard of living. Well, it would have done if I'd not declared myself bankrupt...

I now have to make a decision on whether to take the job and get a 3 year IPA or to continue eating Lidl value beans out of a tin until I'm discharged.

If this had happened a few years ago, Alanis Morisette would have included this in her song. And no, this isn't ironic either but hey ho...

alastairq

well, good luck, but maybe poisoned chalice?

Surely with working, your SOA [allowances] will possibly rise as well?

Post your SOA on here, let the experts tear it apart?

MAybe...just maybe, the surplus can be reduced sufficiently?

JCS1

Difficult one, as you also need to consider what working would do for your self-esteem. Whilst you may get an IPA, I suspect the allowances that you would have may be better than what you are living on now.

Why not do as Alastair suggests, and post up what your SOA would look like if you did take the job.

MikeJO

JCS1 wrote: »

Difficult one, as you also need to consider what working would do for your self-esteem.

Future prospects also .

BaldEagle

I'm working at the moment but this would be a significant increase. I've done a quick calculation and it's £300 per month above my current SOA. Even with an allowance for hair cuts for this particular Bald Eagle, I would most certainly get an IPA.

Just a few months back, I asked the question about a change of income and IPA but didn't realise at the time that this job was up for grabs.

It's so frustrating because if it had come up before I went BR, I wouldn't have gone down this route. I would have increased my payments on the DMP but had a little more room for manoeuvre.

silvercar

How long could you delay starting the job? If you are currently on benefits, the OR may offer you early discharge and close your case pretty quick. Once discharged, you would have no requirement to notify the OR of your change in circumstances AFAIK. In fact I think you have 3 weeks from a change in circumstances to notify the OR; in a previous thread someone suggested that was 3 weeks from the first pay day. That could give you long enough to get ED.

FuzzyCub

BaldEagle wrote: »

I'm working at the moment but this would be a significant increase. I've done a quick calculation and it's £300 per month above my current SOA. Even with an allowance for hair cuts for this particular Bald Eagle, I would most certainly get an IPA.

Just a few months back, I asked the question about a change of income and IPA but didn't realise at the time that this job was up for grabs.

It's so frustrating because if it had come up before I went BR, I wouldn't have gone down this route. I would have increased my payments on the DMP but had a little more room for manoeuvre.

I think it's still worth posting an SOA for the wise 'ol folks to look at. I'm sure there would be additional expenses that aren't on you current SOA.

Medical, dentist, travel to work, increase clothing allowance for work wear if appropriate, you may even be to allow for a modest holiday fund and/or emergency fund.

£300 isn't that much to allocate, there's nothing to lose!

Congratulations on the job offer, it's a morale boost even if you don't take it. :T

iquit

In my opinion taking the job would be worth it even with an IPA. Get help with your SOA.

Ineedaname

In the current economic climate such an opportunity may not appear again for a few years and you could be struggling financially all that time.

I agree with Iquit - take the job, make the most of the opportunity and take the hit of an IPA. It is only for 3 years after all. If you hadn't gone BR, had taken the job and increased your DMP, how long would it have taken to pay off your debts in full?

hisandhers1978

I am in the same position as you... but for me will be with existing employer and no reason to turn down. I also just got a payrise. It really is sods law but no matter what, we are better without the debt and how many people are paying out £300 a month for various bits. It will also keep you busy and help pass the time! Take it - you'll always wonder 'what if' if you dont!! Good luck

NeverAgain_2

Take the job, they are hard to come by.

Paying off some of your debts is nothing to be ashamed of.