Do we always need to ask for a person's SOA?

Me_Myself_2

Sometimes I think that as soon as someone asks a fairly simple question, we automatically ask them to complete an SOA. This is not always necessary and has clearly put some people off.

May I suggest that if a simple question is asked, we try and answer it and only ask for an SOA if more detailed help is needed.

Opinions?

traceyaec

Really daft question from a newbie what's a SOA?

Broken_hearted

It depends if we don't know how much they have comingin/going out we might give the wrong answer for that person.

Batfink

Me_Myself wrote:

Sometimes I think that as soon as someone asks a fairly simple question, we automatically ask them to complete an SOA. This is not always necessary and has clearly put some people off.

May I suggest that if a simple question is asked, we try and answer it and only ask for an SOA if more detailed help is needed.

Opinions?

Me Myself,

Could you post an SOA then we can better see your situation and be able to answer your question?

Seriously though - I have, on occasion, thought that some SOA requests have been a little un-needed, however I certainly don't wish to criticise as the help people are offered is excellent.

Posting an SOA really is like opening yourself up and is a step too far for many people. Personally I've made an SOA but I've not posted it as it can make you quite vulnerable.

Batfink x

lynzpower

I tihnk its truly impossible to give advice for someone without one- eg, shall I go bankrupt, do I need an IVA, when they could ( and Ive seen this too!) have a 200pcm CD buying habit or otherwise.

Lots of people come here going these are my debts, what am i going to do about them?

The obvious answer, without seeing a SOA is "pay them off"

see, doesnt work does it?

there are always going to be some questions whic h DONT involve a SOA, like what is snowballing , which can be answered easily

I usually look back over peoples posts to see if they have done SOA before askng the question.

thesaint

traceyaec wrote:

Really daft question from a newbie what's a SOA?

I think that this demonstrates what Me Myself was saying.

I agree that sometimes people are to quick to ask for one.

New members to the site are often in a daze by the time they reach the point of being on this site and to be asked to do an S.O.A(Statement of (Financial) Affairs traceyaec;) ) after a simple question is probably to daunting.

One will have to be done in most circumstances, but I whole heartedly agree with Me Myself.

Again, the advice given is excellent:j

comping_cat

traceyaec wrote:

Really daft question from a newbie what's a SOA?

Basically a list of all you have going out each month, and everthing you have coming in - so people can see what you are spending on, and what (if anything) you can cut back on.
If someone is asking for help getting out of debt, but doesnt want to post a SOA, its more difficult to help. For example, if you are paying £50 a month on your mobile phone, and £50 on your home phone, there might be someone who would be able to suggest a better deal for you (the same with gas/electric/insurances etc) and help cut back your spending.
I agree with Lynz, if someone is wanting help, people need to know if they can, rather than give vague advice.

chevalier

In some cases, doing an SOA on here, is not a bad idea, because they would have to get the same information together if they were thinking about going into a DMP or similar arrangement. But with us there is no pressure to get it done by a certain date.

Also for some people, the sight of it in black and white, can really make them think about their spending habits ("do I really spend £100 on magazines and coffe a month"), which they might not do if it hasn't been written down.

All too often all a person can see is the debt but that is only half of the equation. They need to see their other spending habits, so that they can focus on that as well as the debt.

chev

thesaint

No one is doubting the brilliance of an S.O.A.

The question posed by the O.P. was quite specific though.

Willsnarf1983

well i don't think i have seen any SOA's that have been unneccersarily asked

Will

comping_cat

thesaint wrote:

No one is doubting the brilliance of an S.O.A.

The question posed by the O.P. was quite specific though.

I think it would depend on what that 'specific' question was.