SOA - comments pls

mattannar

Kepar posted that the OR could split the bills as per income.
Happy posted back that if only one was going br then the bills could be split 50/50
I replied saying that I agreed with Kepar in that you are both going br, so it is possible that you could get an IPA.

lisa.89

Hello all

So just to clarify - say there is about £70 left after outgoings for an IPA.. is is likely that my husband will get that as 25% of that is only around £17, which is not enough to pay into an IPA.

I just got a quote of £9.95 per month for husbands dental ins - mine is free till 2014. Does £9.95 sound acceptable.. it will save stressing if he needs to pay for a new crown etc..

Can anyone advise - if we go BR on 1 Feb - how soon will OR tell us if we are getting an IPA each?? Just aware that I go on mat leave 22 April so will have nbo child care to pay for whilst I am off which will free up £300 but obv we will have to up other bits i.e housekeeping and clothes..

Thank you all so much for your advice so far - its been very helpful..

Maizy

Hi Lisa

I would say at least £80 for the clothes and OR will agree or not agree but I dont think you have over done it with any of the figures to be honest but that is just my opinion. You really do need to cover everything, we really struggled during our BR year especially as the gas bill was not covered. Its OK turning the heating down but if heat escapes, you can end up freezing and miserable. My advice would be to well and truly cover the bills rather than estimate too low. Your OR will question things they do not think is right but they are well aware that typical households now have ever increasing utility bills.

As far as the IPA goes, we didn't get one therefore it wasn't mentioned but others have said theirs was discussed at the point of telephone interview so you should get some idea pretty quick. We were told there and then we could keep the car. Don't forget that if your circumstances change, an IPA can be entered into at any point during the BR year unless of course this has changed since we went BR. You will only really get true answers once you both go BR as each case/OR can vary as you know. Good luck, I hope all goes well.

The IPA side can be a bit confusing but looking at those figures and as others have said, its doubtful (but not definate) you will get one but of course the other party may.

lisa.89

Hello again all,

Sorry just couple more questions before BR date on 1 Feb.. eek....

1. SOA - we out down £224 per month for travel - this inc £130pm for husband to get to work every day - works approx 15 miles away.. £54 my bus fare each month for work journey, £40 petrol as we visit my family every other month - all my family live 200 miles away.

My husband also uses car for shopping trips and collecting our son twice a week when I am at work.. he seems to be driving on the red lots lately so was thinking of increasing petrol by £5 per week - so total travel will be £245 - does this sound reasonable? Petrol is just so expensive and we don't want to damage the car by driving on the red all the time..

2. Council tax bill - we had 6 month exemption for house that is yet to be repocessed (we moved out), exemption ends on 28 Jan and just had bill for £175 for Jan & Feb c.tax. Council said they cannot do anything without repo order.. can I add this to unsecured debts on BF forms...

Forms were all done and dusted too!

Many thanks: )

mattannar

You will probably not be allowed the £40 to visit family.

kepar

mattannar wrote: »

You will probably not be allowed the £40 to visit family.

I agree,as this not a priority.

lisa.89

kepar wrote: »

I agree,as this not a priority.

I have spoken with 2 x debt charities who agree that this is essential as I have a close family and my children need a bond with grandparents and other family members. All my family live 200 miles away. If OR refuses, I will argue as feel very strongly about visiting family and keeping that close network. I would be seriously upset if I was unable to afford to visit them

Does my petrol cost look ok otherwise?

Also - council tax - can i add that on?

kepar

lisa.89 wrote: »

I have spoken with 2 x debt charities who agree that this is essential as I have a close family and my children need a bond with grandparents and other family members. All my family live 200 miles away. If OR refuses, I will argue as feel very strongly about visiting family and keeping that close network. I would be seriously upset if I was unable to afford to visit them

Does my petrol cost look ok otherwise?

Also - council tax - can i add that on?

You have put £118 council tax already.

Well hopefully the OR will agree with you, but don't bet on it. Maybe you will have to use some of your other allowances to cover the cost.

lisa.89

kepar wrote: »

You have put £118 council tax already.

Well hopefully the OR will agree with you, but don't bet on it. Maybe you will have to use some of your other allowances to cover the cost.

£118 council tax is monthly dd. The £175 is bill we just got for property we left 6 months ago - no repo order yet. Can i add as a debt on unsecured list?

Fingers crossed OR will allow travel money to see family, or even negotiate a slightly less amount.. dont know where else to take it from as have put realistic figures for outgoings......

lisa.89

Just another question as getting things in order.. will OR want to go over our expenditure for say past few months? I have been purchasing baby stuff, buggy etc prior to BR - not gone mad - Been buying off ebay etc. I have most receipts but will need to write it all down - if I can remember!! Just want to be fully prepared thats all.