SOA Advice Needed please

debt_doctor

luvchocolate wrote: »

£500 for food is an awful lot for 2 people

I think £500 for 2 people is normal and what I would put in to an IPA proposal. More is acceptable in a DRO, which is for the poorest in society to obtain debt relief........

DD

exarmydreamer

rossireps wrote: »

well they wont be judged by me,it was a genuine question as im on is at the moment and wondered

The message in general for these forums is to provide information and help and not judgement. This is clearly stated at the top of the forum and I was just highlighting that. Not having a personal attack on any other poster.

Everyone's income is different, I personally have some pensions but don't claim benefits. We are all different.

ShALLaX

debt_doctor wrote: »

I think £500 for 2 people is normal and what I would put in to an IPA proposal. More is acceptable in a DRO, which is for the poorest in society to obtain debt relief........

DD

Seriously, £500 a month for groceries is normal for two people who are trying to budget?! I'm single and used to live on about £20 a week when budgeting - it is possible when you live on soup. I'm not saying it's pleasant, but definitely possible. £500 is extravagant. It seems people expect too much and have too much of a sense of entitlement.

rossireps

i do agree as im on my own and spend £80 a month max. not to say i wouldnt spend more if i had it but £500 does seem alot

jackieblack

luvchocolate wrote: »

£500 for food is an awful lot for 2 people

I agree!

debt_doctor wrote: »

I think £500 for 2 people is normal

Really?
I feed a family of two adults and teenage daughter (and daughter's boyfriend eats with us 2 or 3 times a week) quite well on £300 per month.
That's breakfasts, packed lunches during the week and evening meals cooked with fresh ingredients, from scratch.

ShALLaX wrote: »

Seriously, £500 a month for groceries is normal for two people who are trying to budget?! I'm single and used to live on about £20 a week when budgeting - it is possible when you live on soup. I'm not saying it's pleasant, but definitely possible. £500 is extravagant.

I totally agree

HappyMJ

It's not just food though. It's housekeeping for everything from food to cleaning products to a little bit of money for the window cleaner.

jackieblack

My £300 also includes cleaning products, laundry products etc also, until recently, cat food

£500 is still a huge amount for 2 people

evenasus

I have to agree with other posters. £500 is a ridiculous amount.

There are two of us and I spend on average £245 a month. This includes food/cleaning materials etc.
And this is despite the fact that I don't have to watch what I spend.

We eat very well, plenty of fresh fruit & vegetables. Chicken is our main meat of choice. We don't eat junk food.

minic

What everyone seems to be forgetting is that this is the bankruptcy forum not the DFW forum.

The OP states that he and his wife will shortly be filing for bankruptcy not that he is looking for advice on cutting his outgoings.

The guide figures from the Insolvency Service technical manual (which the OR can refer to when determining if the allowances claimed by the BR individual are acceptable) gives a figure for housekeeping of £403 per month for a couple, although as Debt Doctor states he would consider £500 resonable and it is for the individual and the OR to agree the figures.

As it is, based on the OP's SOA in post #1 it appears all income is from benefits and as such the dicussion over how much they spend on housekeeping is irrelevant as they would not get an IPA.

If at some point during bankruptcy the OP or his wife start employment then the figures included in the SOA will be relevant. Its not a competition on how little you can spend on housekeeping its what is considered reasonable and thankfully that judgement is made through discussion with the OR and not some of the individuals on this forum!

ShALLaX

I believe the point was trying to help the OP not make the same mistake again in the future and to live within his means. However, if you're happy to encourage the cycle to repeat, then so be it.