Another go at an SOA

wherediditallgo

Totally agree with Neko on this. Put down what you're entitled to, not what wearing sackcloth & ashes, & eating fag butts will allow you to afford. The OR won't allow you to live in luxury, but you're not a criminal & you're allowed to live like the average human being. Even if you don't have holidays, allow the money for it that's allowed (£40) - if you want a holiday, you'll be able to afford it, & if you don't you can put the money towards an unexpected expense that's bound to come up.

rufus79

I guess you are right, but it does feel strange. It looks like I will have LOADS of money - I am used to literally counting every penny (at one point feeding myself for £3 a week). I haven't been an a 'real' holiday since I was 11, and have NEVER been abroad.

Also, If I were to, for example, show outgoings og around £800 on my SOA, and my income was only £600, would they have a go at me for still living above my means?? Its so hard when I don't know what I'm going to be earning! TBH, theres still the risk I will be really stuck, if I simply can't find work.

NekoZombie

Like you say, your income could go up or down. The months you're flush, fine - squirrel some of it away for the months when your income is less. But you really must ask for everything you're entitled to. And my SOA, as accepted by the OR, has an overspend of £20, meaning technically I'm *still* insolvent. However, everything is accounted for with room for extras, so I should be more than ok.

rufus79

Ok, so how does this look now?

330 Rent
200 Housekeeping
40 Health (with evidence)
40 Clothes
10 Hairdressers
40 Travel (bus pass)
30 Phone
40 Holiday
25 Contingency

755 Total

NekoZombie

Fine, but be aware that contingency will probably be disallowed. Can you not incorporate the monthly cost of a trip home to visit family into your travel expenses?

rufus79

NekoZombie wrote: »

Fine, but be aware that contingency will probably be disallowed. Can you not incorporate the monthly cost of a trip home to visit family into your travel expenses?

I am going to keep my contingency in there, and if necessary argue it will help with an uncertain income - worst that will happen is I lose it. Can't really claim for a visit home as I only live a street away from my parents!

NekoZombie

Shame! In that case, I think you've done the best you can. Yes, leave the contingency in - I would do the same.

rufus79

Hmmm, I could get them to move maybe - how many times do you reckon the OR would allow me to visit Australia a year????

Or maybe not!!

bluezone

If its any help, this was my budget that I used for my bankruptcy. The OR was fine with it.

Main job 1030.00
2nd Job 300.00
Ebay/bootsales 100.00

Total: 1430.00

Outgoings:

Rent 600.00
Housekeeping (food+cleaning+toiletries) 200.00
Electric + heating 100.00
Water 20.00
Phone (landline + mobile) 50.00
Car - petrol, maintenance etc 185.00
Clothing 50.00
Council Tax 100.00
Prescription/Dentist/Optician 15.00
TV licence 11.00
Life Insurance/Pension 40.00
Building/contents ins 30.00

Total 1401.00

Left over: £29.00