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DMP entertainment budget

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Hi all.

Long time lurker, first post.

I've just started a TPP with StepChange (who, as others have said on her, have been nothing less than fantastic). Got offered a full time job last week which is amazing - this means I'll soon be able to start making some dents in my debt :) which stands at 5k.

I'm just wondering what people's experience regarding having a modest entertainment budget. To be clear, I don't drink or smoke, have cancelled Spotify and LoveFilm etc. I'm not talking about holidays or going to West End shows but just the odd trip to the cinema, an affordable meal out etc. With my new salary I'll be able to pay my creditors way more than the original minimum repayments.

So I suppose my question is, given my particular circumstances, is it reasonable to expect some semblance of a social life while on a DMP? And do StepChange account for that in the budget?
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Comments

  • Puzzcat
    Puzzcat Posts: 4,200 Forumite
    Hi,
    You would be amazed at the amount of smokers who are on dmp's. Also magazines and dry cleaning are areas where you can increase your budget for your entertainment use. It would be better to have a generous budget and stick with the agreed repayment than have to lower the payment later on.
    Puzz
    Christmas 2020 £109
    I love my dmp started in Nov 13 with SC. Self Managed 2016 57% done
    £60062/25384.84 - 13222.60k UE

    MY DIARY
    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4768685
  • I have to second what Puzzcat says. Its better to be generous now rather than suffer later. If you find you haven't spent all the budget perhaps put it aside for full and final offers?

    I'm paying back around £12k. I also work full time. As part of our entertainment budget we pay 4.99 a month for Netflix. There are 6 people in this house and one family trip to the cinema would cost more than the annual cost of Netflix. If things get tight it'll go but for now it's there and it's a real blessing at times. For example I got a bit hooked on Breaking Bad - that was over a month I chose to stay in watching TV and not spending money.

    I'm not saying that's right for you but it's helped me.

    Congratulations on the job and I wish you lots of luck for your debt free journey.

    Kate x
    LBM 17th Oct13 - SC DMP - DFD 10th Feb 2018
    paid pre-DMP £6146 :D paid with DMP £2275 :D F&F's £700 (£450 discount) £1,000 (£1,498.22 discount) £ 700 (489.62 discount) :D Total £9725

    Current debt to repay £3,503.13 taking one day at a time
  • Ah, Breaking Bad on Netflix... Got me through the final dark days before I rang StepChange :)

    Thanks guys. I understand that StepChange don't check but I don't want to lie or take the mickey. Just had the thought of me going back and forth between home and office with nothing nice ever happening in between!
  • Mr_Mink
    Mr_Mink Posts: 264 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    I believe PayPlan gave us £25 for entertainment even though we told them we only use £9.99 for Lovefilm. They said it's best to have a bit extra to be able to go out otherwise the plan is more likely to fall apart (because we've gone insane and splashed out).
  • FireWyrm
    FireWyrm Posts: 6,557 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker Debt-free and Proud!
    I cancelled Sky and therefore the TV license giving me £60 towards 'entertainment' of which, a subscription to LoveFilm is taken. The rest sits in an account and when I want a book off amazon, or a DVD, or something else not exactly budgeted for...that's where it comes from. The rest of the money is budgeted to the penny.
    Debt Free! Long road, but we did it
    Meet my best friend : YNAB (you need a budget)
    My other best friend is a filofax.
    Do or do not, there is no try....Yoda.

    [/COLOR]
  • lizzy23
    lizzy23 Posts: 193 Forumite
    I am also of the opinion that a DMP is long term, so you need to push the budget allowances to the max, the whole point of a DMP for me was to get my live back to a certain degree
    LBM 2 and the OH is onboard sept 12, DMP will start on the 1st November, DFD who cares as longs as it comes:)
    1 year down 5 to go and now under 30k and 10% paid off :beer:
  • National_Debtline
    National_Debtline Posts: 7,998 Organisation Representative
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hello there,

    With most debt agencies and creditors, 'entertainment' is listed within a section of the budget called 'other spending'. This section also includes health costs, hair dressing, sky/cable/internet, rental agreements, school meals/meals at work, pocket money/school trips, lottery etc., hobbies, birthdays & christmas and vet bills.

    We will generally look at how much all of those amount to as a whole. As such it's more than possible to have a generous allowance for entertainment if some of these other sections are low. You can find out more about the budget via our website: http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/debt_advice.php#5

    Stepchange do use a slightly different budget to us, but the principles should be similar.

    I think lizzy23 makes a useful point. A DMP is a long term strategy, as such the budget needs to be realistic. I often see posts here on MSE where people champion living on the absolutel breadline. I'm not sure doing something like that is sustainable - although conversely creditors are unlikely to accept a budget if the figures are not reasonable.

    I hope this makes sense!

    Best wishes,

    David @ NDL.
    We work as money advisers for National Debtline and have specific permission from MSE to post to try to help those in debt. Read more information on National Debtline in MSE's Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help guide. If you find you're struggling with debt and need further help try our online advice tool My Money Steps
  • Thank you all. Even with a reasonably generous ents budget I'll still be able to pay £500 per month (total) to my creditors. (Total debt is £5000)

    Incidentally, (probably belongs on another thread) but have been pretty amazed at how nice TSB have been (so far)! Read bad things about Lloyds, maybe they've had a change of heart!

    Santander on the other hand... but then they've stopped interest and charges so can't complain.

    Anyone who's struggling out there, give StepChange or National Debtline a call! Nothing to lose...
  • Moogles76 wrote: »
    Even with a reasonably generous ents budget I'll still be able to pay £500 per month (total) to my creditors. (Total debt is £5000)

    That's just 10 months.

    You should be DF in no time. :cool:
  • eyeopener2
    eyeopener2 Posts: 1,783 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker Debt-free and Proud!
    10 months is nothing, in fact I'm surprised you need a DMP with it being so short.

    Anyway..

    I had £20 entertainment allowance and it was fine. Didn't really do much for all the dmp time and made sure that the debt came first in every instance.

    I suppose I sort of punished myself but it has made coming out the other side a bit weird knowing I have money, but I'm a bit scared to spend it!

    Maybe there is a lesson in moderation for me.
    I'm Debt Free :j 2/09/2013
    Debt at LBM 30/04/2010 £24,109.38,
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