Allowances For Outgoings?

sheralea69

Hi,

I'm in a position where I have to declare bankruptcy at short notice, complicated situation but I have no option and owe somewhere in the region on £43k to creditors following my recent divorce.

I live in a rented 3 bedroom house with my new partner. We both work. I have 2 children aged 10 and 13 which I have for 2 nights a week. I pay 280 a month child maintenance but have considerable travelling costs to collect them and drop them back as my ex will not do any of it. I earn approx £1950 a month net, my partner approx £1150.

I have the forms downloaded but am after some guidance as to what the receiver will regard as reasonable outgoings. I am sure that what I spend at the moment will not be deemed as acceptable.

Does the receiver have guidelines that they work to, and how can I find these?

My intention is not to cheat anyone out of what I rightly owe, but at the same time don't want to miss anything or under estimate my outgoings.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

fermi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/65501099#Comment_65501099

egrescrimp

They do have guidelines, but the best thing todo is chuck up your SOA using the following tool to generate it http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php

We can then help you make it so you don't struggle, the OR isn't really interested in your partners income other than they would expect a contribution from them towards the household running costs.

Somethings not allowed in bankruptcy are SkyTV, pocket money, gym memberships etc so if you have them and want to keep them - the SOA will need juggling to cover these from allowable expenses.

sheralea69

Ok, I've completed my income and expenditure sheet and it comes out like this... Please be honest with me and tell me if it seems reasonable.

My income: £1950 p/m
Partners contribution to household : £600 p/m
Total: £2550 p/m

Outgoings:

Rent - £750
Housekeeping - £400
Electricity and oil - £170 (seems excessive but it's what it is)
Water - £45
Telephone - £40
Travelling & Essential Journeys - £240 (Children live 35 miles away)
Clothing - £80 (myself and children inc school uniforms))
Maintenance payments £279
Council Tax £135
Optician - £10
Prescriptions £10
School clubs/ trips £8
Dentist £10
Haircut and non prescription vitamins for eye condition £25
Car Insurance £41
Car Tax £21
Car repairs / maintenance £30
House insurance £14
Dog insurance (two dogs) £25
Dog food £28
Professional fees £14 (essential)
Dry Cleaning (Uniform)
TV License £12
Window/ gutter cleaner (part of rent agreement) £10
Emergency Fund £40
Parking £10
Childrens Holiday £40

Total £2438

Amount left over £112.00

egrescrimp

Can you confirm how many people actually live in your household?

sheralea69

My partner and I live together in a rented 3 bed semi. I have two children aged 10 and 13 that live with us 2 nights a week minumum plus 4 weeks a year during school holidays. All of this is in a court order.
The ages of the children (and they're boy/girl) make the 3 bed house necessary.

egrescrimp

Thanks for that, I assume your wife then is handling her own clothes, haircuts, prescriptions etc?

Parking seems pretty low at £10, is that for when you pick up your children or work or for a parking permit where you live?

Do you not have a mobile phone? that would be an extra £10 per person.

luvchocolate

Hello I think food for pets has to come out of your housekeeping/food bill

egrescrimp

luvchocolate wrote: »

Hello I think food for pets has to come out of your housekeeping/food bill

Mine didn't

TheGardener

egrescrimp wrote: »

Mine didn't

Mine did - and the pet insurance, these are discretionary costs unless the dog is a registered guide or disability working dog

sheralea69

Thanks guys for your help so far......

The parking is a general cost when going into town for shopping etc.

I was sure about the dog insurance. Having it avoids vet bills but maybe any mishaps have to be funded from the emergency fund?

I didn't think I could claim for mobiles if you have a land line? All four of us have them - should I put this in?

Does everything else look reasonable? To be fair I spend more in some areas but know I have to be realistic.

Thanks!