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SOA- please advise

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Comments

  • anyone32
    anyone32 Posts: 19 Forumite
    Can OR check my bill? For example if I include TV licence and I don't pay for it, then I am in trouble. The same with content insurance.
  • egrescrimp
    egrescrimp Posts: 573 Forumite
    anyone32 wrote: »
    Can OR check my bill? For example if I include TV licence and I don't pay for it, then I am in trouble. The same with content insurance.

    They tend to know how much things cost, they have guidelines to follow.

    I'd strongly recommend getting the contents insurance, £5 per month for that added piece of mind or security if something was to happen. You'd find it very hard to replace a full house of contents with no access to credit.

    They don't check into things unless they believe that you maybe misleading them and claiming for things in excess of what things cost. If they do believe you are trying to get a bigger allowance for something, they will just ask for proof. Based on the current SOA you've not got enough for an IPA/IPO but don't sell yourself short. There is a chance the OR may say your grocery allowance is too high for 2 adults and a child.
  • anyone32
    anyone32 Posts: 19 Forumite
    so what is the allowance for groceries for 2 adults and a child? This is what I spend. I don't buy cheap ready made food, soups in cans, I don't eat pizza and any take out, I cook myself and healthy food is not cheap.
  • egrescrimp
    egrescrimp Posts: 573 Forumite
    anyone32 wrote: »
    so what is the allowance for groceries for 2 adults and a child? This is what I spend. I don't buy cheap ready made food, soups in cans, I don't eat pizza and any take out, I cook myself and healthy food is not cheap.

    I have a larger family than yourself and mine is about £100 per month more, however if that's what you spend make sure to stand your ground if they say otherwise and possibly save a few receipts just to back things up.
  • TheGardener
    TheGardener Posts: 3,303 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Given your income and the fact you are both going BR, the chances are there wont be an IPA - this is as much about setting you budget for a debt free future living within your means as evidencing your current expenditure. The advice given on the guidelines (remember they are not 'allowances') is good and are open to negotiation with the OR - the rule is that the expenses are 'reasonable'
    I agree you could make savings on the food budget though - over £100 a week is quite a lot for 2 adults and a little one if you are on a tight budget. I would tend to disagree about the food - good food is cheap - its the rubbish and the takeaways that are dear.:)
  • anyone32
    anyone32 Posts: 19 Forumite
    my groceries include also cleaning stuff, so if I reduce it to 420 per month, will this be ok?
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