Help with BR expenditure! 9 June 2020 at 8:51AM in Bankruptcy & living with it 16 replies 1.1K views

bvizion

mwarby said:

bvizion said:

mwarby said:

a few comments on your proposed expenditure

- smoking isnt generally one of the expenses they will give an allowance for in bankruptcy

- optical and dental costs both seem a little high £180 a year for dental and £264 for optical, many don't need new glasses each year(and don't expect designer frames etc), and if using an NHS dentist half your figure goes a long way. And all this is after paying insurance , whats that for ?

- hobbies £56, I think that'll be too rich for OR, esp with £26 alcahol too

- savings £30, normally you'd be allowed £20 I think

Thanks for your advice. 
If smoking is not one of the expenses they will allow an allowance, I wonder why do they include it in the BR application questionnaire form? It can't be just for their own curiosity! I have just answered what they have asked. Optical. £19 a month for 30 contact lenses, plus mist for dry eyes. I am on a computer screen for 8 hours nonstop. I don't use the NHS dentist, I have 26 dent plan insurance. I also buy toothbrushes, toothpaste, Listerine to maintain regular Hygiene. And by the way, it is not just Hobbies. It is "Hobbies, leisure, and Sport" including socializing, eating out, and drinking out. Let me break it down. £22 pm Pure Gym. £8 pm Cinema. £36 pm eat out, drink, coffee with mates once a month! I believe that's quite reasonable (but OR may think it isn't) and If I am honest, I have spent a lot more, but then again that is one of the reasons why I ended up here. As for Alcohol!  A bottle of wine a week, £6.50 when it is on offer at Morrisons. I could be wrong, but I believe going BR doesn't mean stopping drinking or smoking. As long as I don't overspend. Yeah, I suppose I could save just £20 instead of £30, don't think that's gonna make much difference. Anyway, your suggestion is much appreciated, thanks. 

You might find these bits of the bankruptcy manual interesting, it's possible the OR won't notice or would be more generous than required, but its far from certain

https://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/technicalmanual/Ch25-36/Chapter31/part7/part4/part_4.htm

31.7.113 Social and entertainment expenses (amended April 2012)

31.7.114 Sports memberships and activities (amended April 2012)

31.7.122 Health care provision, including dentists and opticians

Thanks. The way I see it is, they have these questions asked on the application form and I will give a true answer, If they want a proof, it is all there on my bank statements. I rarely ever purchase anything by cash. Sure OR can disagree and lower it. I will hope for the best. 

allthe7s

I would include your smoking cost in your groceries. 

debt_doctor

mwarby said:

bvizion said:

mwarby said:

a few comments on your proposed expenditure

- smoking isnt generally one of the expenses they will give an allowance for in bankruptcy

- optical and dental costs both seem a little high £180 a year for dental and £264 for optical, many don't need new glasses each year(and don't expect designer frames etc), and if using an NHS dentist half your figure goes a long way. And all this is after paying insurance , whats that for ?

- hobbies £56, I think that'll be too rich for OR, esp with £26 alcahol too

- savings £30, normally you'd be allowed £20 I think

Thanks for your advice. 
If smoking is not one of the expenses they will allow an allowance, I wonder why do they include it in the BR application questionnaire form? It can't be just for their own curiosity! I have just answered what they have asked. Optical. £19 a month for 30 contact lenses, plus mist for dry eyes. I am on a computer screen for 8 hours nonstop. I don't use the NHS dentist, I have 26 dent plan insurance. I also buy toothbrushes, toothpaste, Listerine to maintain regular Hygiene. And by the way, it is not just Hobbies. It is "Hobbies, leisure, and Sport" including socializing, eating out, and drinking out. Let me break it down. £22 pm Pure Gym. £8 pm Cinema. £36 pm eat out, drink, coffee with mates once a month! I believe that's quite reasonable (but OR may think it isn't) and If I am honest, I have spent a lot more, but then again that is one of the reasons why I ended up here. As for Alcohol!  A bottle of wine a week, £6.50 when it is on offer at Morrisons. I could be wrong, but I believe going BR doesn't mean stopping drinking or smoking. As long as I don't overspend. Yeah, I suppose I could save just £20 instead of £30, don't think that's gonna make much difference. Anyway, your suggestion is much appreciated, thanks. 

You might find these bits of the bankruptcy manual interesting, it's possible the OR won't notice or would be more generous than required, but its far from certain

https://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov.uk/technicalmanual/Ch25-36/Chapter31/part7/part4/part_4.htm

31.7.113 Social and entertainment expenses (amended April 2012)

31.7.114 Sports memberships and activities (amended April 2012)

31.7.122 Health care provision, including dentists and opticians

The bankruptcy Technical Manual has not been updated for more than 3 years. The way IPAs were assessed changed dramatically around 3 years ago, please see my thread some time ago here.....https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5687363/ipas-and-the-standard-financial-statement-sfs#latest
DD

debt_doctor

Go to first page!

bvizion

allthe7s said:

I would include your smoking cost in your groceries. 

This is how it is in the BR application form. The question about smoking is in a separate field. 

bvizion

Hi

Just wanted to thank everyone who helped. I did submit the BR application 3 weeks ago, got approved next day and had a couple of email correspondences from the OR, who send me few forms to sign and stated that they will not need to further interview me (never had the phone interview) She has not mentioned any IPA, but then again, my monthly expenses were slightly above my earning. Overall, it has been much straightforward than I though it would be. This forum helped a lot. Before I found this forum, I was considering paying a £350 service to help with the application, did it all by myself and with the help/information I was able to get from here.
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Followed Dept_Doctors advice regarding the expenditure and had no qestons asked.