I and E form from Castle Community Finance

Debtmess2010

I'm just starting out on a self managed DMP I called CCF as this is a credit union and you knowledgeable folk advised me to keep them happy. The telephone call to them went really well the guy was very understanding and helpful and told me to fill in and Income and Expenditure form which I have but they've come back asking why rent is high (£565) communications are high(£20) and groceries are high (£280, ive a thyroid issue so I'm gluten free) they want me to explain why these are so high? I  not sure what to tell them? With my extra work im now doing I have £320 ish after priority bills are paid so I was going to just set up a standing order to pay them £150 or £200 per month then save the rest for EF and wait for defaults on my other debts, should I carry on the dialogue with CCF or just set up the SO ? Thank you for any advice I really appreciate it  

itsthelittlethings

Are those figures per month? They don’t strike me as particularly high. I guess you can tell them you’re gluten free.

Debtmess2010

@itsthelittlethings yes per month yes I put that im gluten free on the original form as a note, im just not really sure what else to say to them, seems really odd! Thank you x

ManyWays

I cant think of anything polite to say to them. No one queries rent unless it's absurdly high - say 2000 a month

sourcrates

Rent/comm`s and food, three of the most volatile expenses you can have.

Honestly I would not dignify that with a response, but I guess you need them to play ball here.

Keep it brief, just say, that is your budget, its not really up for negotiation, and that you don`t consider it particularly high, given the recent rises in rent and food prices, you may also have to re-visit these figures at short notice if the trends continue as they have been, and leave it at that.

This credit union has no say whatsoever on your budgetary spending, debt management is an informal arrangement, and what you spend your budget on is really no one else's business but your own, especially in those categories, they are just trying to introduce a pecking order by thinking they can dictate how you spend your money, well they can`t.

fatbelly

Explain that your rent is £565 per calendar month and that that is below the average rent in your area for private rented accommodation

The spends of £20 on Communication and £280 on food & housekeeping per month, are below the guidance figures on the Standard Financial Statement

They should be working to the SFS and they should have access to the figures

And you are happy to answer any further questions they may have

Debtmess2010

Thank you all for replying, I was a little gobsmacked when they came back to say that the amounts were excessive as I thought it was all pretty reasonable, I'll  reply to them, keeping it brief with a "These are the figures and will set up a SO "..Thanks again everyone,  appreciate your help x