Self-managed payment plan - SoA check needed first please

Ruralkarl

looks slightly more acceptable.
I’m still very new at this as well and also trying to sort my expenses so I could be way out but the following jumps out to me

groceries and household 800. This is high and they will likely want this trimmed

Fuel 350 again seems very high unless you have some particularly large commutes

not sure they allow a holiday category

exponential

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82183023#Comment_82183023

The groceries and household goods is accurate.
A simple supermarket visit with barely 20 items in your basket can easily reach £80 these days when you consider the cost of washing powder, detergent, fabric softener etc etc let alone the food itself.
It's ridiculous the price of everything these days…..

We run an old 2 litre diesel and can't afford to replace it. It costs a fortune to run as we predominantly now do short journey's which is horrific for mile to the gallon.
Same for my diesel van, predominantly locally based work so terrible for fuel economy.

The list is directly from the Lemonfool website so are acceptable items.

ArtyJ931

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82183023#Comment_82183023

this is for a DMP not insolvency so the creditors don’t get to ‘allow’ or ‘disallow’ anything. They might suspect people can afford more than they’re saying and maybe that’s when they’ll go for a ccj?

Grumpelstiltskin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82183044#Comment_82183044

Only a very small thing but fabric softener is a waste of money and not good for some fabrics.

I'm a laundry expert - here's why I don't use fabric softener - Which?

You need to work out what is worth the money it costs and what you are paying for TV adverts for some products.

exponential

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82183228#Comment_82183228

Funny you should say that. I was reading an article the other day on this very subject.
Interesting read and yeah, it would seem you're right!

exponential

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82183173#Comment_82183173

Very true, a lot of it is based on basically what people tell them.
They have no means to access your bank account, nor are you required to send them an SoA but doing so helps your case much more than either non-communication or limited info.
If I did have extra money, I wouldn't be driving around in a beat-up old Fiat Doblo and allow my wife to drive the kids around in a clapped-out old Qashqai which sounds like it's going to destroy itself over every bump in the road!

I have been sending a very similar SoA now for 12 months or so and they've been kind enough to put my accounts on hold.
I've managed to save some money by cancelling or reducing what we buy and so I'm at the stage where I feel able to contribute towards my debts.
Hopefully I can continue to save and hopefully earn more where I can start to increase the amounts at each stage.
That's the plan anyway.

Sherlock33

Landline 15.00
Mobile phone 30.00
Internet 55.00
TV licence 15.00
Satellite / cable TV 60.00

£175 a month for phone/tv/Internet is very high.

Are you out of contract on any? If so review all of these.

Do you really need a landline?

You can get SIM only deals for a couple of quid.

Basic broadband is sufficient for most people at £30ish.

Rotating between streaming services will save you fortune on cable/satellite.

My costs for comparison:

Landline: £0

Mobile: £5.90

Internet: £24.99

TV licence: £15

Satellite/cable: £0 at present (previous £5.99 for HBO Max)

exponential

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82183333#Comment_82183333

Wow! You're saving a fortune!! I'm stuck with the internet cost for another 3 months so can drop that in the new year.
Satellite and TV is a mix of Amazon, Netflix and NOW tv. I guess I can maybe drop the NOW tv and Netflix but the amazon has ton of films on there we bought years ago plus the free deliveries can't be beat.
The landline will go when the internet gets changed next year as it's linked to the broadband but no, we don't need that either.
The mobiles are with Giffgaff because I pay for mine, my wife's and daughters bills (SIM only).

I know my bills are high but we're doing our best to make the right choices and change what we can when we can.

Sherlock33

You don't need a prime subscription to watch films you have previously bought.

I found that the lack of prime meant I ordered substantially less crap (that I didn't really need) from amazon. If I ever do want to buy I wait until I have a big enough order that non prime delivery is still free or I add things a friend wants to make up the cost.

SpireCaptain

@exponential have you had much or any contact from your BBL provider? I remember your previous posts mentioning it whilst I was still making payments at that time (but have since started missing payments). Two unpaid months on my BBL.