A parting Gift, or curse its up to you, and how you use it

blind-as-a-bat_2

A farewell gift, the OR,s Expenditure guide Can be seen here

Why am I posting this? Well firstly it is now available on the IS website in the freedom of speech OR,s technical manual section, and although this might be an oversight by some IT guy at the IS, at the time of posting this, it is available to all anyway if you took the time to look.

Secondly im posting it to say it isn’t worth the paper it is written on,

1. If you read the date of the survey the figures are based on it doesn’t take a genius to figure out prices have risen drastically since then, by how much is anyone’s guess but my guess is between 10% and 20% for food an fuel costs

2. They are an average so only apply to Mr. and Mrs. Average, so if you live in say London, they are a mile out so of no help at all to you

3. And most importantly they are a guide only; they are not set in stone.

And that is the most important part as your cost of living is just that YOUR cost of living, so constantly asking “What does the OR Allow?” is the wrong question, what you should be asking is “How much does it cost me to live, comfortably, but not extravagantly”

And that’s the thing both the posters on here AND the some examiners at the IS service seem to be missing.

“But I have no idea what I spend or should spend on x or y” I here you cry!!!

Ive seen that posted countless times, and that to be blunt is one of the reasons we are where we are now, because we stuck our head in the sand and stopped looking, or have been living bellow the level necessary to try maintain or debts, so rather than post on here “how much should I put for food?” go online at one of the supermarkets and do a ‘test’ shop, but make it realistic for a month, realistic not extravagant is the key here.

You can apply the same to clothing, again go online or go window shopping and find out how much it costs to re stock your kids wardrobe say twice a year, not to mention yours, again realistically not extravagantly.

And that’s what you enter on your forms, you will find it higher than you think more than likely, and higher than those guidelines for sure.

Which brings me too my last point, when the OR,s examiner says “im not allowing that as its higher than the guidelines” the same principle apply in reverse so stand your ground and prove that what you have entered is the true cost for YOU to live, and don’t be intimidated by them or anything they say, or as we have seen, threaten.

The only way you will survive through BR and beyond is if you are realistic about your budget so spend the time to research it, get the proof to argue it just in case it comes to that, but most of all be prepared to stand up and do so.

And stop looking for mythical guides to what you should spend it simply doesn’t exist

A final word of warning, to those who ignore the above, if you all start putting the figures down out of the above, be prepared to end up having to prove everything to your OR, as they will be suspicious if everyone’s figures match that guide, so maybe ive given you a curse not a gift, so please don’t make me regret this

Blind

dalip

And that post is one of the reasons why you should not be leaving this site bat:D

peachyprice

blind-as-a-bat wrote: »

And that is the most important part as your cost of living is just that YOUR cost of living, so constantly asking “What does the OR Allow?” is the wrong question, what you should be asking is “How much does it cost me to live, comfortably, but not extravagantly”

And that’s the thing both the posters on here AND the some examiners at the IS service seem to be missing.

The wisest words I have seen in a long time, could we have this in big flashing lights at the top of the page, because there will always be some who just don't get it!

zoe2008

I agree with Dalip
You have soo much knowledge of this subject, and you help a lot of us who cannot see a way farward.
You will be greatly missed
I hate to think that narrow minded trolls are pushing valuable people like yourself away.
All the best
X

tigerfeet2006

dalip wrote: »

And that post is one of the reasons why you should not be leaving this site bat:D

I second that motion Dalip

Toon_Dave

BAAB..So sorry to see you go m8.

You have offered me some invaluable advice over the past few weeks and months but you will be a sad loss to this site and for people looking for assistance.

I too am sorry that the constant troll attacks on here are forcing good people elsewhere and that they may prevent some for asking for help in the future.

Best of luck in the future and i'm sure our paths will cross again in the not too distant future.

Dave.

susiehasdebts

you've got to laugh at the figures really (or you'd cry!) - housekeeping for 2 adults, £394, but for 1 adult and 2+ kids, £281 - if they think 3 children eat only half as much as one adult, then they should come to my house for a lesson in reality. BAAB, i think you've made a good point. Presumably most of us here are spending the minimum possible anyway - if we weren't skint we'd be on the saving and investing forum, right?:D - so chances are that our actual spending figures are a pretty good guide...£281 - mwahahaha (maniacal/hysterical laughter)..:rotfl: :rotfl:

Back_From_Hell

I am new to this site but had to ask is this correct that the official receiver is using out of date figures to calculate Income Payments Agreements as it appears in that link?

Merry_Gentry

dalip wrote: »

And that post is one of the reasons why you should not be leaving this site bat:D

Here here!!!:T:T

Sunk

dalip wrote: »

And that post is one of the reasons why you should not be leaving this site bat:D

I second that!


The OR says that a family of 5, 2 adults & 3children (aged 17,15 & 13) can live on £600.00 per month.
Food & personal items.
It works out on average to £27.00 per week per person.
My son has just spent a quarter of his allowance with hair gel.:eek:

Richard_S

Back_From_Hell wrote: »

I am new to this site but had to ask is this correct that the official receiver is using out of date figures to calculate Income Payments Agreements as it appears in that link?

Hi Back From Hell,

Yes, I'm afraid that's true, but we both of us know that realism, and consistency are seldom the benchmarks of the I.S.;)

Pleased to make your acquaintance, and welcome to the Forum.:beer::beer:


Regards

Richard