melanie

[thanna]

Melanie have you any idea when the reviewed cccs figures will be out we;re due to do our annual review mid june many thanks Tracy

[MelanieGiles]

I don't know Tracy - Andy and I are meeting with CCCS next Tuesday, so would hope to have more informatin then. But in any case these guidelines should not be used for your annual review - which should be based upon your actual expenditure and not that stipulated by unrealistic and outdated figures.

[thanna]

will they not automaticaly turn them down then though,oil and groceries inparticular seem to have went up a lot thanx for the speedy reply [:)]

[MelanieGiles]

Not if they have any common sense they won't. I filled up my car yesterday, and for the first time ever it cost over £60. When I bought the car three years ago that same tank cost £45.

[thanna]

Thanx[:D]

[angela18]

i think the price of fuel is horrendous!! its quite scary as to when it will stop

[kallis3]

Most expensive diesel I have seen by me in South Staffs was £1.27 per litre - bet it will hit £1.30 in a few days.

[thanna]

Melanie on the subject of figures what do you think is a reasonable figure for shopping per month for a household of seven?me ,hubby, five boys 18,16,12,5,3 plus whats your opinion on clothing for all?Im not sure what the figures were last year but as review approaches im worried if i put down too much it;ll hold up the review i like to get it over and done with as quickly as possible [:I]

[MelanieGiles]

Well the CCCS would say between £455 and £670 - and I would definately say the higher figure is more realistic for shopping, and between £67 and £104 for clothing - where again I would go for the higher figure, but as I said earlier it should be what you actually spend (within reason) and not what someone tells you you are allowed to spend. Hopefully you have an undertstanding IP!

[thanna]

We try to keep it as low as possible ,tescos are great for bargains!![:D]

[MelanieGiles]

As a matter of interest what would you say you spend on shopping on a weekly basis?

[thanna]

p.s thanx melanie[:)][:)][:)]

[thanna]

Too much!!!!probably about 170-200 per week it varies for sometimes if theres good deals on you can save quite a bit by 3 for 2s ect plus i shop were the bargains are iceland can be a lifesaver!!

[MelanieGiles]

I therefore rest my case that the CCCS guidelines are too low to enable a healthy balanced diet. I was talking to Andy Davie's wife the other evening, and she admitted that they had a very unhealthy diet whilst they were in their IVA due to the ongoing financial constraint of the arrangement.

[thanna]

I totally agree ,sometimes its a nightmare to make sure they all get enough veggies and fruit,we try to keep it as low as possible ,but i agree with andy sometimes the unhealthy stuff is cheaper,that said we get by [:I]