www.iva.co.uk

Hypothetically when u enter into a IVA what will be the average a single person will be left with for food, clothes, social life etc, basically would would I have to live on?

I know some will say its all dependent but am looking for a ball park figure, will I have say £400 a month to spend or will it be a paltry £250?. Im assuming additional is allowed for all bills (service charge, elec, water, gas)

It really does depend on claiming all your allowances and for example whether you smoke. However, £400 is probably high and £250 a bit on the low side so somewhere in between.

Do people get more allowance for smoking?.

I had heard the maximum is £210 from a single person, which if true I may aswell justkeep paying the min payments on my cards. I couldnt survive on a paltry sum

You are allowed £60 for smoking, £195 for food and toiletries, £28 clothes, £31 meals at work etc. There are other allowances for sundries, hair, laundry, newspapers, church or charity, medical/dental/optical etc. These allowances while not generous can make the IVA viable so make sure when you speak to your chosen IP firm that you are given the allocated allowances.

It is worth taking some free advice anyway and if you cannot afford the payments you do not have to proceed.

Surely I can just say I smoke to be allowed extra cash?

Hey,

Well mine include:-

Mobile: £40
Clothes £25
Food & House Keeping £225
Internet £15
Contact Lenses £20

...

The point of entering into an IVA is to repay as much as you can to your creditors whilst living reasonably comfortably and it's important to be honest about what you actually spend.

When I was asked if I smoked I hesitantly said no (sorry Tina). I was just too ashamed to admit that I smoke considering the financial ruin I am in. Have been trying to quit but its so hard especially when one is under extreme stress. I didnt really think I would be allowed anything at all for this.

If you don't smoke then you should not claim the allowance. I don't!

I can understand the honesty aspect but I can also understand what the poster is saying, to me smoking isn't a necessity and should be taken from another allowance rather than a given allowance but that is purely my opinion. I don't smoke as you can probably tell and I'm sure if I did my viewpoint may change lol xx

I don't smoke either and do think that this should be taken from other allowances.

My wife smokes and I don't think we got an allowance for her cigs. Should we put it on our review this year.

You can try.

Nicola - if yoy smoke you should not feel ashamed at all. I smoke the occasional ciggie when I am having a glass of wine - and so what!

And if they put cigarettes up to £20 per pack, most of us who smoke would still smoke. You must put this down on your expenditure - especially as you may smoke more over the next few weeks due to the stressful situation you are under at the moment.