saving money before filing

If we aren't paying any bills while waiting to file, we will have some extra money each month. How will that be looked at once we file?

I'd like the answer to this as well. Although in our case, we haven't been able to save all that much in the past month or so. It's amazing how much we really depending on credit. Scary.

You will probably need a lot of it for the up-front lawyer fees. Otherwise, I'd use it to get prepared, like stocking up on food/personal care items that you will have to buy, get new tires for the car, oil changes, insurance, stuff like that so that you are really ready to live on your budget the first few months while you get used to the BK plan, you don't want any surprise bills that first month!

Or, stuff it in a mattress, just don't leave it in the bank, lol.