Would cell phones be a luxury item?

[AMISLANDER]

We really don't use our house phone anymore; cell phone plan is better but one of my friends mentioned to look into the cell being a luxury item. Also my boyfriend is on my plan...

so there's two of us with two numbers but the bill only comes in my name...any thoughts on this one?

Anyone asked about their cell phone bills?

[bkfiler]

i read in one of the links i posted that their cell phone was a luxury and that bk filers needed to tighten belts. go fing the link uner one of the bk dismissed threads.

having said that, if its not an outrageous amount and seems reasonable then its probably fine. if you are wondering about it then maybe its to high and you should lower the amount listed. my phone bill was under $58 and i included my cell phone pre-paid. but that also includes my dsl on the land line too.

[AMISLANDER]

Since it's two of us using w/our own numbers...

Bill was running $150/month...I have alltel and am currently finished with my contract but added my boyfriend last xmas...so I think he has another year.

I cut our minutes and the base price down to $79...I don't think $100 w/taxes is too much for two people?

Supposedly I have a "good" trustee in Tampa, that's what my lawyer said, have all the necessary paperwork together, xcept vehicle copy of title & mom is getting that for me before the weekend...341 next tues.

Freaked out to the max.

[Lightning]

You're creating a potential financial mess by combining finances with someone you have no legal tie to. If you added your boyfriend to your account, you're responsible for the entire balance if he doesn't pay. I wouldn't be surprised if the trustee sees the entire balance as yours alone.

[FoolAndHisMoney]

According to the below link to the means test (line 32) you can list it as an expense. I thought that it would be part of housing expenses, but not according to this form. I'm sure they would want it to be reasonable and not a $300 phonr bill.

http://www.uscourts.gov/rules/Revised_Rules_and_Forms/BK_Form_B22A101105.pdf

[robivi3]

Cell phones/cable or satellite are not luxuries anymore. Sorry... but that posted alot in this forum.

[robivi3]

A word of advice, if you are BK'ing don't get rid of your hardline. It is a valuable reference and it may be difficult to get a new one with Bell.

[bkfiler]

im not so sure i would believe that its set in stone that they are not luxury. i think i posted a link of a recent case wehre the court thought that the debtor should tighten his belt and cell phones are not neccesary.

in general i bet its accepted so that good. problem is when something looks wrong anyplace in the application and they motion to dismiss then then start being critical from that point on and its hard to come back from.

the key word is 'reasonable' and then it depends on the trusttee, UST.

[AMISLANDER]

Could you explain a little more on this?

A word of advice, if you are BK'ing don't get rid of your hardline. It is a valuable reference and it may be difficult to get a new one with Bell.

I've had my # for a couple of years...current until now.

[sunshine08]

I had a big concern about that myself, though no problems. I have basic cable - antenna's suck as far a reception where I live . But I use my cell alot for work and consider it a necessity for safety reasons. I live and work in a large county, radio doesn't work well in alot of areas, have some dead spots for cell phones also, but it is more reliable than the radio.
Before we filed bk, we tried to cut/reschedule expenses. We do the equal payment plan on our electricity, called Sprint and got a better deal on telephone service, things like that.
Each person decides what they consider a "luxury". My husband could care less if we have phone service or not. He loves cable and the internet though. But the only reason we got cable, was my mother, she lives with us and actually she pays that bill. My luxury is a fountain drink, $1.39. Go figure.

[newday]

I pay $120 per month for cellphone and the trustee didn't bring it up at the 341 meeting.

[robivi3]

120.00 is reasonable. I pay about that, four phones, five in the family. The two youngest share a phone.