How does cable tv fit into expenses?

[PaKettle]

I know people who are paying well over $100/month for cable, but ours is "only" $55/month. Will that be allowed as an expense for Chapter 7, or will we have to downgrade our service?

[SinkingFast]

Depends on the Court you file in and/or perhaps the Trustee you draw.

Best thing to do is check with attnys in your area to see what is and is not allowed. Don't go cutting back on anything until you know you need to.

Also, many attnys will hide expenses that aren't allowed in other areas. For example,.......... Some Trustees don't allow pet expenses at all. So attnys will hide pet expenses in their client's food costs. Or pad the clothing allowance a bit.

[BKOnce]

Cable TV is kinda "luxury" car (mercedes), while antena TV is like "economy" car...

[tay666]

Cable TV is kinda "luxury" car (mercedes), while antena TV is like "economy" car...

I can see that.
But there are also areas where you cannot get an antena signal.
Our city has had cable since the late 60's. Mainly because you can't get any kind of signal unless you have at least a 40' tower to put your antena on.

[SinkingFast]

I can see that.
But there are also areas where you cannot get an antena signal.
Our city has had cable since the late 60's. Mainly because you can't get any kind of signal unless you have at least a 40' tower to put your antena on.

Same here, Tay. We live between 2 major cities but far enough from both that we cannot get TV from either.

Even with the 40' tower, you're lucky to get a station or 2 from the other cities. If the weather is good. The wind is blowing right. There's not a solar flare storm on the sun. Etc.

So cable TV is an expected and allowed expense in our Court.

[magyar123]

I assume that basic cable is an allowable expense - if not too high. Get rid of HBO, Cinemax, other premium channels.

[PaKettle]

Thanks, that sounds reasonable. We will have the cheapest package our cable co. offers, which is $45/month.

[FilingOnMyOwn]

You could claim it as a utility. Worst the trustee does is says no. If you're paranoid, you could put it under entertainment. Either way you should not have a problem.

[BKTango]

It is best to check with your local area, because what the courts will accept in one area, may not be what they accept in another. In our area, cable was listed on the papers our attorney had us fill out and were allowed our cable expense of $50 a month (that's what we spend so I don't know if more would be allowed) and our internet bill of $39 month was allowed.

[rrockinggramma]

my cable bill was 125 but included my internet. The trustee ask at the 341, I told him it included internet and that was that. No problems. Keep your 55.00 and see where it goes. Probably without a hitch.