How much cash do you take out of the ATM?

[mongoose]

Just curious. I used to either pay everything by cash or credit card. Most gas by credit card and food w/ cash. Now w/ the bk I have no credit cards and am using a debit card to track my expenses better. Still...I don't like using it for small amounts like an occasional tea at Starbucks or sandwhich, small gift, dry cleaning, parking and other small purchases.

I was eating out a lot and was probably spending $200-$300 each week in cash, but now since I am paying all food and gas w/ the debit card I am down to $100 per week.

Just curious about others, also wondering what the trustee will say about $100 per week in cash taken out. I just started saving receipts since filing a few weeks ago.

Thanks.

[BassBoy]

i don't believe that $100 a week for the occasional tea at Starbucks or sandwhich, small gift, dry cleaning, parking and other small purchases, and not to mention gas (if you use this cash for that) is unreasonable.

[AngelinaCatHub]

You are on a good start if you are down to 100 from 200 300. I would take out the 100 in cash and SPEND NO MORE. Keep receipts if you must but you are doing well. ‘Hub

[AngelinaCatHub]

i don't believe that $100 a week for the occasional tea at Starbucks or sandwhich, small gift, dry cleaning, parking and other small purchases, and not to mention gas (if you use this cash for that) is unreasonable.

[mongoose]

Great, thanks for the quick replies. I don't buy gas w/ cash anymore, but the $100 also includes Dr. and Prescription co-pays, basically all purchases under $25 I would say.

One other question that probably isn't worth starting a new thread for: On my means test / schedule J (I think that is the right one) I put my cell phone bill at $155 per mo, which was the bill last month. It is only $133 this month and I am close right now on 7 vs. 13 (under $20). Will this discrepency be looked at do you think when I bring my latest bank statement to the 341?

Thanks!

[AngelinaCat]

No, I don't think the cell phone bill will make a difference. If you look at your cell bill for the last 6 months, you will see that it is more one month and less another. So the $155.00 is probably a 'safe' average figure.

On the ATM withdrawls, 'Hub says to take out $100.00 at a time but really doesn't say why. Every amount you take out, be it $20.00, $40.00, $60.00 or the $100.00, you will be hit with the ATM fee that can be as much as $2.00 per transaction. So if you take out $20.00, you are paying a penalty (for the *priviledge*) for that $20.00. Whereas, if you take out $100.00 at a time, the fee is still $2.00. You get more bang for your buck, as it were.

[Frogge]

I've been depositing all but $200 of my paycheck every two weeks and using that money for the same type of stuff - slushies for kids, Starbucks, McD's or pizza etc.. so when the cash is gone, it's GONE. The kids know it too.