Standards for expense amounts

[Migal]

Is there a form that would show me what Michigan considers as the standards for different categories of expenses?

[liz417]

Here you go:

http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/20090315/meanstesting.htm

Go down to #4 and plug your State in

[michaelsmom]

Here you go:

http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/20090315/meanstesting.htm

Go down to #4 and plug your State in

What do they include in the "non-mortgage" category? Is it per month? For our county they have that column amount as $410...we spend $350 a month on groceries alone!

[Migal]

I believe that is just for your rent and utilities. The other category is for mortgage.

If you go back to 2 or 3 it shows you the national standards for groceries and such.

[liz417]

What do they include in the "non-mortgage" category? Is it per month? For our county they have that column amount as $410...we spend $350 a month on groceries alone!

One's for the mortgage payment and one is for your utilities, etc per month. This does NOT include your groceries...scroll down/up and click on the other links to find out your allowed expenses.

[michaelsmom]

I believe that is just for your rent and utilities. The other category is for mortgage.

If you go back to 2 or 3 it shows you the national standards for groceries and such.

Thank you! I saw that right before I saw your post..I appreciate the info

[Migal]

good to know, i misinterpretted that!

[liz417]

good to know, i misinterpretted that!

Also, I wanted to let you guys know that this is just a "Guideline for Expenses", if your expenses exceed those they have posted (as mine did), you will need to save all receipts to "prove" that expense.

Good Luck

[michaelsmom]

Ours don't exceed any of those, so we're feeling even better about our decision