What's the misc section under IRS allowable expenses

[ssmdem]

http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/20100315/bci_data/national_expense_standards.htm

What would go in this misc column in the above? $235 for a family of 4 -- just seems like a high amount for them to not have used for a particular category?


And apparel and services - $244??? Really, I'm allowed to spend that much on clothing each month? Dear Lord - don't tell my pre-teen daughter that!!

[newbie2]

http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa..._standards.htm

What would go in this misc column in the above? $235 for a family of 4 -- just seems like a high amount for them to not have used for a particular category?


And apparel and services - $244??? Really, I'm allowed to spend that much on clothing each month? Dear Lord - don't tell my pre-teen daughter that!!

Edited and deleted because I need a 2nd cup of coffee and don't know what I'm talking about yet :-)

[SMinGA]

Just my logic - but I believe 'apparel & services' includes shoes, dry cleaning, laundry supplies, etc as well as actual clothing purchases. We don't spend $200+ a month on it. But then, my inlaws buy clothes & shoes for the kids from time to time. They get things from family for Christmas/birthdays. And I spend several hundred $$ in the fall/spring on clothes and then little bits here & there throughout the year. Seems I buy socks for the kids every other month - new coats in the fall. Try to buy up so one lasts a while, but sometimes they go thru spurts where its hard to make one last the year! When you add all of that up - it probably does average out to be $200+.

For misc - I believe that just gives a bit of wiggle room since everyone's lifestyle is different. I don't think the govt. wants to get involved too much with saying what exactly you can & can't do, can & can't buy. Perhaps pet supplies, cigarettes and/or smoking cessation supplies, entertainment/recreation. Or even to help justify the need for cable/internet/phone - since some don't believe those go in with utilities on the home expense. (There is not a separate category for communication services on the means test.)

[momofthree]

Things like postage stamps, batteries, diapers, cell phones, cable tv, gym membership, etc. that don't fit into other categories...