Should I stop making purchases on a credit card- even if I'm only an authorized user?

[illlitius]

I am planning to file for BK and I have stopped using my credit cards. Someone very close to me has allowed me to be an authorized user for their credit card. It is for necessity items like food, etc.

What worries me is that I have a defaulted credit card account with the same creditor in which I am an authorized user.

Should I stop making purchases on this card? Especially since I am filing for Ch 7 BK?
It is advised to stop making purchases on credit prior to filing BK, but should purchases as an authorized user be stopped also?


Thanks in advance.

[newbie2]

I would stop, for this reason: How are you going to survive post bankruptcy if you can't pay cash for living expenses? If you need to continue to use a credit card, you have to fix that situation (the lack of income).

[frogger]

I would stop, for this reason: How are you going to survive post bankruptcy if you can't pay cash for living expenses? If you need to continue to use a credit card, you have to fix that situation (the lack of income).

I agree. Learn to live within your means, starting immediately.

[tcreegan]

Hi illitius,

Using a credit card in the 90 days before filing is one of the BK taboos, best course is to quit while you're ahead. Or in a BK it would be 'quit while you're behind'

Small puchases for lifes necessities are not going to be a problem though. Might draw a frown from the trustee, but thats about it.

The bigger problem is when you file BK, any credit card w/ your name on it will probably be closed immediately. It is just a knee-jerk reaction from credit card companies....if your name pops out of the database, that account gets closed. Later you can get it settled out but in the meantime give a heads up to the cardholder.

Good luck w. your filing!

Tom in Colo