Would it look bad if I join a gym a week before I file? What do you guys think????

[blackface916]

Plan on filing on Friday. As we know, having a gym membership is allowable expense in bk. Would a trustee be upset if I join before I file????

Thank you everybody.

[tobee43]

hold off on renewing your membership. i know the trustees in this area certainly would not consider it an legitimate expense unless it was medically related. really, just be patient and wait it out if you MUST have it. i understand to many it's important to keep in shape, but you may also want to consider alternatives to an actual gym membership? i'm certain if you work out already you can think of developing a routine for yourself without incurring the costs?

[HHM]

How much are we talking about?

It is a bit of an over-statement to say a gym membership is "allowable" in BK. Any claimed expense is subject to the test of whether the expense is "necessary and reasonable". If its a cheap gym, $10.00 per month, probably not an issue. If it is a full service sports complex at $60.00 - $80.00 per month, can be a problem. But even then, it is unlikely (hopefully) that if the expense was disallowed it would push you into a chapter 13. Whether it is something you should do depends on your overall circumstances. If you have half-dozen other questionable expenses that you are trying to push through as well, then the cumulative effect is bad, the trustee will challenge any questionable expense at that point (e.g. an expensive gym membership). Moreover, it doesn't look good to join a gym on the eve of BK (unless it is really cheap). Again, whether it will be a problem depends on the big picture.