Chapter 7 - Schedule J (Budget and Expenses)

[PoorlyFunded]

I spoke to my attorney today, and he's cautiously optimistic about getting my Chapter 7 approved. I was wondering if someone could look at my expenses and tell me if they look about right? I know no one can offer legal advice, and I'm not asking for that, so consider yourself free of liability if you respond. Here are my expenses:

Food	350
Rent	650
Renters' Insurance	67
Electricity	65
Cell Phone	125
Water	20
Garbage	12
Sewer	16
Internet	25
Car Insurance	155
Car Payment	534
Pet Care	100
Gas and Maintenance	350
Clothing	100
Student Loan	292
Personal Care	100
Professional Expenses	150
Classroom Expenses	50
IRS Installment Plan	110
Medical	110
Dental (Waiting for treatment plan)
Additional Tax	120
Smoking Cessation	100

[despritfreya]

The only item I would change for my clients is a category called "pet care". I would shift the expense into something like "miscellaneous". But that is what I would do. Other attorneys may be just fine with the category.

Des.

[PoorlyFunded]

despritfreya Thank you for that. My attorney seems okay with the pet care expense. My other concern is that these aren't the actual numbers I'm spending right now; rather, it is the budget that I've worked out for myself to prevent net negative bank balances in the future. I mean, overspending is kind of what's gotten me into this mess. So are the trustees crazy concerned with how my past spending has looked vis-a-vis the budget I submit? I'm trying my best to get things back on track.

[despritfreya]

despritfreya . . . I mean, overspending is kind of what's gotten me into this mess. So are the trustees crazy concerned with how my past spending has looked vis-a-vis the budget I submit? I'm trying my best to get things back on track.

Unless, by overspending you are talking about living a lavish lifestyle, I doubt a Trustee is going to even inquire. You will be fine.

Des.

[PoorlyFunded]

despritfreya Hehe, well, I'm a public school teacher, so unless I'm hoarding money somewhere (definitely not), I doubt "living a lavish lifestyle" would even come into consideration for a sane trustee. I'm also looking to finally add short- and long-term disability to my expenses this year; a surgery last year kept me out for two weeks and I ran out of sick days. I really don't want something similar to happen again without disability to fall back on if I need it. So I'd say my 4k monthly net is probably going to be pretty safe from scrutiny. I hope. Thank you so much for your engagement. This is NOT an easy decision to make or a simple process to follow.

[despritfreya]

[USER="32138"]. . . This is NOT an easy decision to make or a simple process to follow.

Ah, I see, but, that is where you are wrong. Once you take the emotion out of the equation, this is strictly business. You are making a business decision that will allow you to move forward. Yes. . . easier said than done but. . . that is the reality. As to the process, that too is straight forward and once you are in the system it will go like clockwork. You'll see.

Des.

[PoorlyFunded]

despritfreya You're my new favorite person! haha ... Yes, it's a business decision. That it is! It's a bit more emotional for me, I think, because I grew up dirt poor in Appalachia (holes in the floor, cooler for food on the porch in the winter poor) and promised myself that'd never happen again. On balance, it HASN'T happened, but it feels a bit like it. And I plan to leave the US within the next three years, anyway (permanent resident of New Zealand and citizen of an EU country), so what do I give a **** about my ability to buy a house in a country I don't plan to stay in?