Expense Question

[jlasky]

I was wondering if christmas and bday gifts are considered as expenses? I have many nephews and nieces, so I would think this would also be an expense. Any ideas? Are there any good expense worksheets on the net too? Thanks!

[BKTango]

Usually no. Any gifts buying expense is considered discretionary and not a necessity. Saying that, you can "allow" yourself the cost of such things in your budget by bumping up one of your other expenses a little.

Here is a link to help you get a rough idea of common living expenses you might want to budget in.
http://www.ca-bankruptcy-attorneys.c...alculator.html

Keep in mind if you are using an attorney most will always move your expenses around here and there to adjust them. Also you won't list your expenses on your schedule for bk in that great if detail.

[SinkingFast]

It really depends on your Court and what's typically allowable.

Our Court, attnys don't list "Gifts" as an expense on Schedule J. But I've seen others post here that "Gifts" were an allowable expense where they filed.

You'll just have ask attnys in your area.

If you aren't allowed "Gifts" as an expense, one way to pick up $$$'s is Entertainment. Our Court allows up to $100/mo for Entertainment, so our attny listed $100/mo for Entertainment. We don't go out to movies, or eat out often, or anything like that. But we do spend those $$$'s in other areas.