I know this is wrong but has anyone else...?

[epiphany]

see these three threads for opinions on both side of the coin on this exact issue:

http://www.bkforum.com/showthread.php?t=23531&highlight=hurricane+season

http://www.bkforum.com/showthread.php?t=17004

http://www.bkforum.com/showthread.ph...ht=central+air

Thanks Cindy. I have read those threads before.

I am going to refrain from comment because I started to comment and found I had a whole lotta comments so think maybe I should just let it rest and not comment at all. We are just not gonna agree, except maybe in the hurricane situation so maybe we can just play cards or something. Do you like GO FISH?

ep

[krielly]

Do you have any second hand clothing stores in your area??????

[Stilltheone]

Hi--

I just wanted to add that I know what the OP is going through.

About 2 weeks before we filed, we had an auto repair that needed to be done...which we put on our Goodyear card for about $600.

I also bought a winter coat about a month before we filed, in the amount of $40.

We also charged all of our utilities a month before we filed, trying to make ends meet.

We told our attorney about all of them and she didn't make it seem like a problem....Of course, according to others on this site, my attorney knows nothing...so we'll see.

[Cali]

I still wouldn't say commit fraud to get what you need. There are many places to get clothes for cheaper prices.

You know, we've had this same thread about a member needing to buy an a/c for her home where the tempuratures run nears 100 degrees. Then another just recently for a mom that needed to spend some money to make her home safe for hurrican season. I had the same opinion of those as I do on this. Do what you need to do and then IF something comes up you deal with it then. Reality is, she needs to buy it.

I think everyone is being a bit hard on her for a few hundred dollars in work clothes. I would have a different opinion on a flat screen or other luxury items.

When it comes down to reality, I think the benefit of purchasing the clothing out weighs the risk and consequences. And as far as the morality of it all, well, thats up to her to decide, but I know what I would do.

[JollyGG]

I'm with cindylynn on this one. Just make sure it is the minimum you can get away with buying, keep it under $500 and be prepared to reafirm this one card if the cc company objects (unlikely).

If asked you can always say that you thought the new job was going to change your situation enough that you wouldn't have to file. But once you started the position and redid your budget with your new circumstances you realized that bk was still your only option. But I doubt the trustee will even mention it.

However, before you do this I would look for all other options. Check out the thrift stores, call around to organizations that might be able to help. I can't remember who it is through but I do know that there is an orginization in my town that accepts donations of professeion wear to outfit lower income persons with interview and job attire. Ask friends and family for anything they might not want (for example I have two beutiful suits hanging in my closet - one is too small and one is too big, my husband has a suit that is too small hanging their as well) or something you can barrow.

As for who has had charges in the 90 days prior to filing. I would be one of those. We filed within a month of deciding that that was what we needed to do (in order to be under the median we need two short paychecks I had had around six months prior to filing). Therefore, we had been using our cards right up until we made the decision. I had daily living expense charges on my Well Fargo card, cash advance (actually overdraft protection) on my Wells Fargo card and a Balance transfer from American Express to Discover for a lower interest rate in the 90 days prior to filing. Wells Fargo and Discover both threatened to object but neither actually ever did. The amounts were relatively small (under 1500). The trustee did go after the balance transfer as a preferential payment, but that is a whole different story. The preferential payment thing made me an asset case and delayed my case slightly, but otherwise I had no problems at all.

[imbroke2]

Forget the cards. I agree with one of the pps. Why not go to target or Walmart. They're inexpensive and have some nice clothes. Plus they're trying to unload old clothing, so I've seen lots of discounted racks. Or you could even go to Goodwill. You might find that one nice piece of clothing that you could put with anything.

[scubaman]

A few months before I even realized that my situation was turning into a financial nightmare I had purchased a new camera from my preferred Dell account. when I met with my attorney and filled out of the paperwork that was requested I was honest in all my financial affairs and I told the attrony that I would continue paying this off because I really need this account for my computer supplies etc and I was told that was ok. I am sometime way to honest to a fault but better to know than to assume. I have not filed yet and I'm waiting to hear from my Attorney for review of the documents before my paperwork is filed (I guess thats how it works) I met with them on 2/27 and haven't heard a whole from them.
So itrain823 maybe you could go to Ross "CROSS DRESS FOR LESS" and negotiate even cheaper prices just to get started in your new Job.
Anyway I'm new here and I appreciate everyones feedback. AND GOODLUCK Itrain!!!

[Mrs. H]

I thought of the "Dress for Success" organization, but it appears that they only have suits for women. I think I read that you're a man.

Otherwise, Walmart, Target and a store called Syms which operates in several states. My husband got a suit there at an unbelievably low price for our wedding.

Those are my first suggestions, otherwise I do lean towards the cindylynn answer.

Best of luck to you.

[laurannm]

About a month ago, out of complete habit I used my Mobil card to purchase a tank of gas (about $45), on a card I stopped making payments on. I'm not overly worried about it though (or should I be)....very small amount on a non-luxury item. I'm guessing it won't get dismissed for such a small amount, especially on a necessity like gas

[Cali]

Were you able to pay for it with cash?

About a month ago, out of complete habit I used my Mobil card to purchase a tank of gas (about $45), on a card I stopped making payments on. I'm not overly worried about it though (or should I be)....very small amount on a non-luxury item. I'm guessing it won't get dismissed for such a small amount, especially on a necessity like gas

[laurannm]

What do you mean? We used the Mobil CC to pay for it. Are you asking if I made a payment since? If so, then no, I haven't and wasn't planning on it. But now I am thinking maybe I should at least pay that amount back to the CC? We are planning on filing in July so it may be just under the 90 day period

[Cali]

You said out of habit you use the card, I was asking did you have the actual amount in cash on you?

If it were me, I would pay the amount back so they can't accuse me of doing anything wrong.

What do you mean? We used the Mobil CC to pay for it. Are you asking if I made a payment since? If so, then no, I haven't and wasn't planning on it. But now I am thinking maybe I should at least pay that amount back to the CC? We are planning on filing in July so it may be just under the 90 day period

[southernbelle]

I know I'm a little late contributing here, but I can relate to the OP. Last summer, my AC went out and the temps here were near 100 deg. It was well over 100 in my house and I bought fans and opened windows, but nothing helped (today's high is about 85 and it's only May). I used a cc to replace my ac and will deal with that issue if it ever comes up. My 341 is next week and if I have to pay, that's fine, but my health was at risk and I'd do it all over again if I had to because I've never been that miserable.

The a/c was replaced in October and I did make a couple of payments so maybe that helps. Try to put as much time between you and the charge if possible and make at least the min. pmts. If they object, pay it back, because I doubt they'll want the clothes off your back. If they want my a/c, they can take the whole house with it.

[keepmine]

Here's my effort at dividing the baby.
Charge what you need and then, repay them post bk. Nothing in the bk code precludes you from repaying anyone you please post bk.

[PaKettle]

This is fraud.
That said, I would say as fraud goes, it's comparable to going 70mph in a 55mph zone...

I recall hearing a story here where a bankruptcy attorney told his client:
"So, now that you are filing bankruptcy, go out and buy some baby clothes, diapers, food etc for your baby - stuff you really need!"

Especially if you make minimum payments on it, up to the time you file - at least one or two (can you wait until 3 payments before you file??" ... then you should be okay.

I'm not recommending fraud, but I'm just saying that sometimes you do what you have to do.

I would recommend trying to get the money elsewhere if you can.