Vacation Dilema

[AngelinaCat]

This thread has run its course and is closed.

[hmsmith]

well you still have a couple weeks to decide. You could pay to retain your lawyer and direct all calls to her and still ask her advice on things and she should be able to tell you when the best time to file is. One thing to consider is if you wait til the end of the year, then *if* you get a tax refund you'll have to take that into account, or if you get any more raises at work or bonuses.

[ksgirl38]

My attorney had several months of bank statements for us. The trustee never needed to see anything extra from us, but as the poster mentioned above, they can ask to see many months of the statements. I wouldn't worry about $75 from anywhere, my concern was the savings. Is your paycheck direct deposited? If not, and you deposit all but $500 every single pay or (whatever the amount is) then I would want to explain that money. I know someone said $3000 is not a lot of money, but to me IT IS!! LOL! That's an unheard of amount for us and we struggle just to pay all our regular bills each month like electric, gas, rent, water, etc.

When is the trip if you do decide to go? I would LOVE to go to Hawaii, maybe one day, when I'm about 50 or 60!! LOL!

I stopped my direct deposit when I decided to switch banks. The last payments are coming out of the old account this month before I close it out. There's only been one paycheck so far since I've done this and I deposited most of it to cover bills, but took out $200 to cover expenses for the month - groceries, personal items, etc. I'm trying to get used to the cash only thing, but still use my debit card on occasion. $3000 is a lot for me too.

The trip is in August. Never thought I'd get the opportunity to go so not sure what to do yet.

[hmsmith]

My attorney had several months of bank statements for us. The trustee never needed to see anything extra from us, but as the poster mentioned above, they can ask to see many months of the statements. I wouldn't worry about $75 from anywhere, my concern was the savings. Is your paycheck direct deposited? If not, and you deposit all but $500 every single pay or (whatever the amount is) then I would want to explain that money. I know someone said $3000 is not a lot of money, but to me IT IS!! LOL! That's an unheard of amount for us and we struggle just to pay all our regular bills each month like electric, gas, rent, water, etc.

When is the trip if you do decide to go? I would LOVE to go to Hawaii, maybe one day, when I'm about 50 or 60!! LOL!

[SMinGA2]

Something to consider - after discharge - would be setting aside a little money here & there until you could open a secured credit card with a local credit union. CUs usually charge lower fees, have better interest rates and such. Then use that for what you need to.

[ksgirl38]

If a trustee sees something that they think is odd - they can request statements back months, or even years. Unlikely that a $75 charge at Target will be questioned. Unlikely any $75 charges will be questioned, in my opinion. (Unless something really odd like a bunch of $75 charges for XYZ Jewelers, as an example.) If you're living life like normal, buying necessities and such, you should not have any issues.

About the prepaid debit - before you put your money into one, find out for certain if it will work for your purposes. I know using a bank-debit card for travel can be a hassle, as it can lead to holds on funds even after a charge posts. But some places don't accept prepaid debits. I imagine there is something in the card # that tells their system, as the first part of the card # represents the bank that issues it. It would be awful to put $X on a card for business travel and then get to the hotel and find out they won't take your card!

I didn't know some places didn't accept prepaid cards. I thought they were the same. That's why I don't like using my debit card - the holds. I've seen a few of those lately and it always screws stuff up. Thanks.

[SMinGA2]

If a trustee sees something that they think is odd - they can request statements back months, or even years. Unlikely that a $75 charge at Target will be questioned. Unlikely any $75 charges will be questioned, in my opinion. (Unless something really odd like a bunch of $75 charges for XYZ Jewelers, as an example.) If you're living life like normal, buying necessities and such, you should not have any issues.

About the prepaid debit - before you put your money into one, find out for certain if it will work for your purposes. I know using a bank-debit card for travel can be a hassle, as it can lead to holds on funds even after a charge posts. But some places don't accept prepaid debits. I imagine there is something in the card # that tells their system, as the first part of the card # represents the bank that issues it. It would be awful to put $X on a card for business travel and then get to the hotel and find out they won't take your card!

[ksgirl38]

Hi KSgirl, I'm not really sure what I would do if I were you. My concerns: If you do want to file in July I would probably not go. I would certainly expect the trustee to look at July/August bank statments. (and if they have any doubts/suspicion can't they request more statements?) If they see large withdrawals, I would have receipts to back them up. I wouldn't advise having cash stashed. Once you filed and are close to discharge then I would start saving it. We had to show what was in our bank accounts the day we filed, to the exact dollar and cents amount, and our trustee asked everyone who came up before us for bank statements. I would hate for you to go on this trip, have some red flags raised either from that or the money you have saved etc, and then they either throw your case out or force you to do a Ch 13 for the next 3 to 5 years of repaying your debt. My attorney also asked how much cash we had on hand the day we filed which for us was less than $10.

It does sound like your mind is made up, but before you purchase your ticket i would advise you to ask your attorney. I know you said you haven't retained her yet but that is why they are there, and her advice and experience should help your decision. Maybe she'll say it's no problem, but i have a feeling she would probably say it's not a good idea, unless you want to put off filing another 3-6 months. It sounds like your brother will take plenty more expensive trips!! I'm sure you will get another opportunity. If you do decide to put off filing then I would go. But if you want to file in July/August I would not go...just my opinion for what it's worth.

The whole buying prepaid credit cards...why? YOu might as well just use cash. My thought it if you are attempting to "hide" something by getting a prepaid card, then it's probably not something you should do. Either way when you file you have to account for every single penny, so if you have large cash withdrawls and that is how you saved money (even if it's $500 at a time) i would expect them to ask you about them, especially if there is multiple ones.

Best of luck to you!!!!

A couple quick questions, how far back to they look at stuff? I mean, how far back should I keep receipts? I have the bank statements, but I know there were some receipts for Target, etc that I don't think I have anymore. Just wondering if I spend $75 at Target back in May if it's an issue.

I was told that I'd only need bank statements from the past month. I guess the trustees in this area are really really easy from what I've heard, but on average how far back should I go? What's the average? Just wondering what paperwork to prepare. I've started photocopying a bunch of stuff for the attorney as I think of it.


Several reasons on the prepaid thing. I found out the other day that I'll be going on a business trip and it's easier to work with a prepaid card rather than cash when traveling. I'll get reimbursed later, but have no idea how much dinner is going to cost, etc and it would be better just to be able to do this all via credit card. Plus I often get stuck buying gas after dark so it's much easier to do it via credit card than run in pay cash, pump your gas, then run back in because you went over/under. Just trying to make it easier. Plus it's a budgeting tool.

[ksgirl38]

Google "Pre-Paid Credit Cards" I tried it and there were dozens. Take a look..pick one that has less fees attached to it. You can do it in the time it takes to post here. LOL J/K But do take a look.

DM

I did, but they all require you to order online. I was looking for one that I could just purchase. I thought some banks used to offer them, but mine doesn't seem to.

[hmsmith]

Hi KSgirl, I'm not really sure what I would do if I were you. My concerns: If you do want to file in July I would probably not go. I would certainly expect the trustee to look at July/August bank statments. (and if they have any doubts/suspicion can't they request more statements?) If they see large withdrawals, I would have receipts to back them up. I wouldn't advise having cash stashed. Once you filed and are close to discharge then I would start saving it. We had to show what was in our bank accounts the day we filed, to the exact dollar and cents amount, and our trustee asked everyone who came up before us for bank statements. I would hate for you to go on this trip, have some red flags raised either from that or the money you have saved etc, and then they either throw your case out or force you to do a Ch 13 for the next 3 to 5 years of repaying your debt. My attorney also asked how much cash we had on hand the day we filed which for us was less than $10.

It does sound like your mind is made up, but before you purchase your ticket i would advise you to ask your attorney. I know you said you haven't retained her yet but that is why they are there, and her advice and experience should help your decision. Maybe she'll say it's no problem, but i have a feeling she would probably say it's not a good idea, unless you want to put off filing another 3-6 months. It sounds like your brother will take plenty more expensive trips!! I'm sure you will get another opportunity. If you do decide to put off filing then I would go. But if you want to file in July/August I would not go...just my opinion for what it's worth.

The whole buying prepaid credit cards...why? YOu might as well just use cash. My thought it if you are attempting to "hide" something by getting a prepaid card, then it's probably not something you should do. Either way when you file you have to account for every single penny, so if you have large cash withdrawls and that is how you saved money (even if it's $500 at a time) i would expect them to ask you about them, especially if there is multiple ones.

Best of luck to you!!!!

[DaisysMom]

Google "Pre-Paid Credit Cards" I tried it and there were dozens. Take a look..pick one that has less fees attached to it. You can do it in the time it takes to post here. LOL J/K But do take a look.

DM

[SMinGA2]

Unfortunately that is the sort of thing that will vary by local markets - and not something people in a bankruptcy forum will necessarily be able to help you with. I think you can reload/add money onto prepaid debit cards on a regular basis - but its probably not cost effective. They have fees right? May be better to find a local credit union and start doing your banking there.

No, my questions still haven't been answered. That's the problem. I'd still like to know where you get a prepaid credit card from. All the ones I know of have a $200 limit and I spend more than that in gas a month.

[footballfan]

No, my questions still haven't been answered. That's the problem. I'd still like to know where you get a prepaid credit card from. All the ones I know of have a $200 limit and I spend more than that in gas a month.

My bad -- I thought you were trying to decide whether or not to take a trip to Hawaii. Hopefully you've at least had enough input to help you make that decision.

Good luck and Aloha!

[Freddy03]

No, my questions still haven't been answered. That's the problem. I'd still like to know where you get a prepaid credit card from. All the ones I know of have a $200 limit and I spend more than that in gas a month.

Walmart! You can load your whole paycheck to it.

But FYI: A trustee will question the deposits.

Can't you just pay your gas in cash?

[Freddy03]

Go to Hawaii! Have a good time!

I'd join you....if I WASN'T BANKRUPT!!