Questionable Deductions - And what is reasonable, if any

[FishersMike]

Okay I was wondering about what deductions you can claim, that way be questionable and what you can put in most times and not get declined by Trustee. Here are some items (for a 1 person household):

1) Cable Television (as I know there is already a spot you can put your internet)
2) Cell phone limit
3) Lawn Care (live in HOA that requires lawn to be kept up)
4) Pet Food and/or Health Plan for pets
5) Netflix, Blockbuster, etc. - I am assuming probably not even list this one

Please advise your experiences and advice on these. I know I can cover some of them in other deductions, but don't want to have to if some of these are allowed. Thanks!!

[LadyInTheRed]

My cell phone was included under telephone for a total of $150 for a two person household.
I've seen here that some trustees have allowed pet care expenses, others don't.
I think your cable television and netflix should be part of your entertainment.
I have no experience with lawn care, but I suspect it won't fly. Hiring somebody to mow your lawn is a luxury I wish I had!

[Pandora]

we were able to claim everything separately on their own accord. Our Netflix is in addition to our entertainment.

[HHM]

You certainly want to list what you spend or are projected to spend. It really just depends.

With Cell Phones, with some of the all in rate plans out there, if it is just you, anything over $80 may seem excessive.
Lawn care is probably going to be okay; it may get initially scrutinized, but you have a sound explanation. But I think the amount would need to be less than $200 per month.
Pet food, depends if you have dogs are cats. Cats are probably $25 per month, per cat; dogs are more.
Cable TV, I have not heard of a trustee objecting to cable TV. What you need to do for Cable TV is make sure to break out the bundled services and categorize them separately.
Netflix, etc, tends to fall under entertainment.

[FishersMike]

Thanks HHM....

My cellphone is about $75.00 a month

Lawn Care since not year round I would estimate at $50.00 a month (small yard)

2 Cats and my precious dog, SnickerDoodle. Cat food I can get away with $15.00 a month total.

Dog Food is another story - probably $40.00 a month as I use one bag that last two months but it is almost 80.00 a bag because it is Red Meat formula that does not cause her diarrhea.

Now I do have a health plan (covers shots, exams, etc.) for the animals. It costs about $40.00 a month total. Should I list?

Also what about grooming? She costs about $80.00 to groom, so if I did every two months would be about $40.00.

For Cable - I pay for two phone lines, High Speed Internet, and Television about $180.00 total.

Netflix, Blockbuster, and TiVo subscription fees I would not probably list anyway. I would consider part of entertainment.


ALSO -- I forgot to mention ADT Alarm Monitoring Fee. It is like $35.00 a month - can this be listed?


So what happens if the Trustee objects to something, do they just get to take it out and say okay now you have extra $100.00 to un-secured or do you get a chance to re-work the figures to get it back down? Or do you just fight it?

[dirtpoor]

I would think lawn care could be included under home maintenance.

[Flying2BK]

I am just working on this......

I have a Labrador and he eats at least $80 a month! I also have a dog sitter I pay $200 a month too...since I am gone for days at a time. Doubt that will fly.

Dont have Cable (Could I assume I will get Cable?)
Dont have a phone (just Cell)
Free Internet (but could claim 35-40 a month)

By "inflating" some of these I could come up with extra cash for a cushion and cover my exspenses that I need to take care of. Is this the right thinking?


Let's see some examples that worked!

[Dee]

Okay I was wondering about what deductions you can claim, that way be questionable and what you can put in most times and not get declined by Trustee. Here are some items (for a 1 person household):

1) Cable Television (as I know there is already a spot you can put your internet)
2) Cell phone limit
3) Lawn Care (live in HOA that requires lawn to be kept up)
4) Pet Food and/or Health Plan for pets
5) Netflix, Blockbuster, etc. - I am assuming probably not even list this one

Please advise your experiences and advice on these. I know I can cover some of them in other deductions, but don't want to have to if some of these are allowed. Thanks!!

Our cell phone bill for 3 phones, 2 with unlimited data plans, is $220. Attorney said no problem, but I do need mine for work since I am out in the field a lot and need e-mail and document access.

We listed a wellness plan for our 3 health-challenged dogs for a total of $90/month and our attorney didn't even blink. I'm hoping the trustee feels the same. One look at our vet bills over the last year and it's obvious how much money we've saved by having the plan. Our dogs have to eat prescription dog food, which is ridiculously expensive, but I just added that in to our food budget.

[boochase]

Okay I was wondering about what deductions you can claim, that way be questionable and what you can put in most times and not get declined by Trustee. Here are some items (for a 1 person household):

1) Cable Television (as I know there is already a spot you can put your internet)

We got rid of our cable box with extras. Our HOA has an agreement with Comcast to provide basic cable. We had to report our HOA fees.
2) Cell phone limit

Cell phone charges were considered necessities.
3) Lawn Care (live in HOA that requires lawn to be kept up)

Stopped hiring someone to do the lawn
4) Pet Food and/or Health Plan for pets

No pets here, so I don't know. Your lawyer should know if this expense flies.
5) Netflix, Blockbuster, etc. - I am assuming probably not even list this one

Wouldn't bother reporting this as a necessary expense. Your lawyer should be able to tell you what expenses fly and which ones do not.

Please advise your experiences and advice on these. I know I can cover some of them in other deductions, but don't want to have to if some of these are allowed. Thanks!!

No problem.