Can I list expenses that are actually less than the national standards?

[cubanito72]

I'm trying to do a chapter 13 to catch up on my mortgage. The means test shows that I'm in the negative with a family of four just with the national standards. When I look at the figures for food, clothing, household supplies, personal care, and misc I see that I'm getting the national standard of $1377. In reality, I only spend about $900 for those things. That would free up $477 per month that would allow me to qualify for a 13. So my question is, can I use my actual $900 or do I HAVE to use the national Standard of $1377? I know it strange. Most post I've found have folks trying to reduce their DMI....I'm trying to raise it!

[momofthree]

Yes, we claimed $450/mo for food, $30 for clothing, etc. for a family of 5 in order to make our numbers work.

[forgotten]

Schedule I and J are suppose to be what you actually spend not national standards. My district will deny confirmation if it looks like you just plugged it the national standards. So yes, they can be lower to make your plan work.