Am I Missing Any Expenses ?

[gak555]

I just put together my list of monthly expenses (Live in Md. which has one of the highest median income allowances)

Am I missing something or does anything look out of line ??


Monthly Expenses

Rent $1,000
Utilities $75
Phone $50
Cable $60
Cell Phone $75
Internet $49
Haircut $25
Food $400
Cigarettes $100
Dry Cleaning $25
Prescriptions $60
Doctor Visits $25
Dental $20
Church $50
Gifts (holidays, birthdays, etc) $50
Car Payment $328
Gas $275 Car (tires& maintenance ) $40
Tolls & Parking $25
Car Insurance $116
Toiletries & Cleaning Supplies $40
Postage $15
Clothing $50

Total $2,953

[FilingOnMyOwn]

Your utilities look a bit low. Do you really spend only $75 on utilities monthly?

[JRScott]

I gotta agree your utilities are only 75 a month? I mean it is possible part of them are included in your rent I suppose....

Utilities would include:

Electric Bill
Gas/Oil Bill (if you use them)
Water/Sewer Bill

Do you pay for Trash collection too?
How about your taxes is that figured in (for home/car etc)?
What about your cars registration fees?
Do you have pets?

[lrprn]

Am I missing something or does anything look out of line ??

Cross-check your expenses list with this online bk expense calculator - http://www.ca-bankruptcy-attorneys.c...alculator.html . I see a few things that you've overlooked. Also think about all the non-monthly expenses you might have - dues, fees, property taxes, renter's insurance, etc. Go back through your check register and credit card receipts looking for items as well.

What you can include for living expenses and at what $ level is very much dependent on your trustee and local bk district customs. Talk these over with your lawyer to see if you are in line with what is considered reasonable in your area. And remember, your lawyer can be somewhat creative to shift $ around to cover items that aren't mentioned specifically on the forms - one of the big advantages of filing with an experienced bk lawyer.

[CindyLou]

Parking might be a bit higher, if you take into account meters, etc. Although I live in Los Angeles where you have to pay to park at the bank!!!!

Toiletries and cleaning supplies are probably more than 40. What about personal care items such as cosmetics and over the counter medications...eye glasses, contacts...office supplies such as printer ink...magazine and newspaper subscriptions (even if you pick them up at the corner store) look through your bank statements and see if you can find anything you missed and think about the little things you spend your cash on daily such as coin laundry, etc. Good luck

[gak555]

Wow! awesome feedback...Thankyou.

[Granny]

For your food expense, how many people is that for? Did you include necessary meals out? As much as I try to avoid it, there are times I must eat something out.

[gak555]

I just estimated my food costs, but I should take a closer look. You can't even get out of a McDonalds for less than $6-$7 dollars nowadays.

[lrprn]

I just estimated my food costs, but I should take a closer look. You can't even get out of a McDonalds for less than $6-$7 dollars nowadays.

Keep in mind that whatever you go into the lawyer with is likely going to be what's on your forms. If you really spend $600/month on groceries, then say so. If you really spend $100/month for clothes, then say so. Your lawyer can adjust these if you happen to draw a trustee who's picky about the types of expenses and their amounts.