Spending Money!!

[Regrets]

Now that we have decided to file for Chapter 7, I stopped paying my credit cards. I was able to buy actual meat for the first time in about 2 months. I even bought a turkey, because we missed out during the holidays. When we loaded the groceries in the car, I cried, because I was so happy that I we were going to have cereal in the morning. Here is my question. I placed an order for $400 at Old Navy today for my 3 kids. It was just jeans and T-shirts and socks and underwear, but now I am worried that it will look bad. I paid for it with my ATM card. I just don't spend money like that, and maybe it it the cereal talking, but I feel so guilty. This is literally the first clothing my kids have gotten in almost a year (2 years for the youngest). Family actually commented that they must all love shorts, but really they couldn't wear pants because they were too short. I got a Christmas job and bought the required clothes at Goodwill ($8). I just feel so ashamed, and am picturing telling a Trustee why I spent $400 if I am bankrupt. I got each kid 3 pairs of jeans and 4 shirts and 7 pairs of underwear. It this going to be viewed as a luxury??

[TEW]

nope your ok get the things you need.
Buying a boat taking a cruse is a luxury. you need food and cloths. anjoy

[dingdong]

Kids need clothes, you're a good mom. Enjoy that cereal! However high it may make you!

I know excactly how you feel, I bought my daughter a pair of jeans the other day, ( okay, they were on sale, but still..) haven't done that in a while, it felt good. I gave her an IOU for Xmas.

[debtmonster]

I am planning on paying my attorney off the next pay period or the one after to file Chapter 7 as well. The thing is, I just paid the IRS $3800 on Jan. 15th for my last quarterly payment. Are they gonna rag on me saying that's favoritism to a debt? I'm supposed to pay quarterly for being an independent contractor working 1099 and have not been able put away money for taxes. I got a Christmas bonus and used that to make up for what I wasn't able to pay all year. The last quarterly payment was January 15th. The 3rd was Sept 15th and I only paid $1000. I paid $0 the first two quarters because I was paying debts instead of taxes. I know there's supposed to be some kind of question asking if you transferred any money over $600 and $3800 is definitely over $600.

[Regrets]

Bankruptcy JOY!!!

Kids need clothes, you're a good mom. Enjoy that cereal! However high it may make you!

I know excactly how you feel, I bought my daughter a pair of jeans the other day, ( okay, they were on sale, but still..) haven't done that in a while, it felt good. I gave her an IOU for Xmas.

I got an extra job during the holidays thinking I could put $100 aside for gifts, so of course I got a big whole in a tire. My kids got a two slightly used tires for Christmas. Wheeeee!!! If it weren't for Grandma and Grandpa, my kids would have gotten nothing. The day after Christmas was "reality check" day. Oh, I also did something really "crazy." When they came to shut off my water on Wednesday, I called the water company and paid the whole bill!! I think the lady almost fell out of her chair when I didn't ask for some sort of extension or partial payment agreement. Wait til next month when the electric company gets paid in full!! The only thing better than actual cereal is knowing you will be able to eat it with the lights on!!! I just want to stay up and listen to the dishwasher because I can have water and lights at the same time. My older girls are in their room right now (1am, here) planning for when their clothes come, and which shirt they are wearing to youth group.

[JRScott]

This is a problem that many experience. In what leads us up to our bankruptcies we often have scrimped really bad on various things.

It is indeed a good feeling to walk in and pay for what is needed.

Things I've done that had been neglected prior to the bankruptcy

1. Replaced brake lines on my car
2. Replaced fuel lines on my car
3. Replaced part of the floor in my trailer
4. Began landscaping around the trailer
5. Had food to eat.
6. Been able to tithe again and offer fast offerings ( I had stopped doing this trying to make ends meet and really felt bad about it, was really good to get it going again).
7. Had new eye glasses (after about 5 years)

So yep I can understand your joy

[Regrets]

This is a problem that many experience. In what leads us up to our bankruptcies we often have scrimped really bad on various things.

It is indeed a good feeling to walk in and pay for what is needed.

Things I've done that had been neglected prior to the bankruptcy

1. Replaced brake lines on my car
2. Replaced fuel lines on my car
3. Replaced part of the floor in my trailer
4. Began landscaping around the trailer
5. Had food to eat.
6. Been able to tithe again and offer fast offerings ( I had stopped doing this trying to make ends meet and really felt bad about it, was really good to get it going again).
7. Had new eye glasses (after about 5 years)

So yep I can understand your joy

Your number 5 is a biggie for me, too!! Also, my daughter is getting new glasses finally! I am so happy about both of those. I was wondering if I can use my tax return to get caught up on my mortgage before I file??

[JRScott]

Your number 5 is a biggie for me, too!! Also, my daughter is getting new glasses finally! I am so happy about both of those. I was wondering if I can use my tax return to get caught up on my mortgage before I file??

Probably the best use of the tax return, and keep receipts in case the trustee asks

[Regrets]

Thank You!!

Thanks everyone for your responses!! You know how you will think of something right before you fall asleep, and then sleepy-time is over??? I was laying there, thinking that all this relief must be a dream!!! I guess I still can't believe one decision (BK) could really give me my life back!

[Regrets]

Your number 5 is a biggie for me, too!! Also, my daughter is getting new glasses finally! I am so happy about both of those. I was wondering if I can use my tax return to get caught up on my mortgage before I file??

Sorry I shouold have said #6. I feel sick over not tithing.

[Iamnowbroke]

What is tithing?

[StartingOver08]

I am planning on paying my attorney off the next pay period or the one after to file Chapter 7 as well. The thing is, I just paid the IRS $3800 on Jan. 15th for my last quarterly payment. Are they gonna rag on me saying that's favoritism to a debt? I'm supposed to pay quarterly for being an independent contractor working 1099 and have not been able put away money for taxes. I got a Christmas bonus and used that to make up for what I wasn't able to pay all year. The last quarterly payment was January 15th. The 3rd was Sept 15th and I only paid $1000. I paid $0 the first two quarters because I was paying debts instead of taxes. I know there's supposed to be some kind of question asking if you transferred any money over $600 and $3800 is definitely over $600.

It is perfectly OK to pay the IRS just before you file. They are a priority creditor and the Trustee does not go after the IRS payments. I paid just $3500 to the IRS just the day before filing too. Not a word was said by the Trustee.

[dingdong]

What is tithing?

Donating a certain portion of your income to support your church.

For example, many members of a church may tithe 10% of their income to their church.

It is a huge part of how a church supports itself financially, pays the mortgage and supports the programs it may offer ( community outreach, youth groups, paying the electric bill), there is no minimum or maximum of how much a member of a church may tithe, it is a personal decision based on your income and how much you feel you can support your church.

[Iamnowbroke]

Oh - guess I should go back to church, maybe that would help me.

[debtmonster]

Oh - guess I should go back to church, maybe that would help me.

Get some of the money back that was invested.