spending tax refund

[willbfree]

Our bk attorney's advice has been spot on and verified numerous times when I did research here on this forum. She stated max amount in AZ exemption is $750 and can be in the form of grocery store gift cards as long as the cards are specific to grocery stores ONLY. She was specific that Costco and Sam's were not to be used. Here is a link I found that can also confirm her statement.

What Can I Keep?

In Arizona, you may take only state exemptions. You may not take the exemptions provided by federal bankruptcy laws.

Under Arizona bankruptcy laws, you may keep:

* Homestead exemption, up to $150,000
* Household furniture, furnishings and appliances, up to $4,000
* Food, fuel and provisions for the debtor's individual or family use for six months..."

http://research.lawyers.com/Arizona/...n-Arizona.html is the link where this was found. I would encourage okiemom to contact her attorney and get a confirmation before doing anything but we will be purchasing the max $750 in gift cards and we will be declaring it at the 341. I will be happy to post on the results of this topic when we go through this stage. That way we can all learn from the process.

[OhioFiler]

It is hard to budget when you do not have money leftover after paying the bills.

I guess the answer is no to gift cards. Oh well

If you are going to have no money left over after bankruptcy to pay the bills you're going to have to make life altering changes.

[NoMoreRed]

It is hard to budget when you do not have money leftover after paying the bills.

I guess the answer is no to gift cards. Oh well

I would be careful with gift cards anyway. The way the economy is the stores can go into bankruptcy and not honor the gift cards if I remember correctly. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Trixie007]

Our bk attorney's advice has been spot on and verified numerous times when I did research here on this forum. She stated max amount in AZ exemption is $750 and can be in the form of grocery store gift cards as long as the cards are specific to grocery stores ONLY. She was specific that Costco and Sam's were not to be used. Here is a link I found that can also confirm her statement.

What Can I Keep?

In Arizona, you may take only state exemptions. You may not take the exemptions provided by federal bankruptcy laws.

Under Arizona bankruptcy laws, you may keep:

* Homestead exemption, up to $150,000
* Household furniture, furnishings and appliances, up to $4,000
* Food, fuel and provisions for the debtor's individual or family use for six months..."

Well, that sort of makes sense, because your state has a specific exemption for 6 mos worth of provisions, which apparently the Trustee's translate that to being acceptable to have up to the $750 in gift cards in your area. I wish they had that here!

[okiebk09]

Okie mom if yo uhave money left over why don't you go buy some clothes or shoes for your family? you can't tell me that you have enough clothes or shoes or haircuts etc. If I had $900 left I could find tons of stuff to buy that are necessities. I would stock up on dry goods at the store, as much as possible, paper towels, cleaning supplies, cereals, canned food, jucie boxes, ketchup, etc. I know you don't want to move it but it is going to be hard after you file with having to move and pay for that. I would think the less you had to spend on food while moving the better not to mention you will need lots of cleaning supplies when you move to a new place. What about a vaccuum? Washer or dryer? microwave? refrigerator? I dunno but I could think of tons of things to use $900 for.

[eddiep]

Could you take your mom (or another loved one in need) grocery shopping?
Or stock up on pasta, canned food, cereal, frozen food, asprin, laundry detergent, shampoo, soap. Just think of all the things that wouldn't go bad but you would normally use, your grocery bill would be very low for a long time! Could you use some new clothes, get your hair cut. I have been broke for way too long.