passing the means test

[kathy4530050]

Hi Everyone--

Up until a meeting with lawyer #2, I believed if I waited 6 months to file I could come in under the median. This lawyer thinks it would be better if I increased my business and personal expenses and then planned to pass the means test and filed sooner, rather than later.

Now I have a whole new set of questions. I have tried so, so hard over the past 6 months to get my expenses down as low as possible and now I have to increase them! Yikes!

My car is paid for, and isn't worth much, but I don't have a car payment.

My house in in foreclosure and my rent payment is fairly reasonable.

I am not currently paying for health insurance, so I figure I can sign up and add that in.

I'm not currently renting office space, and if I can get into a short-term lease, I can add that in too.

Does anyone have any other suggestions of other expenses I can add so that I can for sure pass the means test??

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[JRScott]

When's the last time you took the car in for car maintenance? Does it need tires? etc.

Been to the eye doctor lately?
How about the dentist?

[kathy4530050]

Good suggestions! Oddly enough, I am in need of each one of those!

[momxx5]

monthly prescriptions

office expenses.....monthly cost of paper, copying, mailing, etc

cell phone features

computer software, virus monitoring programs & monthly fees

dry cleaning

[optimistic1]

Utilize this expense calculator to help you find things you probably didnt think of.

http://www.ca-bankruptcy-attorneys.com/calculators/expense_calculator.html

[kathy4530050]

Thanks again! Good expense calculator and great suggestions.