I’m tediously trying to complete Schedule J.
I refuse to buy into the “this isn’t fair” notion; although, I’m quite frustrated with my living expenses! I don’t have a cable TV expense. Why? Because I’ve never had cable. In fact, I presently don’t have a television. Don’t send me a text message because I disabled this feature to save money. Recreation, clubs, and entertainment? Nope. Not in my world…my job has stolen my life. Haircuts? Infrequent (I’ve donated my hair twice within the past two years). No one would look at me and think “wow, that’s one helluva broke, penny-pinching fool”. I haven’t joined a cost-cutting cult. I thought I was living normally (less a few perks) except in the winter when I don numerous layers and a hat in my house so I can keep the heat bill down. Gosh, by looking over Schedule J and comparing Federal Standards to my world, I’m feeling completely abnormal!
My house won my “keep my head above water and learn to swim like Michael Phelps (without illegal substances)” battle
. I’ve been frugal to no avail. I’m insolvent. However, I may be under the median insolvent with disposable income.
I recognize costs need to be REAL. Unfortunately, I haven’t directly tracked food, clothing, household, laundry/dry cleaning, or auto expense costs. I’ve only saved receipts within the past two months and this doesn’t give me a true indication of my actual expenses. I have credit card statements (used for necessities and paid off monthly) that will be beneficial in assessing costs. I want to be sure I don’t miss any significant expenses.
I appreciate any advice/information you have to offer in the following categories (feel free to add additional categories if applicable!):
House:
This one has me perplexed. My ARM reduced my payment by $100/month (commencing in August) for the next 12 months. The timing of this couldn’t have been worse because I need to free myself of this money pit. My housing costs are below standards for my county and I recognize rent will be more costly. I’m surrendering my house. How is this addressed?
Utilities:
Can utilities be averaged over the course of a year (instead of six months leading up to filing)? I’m assuming this is acceptable especially for people exposed to months of miserably cold weather. (Feel free to join me in my Michigan winter sucks song! My apologies to all of you snow-loving people!
). Natural gas bills skyrocket in cold temps and plummet in warm temps.
Food:
I don’t follow the Dave Ramsey rice and beans program. Why? Because I often purchase less than beans and rice! I work ridiculously long hours and oftentimes I pass out before I have the opportunity to eat. In my world, skirt suits have unintentionally become sleepwear (ha…here I go again, another expense reduction…I don’t need pajamas!). However, I do feed my dogs. I recognize dogs are likely deemed a “luxury” (and they are expensive!). Am I permitted to embed this cost into my “food” category? (Hmm…can I convince the Trustee that I eat exclusively at Premier Pet Supply?). Am I permitted to use a normal human expense here (and become a normal food shopper)?
Clothing:
If I purchase three reasonably priced suits and three pairs of shoes (no, we’re not talking Gucci), my monthly average is at least $55. Work clothing is a significant expense for me…especially shoes as I’m on my feet for extended hours daily. Is it mandatory I have receipts? There is a strong chance that I actually spend more than average in this domain.
Home Maintenance:
I have the unfortunate position of having a plumber in my budget. I have receipts so I imagine this is acceptable. I’m surrendering my house so I haven’t recently invested much into general maintenance. What maintenance/upkeep costs may I be missing here?
Medical/Dental:
Is this averaged over the course of a year or six months even if services received were potentially a one-time life event? I absorbed a large dental bill at the beginning of the year when a preventative filling I received as a child fell out (former “preventative” amounted to $1800
). I can’t imagine I would include this averaged expense as it’s not ongoing.
Transportation Related:
Gas, oil changes…I have these. Can vehicle registration be included as well? I recently purchased a car and I have no idea what type of maintenance expenses are to be expected. I have a manufacturer’s warranty; although, this doesn’t include wearable parts. On my last vehicle, I had to replace the tires nearly every 18 months due to driving in pot hole ridden Motor City. Is this considered too frequent?
Charitable Contributions:
Do these all have to have receipts? We have countless, ongoing programs at work and I donate regularly (everything from a jar of peanut butter to sponsoring families). Unfortunately, I don’t have much proof. I have a few credit card statements that display charitable items I purchased (don’t worry, this card has been paid in full!); although, I don’t know how I could argue these specific expenses were charitable.
My attorney claims I haven’t been living a “real” life (no, he didn’t waive his fee!). While I recognize my expenses have been less than average, I want real numbers.
I refuse to buy into the “this isn’t fair” notion; although, I’m quite frustrated with my living expenses! I don’t have a cable TV expense. Why? Because I’ve never had cable. In fact, I presently don’t have a television. Don’t send me a text message because I disabled this feature to save money. Recreation, clubs, and entertainment? Nope. Not in my world…my job has stolen my life. Haircuts? Infrequent (I’ve donated my hair twice within the past two years). No one would look at me and think “wow, that’s one helluva broke, penny-pinching fool”. I haven’t joined a cost-cutting cult. I thought I was living normally (less a few perks) except in the winter when I don numerous layers and a hat in my house so I can keep the heat bill down. Gosh, by looking over Schedule J and comparing Federal Standards to my world, I’m feeling completely abnormal!
My house won my “keep my head above water and learn to swim like Michael Phelps (without illegal substances)” battle
. I’ve been frugal to no avail. I’m insolvent. However, I may be under the median insolvent with disposable income.I recognize costs need to be REAL. Unfortunately, I haven’t directly tracked food, clothing, household, laundry/dry cleaning, or auto expense costs. I’ve only saved receipts within the past two months and this doesn’t give me a true indication of my actual expenses. I have credit card statements (used for necessities and paid off monthly) that will be beneficial in assessing costs. I want to be sure I don’t miss any significant expenses.
I appreciate any advice/information you have to offer in the following categories (feel free to add additional categories if applicable!):
House:
This one has me perplexed. My ARM reduced my payment by $100/month (commencing in August) for the next 12 months. The timing of this couldn’t have been worse because I need to free myself of this money pit. My housing costs are below standards for my county and I recognize rent will be more costly. I’m surrendering my house. How is this addressed?
Utilities:
Can utilities be averaged over the course of a year (instead of six months leading up to filing)? I’m assuming this is acceptable especially for people exposed to months of miserably cold weather. (Feel free to join me in my Michigan winter sucks song! My apologies to all of you snow-loving people!
). Natural gas bills skyrocket in cold temps and plummet in warm temps.Food:
I don’t follow the Dave Ramsey rice and beans program. Why? Because I often purchase less than beans and rice! I work ridiculously long hours and oftentimes I pass out before I have the opportunity to eat. In my world, skirt suits have unintentionally become sleepwear (ha…here I go again, another expense reduction…I don’t need pajamas!). However, I do feed my dogs. I recognize dogs are likely deemed a “luxury” (and they are expensive!). Am I permitted to embed this cost into my “food” category? (Hmm…can I convince the Trustee that I eat exclusively at Premier Pet Supply?
). Am I permitted to use a normal human expense here (and become a normal food shopper)? Clothing:
If I purchase three reasonably priced suits and three pairs of shoes (no, we’re not talking Gucci), my monthly average is at least $55. Work clothing is a significant expense for me…especially shoes as I’m on my feet for extended hours daily. Is it mandatory I have receipts? There is a strong chance that I actually spend more than average in this domain.
Home Maintenance:
I have the unfortunate position of having a plumber in my budget. I have receipts so I imagine this is acceptable. I’m surrendering my house so I haven’t recently invested much into general maintenance. What maintenance/upkeep costs may I be missing here?
Medical/Dental:
Is this averaged over the course of a year or six months even if services received were potentially a one-time life event? I absorbed a large dental bill at the beginning of the year when a preventative filling I received as a child fell out (former “preventative” amounted to $1800
). I can’t imagine I would include this averaged expense as it’s not ongoing. Transportation Related:
Gas, oil changes…I have these. Can vehicle registration be included as well? I recently purchased a car and I have no idea what type of maintenance expenses are to be expected. I have a manufacturer’s warranty; although, this doesn’t include wearable parts. On my last vehicle, I had to replace the tires nearly every 18 months due to driving in pot hole ridden Motor City. Is this considered too frequent?
Charitable Contributions:
Do these all have to have receipts? We have countless, ongoing programs at work and I donate regularly (everything from a jar of peanut butter to sponsoring families). Unfortunately, I don’t have much proof. I have a few credit card statements that display charitable items I purchased (don’t worry, this card has been paid in full!); although, I don’t know how I could argue these specific expenses were charitable.
My attorney claims I haven’t been living a “real” life (no, he didn’t waive his fee!). While I recognize my expenses have been less than average, I want real numbers.
Comment