Take a look at my schedule J and critique

[tobee43]

tobee--thanks for your advice. I've gotten some great advice and I'm sure I can move the numbers around legitimately to keep with a chap 7. We can't afford a 13 because our situation is going to change in the next couple of months. I will run out of unemployment benefits and my child support payments will be lowered. As far as house maintenance--we are renting so I won't be liable for a roof replacement, etc. But, we do have normal upkeep--like carpet cleaning, lawn care, and we are responsible for plumbing if we are at fault and you know how kids are. We already had both sinks clogged thanks to my girls and their hair.

your most welcome. and, it's alway BESt to be as honest as possible..but one also must be a realist.

don't push your family into a corner and such a budget that it's impossible to meet...for all you know your electric may double...and by the way it did HERE...just over the past year...as well as the auto industry in this state got a HUGE increase...one needs to factor all of this in...and yet keeping as honest as possible. it's a difficult task indeed.

one wants to be as honest as humanly possible...but doesn't want to get themselves in so tightly they just can't breath. we aren't talking buying a 52 in flat screen tv....or eating out every night. how many people do we see in this forum daily that have had to drag themselves back into court after a 13 to file for a 7. it's worth a shot for you to get it over all at once.

best of luck...it will work!

[helpmeout]

You can forget about being able to use the cell phone and the DSL and satellite will probably raise questions.

Home maintenance probably is a no go as well since you are renting.

[tcreegan]

gas & electric

Hi all,
Hi mommi2many,

Your gas & electric seem low for CA......esp. for a large family.....DOE electricity report this May had CA in 4th place, only NY, Conn, and Hawaii were higher

Just a thought,

Tom in Colo

[momofthree]

IRS standards for food, clothing, personal care, household supplies, etc. are $2157 for a family of 7. http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa..._standards.htm You only have around $1300 listed on your budget. Personally, I'd leave off the cell phone, tv, & recreation, and increase your basic living expenses.

[mommi2many]

helpmeout--thanks for the help. I will really work on getting the cell phone out.

tcreegan--thanks for the input. I will take another look at my gas and electric. We moved about 6 months ago and I haven't made it through a winter yet to know my true expenses. They were much higher at our old house so something to look into.

momofthree--thanks for the tip. I am reviewing all of my figures now and I know I can legally increase my basic expenses which should allow me to leave off the questionable expenses.