Making purchases before 341

[lillaimof2kids]

We filed BK 7 on May 5, our 341 is June 13. Now my question...Is it OK to buy tickets to Cedar Point now or should I wait until after my 341? Right now they are on sale for $33 per ticket, that's a pretty good price. It's the one and only thing DH and I do without the kids. Cedar Point is my favorite place to go! Well 2nd to the beach, but that won't be happening for at least a year or 2, especially with gas prices.

I did recently spend money on flowers for my flowerbeds. Then I had to spend money on plants/seeds for our veg. garden. Both the kids needed some new summer clothes. I definately don't want to raise any questions.

Any input would be great! Thanks!

[laurannm]

I think it depends on your trustee and how closely they want to scrutinize your bank statements. Are you above or below median?

We are above median, filing in about a month or so and we have been doing some small stuff in order to spend down our tax refund (such as a couple of dinners, invitations for a birthday party, etc.). Nothing fancy or expensive by any means. I think as long as you keep it small and don't make any luxury purchases you'll be ok.

[Odie]

I think it depends on your trustee and how closely they want to scrutinize your bank statements. Are you above or below median?

I've wondered this for some time... if you pass the means test due to being below the median income for your state and household size, do they really scrutinize your finances much? I can understand for an above the median Ch 7, because you have to prove that you should be able to file Ch 7. But if you pass the means test outright, how close do they really look?

[laurannm]

Not sure on that one. If I had to guess I would say they probably don't, unless you have some very unusual expenses listed on your Schedules I & J.

[Flamingo]

We filed BK 7 on May 5, our 341 is June 13. Now my question...Is it OK to buy tickets to Cedar Point now or should I wait until after my 341? Right now they are on sale for $33 per ticket, that's a pretty good price. It's the one and only thing DH and I do without the kids. Cedar Point is my favorite place to go! Well 2nd to the beach, but that won't be happening for at least a year or 2, especially with gas prices.

I did recently spend money on flowers for my flowerbeds. Then I had to spend money on plants/seeds for our veg. garden. Both the kids needed some new summer clothes. I definately don't want to raise any questions.

Any input would be great! Thanks!

I look at things this way...if if doubt, don't do. There is always another time. If there is a possibility of an issue if you got those tickets, the world will not end if you postpone it for after discharge.

[jwbbx]

We filed BK 7 on May 5, our 341 is June 13. Now my question...Is it OK to buy tickets to Cedar Point now or should I wait until after my 341? Right now they are on sale for $33 per ticket, that's a pretty good price. It's the one and only thing DH and I do without the kids. Cedar Point is my favorite place to go!

I read your post and I look at it a little differently. Cedar Point tickets are normally 42.95 at the gate. What you're really asking is if it's worth jeopardizing your position and the money you've invested in attorney fees and such to save $20 on the 2 tickets you need.

I would answer that a resounding No, not worth it. I wouldn't want the stress of having to worry about whether they'd look closely. That alone would not be worth $20.

[momof5]

I have a different thought on this. Right on our paperwork there is a place for "entertainment" and we all put a number in there as its unrealistic to think that you spend NO money on leisure activities or doing things with your children. Although with 5 kids we dont do much...still if I want to take my kids to the zoo its going to cost $60 just to get in. I have 3 boys in baseball right now that triples your cost to Cedar Point. Should I not take my children to the zoo or allow them to participate in sports? We sacrifice on other areas of expense to be able to let them do these things.

I look at your question the same way. Why would a trustee question why you and your husband spent a day together doing something that you completely enjoy. Its not that expensive. Some people spend more than that on their hair, shoes..etc. I spend twice that amount on laundry a week by the time you add in gas and electric.

While I know your 341 is only a few days away I personally after reading through many many many many many posts and threads here think that a day of fun for you and your husband for only $66 will NOT be looked at as a luxury expense. I assume you live close by and wont be needing hotels,rental cars etc.

[Flamingo]

I While I know your 341 is only a few days away I personally after reading through many many many many many posts and threads here think that a day of fun for you and your husband for only $66 will NOT be looked at as a luxury expense. I assume you live close by and wont be needing hotels,rental cars etc.

While there is no reason she and her hubby cannot enjoy a day away together, it's the timing that is an issue. Why worry about it now when it can be done later after discharge? Who knows what can result from this...why take the chance? Nothing is leaving the planet and postponing something until after discharge is not unreasonable. But we all have to make our particular decisions as to what we want and can do.

[momof5]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]While there is no reason she and her hubby cannot enjoy a day away together, it's the timing that is an issue. Why worry about it now when it can be done later after discharge? Who knows what can result from this...why take the chance? FONT]

Discharge could be 60 to 90 days away! Summer will be pretty much over in Ohio by that time. I guess I just dont think that an entire bankruptcy would be dismissed over $66 worth of Cedar Point tickets. (?)

While I understand not wanting to take a chance I am also thinking that a Trustee is a human being and how many humans do NOTHING for 2 to 3 months straight? In all the posts here that I read I have not heard of one that was so cruel that demanded all of their debtors sit at home and stare at the walls. How much do we all pay for internet a month? How many of us absolutely need it?
You see it seems very odd to me that a Trustee, human, maybe married maybe a parent would question or even if he/she did question would understand why $66 was spent on Cedar Point tickets that a fellow human being could say " My husband and I needed our yearly day out"
Would this really cause red flags?

I didnt think twice about purchasing amusement park tickets for my childrens first week off school. This is our yearly ritual and a way for us to spend quality family time doing something we all enjoy. They worked hard in school all year and this is just what we do. I spent $90 on ours! (the difference this year is I paid cash!)

Now if she was asking if it was okay to buy 4 , 3 day passes to Disney world for $300 a piece I would definately fear that. But $66?

[Flamingo]

While I understand not wanting to take a chance I am also thinking that a Trustee is a human being and how many humans do NOTHING for 2 to 3 months straight? In all the posts here that I read I have not heard of one that was so cruel that demanded all of their debtors sit at home and stare at the walls. How much do we all pay for internet a month? How many of us absolutely need it? You see it seems very odd to me that a Trustee, human, maybe married maybe a parent would question or even if he/she did question would understand why $66 was spent on Cedar Point tickets that a fellow human being could say " My husband and I needed our yearly day out" Would this really cause red flags? I didnt think twice about purchasing amusement park tickets for my childrens first week off school. This is our yearly ritual and a way for us to spend quality family time doing something we all enjoy. They worked hard in school all year and this is just what we do. I spent $90 on ours! (the difference this year is I paid cash!) Now if she was asking if it was okay to buy 4 , 3 day passes to Disney world for $300 a piece I would definately fear that. But $66?

I enjoy your postings and experience....I agree with your entire posting (snippet above) but who knows? The OP can always call her attorney and ask if there would be a problem if she does that to avoid any further worry. Yes there are understanding Trustees but there are the ones that come from the Town of Evil also.

[Cali]

I would do it if you were saving a huge amount, but if it isn't really that much saved I would wait until after the 341.

And I know many people that don't do anything as far as entertainment goes for months at a time.

[dragonnfly]

Diet pepsi cans in Ohio right now have a coupon on them for $8. off the gate price of $42.95. Go buy and 12 pk of pepsi. The coupons are good til September.

[BigJohn]

Can you pay cash?

If you need a credit card, why not go to Walmart and buy one of their preloaded credit cards?

[lillaimof2kids]

Hmmm, quite interesting take from everyone! I'll definately wait until after the 341, but I don't think I could wait until after we're discharged. I guess I kind of look at it as something I love and need for my sanity...kind of like my flower beds! I didn't hesitate when it came to buying some flowers. I also didn't hesitate paying $100 for my daughter to go to summer school so she can go to the next grade (yes, she's my nightmare child).

As for our filing, we're definately below the median, not even close for it to be an issue. I'll talk to my attorney and see what she says.

[Cali]

You have to pay for summer school?

Hmmm, quite interesting take from everyone! I'll definately wait until after the 341, but I don't think I could wait until after we're discharged. I guess I kind of look at it as something I love and need for my sanity...kind of like my flower beds! I didn't hesitate when it came to buying some flowers. I also didn't hesitate paying $100 for my daughter to go to summer school so she can go to the next grade (yes, she's my nightmare child).

As for our filing, we're definately below the median, not even close for it to be an issue. I'll talk to my attorney and see what she says.