I'm a bit concerned about my transportation costs.

[lotsahats]

The allowable operating costs for my region is $244 (I'm in the South). I spend $95 on auto insurance each month, so that just leaves $149 for gas ($37.25/week). But, I need at least $40 per week, which puts me about $11 over the allowable budget. And, that's right now, with the cost of gas being relatively "low". Who knows how much it will cost next week, or next month. And, that doesn't leave room for routine maintenance.

And, I don't even live in a very expensive city. I used to live in Atlanta, so I know that insurance costs twice as much there, and gas is at least ten cents more per gallon.

Do they really expect us to keep it within such a small budget? It just seems a bit unreasonable, to me. Or is it the $40/week for gas that's unreasonable?

[keepsmiling]

Personally I think $40 is cheap. So is your insurance.
Like medical, if you can prove your expenses you should be ok. It is what it is.

[justbroke]

Yes, you should be okay! What do you actually pay on your loan for you car? You can make up the difference there. That was one of the major reasons I kept both cars in my Chapter 13. It helped me tremendously.

[lotsahats]

So, you're saying that , if I bring it up to $270 ($26 over the limit), to cover maintenance, repairs, and registration, the trustee shouldn't bat an eye, since my car is paid for?

[justbroke]

So, you're saying that , if I bring it up to $270 ($26 over the limit), to cover maintenance, repairs, and registration, the trustee shouldn't bat an eye, since my car is paid for?

If the car is over 6 years old or has more than 70,000 miles on it, you get a $200 allowance for it (in most Districts). On the Means Test, you generally need to put the standard. On Schedule J, you can put your actual cost.

Is this for a Chapter 13 or Chapter 7?

(What I was trying to say was that if your car payment was $220/month and you get the $489/month allowance then you'd have plenty leftover from the ownership allowance. Since you are not entitled to the ownership allowance, my point was moot.)

[lotsahats]

If the car is over 6 years old or has more than 70,000 miles on it, you get a $200 allowance for it (in most Districts). On the Means Test, you generally need to put the standard. On Schedule J, you can put your actual cost.

Is this for a Chapter 13 or Chapter 7?

(What I was trying to say was that if your car payment was $220/month and you get the $489/month allowance then you'd have plenty leftover from the ownership allowance. Since you are not entitled to the ownership allowance, my point was moot.)

Chapter 7.

My car is fourteen years old, and has 170,000 miles on it. How can I find out if my district allows the $200 allowance?

[justbroke]

My car is fourteen years old, and has 170,000 miles on it. How can I find out if my district allows the $200 allowance?

In most likelihood, the $200 is available to you I know of no District (personally) that doesn't allow it. The allowance actually comes from the executive Office of the Untied States Trustee (EOUST). That's the "big" UST that runs the entire program. I believe it's derived from an IRS allowance for older vehicles.

You should be able to put $200 in the Ownership Allowance box on your Means Test. Are you filing pro se?

From the EOUST...

"Debtors located outside the Fifth, Seventh, and Eigth Circuits who operate vehicles not subject to a loan or lease may deduct an additional $200 if the vehicle is owned by the debtor, and is older than six (6) model years or has more than 75,000 miles."

Statement of the U.S. Trustee’s Position on Legal Issues Arising Under the Chapter 13 Disposable Income Test

Fifth:

• Texas
• Louisiana
• Missouri

Seventh:

• Wisconsin
• Illinois
• Indiana

Eighth:

• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Nebraska
• Minnesota
• Iowa
• Missouri
• Arkansas

[lotsahats]

Thanks for all that, justbroke!

Are you filing pro se?

Heck, no! I'd end up screwing this whole thing up, bigtime.