Do pre-paid gas cards exist?

[anonymuse]

I get paid monthly. If I want to file after I've paid all of my bills, I'll still have some money in my bank account to live for the rest of the month.

I know I can buy the gift cards for groceries (Walmart) so I can use that during the month. Maybe a Subway or Sonic Card for lunch.

Is there something like that for gas?

What about parking? It's not something I can pre-pay.

[broderp]

Are you doing this to avoid the courts possibly making you use up the money to pay back debt?

I can't respond to that, but around here at most speedway gas stations (all in fact) one can purchace prepaid gas cards up to several hundred dollars.

Parking? check with where you park, maybe you can buy a monthly pass or several months.

I'm not sure of why you would need to do this........hmmm

[Peevee]

does your wal-mart sell gas?

[anonymuse]

Like I said, I get paid monthly on the first of the month. I can pay all of my bills using money orders or direct deposit, even if I pay them early. However, when you file you should have the minimum you can in your checking account. Some things you just can't buy early.

I don't want to wait until the end of the month to file; however, I will still have expenses for that month.

* I can't buy all of my food in the first week of the month or it will spoil. How would you like to drink 3 week old milk? Does your lettuce last 3 weeks?

* I can't buy all of my gas in the first week of the month since my car only holds 14 gal, I get 30 mpg, and I have a 100 mile commute when I drive in to work. You do the math.

* I don't drive every day (sometimes I carpool or take the bus) so it wouldn't be prudent to buy monthly parking.

Don't "hmmmm" me.

Do one likes a smart aleck....

[alh]

You can buy prepaid visa cards. That might help. Like a visa gift card.

[anonymuse]

You can buy prepaid visa cards. That might help. Like a visa gift card.

I thought I'd have to avoid that since it looks like purchasing on credit even though it isn't.

[broderp]

I wasn't being smug with you, it just seemed odd. sorry.

It seens silly to me that the courts would realize there are things you cant buy in advance, like milk and gas and having a reasonable (read..provable) amount for those items seems fair. It would seem odd IMO to go to court and show bank statements (if you do) that have all these purchaces in giftcards.

Since when is using your BANK CARD the same as using a CC? It may say VISA or MasterCard, but the money is not really an extention of your credit, as it comes stright from your account.

I thought bank cards were the same as checks or cash (there's another idea..cash).

[anonymuse]

Courts don't like seeing withdrawls of cash prior to filing. Colorado does not have any exemption for cash on hand. If you do the gift card thing, you have the receipts of where the money is going to instead of saying "I'm going to pay the other bills with it".

Chances are, the moment I file and the credit union is notified of the bankruptcy, they will freeze all of my accounts also. (Credit unions tend to do this where regular banks won't.) I have opened an account at a new bank for when this will probably occur.

If you're bank/debit card has overdraft protection, then it has a dual function as credit.

After I pay all my bills, there's about $250 left over for gas, food and parking--it doesn't go very far.

[SinkingFast]

I understand where you're coming from Anon. The less money in your acct, the less your attny has to try and cover with an exemption, or,........ The less the Trustee can potentially take.

Can't you use the Wal-Mart Cards for gas at their gas stations??

Maybe keep an eye out for stations around you. Watch of "pre-paid" gas card signs or advertising.

Parking,.......... Maybe buy a Money Order for the amount you'll spend. They're blank at Wally World. You can fill it out to yourself and cash it later. After you file.

[danas15146]

I don't think that a prepaid Visa would look as though you were using credit for purchases - as far as the courts go. I know that the merchant doesn't always know that it is a prepaid card - but for you it would still be using cash. That might be an option for you as far a parking, etc. Can you just take some cash and put it in an envelope - or are you concerned that you would spend it on other things?

[anonymuse]

I understand where you're coming from Anon. The less money in your acct, the less your attny has to try and cover with an exemption, or,........ The less the Trustee can potentially take.

Can't you use the Wal-Mart Cards for gas at their gas stations??

Maybe keep an eye out for stations around you. Watch of "pre-paid" gas card signs or advertising.

Parking,.......... Maybe buy a Money Order for the amount you'll spend. They're blank at Wally World. You can fill it out to yourself and cash it later. After you file.

Believe me, I'm under the median income so there isn't much of anything left over and I don't want to have to wait three weeks later to file my BK--it's just too stressful.

I'm not aware of any Walmarts near me with gas stations; however, I know of Sam's Clubs that have them.

[anonymuse]

I don't think that a prepaid Visa would look as though you were using credit for purchases - as far as the courts go. I know that the merchant doesn't always know that it is a prepaid card - but for you it would still be using cash. That might be an option for you as far a parking, etc. Can you just take some cash and put it in an envelope - or are you concerned that you would spend it on other things?

I looked on the Visa site about the prepaid cards and they would work since there's no credit history type of info stuff that you have to go through.

The merchant would just see it as a regular Visa and I'd have the receipts for where it was spent.

I'm not concerned at all about having cash on hand; it's just that I've read along the way not to take out withdrawls of cash prior to filing, or if you do, make dang sure you can account for where all of it goes.

Thanks, you all have been very helpful!

[nervousSC]

If your Walmart has a gas station, you can get a prepaid Walmart giftcard and then when you use it I think they EVEN take 2 or 3 cents off per gallon when you use their card! I know the Exxon has a speedpass, I'm not sure what it involves, but it might be looking into.

HTH

[SinkingFast]

Eeewwwwww!

McDonald's has prepaid cards now too. You can get a card, charge it up to whatever amount you want, and then it's available to spend at Mickey D's.

I know it's not parking money, but it's a thought about where to stash some food money.

[FilingOnMyOwn]

Eeewwwwww!

McDonald's has prepaid cards now too. You can get a card, charge it up to whatever amount you want, and then it's available to spend at Mickey D's.

I know it's not parking money, but it's a thought about where to stash some food money.

Just about any store or business you can imagine sells gift-cards, including gas stations.