<prompt> Human: So, I am close to filing for bankruptcy self, wife, 2 year old According to the CLR consumer liability report our bankruptcy lawyer got for us... 8429 in total balances, 6177 of which is past due 11 of 12 total accounts are past due, 5 are in collections, 7 of 12 accounts are credit cardsrevolving credit Creditxpert says current score is 521, and estimated 12 month post-bankruptcy credit score of 651 There is also 3k-4k in other bills, such as state tax owed from a 2011 filing error and some medical bills. Total of roughly 11500-13000 debt, with almost all overdue or in collections. We do not own a house, and our only assets are 2 older cars that arent worth much at all Our bank account is always around zero, we live paycheck to paycheck which will be changing in a few months as I will be earning more and more money on a regular basis as the year progressesNow... Almost immediately after the bankruptcy would process, Id get a 3k commission check from work.Also... The cost to do this paying lawyer, etc is around 3kI feel like if I called all the creditors to cut a deal with them, I could get the 11500-13000 cut by around 40... But, I dont have enough credit to get a consolidation loan.So... is this the right path? I am convinced it is not, yet my wife and parents who are assisting us with living costs and the bankruptcy lawyer are convinced this is the best path.Thoughts? Advice?EDIT: insight into our income... I currently make 36k base salary in Fairfield County, CT one of the most expensive places to live in the US and the wife does not work may work this summer when parents are around to watch childReasons wife does not work: All her earnings would go towards child care and increase in insurance costs insurance costs are currently zero because of earnings, but as I earn more, the cost will increaseI will most likely end up earning 100k this year, but wont start getting that extra money for another month or two.EDIT2: What I would LOVE, is some concrete advice I can pass along to the family to consider. AS WELL AS why it is not a good idea to do this... Thanks in advanceEDIT3: As suggested; estimated monthly spending... my bring home is around 2200month currentlyRENT 750month now living at parents zero utilities; but will be closer to 1500month utilities when we move out eventuallyStorage Unit 105monthCell Phones 170month I know thats a lot, but I am locked in and need the extra stuff for my jobCar Insurance 2 old cars Pet insurance 125monthFood 400month 4 mouths, includes feeding my adult brotherBaby costs, dog food, toiletries, etc 150Smoking 250-300month until this month, we both quit are quitting... its tough!, so that number will be closer to 50 this month, and closer to zero moving forwardGas 100monthOther 100monthTotals: 1900month smoking expenses... All that is disregarding all the debtpayments on various things... If I add those in, it would add 400-600month  <response>: Your budget is full of excuses. If you want to avoid declaring bankruptcy, you need to live like you are in a debt emergency because you areRENT 750month now living at parents zero utilities; but will be closer to 1500month utilities when we move out eventuallyStorage Unit 105monthUnless eventually is in the immediate future 3 months, and that storage unit contains the items needed for your own place, stop paying to store shit. If they wont fit at your parents place, you can repurchase household items when you are in a position to do so. In the meantime, put that shit on Craigslist.105Cell Phones 170month I know thats a lot, but I am locked in and need the extra stuff for my jobWhat extra stuff? Voice, data, tethering. There are any number of cell phone companies that will buy out your ETFs. You can get a two person family plan at T-Mobile for 100mo with any number of free or cheap phones.70Smoking 250-300month until this month, we both quit are quitting... its tough!, so that number will be closer to 50 this month, and closer to zero moving forwardStop now. No more excuses, no more its hard. You cant afford it and its bad for you. 50Other 100monthYoure in debt emergency mode. There is no other. What are you spending 100mo on?100Theres 325mo more income for you, just by not making excuses for irresponsible spending. Youre 13,000 in overdue debt, you dont get to pay for storage units or smoking or expensive cell phones.If youre truly going to make 100k this year, it is going to wipe out the debt completely, but only if you actually spend responsibly and get a budget 