I guess technically, you should have the cash from not paying bills since, if you're at the point of BK, any money coming in isn't going right out to creditors.

It's an American institution, and everyone should take advantage of it if they need it. Fuck the people who think bad of it. Why struggle to pay bills when you can just walk away? If you're careful after BK, your credit doesn't matter for years - you will be bombarded with offers for cars and credit cards nonstop after it's approved.

Also, don't get stupid with hiding assets because the judges aren't going to buy you selling your new car to your BIL or son/daughter for less than full market. The couple in front of me tried to hide a bunch of stuff like that, and the judge went off on them and set a future court date for them to show actual sales reciepts and money going to creditors.

Get cash back when shopping- it reports like a regular trip to that store but be smart- if you normally spend $150 at the grocery store, dont start spending $300, bump it up to $200. Buy stuff where you can return it for cash- car parts, house parts, any and everything you can reasonably purchase that won't be suspicious, and you can justify. Build up a cash reserve but not in any account that can be traced.

You can come out of BK with a fresh start, cash on-hand, and a future that you can plan for instead of the dread of threatening phone calls and letters every day.