ORDER OVERRULING OBJECTION TO PLAN CONFIRMATION

Re: Docket No. 2.

ROBERT J. FARIS, Bankruptcy Judge.

The chapter 13 trustee has objected to confirmation of the debtors' chapter 13 plan. He claims that the plan fails the "disposable income" test. For the following reasons, I will overrule the objection.

If the trustee or an unsecured creditor objects, the court may not confirm a chapter 13 plan unless the plan provides for full payment of unsecured claims or the plan provides that all of the debtors' "projected disposable income" during a prescribed period will be applied to make payments to unsecured creditors.1

To define "disposable income," one must first compare the debtors' "current monthly income" with the median income for the debtors' state of residence and family size.2 In this case, the trustee acknowledges that these are below median income debtors. Therefore, the debtors' disposable income is their "current monthly income" minus "amounts reasonably necessary to be expended . . . for the maintenance or support of the debtor or a dependent of the debtor."3

The trustee observes that the debtors' expenses for food, clothing, and related items are $1,605, and that this amount is greater than the IRS National Collection Financial Standard for Food, Clothing, and Other Items, which is currently $1,277 for a family of five.

The debtors correctly point out that the IRS standards only apply to the calculation of disposable income for debtors whose income is above the applicable median. They also point out that the IRS standard is a national standard and that the cost of most items, including food and clothing, is higher in Hawaii than most other parts of the country. Finally, at the hearing they presented a budget for their actual food expenses, itemized by meal.

The trustee argues that the IRS standard is the only yardstick he has to assess the reasonableness of these expenses. The flaw with this argument is that it applies to below-median debtors a standard that Congress expressly made applicable only to above-median debtors.

Further, whether the debtor is above- or below-median income, one must consider, not only whether any of the debtors' individual expenses are excessive, but also whether the total expenses are reasonable or too high. If the debtors' excessive expenses in one or more categories are offset by unusually low expenses in other categories, the creditors are no worse off. The total financial picture will usually be more important than individual budget items.

In this case, the debtors spend only $900 per month to rent housing for a family of five. This is an extraordinarily low amount (and well below the IRS standard for Honolulu County, which is currently $2,341 per month). As a result, the debtors' payments to unsecured creditors are probably greater than they would be under the means test applicable to above-median income debtors.

It is also important to note that the debtors, whose total family income is close to the applicable median income, are basically just making ends meet. They have a small monthly surplus that is just sufficient to support their chapter 13 plan. This reflects a modest and appropriate life style and does not suggest any current or future extravagance.

I find that the debtors have carried their burden of proof under the "disposable income" test and overrule the trustee's objection. Because there are no other objections, I will confirm the plan. Counsel shall submit an order in the usual form.