Posts: 160
12/27/12 11:52 A

I had to file bankruptcy. I filed in August it discharged in December actually 12/12 the best day of my life. It was a such a roller coaster. It took me a year to decide to do this. I put my car that I was upside down on the loan the bk. It was the best thing I ever did. I now very fortunate that is is over and that I have a new car with a better interest rate and nicer car!

I tried everything to work on my credit. I got books from the library to learn about credit and to send letters to the 3 credit bureaus. I did that for awhile, but seem to never work.

I went through this company called Lexington Law. Never use them they are rip off!!

I would cry everyday about this. I am 31 and when I was in college the first time it was a time when credit cards were just handed to you. I got them like a sucker after my mother told me not to. I feel like such a black sheep in my family I come from a very affluent family that all have credit scores in the 800's so no one relates to me. It was so frustrating and stressful. I was really the only one to blame. I would over eat because my nerves were all nerved up.

I feel I have a new lease on life with no debt! I am so so happy! It will be so rewarding to one day to buy a home! I cant wait!!!!

I hope this leaves you all with a sense of hope! Oh on a side note my credit score went up 70 points since August. I did not expect that at all and prob just depends on your situation.

Good luck to all!

Have a wonderful bless day! :)

SparkPoints: (50,564)
Fitness Minutes: (39,196)
Posts: 3,131
9/23/12 2:41 A

Hi CINDILP. Have you tried a credit counseling service? They can get the creditors to back off and stop harassing you.

I know the creditors always say to call them if you have trouble paying, that they will work with you...and we know it is all BS. I've used the credit counseling twice and they got the phone calls & letters to stop, and payments/interest rates reduced so I could actually make progress on the debt. I remember one company's late fees and penalties each month were higher than my normal payment so I was just getting in deeper without charging a penny and the creditors was "too bad, pay your bills on time then". The counseling company got that fixed.

current weight: 143.7

144.1 142.275 140.45 138.625

136.8

Posts: 648
9/23/12 2:09 A

Hi Fit and frugal,

I had to file chapter 7 a couple years ago. Same reasons. I was devastated and humiliated. This is the first time I've every really talked about my experience.

I remember being in the court room for the meeting of the creditors and there were several people in the room. They were doing chunks of people. I was second to go. The man ahead of me old enough looking to be my grandfather. His story was so sad. His wife had been ill for a few years and had passed away. He had spent every dime of retirement money he had and refinanced all the equity out of his home.

It has been 2 years now. We got to keep our home. I sometimes wish I'd of given it up in Bankruptcy....but when I think about it....sometimes, I'm glad we held onto it.

Last year, my husband and I took a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Class. It was the best thing we ever did for ourselves. We're still working on paying off debts. Only one of us filed. OUr credit stinks. But, we hope to never use credit again and trust me, we've has some times were applying for credit seemed like the answer to our prayers...but we held strong and trudged through.

We're still trudging. Sometimes, Life really sucks. Some weeks are better than others but one thing I've learned is budgeting and working together as a couple really makes things easier. Having support and people to talk to make it better.

Things will get better.

Pounds lost: 8.6

0 18.25 36.5 54.75

73

SparkPoints: (68,438)
Fitness Minutes: (40,796)
Posts: 9,734
8/12/12 1:50 P

We are considering it. My husband lost his job over a year ago and hasn't had a paying job since. I make a good paycheck, but we hardly can afford to live. Some of the creditors aren't very patient and so I'm thinking if it will get them off out back, maybe it can be a new start. We have been trying for so long and we haven't been able to pay some bills for a year now. It upsets me that getting any financial advice costs in the hundreds of dollars. We went through Financial Peace University, but couldn't even do the baby steps.
Cindi

current weight: 0.0  under

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

Posts: 8,016
8/5/12 2:46 P

~I filed bankruptcy and felt as tho a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and that was after seeing my lawyer the first time! It took about nine months after I had him paid to proceed with the filings. I took the online course and then went to court. The court proceedings only took about 15 minutes. Then I got a letter from a different lawyer and they wanted my taxes for 2011 and have it on a paper check. This was done to see if I had money enough to pay my debtors. I had very little money coming back. I am happy I filed!

Pounds lost: 95.0

0 45 90 135

180

Posts: 4,295
6/19/12 10:31 P

Our pre-counseling class was online too.

current weight: 167.0

177 165.25 153.5 141.75

130

Posts: 940
6/19/12 3:03 P

Thanks for the link. I am definitely checking it out.
My husband and I checked out filing for Chapter 13 and a visit with a credit counselor was mandatory (although they allowed for us to take a course online for $34).

current weight: 214.2

214.2 193.15 172.1 151.05

130

Posts: 9,738
6/18/12 12:46 P

Thanks for sharing that link, as I'm sure it'll be helpful for many folks.

All the best with getting on track. I'm not sure of the USA but up here, the Salvation Army has free budget courses that anyone can access, especially those who have gone through bankruptcy.

Pounds lost: 37.8

0 27.5 55 82.5

110

Posts: 5
6/14/12 1:59 P

Thanks!

Posts: 4,295
6/13/12 2:19 P

We're just finalizing our Chapter 13 - we had our meeting of the creditors last week. I took a FREE class prior to this that is on Financial Literacy and I would highly recommend it. Go to alison.com/courses/Financial-Literacy/cont
ent

With this class, I have decided to make my money work for me instead of working for my money. You may have to start small (I am) but you need to create an emergency fund so you don't have to rely on credit cards.

For the class, the only cost is for the certificate if you want it, but not required. I had to get it for my clearance at work. There are ads, which make it free, but so worth it.

Edited by: KATHY_NATURELVR at: 6/13/2012 (14:20)

current weight: 167.0

177 165.25 153.5 141.75

130

Posts: 5
6/13/12 1:08 P

Has anyone here ever filed bankruptcy?? I just need to know things will be ok. :( A few weeks ago, my husband and I filed chapter 13. Due to the economy, his. hours at work were drastically cut, and now he is bring home only half of what he was making. We tried for 6 months to make it work, but there just wasn't any other choice.

I should feel better about things, and in some ways I do (no harrassing phone calls, mail, etc), but I am just really stressed because I just don't know how to manage money well. And, now that we have so much less to live on, I don't know how to buy our clothes, things for the house, repairs, etc. Help!