Chapter 7 survival

[Iluvthemouse]

I. Totally. Agree. All the "good lucks" and "I commend yous" are absolutely nauseating. Get a job. Pay your bills. Stop using your credit cards. And for the record, one is entitled to be "judgmental" when one will have to pay for another's greed and irresponsibility down the road — as all of us who pay our bills will have to eventually pay for those who do not.

ITA with this. OP said when the money was good it was good. Then why not prepare for your financial future with that good money in case something does happen? When are people going to take responsibility for their actions?

IMO--bankruptcy laws should be in place for medical circumstances. Not trips, credit cards, etc.

 

[hentob]

The "entitlement mindset" is what is causing a lot of today's problems.

That needed to be said twice.

It amazes me how few people think like this Because it is 100% correct. Why are there so few people that feel this way in today's society?

 

[MyBelle]

I can't argue with that.... However I merely wanted to point out that there are many different viewpoints on what a level of indebtness includes

If you can pay your mortgage, car payment, save for retirement and you still have money then by all means take a nice trip.

If you need to work two jobs and have to charge your trip then stay home.

It is my opinion that the op was living paycheck to paycheck with both of her husband's jobs and had huge CC debt paying for the trips. When he was working they were making their payments but not saving.

Now she is going bankrupt and is still up on the house and cars, why?, because that is what her husband's first job can pay. The way of the top fun stuff is now catching up.

Believe me when I tell you I have had unexpected surgeries in our family and lay-offs too and we did not run up debt. We cut back on our spending and used our savings. That is how one is suppose to handle this. If it went on for years of unemployment we would be in trouble, but not 3 months or a few weeks.

 

[In a hurry]

If you can pay your mortgage, car payment, save for retirement and you still have money then by all means take a nice trip.

If you need to work two jobs and have to charge your trip then stay home.

It is my opinion that the op was living paycheck to paycheck with both of her husband's jobs and had huge CC debt paying for the trips. When he was working they were making their payments but not saving.

Now she is going bankrupt and is still up on the house and cars, why?, because that is what her husband's first job can pay. The way of the top fun stuff is now catching up.

Believe me when I tell you I have had unexpected surgeries in our family and lay-offs too and we did not run up debt. We cut back on our spending and used our savings. That is how one is suppose to handle this. If it went on for years of unemployment we would be in trouble, but not 3 months or a few weeks.

I agree. So many continue to spend when they have NO money. Absolutely a mess. If one can't pay for something, they shouldn't buy it!

Even medical bills should be paid. Hospitals take payments. We had over $100,000 due, even after insurance when we had my son. But we paid it down bit by bit. My family didn't suffer because they didn't get to go to Disney for a few years. Somehow they still managed to have a nice life.

 

[RitaE]

How is filing bankruptcy being "greedy"?

Sorry, don't buy it...still think it's pretty wrong that people here are so harsh when people are "down on their luck", so to speak. It's called compassion.

I'm all about compassion. Every bankruptcy has a story.
Some of them are tragic. Some of them are entirely self-created by a series of really bad judgment, bad decision making, and a misguided value system.

In the latter case that is not being "down on your luck" that is "facing the consequences" of the situation you created by acting irresponsibly.

 

[In a hurry]

I'm all about compassion. Every bankruptcy has a story.
Some of them are tragic. Some of them are entirely self-created by a series of really bad judgment, bad decision making, and a misguided value system.

In the latter case that is not being "down on your luck" that is "facing the consequences" of the situation you created by acting irresponsibly.

Exactly.

At some point, people have to realize they made their own bed. And deal with it rather than running away.

 

[rainy~daze]

DH had 2 jobs and we had perfect credit up until this month

I quote this line because i do not understand why or how bankruptcy can be filed for just being 1 month behind on things....why would within 1 month of having trouble would bankruptcy be the only option?
don't you have to be so far behind on bills for it to be an option? or wouldn't you want to try other sources before turning to it so quickly?

I ask with sincerity, I do not know much about bankruptcy laws. I always see commercials for those help you consolidate your credit places and they always say stuff like are you 90 days late on bills and things like that.

I understand bankruptcy may be the only option sometimes and not because someone lives frivolously. we have our own business and we know it could disappear without a moments notice, it can be that quick. I just thought there were timelines with you had to be in debt or past due to a certain point.

 

[summerrluvv]

I quote this line because i do not understand why or how bankruptcy can be filed for just being 1 month behind on things....why would within 1 month of having trouble would bankruptcy be the only option?
don't you have to be so far behind on bills for it to be an option? or wouldn't you want to try other sources before turning to it so quickly?

I ask with sincerity, I do not know much about bankruptcy laws. I always see commercials for those help you consolidate your credit places and they always say stuff like are you 90 days late on bills and things like that.

I understand bankruptcy may be the only option sometimes and not because someone lives frivolously. we have our own business and we know it could disappear without a moments notice, it can be that quick. I just thought there were timelines with you had to be in debt or past due to a certain point.

There is no requirement on how far you need to be behind on your bills to file BK.

 

[Fritochips4u]

IMO--bankruptcy laws should be in place for medical circumstances. Not trips, credit cards, etc.

Good, then why don't you write or call your congressmen and ask them to change the laws?

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I. Totally. Agree. All the "good lucks" and "I commend yous" are absolutely nauseating. Get a job. Pay your bills. Stop using your credit cards. And for the record, one is entitled to be "judgmental" when one will have to pay for another's greed and irresponsibility down the road — as all of us who pay our bills will have to eventually pay for those who do not.

And I totally agree with this comment. I think it is just sickening that people can make STUPID (yeah, I said STUPID) financial decisions and the rest of us have to bail them out. But I guess that is what being an American is all about...you can do stupid things, make stupid choices, not do anything about it, and the rest of the people will bail you out. Why doesn't our government crack down on people like this???

 

[In a hurry]

Good, then why don't you write or call your congressmen and ask them to change the laws?

So many excuses. Couldn't be because you are one of the scammers, could it?

 

[Fritochips4u]

So many excuses. Couldn't be because you are one of the scammers, could it?

What excuse? If you feel that strongly about the bankruptcy laws and that they need to be changed, by all means I think you should call your congressmen and voice your concerns. Wasn't trying to be sarcastic at all in my response.

As for me, yes, I filed bankruptcy and was just discharged about 3 months ago. I have cancer and the medical bills got to be too much. Since I was so sick, I was out of work and couldn't afford to pay my bills.

 

[Fritochips4u]

And I totally agree with this comment. I think it is just sickening that people can make STUPID (yeah, I said STUPID) financial decisions and the rest of us have to bail them out. But I guess that is what being an American is all about...you can do stupid things, make stupid choices, not do anything about it, and the rest of the people will bail you out. Why doesn't our government crack down on people like this???

I have to ask....do you feel this way about people on welfare? unemployment? In essence, we, as Americans, are bailing them out also.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I have to ask....do you feel this way about people on welfare?

YES! To an extent...I think welfare was designed for very SHORT TERM. Too many people are making it a lifestyle. It IS disgusting.

 

[In a hurry]

What excuse? If you feel that strongly about the bankruptcy laws and that they need to be changed, by all means I think you should call your congressmen and voice your concerns. Wasn't trying to be sarcastic at all in my response.

As for me, yes, I filed bankruptcy and was just discharged about 3 months ago. I have cancer and the medical bills got to be too much. Since I was so sick, I was out of work and couldn't afford to pay my bills.

While i am sorry for your cancer, I also know that hospital bills can be paid over years. We did so with our preemie, and for my husbands colon cancer.

Allowing people to run from their problems, and make everything a-ok, doesn't usually teach responsible behavior. It doesn't work with small children, and considering the stats of people refiling fro bankruptcy, it doesn't work for adults, either.

People need to learn to stop buying when they are out of money. Kids are leaving college with student load debt and thousands of dollars on credit cards. Adults are charging vacations when they are living paycheck to paycheck. Not smart. As you and I both know, **** happens. And it usually is expensive.

Patting people on the back and saying sweet things is just plain stupid. That is giving positive reinforcement for negative behavior. Dumb.

 

[Fritochips4u]

First of all, my medical bills were in the hundreds of thousands of dollars....and without me working, it's hard to pay that type of debt.

Second, I think people, in general, are living beyond their means because everything else is so expensive. Look at gas prices! Look at the cost of food! Everything around us is going up...except for peoples' wages. I think alot of Americans are using credit cards as a way to survive...a way to get by.

Anyway, I STILL wish the OP good luck. Filing bankruptcy is a humble experience, but one that feels wonderful when it's all done.

 

[dvcgirl]

Well, I don't know.....I used to get more angry and upset about people filing BK unnecessarily in the past. Now, the older and hopefully wiser I get, I just don't see the point. Most of the time I just feel sad for those people. Even the few who seem to "scam" the system.

Are there a few scammers out there who run up their bills and then file again and again? Yes, I'm sure a small minority get away with that from time to time. But what are they really getting away with? I mean, seriously. They're not living the high life....or if they get away with an occasional nice vacation or had a nice car....big deal. Eventually it all catches up with them anyway. They have nothing in savings, nothing in retirement accounts.....they'll end up with nothing in their "golden years" and end up living with their adult children.

Most people file because they lose their job and or a big medical emergency. Sometimes those folks could have been better prepared with an emergency fund, but if it's a long illness or extended job loss....that only takes you so far. Most of those people probably hate to have to file and make sure that it will never ever happen to them again. Sometimes there really are no other choices.

Then there are people I know with a little scammer in them and a little bit of the "real problems" side to them. I have an Uncle who just filed for the third time. He's 48 years old single, has serious health issues, living in an efficiency apartment in a bad area and hoping against hope that he can get on permanent disability so he doesn't have to work again. He ran up 50K on CC the past few years just for living expenses and with the current credit crunch it seems that he can't get his hands on more credit. I know this because he's calling everyone in the family for money. Wouldn't trade places with him for all the money in the world....

I don't know, I guess I've learned that it's not all black and white.

As for the OP....sure, she's been to the Beach Club several years in a row. I've been there too......nice place. But I surely wouldn't want to be where she is now.

 

[RitaE]

I have to ask....do you feel this way about people on welfare? unemployment? In essence, we, as Americans, are bailing them out also.

Welfare and Unemployment are two entirely different things.

Welfare is given to those who have incomes so low they cannot feed and house themselves. I have no problem with welfare as a short term solution.

Unemployment is an insurance program that people pay into, it is not a bailout. People who collect unemployment have paid into unemployment and have then lost their jobs through no fault of their own. I really don't know anybody who has a "problem" with unemployment.

I have written letters to government concerning this issue. I really hope that what we are seeing now with Mortgage reform being discussed is the beginning of a fix to what is a long list of finance reform that is needed in our country. FWIW, I have also written concerning Health Care reform and my disgust with the insurance industry.

 

[Loverly]

I quote this line because i do not understand why or how bankruptcy can be filed for just being 1 month behind on things....why would within 1 month of having trouble would bankruptcy be the only option?
don't you have to be so far behind on bills for it to be an option? or wouldn't you want to try other sources before turning to it so quickly?

I ask with sincerity, I do not know much about bankruptcy laws. I always see commercials for those help you consolidate your credit places and they always say stuff like are you 90 days late on bills and things like that.

I understand bankruptcy may be the only option sometimes and not because someone lives frivolously. we have our own business and we know it could disappear without a moments notice, it can be that quick. I just thought there were timelines with you had to be in debt or past due to a certain point.

I agree !! Find another option-for goodness sakes! Don't jump into Bankruptcy so quickly

 

[JoanneNC]

First of all, my medical bills were in the hundreds of thousands of dollars....and without me working, it's hard to pay that type of debt.

Second, I think people, in general, are living beyond their means because everything else is so expensive. Look at gas prices! Look at the cost of food! Everything around us is going up...except for peoples' wages. I think alot of Americans are using credit cards as a way to survive...a way to get by.

Anyway, I STILL wish the OP good luck. Filing bankruptcy is a humble experience, but one that feels wonderful when it's all done.

Incredible - just another person encouraging BK..
I do personally feel that if there ever was a "justified" reason for a BK - excessive medical would be that and a single person unable to work with 100's of thousand of debt is different then a married couple, both able to work paying for a child's medical bill. Means are different - but with that said - the MAJORITY of filings are not for unavoidable reasons - but for GREED and following their entitlement. No one needs a flat panel TV - no one needs yearly vacations to Disney - etc.
If you are charging gas and food because you can't afford it - get a 2nd job.
In general - definitely not everyone - feel they should be saved by the gov't and the tax payers and not have to work for what they want.

I haven't always lived within my means - so when I did wake up - DH and I made sure that we did what we needed and paid for every debt we had and that hard work is paying off in the present and the future.

Everyone is going to do what they want - just some probably don't like what they see in the mirror