Well, actually since I believe our discharge transpired on 02/04/2022, then it is one day past a year, but still nearly correct.
The changes these twelve months have wrought are nearly mind boggling - new state, new rental rambler, new job, new CCs with pretty high limits (considering the very real fact the BK13 is still visible on our credit reports!) and enough financial cushion to feel almost secure -as long as no tragedy like a crippling injury occurs, that is.
Zombie13 posted about what seems like an astounding tax refund amount earlier today; I had expected a potentially hefty tax bill because of the 401K default. Instead, the penalty only reduces our refund, not cancels it.
We almost feel like millionaires right now within limits of course - yesterday, I was shopping at a nearby mall and happened to go into Nordstrom Rack where I rarely go and happily found three better brands exercise bra tops for a total of $40+ (with tax). That is quite reasonable nowadays, but especially here where everything costs more, particularly restaurant food. We have learned to be more selective about the kind of food we are willing to pay more for, since coupons and discounts are few and far between here.
I still instinctively look for sale and clearance bins and still don't feel comfortable paying full price for anything that usually gets marked down, like clothing, personal goods, and the like.
My favorite grocery store, the Bargain Outlet Grocery offers some great gourmet and regular pantry/ frozen items at hard to beat prices anywhere. (I even found some name brand hoodies and long workout tops for only $8 each there last week!)
I doubt anybody would categorize our one-year mark as typical of BK13 "survivors or dischargees", but hopefully our lightning-fast financial recovery will inspire others stuck in the rotten rut of bankruptcy to look ahead, hope, and most importantly, to plan for a better future!
The changes these twelve months have wrought are nearly mind boggling - new state, new rental rambler, new job, new CCs with pretty high limits (considering the very real fact the BK13 is still visible on our credit reports!) and enough financial cushion to feel almost secure -as long as no tragedy like a crippling injury occurs, that is.
Zombie13 posted about what seems like an astounding tax refund amount earlier today; I had expected a potentially hefty tax bill because of the 401K default. Instead, the penalty only reduces our refund, not cancels it.
We almost feel like millionaires right now within limits of course - yesterday, I was shopping at a nearby mall and happened to go into Nordstrom Rack where I rarely go and happily found three better brands exercise bra tops for a total of $40+ (with tax). That is quite reasonable nowadays, but especially here where everything costs more, particularly restaurant food. We have learned to be more selective about the kind of food we are willing to pay more for, since coupons and discounts are few and far between here.
I still instinctively look for sale and clearance bins and still don't feel comfortable paying full price for anything that usually gets marked down, like clothing, personal goods, and the like.
My favorite grocery store, the Bargain Outlet Grocery offers some great gourmet and regular pantry/ frozen items at hard to beat prices anywhere. (I even found some name brand hoodies and long workout tops for only $8 each there last week!)
I doubt anybody would categorize our one-year mark as typical of BK13 "survivors or dischargees", but hopefully our lightning-fast financial recovery will inspire others stuck in the rotten rut of bankruptcy to look ahead, hope, and most importantly, to plan for a better future!
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