Less than 5 months to go

[SinkingFast]

Congrats, Downhill!!

Even though we survived three long Chapter 13 years, two weeks seems like an eternity away for when my husband gets a full paycheck.

As far as spending the first full paycheck or two (or three), we have to catch up on bills that weren't included in the bankruptcy, such as utilities. And I want to make a few extra house payments. I never want to get into a near foreclosure situation again.

Since we filed, I have heard of several people we know who also filed, either Chapter 13 or 7. I have not told anyone in 36 months that we filed, except for one of my sisters (in August) and my husband's boss. When someone tells me they filed, I feel like a knowledge expert on the subject but I have never been one to air my dirty laundry.

Bankruptcy is a bad thing that sometimes happens to good people and once it's over, we will be stronger for having gone through it!!!!!

We don't just go around airing our dirty laundry, but,............ I really don't care who does and does not know. As you so aptly said,...... BK is a bad, bad thing that sometimes happens to good people.

All our immediate family knows that we had to file. I don't think we could have handled it nearly as well as we did without their love, support, and prayers.

Remember, Downhill,........... We are always here for you when ever you need us.

[WhenThePawn]

Congratulations on completing your Ch 13. You're an inspiration to the rest of us. I have 9 months to go until my BK nightmare is over!

[downhill]

Thanks for all the positive feedback.

Trust me... if WE could do it, YOU can too! We are definitely NOT financial wizards and somehow we did it. We kept robbing Peter to pay Paul. They are both broke from us robbing them so much during the past 3 years. Peter and Paul probably both filed bankruptcy too.

Regarding Peevee's question: Yes, our monthly payments stayed at $2700.00 per month for the entire 3 years.

The hardest times were when things came up unexpectedly, like auto repairs or house repairs. (Or daughters Homecoming dress, shoes, hairdo, eyebrows, jewelry, makeup, pictures, etc....) The bankruptcy trustee doesn't care about those things. $2700.00 each month. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. It's brutal.

One thing that I have done since October, is to keep all the receipts when I spend money. Whether its from the ATM or the Dollar Store or the Goodwill Thrift Store or WalMart. I have been organizing the receipts in a binder. Boy, you don't realize where all your cash goes unless you do this. (Once this is all completely over, I'm going to apply at our credit union for a debit card. Right now I only have an atm card.)

As you know, money slips out of your hand without you even noticing it. If you get $20 in gas, and then buy a soda for yourself, and then one for your son, along with a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup for your daughter, and then a Powerball Ticket, and then run to buy dog food and cat food at Walmart for another $20, and then pick up the cleaning for $10 and then and then.....you've spent $60 in a matter of an hour sometimes.

It's so depressing. It's a wonder that anyone can survive without making big bucks.

[downhill]

Oh My Gosh. I think I'm going to faint.

I just checked the National Data Center website and our Chapter 13 case status changed from "ABOUT TO COMPLETE" to "CLOSED".

Our trustee office had disbursed our final payment to the creditors the last day of January and then sent us a copy of what they sent to the court to have our case closed and our balance refunded to us. They said that it should close by Feb 15 and that we will be sent our refund balance at the end of February when they send out their disbursements. They are actually on or ahead of schedule. What a wonderful pre-Valentine present.

I can't believe we survived three l-o-n-g horrible years at $2700 per month with 2 teenagers.

This is why I picked my user name Downhill. Trust me, once you file Bankruptcy, it's all downhill.

You can't imagine the relief of not receiving collector calls at home and work. I can pick up the phone and even though it's AT&T, it's actually a customer survey recording rather than the disconnection department. We get tons of mail still, but instead of collection notices and colorful utility disconnection notices, it's offers for credit cards, etc...

We haven't applied for any yet. We are waiting for our Closure papers and want to take a breath of fresh air.

Oh what a relief it is!!!!!! Follow the bouncing ball......Oh what a relief it is....

[StevieD]

Oh what a relief it is!!!!!! Follow the bouncing ball......Oh what a relief it is....

I like that one. I'm awaiting this date later this year. Keep us posted.

[lrprn]

Oh My Gosh. I think I'm going to faint. I just checked the National Data Center website and our Chapter 13 case status changed from "ABOUT TO COMPLETE" to "CLOSED". .

From all of us current 13ers who *KNOW* what you had to live through day by day for three long years (with teens, no less!), a huge high-five and CONGRATULATIONS!! You have achieved what only a third of Ch 13 filers ever manage - you made it to the end of your case successfully and are now closed! Fantastic! Way to go! Hope your family has something very special in mind to celebrate!

[SinkingFast]

WooooHoooo!! Down Hill!!

[downhill]

Thanks for all the good wishes.

Well...the three long, horrible, dreadful years were very painful, but the more I think about it, it was much better than being put in shackles in the middle of town square for public viewing and humiliation, and it was definitely better than being sent to debtors prison like in the old days.

So...as you are all making your monthly payments, keep those two visions in the back of your mind, because it could be worse. (Unless of course, you are into bondage and shackles.)

Anyway, I am definitely going to be a contributing member of this forum still because it will not only help others, but we still have a lot to learn from others. Such as rebuilding credit, staying out of debt, etc...

Hang in there everyone!!!!

[downhill]

Friday, February 16 2007 is my new favorite day. We received our official Chapter 13 discharge papers.

Three years and it's the day we have been waiting for. Once we get our refund check in the next 2 weeks (end of the month disbursement for trustee), it will be THE END.

[lrprn]

Friday, February 16 2007 is my new favorite day. We received our official Chapter 13 discharge papers.

Three years and it's the day we have been waiting for. Once we get our refund check in the next 2 weeks (end of the month disbursement for trustee), it will be THE END.

Congratulations, downhill!!! Finally the light at the end of the long, dark, Ch13 tunnel is at hand! We are all so happy for you!

[downhill]

Our 3 years of chapter 13 is officially over. We already received our discharge papers and today we received our refund check from the trustee.

My wish is that we never ever receive another piece of mail with a return address of bankruptcy court or chapter 13 trustee.

Now we get so much junk mail daily from every car dealership and real estate agent in the state showing in big letters "we heard your chapter 13 was discharged...."

Why don't they just come out and say "We know that you got in over your head once and we want you to do it again a week after your discharge so come on down and buy yourself a car, or maybe two or three".

NO THANKS!!!!!!

I've been spending the last few days trying to clean up our credit reports. I guess I never really studied them before because our credit was so trashed anyway. But now I am reading them with a fine tooth comb.

We have a few accounts that show as written off, when they weren't. For instance, we always had an acct with Beneficial Finance. For years and years. Theres one that shows as written off 12/02 and then another Beneficial acct with a different acct number showing as opened 12/02 and then eventually included in chapter 13. The written off acct one should show as paid in full because what we had done was to write a new loan to get additional money. (You all know how easy they talk you into that one.)

The first loan should have showed as closed paid in full on the same date as the new one. I disputed that one.

Another mess is my student loans, which were included in chapter 13 and all should show as paid in full. But me, like a lot of others, show Sallie Stupid Mae as written off when really, my loans weren't even due yet and they were sold to another lender. A few years later they were eventually added to our chapter 13. So the written off Sallie Stupid Mae accts show plus the new lender accounts show as being paid in chapter 13. I disputed that too.

Boy, it sure is a lot easier disputing online.

Anyway, please know that if we could do it, you can too. Hang in there.