Food for thought

[EdytaHome]

I want to share my experience after bankruptcy with all of you.
My husband and I were discharged end of April this year. I have been without a job since November of last year, I decided to stay home with my 3 year old for a year. We moved out of state to be closer to my husbands family. So, here we are now.
I'm looking for a job (any job) part time or in my profession (chemist) and NO one will hire me! Why? Because most employers now a days do background checks and pull credit reports... I can't work part time in retail because it usually requires handling money. No one will trust me to do that with a bankruptcy on my record. I'm not a thief I just had financial problems.
Second, since leaving my job I let my health insurance laps more than 63 days. I can't find anyone to insure me now (private sector), on top of that all the insurance companies are throwing the pre existing condition clause in my face. Why didn't someone tell me about this, I would have bought out the COBRA...
Our cars need repairs, don't have the money for it, can't get a job, can't get financed for a new car because of bankruptcy.
IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IN DEPT UP TO OUR EARS WITH A CLEAN RECORD... Don't treat bankruptcy lightly, it's a serious thing.
Good luck!

[wannabedebtfree]

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm sorry you are having problems. I wish you luck. I have received some wonderful advice here on these boards, so maybe someone will be able to help you as well. We have been wondering if bankruptcy was right for us, after reading your story I put another mark on the con section.

[Minnymouth]

Yes, BK is hard on you...... and it IS a serious decision to make in your life....it will affect you for several years....
Getting insurance with a pre-existing condition is extremely hard also, they won't cover it for a least 2 years. Its a shame that your past employer did not explain that when they offered you COBRA.. SHAME ON THEM!!!!
The job market is hard to break into in a new area, but "really" filing bankruptcy should not have a whole lot to do with it.... FILING BK IS NOT A FELONY!!!
Question??? Do you list your pre-existing medical condition on applications?? Such as open-heart surgery, etc.....??
When were you discharged?? I remember your case but not when you were discharged.....
Sorry your having such a "rough time" getting life back to normal.....


Minny

[poor1]

edyta, i am so sorry to hear what a rough time your going through!! my prayers are with you!! just hang in there, i am sure things will begin to look up for you real soon. good luck to you!!

[EdytaHome]

Thanks

Discharge was April 25th 2005. I just pooled my credit report and I have some serious work to do in cleaning it up.
As far as the health insurance, since HIPAA law of 1996 went into effect, every time you go to the doctor a code gets entered into the system. You can't get away with not having your health history disclosed when you apply for insurance. I was employed 8 years and had a great group plan, "yes" I went to the doctor for several things which will now be excluded under individual policy coverage. Advise to all! NEVER LET YOUR HEALTH OR OTHER INSURANCE POLICY GO, ANY BREAK IN COVERAGE IS HORRIBLE.
By the way, my car insurance is going SKY HIGH because one of the factors in determining auto insurance is your credit score and bankruptcy.
When applying for a new job, practically all employers ask you to sign a relase form to allow a criminal background check and a credit report check.
OUR SOCIETY HAS BECOME DEPENDANT ON DATA BASES AND NUMBERS... THERE IS NO ESCAPE...

[Whittio]

It sounds to me like it's discrimination if they are using your credit report for job qualification. I mean, some jobs might need to protect themselves, but please, if you have money problems, it doesn't mean you're a thief and are going to steal money from your employer. :s this has me baffled.

Hopefully my mom's past experience in retail (6 years at the same place, as a grocery clerk) will make up for any credit report problems she may run into. As of now, she's in an apartment, so no worries there, and has a long time job that they LOVE her at, so no worries there, but we are trying to move to TN, and if that happens, she'll need a job and maybe a place to live?? (we are going to try to buy a house for her to live in, but it all depends on if we sell our current house, and for how much!)

Anyway.. I hope the best for you. Maybe just toss out that word, "discrimination" and see where that takes you when you're being denied something??

[edwards2]

We filed BK and are about to be discharged. Our car insurance has not gone up; I dont understand why filing BK has anything to do with that. As for the job situation, I know when I worked at Fedex they did do a criminal check. I would think doing a credit check could cause all kinds of discrimination issues. They dont know all the particulars as to why you filed so how can they be so judgemental? Filing BK is a very difficult decision. I know all of us did not make the decision overnight. We delayed doing it for years; we kept thinking we could make it work if only.....and then the if only situations became more and more prevalent. I know it was the right decision for us. We knew going in that there would be consequences and we are prepared to deal with them. I think about the alternatives and realize they are much worse than BK. We were at the point of no return. BK is a stigma that is difficult to handle at times but keep in mind what other options you had - if any. I am so sorry you are having all of those problems. Please let us know if we can help in any way.

[Whittio]

HEY.. I am a Guru now. HA! That seems funny to me. I should still be a "newbie". ;)

I think what edwards2 said is dead on, there ARE consequences, but the alternatives are much worse!

[herekitty]

I'm a Guru too Reached it this morning, made me think I should maybe be working a little more ... although this website has helped me keep my emotions stable!

I'm glad this story was posted, when I went to see my lawyer for the first time he acted like bankruptcy was the greatest thing ever - that there were no consequences except being on a credit report.

I think you should really be at rock bottom before you have to file. I'm in a position where my income goes to rent and student loans - that's about it. I got a great job - but entry level pay is not great. I was rotating bills each month, skipping payments on two and then paying on the other two. Then the letter came from the ex and I realized there was no way I could continue like this with his debt being paid by me and all my debt. The worst was when I realized a month ago I had sold anything of value that I had to just make it. Needless to say, that did make moving home just a short trip - only two cars full!

I'm sorry everything is so hard right now, but you have to think that it's gotta turn around at some point! Cheek up Easy to say I know, but if there is anything we can do - let us know.

About the health insurance, yeah "pre-existing" sucks - check out Blue Cross/Blueshield, I think pre-exisiting is only a year. My brother is paying about $150 a month - Cobra was like $300. Heck, his insurance is cheaper than mine at work! I also did a search for independent health insurance - healthinsurancefinders.com and they brought up a bunch of different plans. I didn't realize that I didn't have insurance my last 6 months in school - but I was able to get some that way.

Where do you live??

[accentone]

I will soon find out first hand the real consequences. But I have to say, I know of three people who filed (two twice), and they seemed to sail right back in the system buying houses, cars, getting credit cards. I watched firsthand and frankly, it looked relatively painless. For me, just making the decision to file has helped me sleep easier. I'm not proud of it, but right now, I see it as the only way out.

[herekitty]

I'm going to second that to a point as well. I am sleeping much better and after I became a little more open about things, I found out a lot of people I know have done it, one who has to do it again because they didn't learn their lesson the first time. I think some of it is regional though ...

As for the job, I'm sorry - that's just not right. What does your credit report have to do with anything? You're being PAID to work, not paying to work. I know a lot of people get jobs just by networking, going to events in the field that you are in. Now, I know that's easier in my market and field, but perhaps it's something you could look into Edytahome - also, I know serving isn't the ideal job to be in - but it's quick money (cash too) and they usually don't do credit checks. Another way is to apply at a place where you frequent alot - I worked at a place for 5 years, it was casual and well known and i cleared $1800 easy a month for 35 hrs a week, plus they offered health insurance - and we would offer jobs to frequent customers who were interested. Food for thought I guess

[EdytaHome]

Thanks All

We moved to the Chicago Northwest suburbs. Life is different out here than in Michigan. Actually, I submitted my health insurance application to Blue Cross Blue Shield a few days ago, we'll see what they tell me.
Really, it's true, when you apply for a job most (big emplyers) do backround criminal checks, credit report check, and social security number check, drug testing and more, as a standard NOW A DAYS. You're right it's discrimination to only have people with great finances that work for you.

[hhou812hh]

Sorry to hear about your problems. It is very rough. You still maybe better off doing what you did with filing bk. What I did was weigh my options.

A-Based on my original agreements with my creditors I would be in debt with them for the next 30 years, so I will be 72 and then I can finally start saving up money for retirement. NO WAY!

B-If I go to credit counseling and negotiate my interest away I can probably cut the years in half to 15 years of high bills and this is all providing that I don't borrow anymore and keep my current car for that long. IMPOSSIBLE to do.

C-If I file a ch13 then I will have 3 more years of headaches and as long as no problems arise I will get a fresh start and rebuild. Sadly enough this is my only option for a prosperous future.

If you didn't file you would probably have a good job by now and be a slave to your bills forever.

Good luck to you and hopefully it all works out!

[EdytaHome]

I guess I'm not saying I wish I didn't file Bankruptcy, sorry if I gave you that perception. Truth is I'm MAD about how our society has become numbers oriented and it doesn't look at the individual person anymore. After filing bankruptcy there are many obstacles and I want all of you guys to be aware of them. Bankruptcy is not the easiest thing to do in your life but sometimes it's necessary.
If I didn't file: I would be over $300,000 in debt! We discharged 2 houses and close to $40,000 in unsecured debt. I hated my high paying job in a small town which was totally dependent on that one employer. I felt trapped, I didn't want that... I wanted to spend more time with my only child while she was still young.
Even though bankruptcy hangs over my head, I'm still optimistic I will get a decent job out here in Chicago were there are many more employers to choose from. Thank God for family, they were so supportive, my Mother in law purchased a small house for us that we are now making payments on.
Over all, I guess I wouldn't change things, it's just that I'm mad because 8+ years of experience and skills is being overlooked because of blemished credit due to a bankruptcy.

[Minnymouth]

You hang in there, Edyt at home,
Keep job hunting, and I guarantee you there's an employer out there that doesn't care about your BK, but he sure will be interested in you "skills and experience"..... (take it from a past employer)...
And you may find that "it's" the best job you ever had, because that employer will deal with "people - not numbers"......and will probably be a "family man" and "family orientated."
So hang tough - it will get better, even in Chicago!!

Minny

"Wonder if they would hire Oprah, if she claimed BK" - just a thought???