I probably should post this under smart financial insights, but it doesn't get read as much, so I figured that I would put it here.
One year ago this week, I filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy. It definitely was not the proudest moment of my life, but it was something that I had to do. I have always been a person of "live by my word," but my word here had obviously exceeded my ability.
I have watched many people come and go on here. Some, I know will make the fresh start, and do it right from here. I can see it in their attitudes, and in the way that they are moving on. Others, I know will end up in the same spot that they were in before. That is truly too bad, as it does not have to be that way.
In the last year, I have NOT applied for a secured credit card, applied for Captial One (although I have gotten many pre-approved offers from them), taken the insane credit card offers giving you a $300 limit with $200 in fees. I have not financed a vehicle. I have checked my credit score once, but it was mainly a curiosity thing. In other words, I have gone on for the year without worrying about my credit score. After all, what is a credit score for, except to spend money that you don't have?
There is life after bankruptcy. It may be different, but that life is probably going back to the way that it should be anyway. It is very liberating to be able to pay for what you have. Yes, maybe I miss "stuff" sometimes, but if you do not conquer the attitude of "stuff," you will never move past what got you hear in the first place. I know, some have illnesses that caused bankruptcy, and I am not talking about that here.
Use this as your one chance at a "reset button." If you can't pay your bills without credit, something is wrong that needs to be fixed.
I don't intend to be judgmental here, because I have been in the same spot. I do want to give hope. And not the kind of "hope" that some of our government leaders are trying to give. But the hope that comes from the fact that you can move on with life, and make it what you can make it on your own. You are free to pursue happiness, and make good decisions. How much more hope do you need?
There is so much more that I could say here, but I am going to go on on this nice summer day and "pursue happiness." Please be inspired to know that there is a different way, and that you can go on in it, and that you don't need a FICO score, or to spend hours trying to figure out how to improve it or manipulate it. I bet Mr. Isaac or Mr. Fair must be laughing their heads off (if they are still alive) at how much control a three digit number that they invented has over most people, and how they will change entire behaviors to try to manipulate it, when nobody really knows exactly how it is calculated!
Make good decisions, in life and financially, and everything else will follow.
Later.
One year ago this week, I filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy. It definitely was not the proudest moment of my life, but it was something that I had to do. I have always been a person of "live by my word," but my word here had obviously exceeded my ability.
I have watched many people come and go on here. Some, I know will make the fresh start, and do it right from here. I can see it in their attitudes, and in the way that they are moving on. Others, I know will end up in the same spot that they were in before. That is truly too bad, as it does not have to be that way.
In the last year, I have NOT applied for a secured credit card, applied for Captial One (although I have gotten many pre-approved offers from them), taken the insane credit card offers giving you a $300 limit with $200 in fees. I have not financed a vehicle. I have checked my credit score once, but it was mainly a curiosity thing. In other words, I have gone on for the year without worrying about my credit score. After all, what is a credit score for, except to spend money that you don't have?
There is life after bankruptcy. It may be different, but that life is probably going back to the way that it should be anyway. It is very liberating to be able to pay for what you have. Yes, maybe I miss "stuff" sometimes, but if you do not conquer the attitude of "stuff," you will never move past what got you hear in the first place. I know, some have illnesses that caused bankruptcy, and I am not talking about that here.
Use this as your one chance at a "reset button." If you can't pay your bills without credit, something is wrong that needs to be fixed.
I don't intend to be judgmental here, because I have been in the same spot. I do want to give hope. And not the kind of "hope" that some of our government leaders are trying to give. But the hope that comes from the fact that you can move on with life, and make it what you can make it on your own. You are free to pursue happiness, and make good decisions. How much more hope do you need?
There is so much more that I could say here, but I am going to go on on this nice summer day and "pursue happiness." Please be inspired to know that there is a different way, and that you can go on in it, and that you don't need a FICO score, or to spend hours trying to figure out how to improve it or manipulate it. I bet Mr. Isaac or Mr. Fair must be laughing their heads off (if they are still alive) at how much control a three digit number that they invented has over most people, and how they will change entire behaviors to try to manipulate it, when nobody really knows exactly how it is calculated!
Make good decisions, in life and financially, and everything else will follow.
Later.
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