I have posted a few times but not taken the time to introduce myself. I felt I should because this forum has been very helpful, both emotionally and answering some basics. I have had one meeting with our atty (a rather large firm) and several discussions with our paralegal. Yesterday we gave the atty a check and all of the required paperwork.
I am married but filing for myself. We have used my name/ credit for years because that was just the way it always was. I handle the bills and juggled the cards. When we first married, my husband was in school and I was working. Now we have 2 children whom we homeschool. I have not worked outside of the home in 8 years. I do occassional babysitting, but with 2 kids and their activities (hs groups), we have an easier time managing that when we don't have other kids here.
Our credit cards have been an issue for years. We pay some off (refinance or consolidation loan), transfer some balances to 0%, you get the idea. My husband was transferring $$ constantly just to cover the minimum payments. We weren't buying much of waht we needed like a new bed for my son, repairs on the house, etc. Everything was going to the cards or an emergency van repair,etc. We finally reached a breaking point and discussed the option of filing chapter 7 for me. We are in NY.
Our home mtg is in my husband's name alone. The last time we refinanced, my cards were so high it hurt more than anything. Both of our names are stll on the deed. Mtg. balance is 67, 000 or so. Our value is around 118,000. The atty said we could exempt the equity if it was over 50,000 (25,000) per person?? or we could exempt the tax refund (usually around 5,000) each year. We use that $ to catch up (heating bills or put a little back into savings). I have been a nervous wreck, not sleeping, so worried about we will meet the obligations for the children~ college, a car, etc. in their future. It has been so hard not having any money left over or being able to take care of the house like we should be. For example, we repainted the cabinets and replaced the countertop and got a new fridge (3 years ago), but never replaced the tearing tile floor.
Don't get me wrong, I do feel hopeful, but am still very afraid. This is the first month I EVER missed a cc payment. It was very strange and still feels kind of surreal. I always thought I had to pay those no matter what. Thank you for reading all of this. I hope I can contribute something here and just appreciate having people to talk to.
I am married but filing for myself. We have used my name/ credit for years because that was just the way it always was. I handle the bills and juggled the cards. When we first married, my husband was in school and I was working. Now we have 2 children whom we homeschool. I have not worked outside of the home in 8 years. I do occassional babysitting, but with 2 kids and their activities (hs groups), we have an easier time managing that when we don't have other kids here.
Our credit cards have been an issue for years. We pay some off (refinance or consolidation loan), transfer some balances to 0%, you get the idea. My husband was transferring $$ constantly just to cover the minimum payments. We weren't buying much of waht we needed like a new bed for my son, repairs on the house, etc. Everything was going to the cards or an emergency van repair,etc. We finally reached a breaking point and discussed the option of filing chapter 7 for me. We are in NY.
Our home mtg is in my husband's name alone. The last time we refinanced, my cards were so high it hurt more than anything. Both of our names are stll on the deed. Mtg. balance is 67, 000 or so. Our value is around 118,000. The atty said we could exempt the equity if it was over 50,000 (25,000) per person?? or we could exempt the tax refund (usually around 5,000) each year. We use that $ to catch up (heating bills or put a little back into savings). I have been a nervous wreck, not sleeping, so worried about we will meet the obligations for the children~ college, a car, etc. in their future. It has been so hard not having any money left over or being able to take care of the house like we should be. For example, we repainted the cabinets and replaced the countertop and got a new fridge (3 years ago), but never replaced the tearing tile floor.
Don't get me wrong, I do feel hopeful, but am still very afraid. This is the first month I EVER missed a cc payment. It was very strange and still feels kind of surreal. I always thought I had to pay those no matter what. Thank you for reading all of this. I hope I can contribute something here and just appreciate having people to talk to.
Dear Amanda,
341 on September 23
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