Here I am again, one year later. (Well 13 months really.)

[UghUghUgh]

Hi Everyone.

I do not know that anyone will remember me, having only posted 9 times last year but here I am again 13 months later in the exact same spot. It is SO weird.

What have I been doing since I was last on here 7/23/09? I canceled the appointment with the attorney that I had made last year, I told him I was sure I could figure this all out on my own. I then gave my NOLO book to a woman at work who was having trouble. I managed to pay my minimums plus about $10-$20 more each month AND my car payment all this time as well. I canceled my gym membership, changed my car insurance (No, not to Geik0) picked up extra work when I could and packed lunch but even with that I still can only make those little over payments and need to charge my groceries, gas, household supplies and dog food. So I guess I have just tread water for the last year. /sigh Why did I not see it?

Here is my trouble, I could probably go on like this endlessly but one of my CC which had a low interest rate, that rate ended early August. The new interest rate is quadruple that of the old with this incoming September statement that I should receive soon and I know I cannot make that payment. HUGE lump in my throat at not being able to pay them. I really thought they would work with me but no. I called twice, explained I would not be able to afford this asked to transfer to management etc to no avail. I just cannot believe it took just that one thing for me to go over the edge. Just one thing. An increase in monthly interest charged which I calculate to be about $210.00.

Three weeks ago when that happened I stopped using the cards. Many of them I have not used in over a year but 4 of them had a few bucks on them each months that I could rotate to use for necessities. We have NO money right now until we get paid on Wednesday. THAT money should stay in the bank to pay the bills that are due in the next week. There is no food in this house. No milk, bread or dog food and I made the last pack of ground beef with some bouillon gravy and mashed potatoes for dinner tonight. School starts tomorrow for my son and I and there is no lunch money or money for gas. I cashed in the jug of change last Tuesday and was able to feed us this week. I am so scared to stop paying these cards. I must read more on the forums to be as informed as I can be and I know I will feel better after I talk to the attorney. Speaking of him...

I called him last week and get this, he still had all my information. He asked me what I had done to get ahead. I guess that is BK lawyer humor. Anyway, as soon as I know what days I have off from school in the next few weeks, I should find out tomorrow, I will call him and set up my first appointment. I have the last copy of all of my CC statements, my 08 and 09 tax returns and 6 months of pay stubs for starters. This is what I was asked to get together when he and I last talked on the phone. So now you are all up to date on me. I have been reading about all of you and everyone from last year seems to be ok and right on track. A lot of new people making a successful new start. I am happy for you all.

See you around the forums!

Yours Truly,
Ugh

[keepmine]

Well, better late than never!
Whatever you do, don't make anothe cc payment.

[BCA2009]

Food, Shelter and mental well being for you and your family are the top priority. Sounds like you have given it your best shot. Now it's time to start taking care of your family.

If you quit making all of the credit card payments, can you live on what is left? What other debt payments do you have? High car payments and large home mortgage should not come before the basic needs of your family.

You have to get it out of your mind that making minimum credit cards payments is the "right" thing to do when you don't have food to feed your children.

I hope it works out. Ask lots of questions and forum members will give lots of support.

[brokejoker]

Good luck! DON'T make those credit card payments! You have to get used to an all cash system so you need that money to pay your bills and food. Wednesday will be here before you know it. Until then look for change in your car, look in the back of the cabinet for that spare can of beans, and borrow $20 bucks from a friend so you can buy a loaf of bread and some PB&J. It will be worth it in the end!

[tobee43]

ugh....please i know this may be hard, but contact your local food bank...if you contact CCC they will give you some immediate referral numbers in your area...CCC is now called something different, but call them and they will help....actually...call back the atty and ask him for a referral...he will help you.

you have a son, you need to feed him. i saw on tv the other night a school teacher and his wife going to the local food bank to get food because his salary did not cover enough to put food on the table.

there is NO time for blame here....move...do something now...you can ...you just need to help yourself and make a few calls. at least get food in the house....pay only whom you need to keep that roof over your family heads and food on the table.

i wish you the best!

[epiphany]

I'm glad you posted this. One of the toughest thing for any of us to realize, is that it is best to stop paying the cards sooner rather than later and that postponing the inevitable (or treading water as you put it) is not a good idea.

I wish I had filed about two years earlier than I did. I just ended up making the situation more painful for me and my creditors.

Best of luck with your fresh start--it only gets better after the "epiphany".

ep

[UghUghUgh]

Thank you all! I cannot wait until tomorrow when I find out my school schedule. I thought I would have it today but nope! I am reading all your posts. What a great group of people!