I did it, and I feel GREAT!

[schel]

Exactly!!! It will be a very new way of living for me. I have always been in cc debt, it's been a way of life for me. My cat has to see the vet and that's something I'd usually charge, but I have to pay for it. That's hard right now b/c I don't have the money but I'll have to come up with it. I am planning on putting money in savings once this is all done and I get caught up. It's just different already, I couldn't use the cc to take my cat to the vet. It will be nice when I do have some money in the savings for emergencies.

I will still use my debit card but I keep my bank account balanced at all times, so that isn't a problem for me.

Hi Teddy, big hugs to you to! At least I am not crying for a while anymore!

As far as bringing your cat to the vet...
-Is your cat an indoor or outdoor cat?
-If indoor, you are good to go. You can push the vet thing off until you have enough money.
-Also, do a search to see if you have a group vaccination thing in your area. This is what we do just bring for vaccinations and no vet bill, only vaccination fees. I think they are called vaccination clinics.

Hope that saves you a little if you can find a vaccination clinic in your area.

Schel

[schel]

My husband hated the idea of filing too, but he was also not realistic about how much debt we had and how hard and stressful it was for ME to pay everybody every month. We were both upset we didn't qualify for a 7 but the 13 will satisfy his need to pay the bills and will force us to live within our means and be more careful.
If you think of it as a "business decision" you can take the emotions out of it and get on with your life and start rebuilding....that's not an original thought, read it on this forum!Good luck to you (Schel and Teddy), at least you know there are people here ready to help.

Right there with ya! My husband is not sure what bills we have, when they are due (also what happens if the bills are late; late fees) or how much they are unless I ask him to write out a check for me if I am busy. He looked at the Excel Energy Bill and said "is this how much our bill is every month on budget?"

I don't want to bash him, I try to keep him informed, but I am the cheif bill payer in our household and when I ask him what to do because I don't know what to do, I get silence or a blank stare.
Doesn't help out either. He wanted to do the Credit Counsling and Consilidation, but after reading on this site, thats not going to help us out at all either at this point.

I am very thankful for all the consideration from everyone here on this site.

Oh... And thank you for being kind and not the "tough love" thing with me. That will just make me go to the crying thing all over again. I have shed enough tears already!

Thanks.
Schel

[schel]

My husband hated the idea of filing too, but he was also not realistic about how much debt we had and how hard and stressful it was for ME to pay everybody every month. We were both upset we didn't qualify for a 7 but the 13 will satisfy his need to pay the bills and will force us to live within our means and be more careful.
If you think of it as a "business decision" you can take the emotions out of it and get on with your life and start rebuilding....that's not an original thought, read it on this forum!Good luck to you (Schel and Teddy), at least you know there are people here ready to help.

Why didn't you qualify for a 7? Just curious, if your uncomfortable answering thats ok.
Schel

[Teddy]

My cat was outside (he's not going out anymore!) and got bit by something. This happened in Sept and I kept him in until now, thinking he could go out during the day and come in at night but now that it happened again, he will not be allowed out. He is an indoor cat who loves to be outside. He's miserable in the house.

I have a super cheap vet, but still, it's extra money when right now I'm totally broke. I'm awaiting an insurance reimbursement check to cover the vet bill. Fortunately the vet said they would hold my check.

[schel]

We have an indoor cat who thinks he wants to be an outdoor cat until he gets there and its right back into the house!

Thank goodness for an understanding vet!

I was watching the news last night while I was crying and they were showing the humane society and how surrenders of animals is up 67% and adoptions are down 35%. They are blaming the economy.

Of course it didn't make me feel any better to see all those poor animals without a home! If I ever win the lottery, I will have a rescue and hobby farm with all kinds of animals. Or as my husband would say "critters!"

Take care.
Schel

[parsoc48]

Schel,
we didn't qualify for a 7 due to too much "disposable income" after necessary living expenses paid. Didn't realize it at the time but anything over $100 is too much! what a laugh, huh?
Oh well, I have to remember how much we were paying to cc each month..at least this way there is an end in sight.

[2muchcc]

I don't know how to make my husband understand that bankruptcy is not failure. Like many of you I pay the bills and field the calls. He is totally against filing because he is a series 7 broker. He will be fired from his firm if he files, but he is barely covering his business expenses and we live on what I make. I am trying to explain that we can file and then my check will support us, then he choose to work or be a stay at home dad. The only catch is he will probably not get hired again in his field. How did your husbands come around?

[parsoc48]

The easy answer: The incessant phone calls and the bottom line: "we have
$55k debt" (More like $60, as we were still thinking of keeping some accounts)

We had already been struggling for almost a year..went with a debt settlement program for a few months but it only included a few creditors....the others we wanted to keep (you know, store cards, Home Depot, etc!) but were having trouble keeping up with.

He finally gave in, didn't really see a way out..and we were facing a lawsuit by Chase which was freaking him out, due to wage garnishment, etc. That would have been MY garnishment, but he knew the others were coming (we work in different counties...but both small, where everyone knows your business) as other cards were in his name.
Hes also battling depression and some job problems and worry about his son (health problems) and I think he just couldn't continue this other fight.

[schel]

The easy answer: The incessant phone calls and the bottom line: "we have
$55k debt" (More like $60, as we were still thinking of keeping some accounts)

We had already been struggling for almost a year..went with a debt settlement program for a few months but it only included a few creditors....the others we wanted to keep (you know, store cards, Home Depot, etc!) but were having trouble keeping up with.

He finally gave in, didn't really see a way out..and we were facing a lawsuit by Chase which was freaking him out, due to wage garnishment, etc. That would have been MY garnishment, but he knew the others were coming (we work in different counties...but both small, where everyone knows your business) as other cards were in his name.
Hes also battling depression and some job problems and worry about his son (health problems) and I think he just couldn't continue this other fight.

Has your husband gone in for his depression or on something currently? I battle with it also and my antidepressant even though it has been increased lately to deal with everything, is a godsend!! I know men do not like to admit to the depression thing (no offence to any guys here ) but antidepressants can make a world of difference! My son is on Zoloft and he is a completly different person on the med. Without it he's a basket case! (Note also that antidepressants are contraindicated in children and he is closly monitored by his doctor)
1st things 1st talk to him and try to get him to go in if he hasn't about the depression to help feel better about all the problems you 2 are facing. This might be a first step.
I'll say a prayer for you and your family and keep us posted!
Schel