I'm stroking out, need counseling

[Confused33]

RECAP: I filed ch 7 on 12/29 and was told I had a "simple" case and no problems were forseen. I'm sure thats what they all say.

Well, my bills dropped by roughly $1300 + I just quit paying for my Tahoe this month so that means I had $1686 of money NOT going out this month.

I've made roughly $200 since Tues of last week and this month is not looking to be much better. I am FREEEEEAKING OUT.

I can't help but wonder what the hell I would have done had I not filed or at least DECIDED to file. Things haven't been this bad at all and I've been to make at LEAST the minimums on my payments on everything without much left over. Now I can't even pay the measly bills that I have.

Am I being punished by some stroke of luck for filing? Whats the deal? What am I supposed to do? I know things will turn around next month, they always do in Feb, but I'm freaking out!

Is it easier for me to lose my house or car if I'm a couple days late?

[wealth2009]

Stroking out.....

Hey C, are u missing any payments on your mortgage, since you appear to not have the Tahoe any longer? If not, you should be in great shape on the house. Just contact your lender and request a month extension as their courtesy to you. Most lenders (considering this evil market we are living in) will offer support to keep u in the home. Always remember the lender is not in the business of buying houses, but making $$$ (in the way of interest) from selling you the loan..... If I missed something else PM or write back I'll be up for awhile tonight. Shalom!!!

[Confused33]

Well, I've not missed any payments yet and I am going to keep the home. Payments are due on the 1st of each month and are an affordable $1025 (all things considered).

The thing is between now and the 1st of next month is I have to pay electric, water, gas, phones, and I have to eat and pay for gas to get to work. Plus I have to pay the $370 to my wife's Jeep. I co-x on it for her and its not going anywhere without her in it. LOL

Things wouldn't be so bad but my wife lost her job right after I filed so it was a double smack in the face. Bills went down and shortly after the income did too.

I work on 100% commission in a powersports dealer and was told I could not change jobs until after 2/3 which is the date of my 341.

[Confused33]

Hurricane Ike kicked my ass in September and I asked for an extension. They offered to do it and said hey yeah no problem BUUUT its going to cause you to have a 30 day late on your report. That doesn't help my situation.

Will the same story apply now and will it make a poo?

[wealth2009]

You need to be thankful things aren't much worse....

Hey C, since you filed a chp 7 it really doesn't matter what's on your consumer credit report. Every line item will show BK regardless if you've made your house and car payments on time. It goes with the territory, but you need some cash, like yesterday. I would contact all of my utility companies, even if I had to walk to each one of them. You can provide an email or fax explaining your current situation, if walking isn't feasible. You want to request they offer you a reprieve for one month in order to organize your finances again. Most companies will not hiccup at this, especially if you've had no problems in the past.

I know your wife loves that Jeep, but if you can somehow convince her of selling the vehicle for a less expensive one you will be much further ahead. Confused33 you can no longer pretend to have something, when in reality you have nothing. Let me tell you from first hand experience, this is my 8th BK in the last 20 years. No I did not file every year, but it's been nearly every year since 2000. My pride kept me coming back for more and more. Pride is a lethal weapon if you don't have it under control. If it were me, knowing what I know about BK and the devastation it can leave behind. I would sell all major secured properties, with exception of my home. You need cash like yesterday. You need to go throughout your home and put items on "consignment" in shops around your area. You need to get on Ebay and Craig's List and begin selling those items you use less of and others need more of. Let's (this includes me too) stop being so "self-absorbed" in this culture. When you and I think about it we really have all that we need at our disposal, but like most Americans we want more.... IT'S CALLED GREED!!! It's the very same attitude that brought down the collapse of Wall Street, International Banks, Global Insurance Companies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, etc.

[Removed Solicitation]

[StartingOver08]

Aren't you in the automatic stay period of your CH 7????

You have a little break during this 60 days from your payments because they can not dun you for payments during this period! When I spoke to the various BK depts, they said I could wait till discharge to pay the entire balance due (post petition balance) if I so chose because when you are in the 60 day period that is who you have to work with to make the payments during the automatic stay. YMMV

Now, of course you need to be caught up on those items you are keeping - like the car of you wife before your discharge. I don't know about the utilities - because I always kept them current (afraid to be without water and power!!)

[Flamingo]

I know your wife loves that Jeep, but if you can somehow convince her of selling the vehicle for a less expensive one you will be much further ahead. Confused33 you can no longer pretend to have something, when in reality you have nothing. Let me tell you from first hand experience, this is my 8th BK in the last 20 years. No I did not file every year, but it's been nearly every year since 2000.

Wealth...I am trying to understand how you can file 8 bankruptcies (business? personal?) in 20 years with, what you state above, "it's been nearly every year since 2000." Most folks facing the BK spector file once, learn from the experience, revise their lifestyles for it never to occur again, and move on with newfound ways to handle credit and money. Also there are time limits between being able to file bankruptcy repeatedly and habitual filers are red flagged and extremely scrutinized.

[Trixie007]

if you would like more advice of need some legal counsel PM or email at: [email protected] and I will navigate you to someone who is less expensive than you are paying for right now!!! Shalom

Ahem... they've already filed... lol, is this a solicitiation??? Something's hinky in BKville!

Confused33: sorry you're having such a rough time! Take a deep breath and hang in there!

[Confused33]

Aren't you in the automatic stay period of your CH 7????

You have a little break during this 60 days from your payments because they can not dun you for payments during this period! When I spoke to the various BK depts, they said I could wait till discharge to pay the entire balance due (post petition balance) if I so chose because when you are in the 60 day period that is who you have to work with to make the payments during the automatic stay. YMMV

Now, of course you need to be caught up on those items you are keeping - like the car of you wife before your discharge. I don't know about the utilities - because I always kept them current (afraid to be without water and power!!)

I am in the automatic stay period. I just don't want to get behind and have the snowball effect between now and discharge. I would rather struggle and be up to date on pmts when the discharge comes.

I'm very confused by all of this. Its more of an income issue than it is a payment issue. The payments are beans compared to my normal income, especially after filing, but I don't have any income.

[wealth2009]

Some of us have good attorney's...... Hmmmmm

Wealth...I am trying to understand how you can file 8 bankruptcies (business? personal?) in 20 years with, what you state above, "it's been nearly every year since 2000." Most folks facing the BK spector file once, learn from the experience, revise their lifestyles for it never to occur again, and move on with newfound ways to handle credit and money. Also there are time limits between being able to file bankruptcy repeatedly and habitual filers are red flagged and extremely scrutinized.

It must be the case I was fortunate to find good attorney's who knew how to navigate the BK system. I don't feel like I owe anyone an answer to how I was able to file 8 BK's in whatever timeframe. All I attempted to explain were facts around how many BK's I had filed in the past, in order to assist, support or even encourage someone else living trautic experience. The reality of BK is not the end of the world as we know it!!!! I don't see my numerous BK's as a badge of honor and if you had read any of my past posts you would have read how embarrassed and ashamed I have been for making these many mistakes. So, before anyone makes a judgement on my life you might want to know there is a ole saying in my community ...."sounds like kettel calling the skillet black."

[wealth2009]

It's not what u think....

Ahem... they've already filed... lol, is this a solicitiation??? Something's hinky in BKville!

Confused33: sorry you're having such a rough time! Take a deep breath and hang in there!

My invitation was never intended to be a "solitation" by any means. Everyone has the "freewill" to consult with whomever they choose. I don't attempt to persuade people to do anything, because I have nothing to sell, nothing!!!

All I was attempting to do was "save" these poor people some $$$, if they want to pay for expensive, high priced attorney's, so be it (AMEN!!!!)....

[dogbone33]

It must be the case I was fortunate to find good attorney's who knew how to navigate the BK system. I don't feel like I owe anyone an answer to how I was able to file 8 BK's in whatever timeframe. All I attempted to explain were facts around how many BK's I had filed in the past, in order to assist, support or even encourage someone else living trautic experience. The reality of BK is not the end of the world as we know it!!!! I don't see my numerous BK's as a badge of honor and if you had read any of my past posts you would have read how embarrassed and ashamed I have been for making these many mistakes. So, before anyone makes a judgement on my life you might want to know there is a ole saying in my community ...."sounds like kettel calling the skillet black."

No really. I thought you could only file 13 every 7 years and 7 every 10 years. I am curious too? Not trying to put you down at all, just curious!

[JRScott]

Okay one thing you might do is see if you can contact the mortgage company and see if they will move the current payment to the end of the plan. Some will and some want, but that might take pressure off for a couple weeks enough to get you back on your feet.

[arkienurse]

All I was attempting to do was "save" these poor people some $$$, if they want to pay for expensive, high priced attorney's, so be it (AMEN!!!!)....

Since they have already filed, I would imagine the lawyer has already been paid in full. I have never heard of a lawyer that will file a ch 7 for you without it being paid in full.

[Confused33]

I paid my lawyer $950 down and $200 a month until July. Filed 12/29.