So just when will things turn around for the better?

[wantout]

I am at the end of my rope.....

Stopped paying my 2 largest CCs in July, $1100 per month for those 2 payments combined...I was selling anything I could to help with those payments, literally ran out of things to sell...

I have been paying my attorney what I can, sold my idiot box to pay him the bulk of his fee, still owe $400.

I still have no damn money, got paid today, and all but $70 is gone, gone in the wind, set money back for the house payment, utilities, insurance, these payments are on auto draft.

Now I have $70 to get through 2 weeks until next payday, then I will need to make a truck payment, my second mortgage, cell and house gas bill....then pay my attorney whatever I can out of that hopefully at least half of the $400...

I still need to pick up a new pair of work pants, and a decent pair of shoes, I only have the one pair of pants, a couple decent shirts, and pair of shoes that are done...

I am done, I am in no better shape than I was a few months ago, and things are still not getting better.
I have cut back everything I can up to now, the cell is going to be turned off, even though I need it for work, I can save about $40 a month there, but everything else, I just dont see where I can cut back anymore....hell I like raman but not every damn day....I can only eat beans and rice for so long....

[crashzx]

Dont take this the wrong way but it sounds like more downsizing is in store. Bottom line if you still can not afford the lifestyle you have adjusted to then you need to go lower. I was prepared to move and lose everything for the sake of keeping my sanity and fixing my budget. I am sorry for your situation and good luck.

[nc73]

The only thing for you to do is file and get a second job or a higher paying job.

[frogger]

I have cut back everything I can up to now

Don't mean for this to be too blunt, but you need to cut more.

There is a big difference between surviving and living. At this point, you need to survive. Once you get your life and your money under control, then you can begin to live again.

Time to slash and burn......

[2manybills]

I agree with the others. At the beginning when you're so used to put things on a CC, it seems liked your being squeezed to death because all of your cash goes away. Then, all of a sudden, it becomes so liberating to pay cash for things. To not have a $400 a month car gas bill, to not being paying for your groceries for 10 years with a bunch of interest on top of it. Think of how much that box of cereal ends up costing with the bank fees and interest!

[justplaintired]

Unforunately sounds like you need to cut more, sorry. You should come out ahead after bk, and you're not. My guess is you are over your head either with the house or the truck. I know that's not what you want to hear. Exactly what is your house worth and what do owe? Same with the truck. Before you ever go and file make sure you can afford those 2 things. As hard as it is, you may need to let something else go. Increasing income is an option, but if that's not doable, then the only other option is letting go of something else. Do it now, don't wait until you have filed, don't reaffirm if down the road you have to walk away from either the house or the truck.

Good luck and keep in mind that filing bk should free you of the feelings you are having, if it doesn't then most likely your income isn't enough to support those things you want to keep (house and truck). Good luck!

[wantout]

House was last appraised in 2005 at $80,000.

Between the first and second mortgage I owe about $59,000.

Truck I owe $14,000 appraises for between $16,000 and $19,000 depending on if you look at private sale, trade in or what a car lot would ask for it.

the truck payment is under $300, the combined house payment with insurance and taxes in escrow is $660.

I have cut everything to the bare bones as it is, I bring home $1850 per month.....

I called my attorney today and asked what I needed to do to add the house to the BK, I was told just give us the word.....

I have worked 2 jobs, did that for a year, the 18 to 20 hour days 7 days a week just about killed me, my doctor said I had to stop or I would not make it another year.
My blood pressure is at stroke level, no money for medication, again my doctor is ready to admit me to the hospital for it. I was asked if I wanted to die, I said you know that is the one thing I can afford to do right now...he did not laugh at that one....I did....

My attorney said to hang in there, things will get better, I said OK when.....

I hope I can file by November now, my next paycheck I would have enough to pay him the rest I owe, but then nothing til the following payday....

If I can just get ahead I know I can make it, I just cant get that break I need...

Maybe walking away from everything is not such a bad idea anymore.

[poorold]

how about getting a roommate?

[wantout]

how about getting a roommate?

I am old and set in my ways, I can tell you that would never work.

[nc73]

I am old and set in my ways, I can tell you that would never work.

Especially when they don't pay. I'd rather go broke.

[StartingOver08]

It really sounds like you need to get rid of the truck or house or both. Can you rent for less than your mortgage payment?

If you file a Ch 7 and decide to surrender your house, you may get many months of 'free' rent while you are in the Ch 7 plus after you are discharged stay as long as possible while the bank finishes the foreclosure. You can use this time to build your savings to move toward a more affordable place. I agree with the others, if the truck and house are too much, give them up.

I did in my Ch 7 and I feel 100% better. Once you are discharged and actually have money in the bank and a realistic budget and NO UNSECURED DEBT, you will feel better. You will begin to think more clearly too without the crush of debt. Options begin to open up to you that may have been there before, but you couldn't "see" them due to the financial setbacks.

There is nothing wrong with starting over, in fact it is liberating.

[wantout]

It really sounds like you need to get rid of the truck or house or both. Can you rent for less than your mortgage payment?

If you file a Ch 7 and decide to surrender your house, you may get many months of 'free' rent while you are in the Ch 7 plus after you are discharged stay as long as possible while the bank finishes the foreclosure. You can use this time to build your savings to move toward a more affordable place. I agree with the others, if the truck and house are too much, give them up.

I did in my Ch 7 and I feel 100% better. Once you are discharged and actually have money in the bank and a realistic budget and NO UNSECURED DEBT, you will feel better. You will begin to think more clearly too without the crush of debt. Options begin to open up to you that may have been there before, but you couldn't "see" them due to the financial setbacks.

There is nothing wrong with starting over, in fact it is liberating.

To rent something equal to what I live in now will cost me about the same a month, and this is no mansion, just a simple 2 br/ 2 bath frame house, I built most of it myself.
I have looked into renting and to get something decent in this area is $450 and up...

My truck I have tried to sell, no takers...

will see what more my attorney has to say on it...