Hi, Everyone. I thought I'd formally introduce myself and give you a bit of background -- also I have some questions if anyone can help. I'm not much for posting my personal business online but partially because it seems you guys are so helpful and kind and partially because I'm not telling anyone I know that I'm considering filing, I feel somewhat compelled to post.
My background (for those of you who are interested): I left a fairly lucrative job back in 2005 in order to take some time off and go to graduate school. At the time I had excellent credit, zero balances, and a fair amount of money in the bank. I was self-funding grad school, but I figured that it wouldn't be a problem because historically I could make very good money doing temporary consulting work (technical field.)
During the summer of 2006, I had my first brush with reality when -- looking for a summer consulting gig -- I found I was not getting the interest from employers that I was used to getting in the past. I did finally land something, but it was for half my usual rate. This seems to be due to the large influx of foreign workers being brought in to do technical work for fairly low wages (not looking to place blame, just stating facts.)
I got a little nervous during this period and went back to school a little rattled, but knowing that my getting my graduate degree was even more important now. More money problems came in the spring of 2007 to the point where it seemed necessary for me to go back to work full-time whether my degree was finished or not. I started looking for work intensely and finally landed a job with a former employer -- at about half the salary I had been making back in 2005. Nevertheless, I took it not only because it was a prestigious company but also because -- though it was tight -- I could still manage to pay bills. I guess I didn't realize how much I was leaning on credit cards to get me through this period.
I didn't like the job that much and felt like I should be making more money so when another firm knocked at my door, offering me almost a 50% raise, I jumped at it, despite some reservations. The job was a very, very bad fit to the point where two and a half months later, I was laid off -- which set off my particular financial crisis. I struggled to pay off cc's for about two months (liquidated savings and 401K) and looked for work -- just in time for the Bear Stearns/banking meltdown (my industry.)
So...I'm living off of unemployment ($400/week -- woo-hoo!) that will run out in November -- and stopped paying bills back in April when it seemed as though it was kind of pointless.
It's not all bad news: being unemployed for +6 months has let me qualify for Chapter 7 and I'm fairly judgment proof since the only asset I truly own is my car (which I own outright.) I moved back in with my parents as well, so no rent expenses.
So, as to my questions:
1) My father has been helping me here and there to get back on my feet; do I have to declare the money he's given me as income? (while he's been generous, there's no promise that the money coming from him would continue and I'm certainly not doing anything in the way of work for it.)
2) Could there be any issues about selling my car 60 days or so before filing? I'm not looking to hide anything -- it seems like if I kept the car it would be fully exempted under the rules. I just want access to a little more cash and if I do take the move-out-of-the-country option, it would come in handy. I guess I'm just asking if I sell the car, and use part of the money (but declare anything I have remaining) would I have any problems?
Any general reactions/ideas would be helpful as well. I'm thinking of filing pro se in November. I think I've gotten past the depression and guilt over my situation -- especially over the lay-off/firing. Right now, the most tempting thing is to start looking for jobs abroad and starting over from scratch.
My background (for those of you who are interested): I left a fairly lucrative job back in 2005 in order to take some time off and go to graduate school. At the time I had excellent credit, zero balances, and a fair amount of money in the bank. I was self-funding grad school, but I figured that it wouldn't be a problem because historically I could make very good money doing temporary consulting work (technical field.)
During the summer of 2006, I had my first brush with reality when -- looking for a summer consulting gig -- I found I was not getting the interest from employers that I was used to getting in the past. I did finally land something, but it was for half my usual rate. This seems to be due to the large influx of foreign workers being brought in to do technical work for fairly low wages (not looking to place blame, just stating facts.)
I got a little nervous during this period and went back to school a little rattled, but knowing that my getting my graduate degree was even more important now. More money problems came in the spring of 2007 to the point where it seemed necessary for me to go back to work full-time whether my degree was finished or not. I started looking for work intensely and finally landed a job with a former employer -- at about half the salary I had been making back in 2005. Nevertheless, I took it not only because it was a prestigious company but also because -- though it was tight -- I could still manage to pay bills. I guess I didn't realize how much I was leaning on credit cards to get me through this period.
I didn't like the job that much and felt like I should be making more money so when another firm knocked at my door, offering me almost a 50% raise, I jumped at it, despite some reservations. The job was a very, very bad fit to the point where two and a half months later, I was laid off -- which set off my particular financial crisis. I struggled to pay off cc's for about two months (liquidated savings and 401K) and looked for work -- just in time for the Bear Stearns/banking meltdown (my industry.)
So...I'm living off of unemployment ($400/week -- woo-hoo!) that will run out in November -- and stopped paying bills back in April when it seemed as though it was kind of pointless.
It's not all bad news: being unemployed for +6 months has let me qualify for Chapter 7 and I'm fairly judgment proof since the only asset I truly own is my car (which I own outright.) I moved back in with my parents as well, so no rent expenses.
So, as to my questions:
1) My father has been helping me here and there to get back on my feet; do I have to declare the money he's given me as income? (while he's been generous, there's no promise that the money coming from him would continue and I'm certainly not doing anything in the way of work for it.)
2) Could there be any issues about selling my car 60 days or so before filing? I'm not looking to hide anything -- it seems like if I kept the car it would be fully exempted under the rules. I just want access to a little more cash and if I do take the move-out-of-the-country option, it would come in handy. I guess I'm just asking if I sell the car, and use part of the money (but declare anything I have remaining) would I have any problems?
Any general reactions/ideas would be helpful as well. I'm thinking of filing pro se in November. I think I've gotten past the depression and guilt over my situation -- especially over the lay-off/firing. Right now, the most tempting thing is to start looking for jobs abroad and starting over from scratch.
Sorry to hear that the past few years have been so difficult...sounds like life has definitely taken a different path than you hoped and planned...I know that feeling well. 
We're all in the same boat here, so you've definitely come to the right place. Unfortunately I don't have any answers for your questions, but hopefully someone else will soon.
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