***What do I do now? Is it over? ...still in *S*H*O*C*K*

[NyALeXNj]

Just moved this thread, not sure if the rules allow, forgive me if i made a mistake, I think I posted this thread in the wrong section...


What do I do now? Is it reeeally over? I have lived so humble for so long, I don't even know what my next step is... This process has been 2+ yrs for me, saving up simply to file. It has been so hard. I am so lost.

I have just received the Discharge letter in the mail... and via this amazing forum's insight I have signed up for Pacer, its about 530AM EST and well I see a Final Decree letter available as of the 8th of September on Pacer... I may be rambling here, but I have such anxiety regarding this whole BK. I am not sure what to do next? Where do I begin. My life has been i

[AngelinaCatHub]

Looks like it's pretty much over for you. Congrats. 'Hub

[AngelinaCat]

You HAVE made it. With Discharge letter in hand, you are DISCHARGED!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Here you go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1_kgNp9oQg

[Flamingo]

There is nothing you have to do. You have been discharged in Chapter 7. That means all the debts that you listed in your filing are discharged and those creditors cannot come after you for that debt. If any of them should, contact your attorney right away. What you will run into now is a lot of garbage mail coming from auto dealerships and all sorts of places trying to get you to buy a car, refinance, go on a cruise, etc., etc. since they obtained your discharge information (it's public information) and they send all that form stuff to everyone hoping someone will bite - the best thing to do is just recycle the junk mail you will definately receive. Everyone is out to make a buck, especially on those recently discharged from Chapter 7 because they are now debt free and cannot file again for quite a while for several years. In about 3 months obtain your credit reports and work on cleaning them up. Don't be so quick to apply for any credit or loans unless absolutely necessary. Your chances of getting denied are very high and you will just rack up many credit inquiries which stay on your credit report for two years and work against you. Time is your friend for recovery after a discharge. The anxiety is normal but if it continues and you cannot figure out what you want to do as to your situation, just see your family doctor and advise him/her that you are going through a stressful life financial event and there is medication that can help get you through this until you are able to get things in order. Support groups such as this forum or other groups through your church or community can help you get your mind off of all this and take the edge off. A hobby or other interest also helps as it gets your mind off the constant financial worry. We all know the anxiety involved and it can get out of hand and make you feel extremely overwhelmed. Best of luck to you....

[NyALeXNj]

Sincerely appreciate the congrats, as I have been hiding this BK from the rest of my personal circle, no one really knew my personal struggle with this... it is nice to hear it

Thank you Hub

[NyALeXNj]

All of you thank you for your support, although I haven't posted much, I have been an avid reader... your support has been truly priceless! Thank you cat & flamingo... I will take it all in stride from now on!

[AngelinaCatHub]

Sincerely appreciate the congrats, as I have been hiding this BK from the rest of my personal circle, no one really knew my personal struggle with this... it is nice to hear it

Thank you Hub

You are more than welcome. Flamingo is correct if you are into “post Traumatic Stress syndrome” over the fact that you have a new life resurrected for you. No need to tell anyone but Mrs. and I went onto Elevil (ampatriptoline) an anti stress med. I don’t like having to do it but believe me it helps but it takes about three weeks to work and you are not realizing the medicine is working except you are calmer and can think levelly. I advise what Flamingo suggested. ‘Hub

[NyALeXNj]

Yes the stress has take a serious toll on me, I actually lost some hair in two place on my head, no baldness or receding hair line, lost it on two different spots on the side of my head in small circles... doc told me it was stress alapacia, doc gave me some valium, didnt do the trick, stopped taking it months ago, still waiting on the hair to grow back... *crossing my fingers*

[Cali]

Congrats and good luck with your stress free life.

[Tabbygirl]

Congrats!!! That's it--you are done!!

The stress will atart to elleviate, and you will be able to live your life. I know for me, the fact I am actually having money LEFT OVER after paying my monthly bills is the most amazing feeling. I am getting paid on the 15th and STILL have about $400 left over from the beginning of the month. I am so grateful for this fresh start. And I'm a teacher, so I assure you my salary isn't all that high.

Best wishes and godspeed--

Tabs

[banca rotta]

Just moved this thread, not sure if the rules allow, forgive me if i made a mistake, I think I posted this thread in the wrong section...


What do I do now? Is it reeeally over? I have lived so humble for so long, I don't even know what my next step is... This process has been 2+ yrs for me, saving up simply to file. It has been so hard. I am so lost.

I have just received the Discharge letter in the mail... and via this amazing forum's insight I have signed up for Pacer, its about 530AM EST and well I see a Final Decree letter available as of the 8th of September on Pacer... I may be rambling here, but I have such anxiety regarding this whole BK. I am not sure what to do next? Where do I begin. My life has been i

Speaking from experience you will probably still be in shock for about a year until it begins to set in that it's finally over.

From now on everything in life will taste better, smell better and simply be better. I admire you for taking so long and doing it right and coming out of it better then some who rush through with doing little research and taking the advice of a bad attorney.

Congrads and best of luck with your fresh start!

[keepmine]

I am not sure what to do next? Where do I begin. My life has been

Now, comes the hard part. You have to first fix what created the bk and then, you just have to make more money. You should max out your 401K {at least to the employers match} and be sure you have both short and longterm disability policies. Be sure you or your spouse has a job with insurance benefits. Draw up a budget heavy on the side of living below your means.
As another poster said, it's nice having money to save and invest and spend. Me, I'm almost 3 years post bk filing and life is good. I got a better job shortly after discharge and a few months later, I picked up a pt job on weekends. My income is up 40% since I filed.
It's a fresh start but, you have to work at it.
Good luck and hang around. Post your progress for others that are starting down this path.

[banca rotta]

good advice keepmine. 1st thing before the 401k max though should always be the emergency fund. This is the best insurance against using credit when times get tough. Maybe 2% in the 401k and max it out once there's a 3 to 6 month fund in a money market account.

At least that's how I did it. I work 2 jobs since discharge to do it all faster.

[liz417]

Congrats!!! Now go enjoy your fresh start!!

[cool33097]

I agree with Banca. Save for emergencies first. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
ENJOY!!! You deserve!!