I know it's never okay to take out a loan while in BK but...

[MajorMike]

Wow, I know I'm fortunate. I said that before.
Literally I pay next to nothing for healthcare. I had surgery last year which included MRI's and catscans etc....cost me the $20 co-pay. That's it.
My company pays 90% of my premiums including dental. Our dental plan isn't as good though. I get 2 teeth cleanings a year included but have to pay 20% of my dental costs. Still decent though since if I need a filling, it'll cost me about $25-35 tops!

I'm not in dreamland. I didn't realize how good I had it I guess.

I have an HMO

You selected a CIGNA HealthCare PCP to be your overall care coordinator, and make an appointment regarding pains you are feeling in your lower legs. Your PCP refers you to lab and X-ray facilities for additional tests before referring you to an orthopedic specialist.

Cost Example
PCP office visit/exam fee $85
Your Copayment $20
Lab fee No cost to you
X-rays No cost to you
No deductible applies
You pay $20

[car67]

We use lifewise $30 office visit $15 for drugs and $2000 deductible on major med per year..... I pretty happy 5 people premium is $700 a month....

[helpless]

Our insurance is good for the fact that it covers Durable Medical Equipment at 100%, ansd since my son just got a new insulin pump $6800, we paid nothing, but our prespcription coverage sucks, 50% of retail up to $100 max, so between insulin and strips that is $200 a month plus I have two other kids. Other son suffers depresseion and just picked up his new prescription and it cost me $75, So that is $275 a month just in prescriptions. YUCK!! We also have $25 office visits, which isn't bad, it is just that darn prescription coverage!! When we started in this 13 we had $15 prescriptions, so these prescriptions are hitting us hard.

[spectria]

The Salvation Army also has temporary help for utilities and even rent sometimes.

[SANRA308]

what about pawning items since you still own them, I dont know if that would count as a loan, I dont see how trustee would find out or if they would care about small amount 350.00.

[aces67]

I can't get any agency's to help me with this b/c we are not low income. Now I just got another bill from my light company today for a total of $1234.71!! On Friday they said I owed $1030 total. 710 of that was due by March 28 and the rest was due by April 7th. Now they say they are sorry but they told me the wrong thing and I really do owe the whole $1234.71 by April 7th. I only have $400 at most to give them so that leaves me in the hole 834.71. At this point a 401K loan sounds like the only answer I have. Can anyone give me any other advice on this??

[imbroke2]

What about your tax return? Have you filed yet? I've read a lot of people have to turn theirs over, but we didn't. We will be using ours for things like dr. appointments, etc. In fact it only took 10 days to get ours directly deposited. Have you filed yours and do you have to turn yours over? If not, file ASAP and have it directly deposited. In that case you may even have the entire thing by the 7th. Just a thought.

[aces67]

We already filed. We got back $4000 and the trustee took it ALL.

[imbroke2]

Oh, ok. Never mind that suggestion. Sorry to hear that. The selling thing is good. What about gold-I've been seeing lots of news reports that people are getting rid of old jewelry because of the price of gold. If you're really desperate, I would look through my old jewelry box. I know pawn shops don't seem to be the best places to get rid of good jewelry, but I know if I was that desperate, I'd look into that. It may be enough to pay your bill. And pawn shops actually give you a time where you can buy back your own jewelry, although I think it's only 30 days.

[SANRA308]

If a 401k loan is the only answer, have it direct deposited into your account. I asked our attorney if we could take out a 401k loan if we had a emergency, he stated we could without approval becuase it was our money and not really a loan. but of coarse everywhere is different. I'm suprised the electric company let you get that far behind, they probably won"t work with you since you are probably more that a couple of months behind. Our company would have disconected us about $800 ago. Good luck.

[MajorMike]

We already filed. We got back $4000 and the trustee took it ALL.

Make sure you adjust so this doesn't happen next year.

[MajorMike]

If a 401k loan is the only answer, have it direct deposited into your account. I asked our attorney if we could take out a 401k loan if we had a emergency, he stated we could without approval becuase it was our money and not really a loan. but of coarse everywhere is different. I'm suprised the electric company let you get that far behind, they probably won"t work with you since you are probably more that a couple of months behind. Our company would have disconected us about $800 ago. Good luck.

I was just thinking the exact thing. If it is 2 mos late...it's cut.
Never had that happen but a friend did...and it was pretty quick.

[SANRA308]

my natural gas bill[ mind you I have probably been late 2 times in the 17 years]. I was late this month. The bill was due on the 13th paid it on the 20th got a bill that was dated the 19th only 6 days late, stating our gas was going to be shut off on the 27th if the total amont was not paid. I only paid the 120.00 I was late on .I called the gas company because the bill stated they also wanted the 110.00 that should have been due 4-13 also I paid it and you can bet I wont be late again. what jerks

[MajorMike]

Yep! It's unreal how these billion dollar companies treat people in tough times.
You would think that these companies, realizing how bad it is right now, would come up with a program to help. If you have to prove one way or another you're going through a tough time right now, they should be willing to help. The thing is, utility companies know you need them so it's a monopoly!

[aces67]

We could pay the loan back really easy with no problems..but as usual my attorney is unreachable. Should I just go ahead and do it?? I mean what are the chances the trustee will know??

What would you do??

GAH! I also just got a call from my neurologist. I have a herniated disc and need to start more aggressive meds and physical therapy which equals more money. Yikes!

Thanks for all your opinions! They are much appreciated!