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[ame8199]

Hello,
Ive been browsing this forum for a while and finally registered last night. Im already well on my way in my Chapter 13. I have my 341 meeting at the end of the month.

I had 2 credit cards maxed out, one at 12000 and one at 5000, then I had about 90000 in student loans (Masters program put me over the edge), and my car (which my parents were paying for). Im a very implusive spender. I cant wait. I see something I want and I want it. I racked up my credit cards from not working when I was going through my Masters program. I lived with the parents at the time so I could have worked.

I had about 500 dollar a month in student loans, and I was paying the min. on my credit cards. What put me over the top was my credit card that had the 12000 balance on it, more than doubled my monthly payment. So I couldnt do it anymore.

I do live with my brother which kinda screwed me over with my payment. I am moving in a month so that will change my monthly payment to the trustee. Right now Im paying bout 566 a month because my income and my expenses arent that high right now. Next month Im hoping to get it down to 344 when I move into my own place.

I went to my first laywer and my last (I liked him instantlly) at the end of July and my 341 is Sept 29th. Im on a 3 year plan. I havent learned anything yet. Im still spending like crazy. Im a special education teacher at a non-for profit school for children with autism. I spend alot of money on materials for school and the kids. I cant stop spending. I need a budget but I dont know how and to stick with it. Im hoping I can learn from this forum. Im still living like I havent filed, and I just have this extra money lying around.

I want a pop up trailer right now, but I know the trustee wont allow me to get one. I got to save my car. I have a 2005 ford focus, so hopefully that will last a while. This seems like a great forum. I need to learn. Im 28 and hopefully its a new start.

[StartingOver08]

Are you paying your student loans in the plan or outside the plan? If you feel like you need to spend extra money, why don't you put the funds toward your student loans? It might help you with that 'urge to spend' and also knock down those loans faster since the Bk won't discharge that debt.

[lrprn]

I cant stop spending. I need a budget but I dont know how and to stick with it. Im hoping I can learn from this forum. Im still living like I havent filed, and I just have this extra money lying around.

Compulsive spending is an addiction like any other addiction. You may need professional counseling to get a grip on it and bring it to a halt. One thing for sure.....if you don't get your spending addiction resolved, your Ch 13 is going to eventually fail.

This seems like a great forum. I need to learn. Im 28 and hopefully its a new start.

This is a great forum and we're glad you found us! Recognizing you have a problem is the first step for solving it - good for you!

Here are a few good "how to make a budget" websites to get you started trying to control what you spend:

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/article-29781.html

http://www.willamette.edu/dept/hr/benefits/resources/How%20to%20Make%20a%20Budget%20and%20Stick%20to%20It.pdf

http://www.ehow.com/how-to_4845432_set-up-living-budget.html

However, the best budget in the world won't help if you can't stop spending. It's time to find out what is driving your compulsive spending behavior. Here are a few compulsive spending websites that may give you some insights into what's making you spend:

http://www.eap.partners.org/WorkLife/Addiction/Compulsive_Spending/What_is_Spending_Addiction.asp

http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/bizfinance/finance/features/6216/index1.html

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-why-behind-the-buy/200908/5-steps-conquer-compulsive-spending

Keep posting whenever you have bankruptcy questions - we'll help you as much as wel can. Also let us know how your budgeting and work on stopping your compulsive spending is going. Good luck!

[ame8199]

They are included in my payment. Im not paying anything on them. Or at least they are deferred they said. I dont think Im allowed to pay on them.

[ame8199]

I have been selling stuff I dont need, but thats because Im moving as well. I tend to buy something, then realize that I dont really need it and sell it on ebay for like half of what I paid. Kinda crappy.

I've started a high interest savings account, so hopefully the trustee doesnt touch it. The money thats in there now is for my deposit for my apartment next month.

[ame8199]

Compulsive spending is an addiction like any other addiction. You may need professional counseling to get a grip on it and bring it to a halt. One thing for sure.....if you don't get your spending addiction resolved, your Ch 13 is going to eventually fail.

This is a great forum and we're glad you found us! Recognizing you have a problem is the first step for solving it - good for you!

Here are a few good "how to make a budget" websites to get you started trying to control what you spend:

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/article-29781.html

http://www.willamette.edu/dept/hr/benefits/resources/How%20to%20Make%20a%20Budget%20and%20Stick%20to%20It.pdf

http://www.ehow.com/how-to_4845432_set-up-living-budget.html

However, the best budget in the world won't help if you can't stop spending. It's time to find out what is driving your compulsive spending behavior. Here are a few compulsive spending websites that may give you some insights into what's making you spend:

http://www.eap.partners.org/WorkLife/Addiction/Compulsive_Spending/What_is_Spending_Addiction.asp

http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/bizfinance/finance/features/6216/index1.html

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-why-behind-the-buy/200908/5-steps-conquer-compulsive-spending

Keep posting whenever you have bankruptcy questions - we'll help you as much as wel can. Also let us know how your budgeting and work on stopping your compulsive spending is going. Good luck!

Well its not like I will buy ANYTHING. My buying has a purpose. Like this month, i bought a GPS (when I already had one, just wanted a new one), bought a external hard drive so I could back up my computer before I installed a new operating system. Bought some school stuff which was pretty expensive.
I just have high taste and I want new things and the best of things. I know I sound materialistic. I like things, but its not like Im buying just to be buying.

[lrprn]

Well its not like I will buy ANYTHING. My buying has a purpose.

Compulsive spending isn't buying everything in sight. It's not being able to stop yourself from buying something once you decide you want it or need it. Whether the purchase can be justified has nothing to do with not being able to walk away if you really don't have enough money to pay for it and still meet all your other financial obligations every month.

I just have high taste and I want new things and the best of things. I know I sound materialistic.

Please forgive my bluntness.....however, you sound like you are making excuses for yourself. No one is required to have 'high taste', new things, or the best of things - it's a voluntary choice you make for yourself.

Being 'materialistic' means that you are defining who you are by the stuff you buy and have. It's a dangerous, slippery slope because you have to keep buying in order to feel good about yourself. You're filing bankruptcy - what does that tell you about the dangers of this mental model? Is 'high taste' and being 'materialistic' really helping you achieve a successful, stress-free life so far? Don't fall for the intense marketing hype that bombards us daily on TV, on the net, and on the radio that having the 'right' everything from cars to clothes will make you happy - it doesn't. Far from it, as you have discovered.

Things are just that....things, no matter how noble the purchases are. If you can afford the purchases, great - I'm all for buying things to help autistic kids and others who deserve to have things they can't afford themselves. However, if you can't afford what you buy and end up bankrupting yourself purchasing stuff for the kids and all the other not-necessary things (and you already have), then it's not sustainable over the long term, especially in an active Ch 13.

So....what are you going to do? You've played your bankruptcy card now and you can't play it again for at least another four to eight years to get yourself out of debt again. It's time to make a change. What's your plan for doing that?

[lrprn]

I tend to buy something, then realize that I dont really need it and sell it on ebay for like half of what I paid. Kinda crappy.

See my response to you earlier at http://www.bkforum.com/showthread.php?p=326503#poststop . See if you recognize yourself when you say here that "I tend to buy something that I don't really need".

I've started a high interest savings account, so hopefully the trustee doesnt touch it. The money thats in there now is for my deposit for my apartment next month.

Our Ch 13 lawyer told us that anything we put into a savings account after confirmation was safe from our trustee. Check with your lawyer to make certain the same thing will hold for you with your trustee.

[ame8199]

I KNOW Im making excuses for myself. I do it all the time. I dont know how to help myself.

I really dont have a plan. Ive been living like this for a while now. Ive used student loans to buy things I want or to pay off credit cards. Do I want to change? yes....Do I know how?, not really.

[ame8199]

So since I dont have confirmation yet, and havent had my 341 meeting yet, the trustee can take the money from my savings? I may have to shoot an email to my paralegal about this. I may have to pull out the money. Thanks

Ive been reading those websites you have posted. I do see myself in a compulsive spender. Im gonna take more time and read them more extensively.

[lifelesson]

my hubby told me once I could go in stores but I was not allowed to bring in any wallet , cash, charge. Basically keep my hands in my own pockets. With internet I don't shop on it I am still not a fan. I guess he would say my paying soucres are not allowwed near it.
I wish you luck on controlling your spending.
I know when working with kids you want to get things too. Make a wish list and hang in in your room so you know it's there (maybe a parent or two will play santa for ya instead).

[ame8199]

my hubby told me once I could go in stores but I was not allowed to bring in any wallet , cash, charge. Basically keep my hands in my own pockets. With internet I don't shop on it I am still not a fan. I guess he would say my paying soucres are not allowwed near it.
I wish you luck on controlling your spending.
I know when working with kids you want to get things too. Make a wish list and hang in in your room so you know it's there (maybe a parent or two will play santa for ya instead).

My BIGGEST problem is the internet spending. Losing the internet isnt an option, even though it would help I can walk into a store and no buy anything, but when it comes to internet and ebay, im horrible

[lifelesson]

have you heard of the freeze your card way. You take a gallon jug and fill it with water. take you credit cards and tie them to a string and hang like a tea bag kind of way. Fill the jug all the way up, FREEZE them for a few days and don't use them until they are unfrozen. but you can't leave them out over night. just a thought.

[rrockinggramma]

sounds to me like you are a compulsive spender, like a compulsive gambler or drinker. Why not go to AA meetings. There 12 step program isn't just for those who drink. It is also for those who are addicted to anything and you are addicted to spending.

[hereforinfo]

Is the ch 13 payment just going toward your credit cards? I'm assuming the banks closed your credit accounts, and while you're in a 13 you cannot obtain new debt without trustee's approval. Your only option is to pay cash/debit since you will no longer have credit cards to fall back on. If you spend more than you make you won't have money for rent or utilities. Pay for that stuff first, as soon as you get paid. Then you can't spend money you don't have.

Honestly, you have a very dysfunctional attitude about money and spending. If you don't get help it will ruin your life. Wouldn't you rather have a roof over your head than another GPS?