People who went through bankruptcy

[backtoschool]

I've decided I am not going to be ashamed of filing for bankruptcy. It's all part of a major life overhaul, and it's bringing me much needed peace.

Maybe someday I will be able to help someone else who is scared and feeling hopeless, by having gone through this process myself.

[debtmonster]

You are lucky. I don't think this is the common reaction.

People need to make it a common reaction. If you find somebody who doesn't, you need to get people to scold them.

[backtoschool]

You are lucky. I don't think this is the common reaction.

Well, I live in Michigan now, where bankruptcy is becoming very common. Maybe that is the difference.... In nyc I think the reaction would have been more negative.

[bkmaggster]

What's really interesting to me is that for the first time in years, I CAN be honest about my finances, since so many people are in the same boat. During the boom times, especially in high-flying nyc, it was not socially acceptable to talk negatively about finances. (It was ok to brag and posture about having money though... )

I have been totally honest to my family and my friends about filing for bankruptcy and abandoning my career for a new one, and no one has judged me. In fact, they all sympathize and some are even asking for info and referrals for themselves.

I thought EVERYONE would judge me, and it was very hard for me to admit I was insolvent so the acceptance has been a huge relief.

Also, I LOVE this board! It's great to have people to talk to about the nitty gritty aspects of bankruptcy.

You are lucky. I don't think this is the common reaction.

[backtoschool]

Yeah, I told my best friend and she told me that "most people who file for bankruptcy planned it out and are committing fraud."

Really? Really?

sigh.

What's really interesting to me is that for the first time in years, I CAN be honest about my finances, since so many people are in the same boat. During the boom times, especially in high-flying nyc, it was not socially acceptable to talk negatively about finances. (It was ok to brag and posture about having money though... )

I have been totally honest to my family and my friends about filing for bankruptcy and abandoning my career for a new one, and no one has judged me. In fact, they all sympathize and some are even asking for info and referrals for themselves.

I thought EVERYONE would judge me, and it was very hard for me to admit I was insolvent so the acceptance has been a huge relief.

Also, I LOVE this board! It's great to have people to talk to about the nitty gritty aspects of bankruptcy.

[debtmonster]

Yeah, I told my best friend and she told me that "most people who file for bankruptcy planned it out and are committing fraud."

Really? Really?

sigh.

Yep! I planned on spending $40,000 on my house and racking up a $40,000 dollar hospital bill so that way I could just say, "Pooooof" and lose everything I put into the house and what not because I wanted to do fraud. Yep... Back in 2005 I was thinking, "Hey... I'll just spend a lot of my hard earned money on a place and then file for bankruptcy so I can trash my credit for fun." Yeah... that's the ticket.

[bkmaggster]

As a 'newbie' I have to let 'Hub and some of the other senior members know how much I appreciate this forum and their information. It has made my journey so much easier and has helped me prepare. Unfortunately, I can't talk to many friends or family about it, as most others here can probably relate. You're still a bit of a pariah for filing BK in today's society.

Yeah, I told my best friend and she told me that "most people who file for bankruptcy planned it out and are committing fraud."

Really? Really?

sigh.

[debtmonster]

Wow... I NEVER thought I'd ever hear of Dave Ramsey telling anyone to go bankrupt. That's a first. Times must be really, really bad for this.

[killinstinct]

As a 'newbie' I have to let 'Hub and some of the other senior members know how much I appreciate this forum and their information. It has made my journey so much easier and has helped me prepare. Unfortunately, I can't talk to many friends or family about it, as most others here can probably relate. You're still a bit of a pariah for filing BK in today's society.

[bkmaggster]

Yes even on Clark Howard (a financial expert for cheapness) stated that there will soon be more "homeless" people. I was amazed as it was so out of his usual line.

I have started hearing Dave Ramsey recommend BK to people in foreclosure. Sign of the times, indeed. He used to be vehemently against it (although he BK'd himself).

[liz417]

Sign of the times.

I was speaking with my bk attorney and he mentioned that once people start getting collection letters that look like they came from a legal firm is when he gets most of his calls.

His thought is people think -"uh oh, a letter from a lawyer, I better get my own lawyer" then they get referred to a bk lawyer by there personal lawyer.

Seems these companies are shooting themselves in the foot. As the collections get more aggressive, more people will seek the help of a lawyer. Maybe they should offer ways to help instead of jacking up the rates!

Wow! Too much coffee for me again!

Ha! I agree, but I was fortunate enough to have found this site and visit the collections forum before I defaulted, so I knew what to expect when the calls/letters from the "Law Firms" came in. Only ONE call got to me...it was from a guy at the "Law Firm" and he was like, "Okay Liz417, the game IS OVER..." I was so scared listening to my phone while he left the message, then I remember that these are just threats, nothing was going to happen I filed a year after I stopped paying my creditors

[goingcrzy]

Sign of the times.

I was speaking with my bk attorney and he mentioned that once people start getting collection letters that look like they came from a legal firm is when he gets most of his calls.

His thought is people think -"uh oh, a letter from a lawyer, I better get my own lawyer" then they get referred to a bk lawyer by there personal lawyer.

Seems these companies are shooting themselves in the foot. As the collections get more aggressive, more people will seek the help of a lawyer. Maybe they should offer ways to help instead of jacking up the rates!

Wow! Too much coffee for me again!

[liz417]

DM and all above: Have you not noticed the vast amount of newbies here? We have been members for less than two years, and I hardly see the amount of regulars anymore as the newbies are popping up everywhere. 'Hub

Hi 'hub
Yes, I noticed this too. I also noticed that the "new posts" are getting longer (per page). When I get home from work, I like to come here and check out the new posts in both ch 7 and ch 13 forums, now the "new posts" are 2-3 pages long on the ch 7 board alone!! Gesh! Now, I have to "pick and choose" which posts I would like to look at since I don't have time to read them all!

[liz417]

Like the others, I don't discuss my BK with anyone, so I love coming here and "sharing" info.

DM: Thanks for posting the link. Interesting.

[ForumReader]

Thanks, DM for posting this link. It was interesting and from what I have learned, not one BK case is alike, each is different, can be successful and can be problematic.

AngelinaCat, yes I noticed that too about alot of newbies popping up like myself I bet there will be alot more newbies to come to the forum in the near future. It is the sign of the times now.