regan....I feel for you..I also am the worry wart of the family when it comes to finances...

I was thinking if other Moms that work part time are in the same position maybe a group of you could trade off babysitting for each other..that could save a big chunk of your monthly expenses.

Just an idea I thought you could throw around..

I wish you the best.. and I assure you..you are not alone...if that is of any comfort!

This lawyer is quite a trip  LOL  I have never heard of a graduated BK.  Do this, don't do this crap.

I understand you're not supposed to make too much money. Honestly, I think it's better to make all you can. I was in a baaad situation about 6 years a go, too. I didn't file bankruptcy. I ended up settling with all the creditors for reduced amounts. I negotiated everything myself.

That point of my life I was at the low of lows. But, I credit that period of time to making me stronger. Believe me, I understand the emotional side of it. But, you have to put you and your family first. Pay what you can when you can. Sometime just letting go is the best thing. I don't believe life has to be a struggle.

You have absolute power of your life. As long as you and your husband are a team on all fronts, it will work. What helped me was telling myself that I had all the time and money I needed. What do I want to do with my life? What truly matters to me?

I agree with talking with the creditors. I also agree with Dave Ramsey's book. I read the whole thing at a bookstore :o).( I didn't read it until AFTER.) Fry's used to have copy's.

I'm not a big fan of the attorney route nor filing bankruptcy, but only you can determine what is best for you. But, don't work for your creditors. Make sure the main essentials are taken care of first. The creditors can wait. Just be up front with them. Don't let them intimidate you.

You're right this will end. Just take one step at a time. Look to put yourself in a better situation financially each and everyday. The lessons you learn from this can pay off down the road.

One thing that Ramsey's book mentions is being "Gazelle intense". That means puttng all your being into being financially independent. It may seem challenging at first, but it will become much easier over time. You have to become financially independent on purpose.

I'm at the point that I accept everything that comes my way. I do all can to save and/or pay down debt. That is my focus.

Hang in there. All you can do is all you can do.

Hi there,

Yes it's difficult to go through the things that are happening right now. However keep in mind stick by your husband right now. Yes I know he's freaking out and you should have him to lean on in this time. But sometimes a marriage has to go through trials and tribulations to determine the foundation of marriage.

Bankruptcy is very difficult we are just getting out of the two year period after discharge. By no means am I a financial adviser, so the advice that I'm going to give you do your research on it before following through with it. After bankruptcy get a credit card that is one where they charge the balance on your card you pay it down. Don't go after the one's where they want you to mail them the credit limit. If you could do that you wouldn't need them now would you. First premier is a good place to start. This is after you discharge from BK. Work with them for that first year, next after that first year they will offer you another card provided your payment history is good. Take it, by the time your coming into year two your credit score will have jumped back up. See after a BK you have to focus on not getting in the same issues that caused you to file BK. Excessive spending, get what's needed not wanted.

Please please, stick with your marriage, I know it's hard right now but the last thing you want to do now is confide in another man. Why? another man with a better financial ground will take advantage of you. I'm sure you aware of what I'm saying. You will find that friends will be few and far in between while you go spiraling  down. They will not be there as they used to be before you got to this point.

Signed

Helping you start over the right way