I would like to find a better job so I can get a better handle on my finances, but haven't had any luck. I would like to take some classes but don't have the money or time. What is my best option bankruptcy or pray for a miricle. Can't seem to get ahead. I really could use some finacial advise.
208017
Read Dave Ramsey's book: The Total Money Make-Over.  He has a radio talk show too which airs in most cities.  I listen to his show often and people call in with situations very similar to yours.  DON'T FILE BANKRUPTCY until you have checked out this guy's book or talk show.\n\nP.S.  Prayer never hurts.
555102
First get your act together. Talk to the people you owe oney to and ask for some grace. Is unemployment an option till you can get a job. Do you have freinds and family that can watch your kids till you get on your feet. \n\nIs there someone you can stay eith till your able to move out on your own?\nYou can do it!
37577
File for bankruptcy instead. You'll end up paying a much smaller percentage of what you owe and then creditors constant calls will be on hold. While your looking for a job try to get a temp job. You'll have money in your pocket, new references, and an inside chance at jobs that open up at the place you are temporairly working. Good luck.
563673
Ive been in the same situation myself recently, \n\nIm out of debt now, but its about hoarding as much cash as possible to get yourself a start. \n\nTry part time jobs, Car boot sales, overtime... anything you can... Eat cheaply, Go out less, try catalogue sales work in the evenings.\n\nYou will get there in the end!!
510137
Bankruptcy shoudl be a last resort! \n\nIf you have to file, then make sure you know what your getting into. \n\nHere are some very informative bankruptcy facts. \n\nhttp://www.expert-credit-advice.com/bankruptcy_facts.htm\n\n\nGood luck to you!
157051
I"m so sorry for your loss.\n\nDid you go to a bankrutcy lawyer?  I would check with them.  If some of the debt included in the bk was soley his, you might not be responsibe.  If it hasn't gone through completely, you might be able to file hardships with creditors who will suspend rates or payments for a little while.  Also, the bankruptcy courts might be able to recalculate payments because of your lack of income.\n\nBasically, I would see a professional.  Maybe you can find a relative to help you with finding someone that will do it cheap/free.
67455
so shy,\nI really feel bad for people in your situation.  But fear not, there are a few things you can do.\n1.  Being that you asked this on a religious board, I'm assuming you belong to a church.  The first thing you need to do is talk to your church leader about this.  They can take up a collection for you to get you out of some immediate debt.  \n2.  You need to really decide what is luxury and need and cut out the luxury for now.  For example, if you subscribe to cable, cancel it.  Unless you need the internet for work, cancel it.  There's an extra $50 a month right there.  \n3.  You can see if you qualify for welfare.  Your local welfare office can help you with this.\n\nI hope this helps and God bless you with your finances.
99967
Did you do the FAFSA form.  I am kind of in the same boat.  I didn't go to school and I worked instead.  Now my FAFSA info will be based on my income of 20,000 even though if i go to school full-time I won't be making any money.  We should keep in touch and encourage each other.  I hate feeling like I have an "impossibbility complex" over something as simple as going to school.  If you can work out something to get through your first year, you will be eligible next year.  Take student loans, it should be worth it.  If you click my name, there is a link on my profile to send me an email.  Feel free!
410663
With the new BK laws, you can't even file until you've completed a financial education class......call your local trustee (Chap 7 or 13) and ask for an approved list of classes......you complete the course and you will be a) better educated financially speaking and b) be able to determine what course of action is best.\n\nAlso, you should ask the Trustee what the median income in your state is for fiing a Chap 7 - you may find (very likely) that you DON'T qualify and could be forced into a 5 year Chap13 plan.\n\nAt the same time, grab your bills, pen and paper, and a strong cup of coffee.....sit down and start calling your creditors, ask for reductions in interest, zero interest for a couple of months, reduced minimum payments, .....just be polite....stay away from debt consolidation!!!!
306068
List your income.  Then subtract necessary expenses - shelter (rent/mortgage, utilities - gas, water, electricity, not cell phone, satellite, internet), food, clothing, transportation (gas, insurance, NOT auto loan), and emergency fund savings (more on this later).  Do you have money left over?  If yes, go on.  If no, you need to get a second job or do something (yard sale, eBay) to get more money.\n\nNext subtract discretionary expenses - life insurance (needed if you have dependents, not so important if you don't), auto repairs (oil changes, registration), home maintenance and repairs (if you own), cable/satellite, internet, cell phone.  Do you still have money?  Then keep going.  If no, is there anything you can cross off this list (cell phone, internet)?  Now do you have money left?  If so, keep going.\n\nFinally we get to debts - auto loans, credit cards.  List these in order from SMALLEST BALANCE to largest.  Put the minimum on everything except the smallest, and everything you have left on the smallest.  If you get to this point and the money's gone, you need to start making some calls.  Start with the credit cards - see if you can work out a deal for smaller payments or skipping payments for two months.  You may have to talk to a manager, but if you call before they start calling you, they're much more likely to work with you because it shows you WANT to pay.  Don't let them tell you what you need to pay - only YOU know what you can afford.\n\nDo you have an auto loan?  Could you sell the car, pay off the loan and get something CHEAP with the money left over, or are you upside down?  Either way, consider selling the car.  If you're upside down, paying off a part is easier than paying off the whole thing.\n\nAbout that emergency fund in savings - ALWAYS have money in savings for emergencies (like getting fired).  Bad things WILL happen (especially when you're down), so it's better to be prepared for them.\n\nI hope this helps.  If I can be of any more assistance, let me know.
84767
Yes I did.  \n\nDue to a ton of stupid mistakes, life disasters, and unforseen problems my life was being destroyed.  \n\nThe new bankruptcy law was about to go into effect.  I was like thousands of others who was on the "bubble".  Waiting to file would cost us far more money.  \n\nI did not see any way of getting ahead for several years.  If I filed for bankruptcy I would be messed up for 5 years (the period of my "plan").  \n\nNo, I am not happy I filed, it's a very depressing time in my life right now.  But the alternative would have been much worse.\n\nThe sad part is if a few of my creditors would work with me....if a couple credit card companies would restore my low credit card rate (accidently went over my credit "limit" and got severely punished)...\n\nNone of them would.  20 years if extremely good credit gets ignored.  So now they get nothing more from me....I guess that's the only silver lining in all of this.\n\nI read that 2/3's of all the chapter 13 bankruptcy plans fail.  I believe it.  \n\nNow I spend a lot of time counseling people on how not to make the same mistakes.
120253
Contact the attorney who filed your case for you. You may be able to roll it over to a chapter 7, but you might lose property in the process. If your debts are that high, and your income that low, you might need to just let everything go back and start over.
535991
Im in the same boat as you. I have bad credit and debit. I for me figure get a 2ed job pay off all my bills save save save then try for a loan when the bank sees no more debit you have a better chance. I'm starting a business now, well it's already in the books but need more money to fund it.
121757
Maybe you can get a consession from your school. you kno, people without good financial conditions most probably get those things. You can get a job or maybe walk you neighbor's dog?
172755
If you fail the means test it is still possible that you might be able to file under Chapter 7 rather then Chapter 13 bankruptcy provisions.  If this is not an option you could try credit counseling.\n\nIf you are unhappy with the current bankruptcy law you should let your Federally elected Congresspeople know.
4874
Im sorry I dont have any help for you. However, I am 26 years old and three years ago I was in a vehicle when similar circumstances occurred. Also resulted in a felony conviction. I have a bachelors degree in economics and have just applied to law schools. I know its very discouraging. I dont expect to get into any schools, but I am trying everything under the sun. If I do get into law school, I am going to make it a huge priority to help people trying to get into the workforce to be successful.
526254
Just my opinion....but I've seen this from a lot of differant angles.\n\nI have seen a lot of very smart paralegals...and a lot of very dumb lawyers.  Just because they are a lawyer does not make them extremely smart or immune from screwing up a case.\n\nIn many law offices, the paralegal does a lot of the actual work, and is "probably" capible of doing a bankruptcy case.\n\nBut you need to keep one very important point in mind.  Under the new bankruptcy laws, if you make one mistake...missfile one form...goof up one procedure...then your bankruptcy case will be dismissed.  If that happens you can not file again for one year.  In that time, you can bet your creditors will do everything they can to get their case to court and get their money within that time!  Especially now that they know you are filing for bankruptcy.\n\nSo with that said...if you have a very simple bankruptcy you could probably get away with a paralegal.  But anything else, I would highly recommend a qualified lawyer.