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  • #1

    I feel hopeless...

    I feel like I'm screwed at least four times over and I may have to file for bankruptcy. My sister had to do the same thing.



    I'm over $2,500 in debt which, doesn't sound like much? But, I live off of ODSP and I barely make $830 a month. I get government help for literally everything. Rent,Food,Kerosene, my mother even pays my power bill for me. Yet, my Fiancee and I can't scrape by. She worked for about three months but I just couldn't handle her being away so she was forced to quit her job. We've been unable to afford for her to go back to school either, so her school loans are piling up on us and I cannot afford to even make the minimum payment on that! I'm royally ****ing screwed and I don't know what to do! I personally can't get a job because my benefits would go away and I'd make less money than I do now being on disability, my fiancee can't work because I'm such a socially anxious, separative dumb ass.
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  • #2
    Filing for bankruptcy isn't free and the attorney will want cash up front. Have you looked into the cost? It seems to me it is a waste of money to file bankruptcy on such a small amount when you are judgment proof anyway.

    Maybe if your fiancé had a job, you could spend the time she is away with your mother, other family member, or a friend? That way, she could pay her own student loan payments and save up money to go back to school (if that is what she wants to do).

    Past mistakes are in the past. Focus on making the best decisions that you can going forward. You must cover your basic needs (food, shelter, heat) before you worry about repaying creditors. Pay them what you can, but only after basic needs are covered.

    Have you tried contacting your creditors, explaining your circumstances, and asking if they will accept less per month? Ask them to close your account, stop charging interest, and accept $5 or $10 per month.

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    • #3
      You do seem desperate. And it sounds like your mental health is suffering or perhaps even at the base of your money and social problems. Medical intervention would probably be more helpful to you right now than pursuing bankruptcy. Ask your doctor for more help.
      "There is some ontological doubt as to whether it may even be possible in principle to nail down these things in the universe we're given to study." --text msg from my kid

      "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." --Frederick Douglass

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      • #4
        Originally posted by Joan.of.the.Arch View Post
        You do seem desperate. And it sounds like your mental health is suffering or perhaps even at the base of your money and social problems. Medical intervention would probably be more helpful to you right now than pursuing bankruptcy. Ask your doctor for more help.
        +1. Your mental and physical health have to be put first because without them you can't do anything. Perhaps a referral to a counselor and/or support group would help you feel grounded again. Then you and your fiancee can work together toward improving your financial situation, which is likely going to mean her returning to work or school or both.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Neostarwcc View Post
          I feel like I'm screwed at least four times over and I may have to file for bankruptcy. My sister had to do the same thing.



          I'm over $2,500 in debt which, doesn't sound like much? But, I live off of ODSP and I barely make $830 a month. I get government help for literally everything. Rent,Food,Kerosene, my mother even pays my power bill for me. Yet, my Fiancee and I can't scrape by. She worked for about three months but I just couldn't handle her being away so she was forced to quit her job. We've been unable to afford for her to go back to school either, so her school loans are piling up on us and I cannot afford to even make the minimum payment on that! I'm royally ****ing screwed and I don't know what to do! I personally can't get a job because my benefits would go away and I'd make less money than I do now being on disability, my fiancee can't work because I'm such a socially anxious, separative dumb ass.
          A full time minimum wage job pays $1,400 a month before taxes. And your fiancé can't work because you miss her? If you both had minimum wage jobs you'd be grossing $2,800 a month. Not a lot but certainly enough to live off of and a lot more than $840 a month even with all the help you are receiving.

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          • #6
            Maybe you could get a job working together? Walmart, McDonalds, something, anything......

            You'll make a lot more than $800 a month AND you'll be together.
            Brian

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            • #7
              Your fiance was "forced" to quit her job because you could not stand her being away? I am not sure that I follow, but this may be a mental health concern. You will need expert assistance for that; you may want to look into non-profit counseling or a pastor. This board is not equipped to help you with that.

              Filing bankruptcy on $2,500 does not make sense. It is such a small amount of money and may even be less (or about the same) as how much a bankruptcy attorney would cost. You're judgement proof right now, so do not file. You're not bankrupt; you are scared. And that is okay...

              What you and your fiance need to do is re-evaluate your career choices. As tomhole and bjl584 pointed out, you could make a lot more than you currently make simply by working minimum wage jobs. Based on a 40 hour work-week, you are only making $4.79 per hour on government assistance... I would hope that you value your time more than that!

              What do you enjoy doing? What are you good at? Is there a way to get into a job that would pay more than minimum wage? Is there any special training that you require? For example, if you wanted to be an electrician you may need to get the proper certifications.

              The key is evaluate what you want to do long-term.

              As far as not getting a job because you would lose your benefits... give me a freaking break! That may sound harsh, but seriously. Are you going to let government benefits define your lifestyle, and limit them? Don't you want more for yourself and your fiance? Aren't you sick of living in financial distress? Your financial problems stem from you being "stuck" in government assistance; the assistance is actually hurting you. But there is a silver-lining; you can make yourself un-stuck! It may seem like a scary proposition, but getting a job (any job) is going to serve you better in the long-term. It will help you gain some confidence and some pride, which will help you earn more money.

              The choice is yours:
              A) Stick to the government assistance where you are living off of the rest of us and your lifestyle is forever limited. OR
              B) Earn an honest living and have the potential for more money.

              I for one would NEVER even consider limiting my lifestyle and financial well-being for a mere $830 per month. That is not a lot of money.
              Check out my new website at www.payczech.com !

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