Friday, March 5, 2010

No money + bad decisions = BIG TROUBLE

Well, my dear internet friends it has been a tough last 7 days. I feel like I am sinking in quicksand and having a hard time keeping my head above. This is all because of some bad decisions on my part and things out of my control. Maybe I shouldn't put this all out there but right now I feel like my head is going to burst and I just need to get it out...

 So you all know that I lost my job last June after being screwed over and this was after being out of work for 3 months due to a back injury. Anyway, because of a major lack of fundage we ended up just having our leased vehicle repossessed. It seemed like the only option at the time. I mean we had a leased vehicle that we were paying a whopping 575.00 a month for and when we were to turn in the car in September we would have been at about 65,000 miles and we were only aloud to go 36,000 so that was at 15 cents a mile for every mile over for a total of 4350.00 and then the wear and tear because we had a cracked windshield and REALLY bad tires that we would have had to fork out a couple hundred for before we turned the car in. We figured if we just let them repossess it for the last of the few months we had left we might end up better off. Who knows, as far as money goes it may end up to be cheaper but let me tell you it definitely is not less stressful!

Yesterday, we made the mistake of answering the door only to be served with a summons for the car. Now, I knew this was coming but yet it has totally stressed me out. The summons does not say much but that we have 21 days to respond and they are suing for 6200 plus costs and interest. Well, I made an appointment with a bankruptcy attorney because that was pretty much always the plan. We were going to wait until the last possible second, which was getting something saying the were taking us to court over the car, we will not win because lets face it we did not pay as agreed. Now before this ever happened my credit was not good. We had been working on fixing this but when I got injured and then lost my job everything went out the window. We will not win and then they will garnish wages and that DEFINITELY CAN NOT HAPPEN. So we figured we would declare bankruptcy and start over. Not something I am proud of or wanted to do but I feel I am left with little options. We do not really have anyone to turn to for help so what choice do we have?

Anyway, we have an appointment tomorrow morning to see what our options are but I am worried because I am not sure how we are going to pay for the bankruptcy itself. What do you do when you are too poor to go bankrupt? I think that is pretty bad. Now all this is on top of last Friday getting a notice from the IRS saying they were placing a Levy on us do to not paying 2008 takes. We made a payment arrangement and in January I paid the payment online but apparently they credited it to 2009 taxes. Um...haven't even filed those yet. Do you really think I am paying 2009 in advance when I haven't even paid 2008 yet...the answer would be NO. Luckily I looked at my confirmation online and figured out the problem and called the IRS and got it fixed but it really is not a certified letter you want to get in the mail. Also, on the same day we got something from our mortgage company saying our work out plan had expired and they were rereviewing it and needed some additional info and then a letter from the city because we kind of have neglected paying our water bill in a LONG time. They always sent a letter and said we had to pay the balance by some far out date or it would be attached to the taxes on our house which I figured was fine with me since that always came out of mortgage payment and the water isI not attached to my name so I figured fine by me...until...last Friday they said they were going to put a lien on our house until we pay them 436.00 by 03/31/10. Can you say STRESSFUL!!!

I mean this is all not a surprise and it is our fault but all at one time COME ON!!!! Not to mention unemployment was in question this week because it expired on Sunday and 1 senator was holding the approving of extensions but thankfully it was approved on Tuesday at least for another month while they try to work out the details for a longer extension. I mean they bail out all the big corps why should they not bail out all the people who need it? I can not even tell you how many resumes and applications have been sent out and I have not gotten 1 response...I am just sick to my stomach!

Right now I am feeling like a big failure and a loser and I am wondering if I am EVER going to be able to have a baby. Not to mention I was cleaning and I twisted or turned, bent over...something and totally killed my back. I was suppose to go out tonight but I CAN NOT DO that at all so I am staying home. Tomorrow I have the appointment with the lawyer and a wedding to go to. I hope I feel better.

I could really use some positive words and some prayers and anything else you can send my way. It ha been a tough week but I am hoping the bad news is over...please!

12 comments:

Andrea said...

Michelle,

First, prayers coming your way...

Second, Breathe

Know that I am thinking of you during this most stressful time. Take a deep breath and spell all of this out to the attorney when you speak to him. Be honest and divulge everything so that he/she can give you the best advisement. If anything can be restructured or salvaged they can advise you as to options, as there are always options. And, in a down trodden economy there are more options.

As for the lien on your home, the lien just ensures the water company that they will recoup the $400+ upon sale of your home. I would advise trying to structure a payment plan of good will, even if it is $5 a month, it shows effort.

I'm so sorry that you are feeling overwhelmed by your situation. I'm also sorry that your are having trouble finding work...hang in there and know that something will turn up, it will :)

Let your attorney advise the rest and do what necessary so that you can get a "fresh" start. BELIEVE you won't be defeated and you won't :) As for the car, I think you did the right thing.

Many Hugs and Prayers coming your way...as "HE" always provides. ALWAYS.

Jamie said...

Oh, Michelle. I am so very sorry. That is so much to take in especially after all you have already been through in the past year.

I hope the lawyer is able to answer a lot of your questions and make a plan for you.

Sending much love and prayers your way. Prayers for guidance and PEACE.

Megan said...

I am so so sorry. This is soooo much to take on at one time. You are due for something to go your way. I hope the tide turns soon.

Searching for Serenity said...

Gosh, when it rains...it pours and darnit that just isn't fair.

I hope you get some honest advice from the lawyer tomorrow and that things start to improve soon.

I'll be thinking about ya.

Mrs. Chapman's 2nd Grade Class said...

The most important thing first...praying for you guys! Now...on to the other stuff. I'm not an expert so I am not going to try and tell you what to do, so I will just say let the attorney tell you what is best. I think they have payment plans for bankruptcy.

My old neighbor went through that after he lost his job and his wife left him with nothing. I know it was hard to admit defeat for him, but he is so much better now. Praying that you will get some peace about this and less stress! ((HUGS))

AnotherDreamer said...

Breathe- one day at a time, one moment at a time. Remember, this too shall pass and you will be on your way soon enough. It's a road bump. I hope the lawyer has some good news for you, or at least something enlightening. And I hope you get to feeling better physically, and the stress won't help that. Thinking of you!

Sunny said...

Oh Michelle, I am so sorry. I wish there was something I could do to help. You have really been through the fire and you deserve a break finally! I will definitely say some additional prayers for you. This is a phase and it WILL NOT last forever. Hang in there.

Elle said...

I am so very sorry that you guys are in a rough patch right now.

Sending you hugs and good wishes for the clouds to clear soon.

battynurse said...

I hear you. My finances lately are looking a bit bleak too and I know it's so stressful. I hope things get better soon and that somehow things work out. Thinking of you.

Bluebird said...

I'm so sorry honey, that sounds stressful beyond words. I hope that the attorney can offer you some guidance and a bit of peace.

jill said...

Ugh what a crappy situation :( I hope things start turning around for you very soon. Thinking of you!

Stacey said...

Oh Michelle. I'm so sorry! That is definitely a lot of stress to be dealing with all at once. And I know when you are waiting for a baby it feels magnified by 1,000. Please know I'm praying that you will soon be able to find a great job and that things will quickly start looking up. Thinking of you.