| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LaLa |
Posted - Apr 03 2014 : 11:58:11 AM
Well...
The power is on. The water is running (not literally). We have groceries.
The rent is due. And so is T-Mobile. We made arrangements for both for now because it took a lot to restock our kitchen after the power bill two weeks ago. Part of the agreement with T-Mobile was that they couldn't guarantee our service for now. It was shut off today. I understand. They're nicer to us than most. As evidenced by what happened next.
In 2009, DH purchased a 2003 4-door Chevy S-10. Without talking to me. We were still newlyweds -- married in December 2008, but we spent the first 6 months living in different states and time zones, so... newlyweds fits the bill nicely for us for the first 2 years of marriage. Not 3 months after purchasing the vehicle, it was flooded in a Nor'easter. To our surprise, t wasn't insured at the time. We had been told we'd have about 1 more month of coverage with the dealer's insurance. Nope. In 2010, DH skipped out on payments to the truck loan. They tried to repo it. His daddy bailed us out. DH and I argued. I had us current on all debts by the time DH returned from deployment in late 2011. In 2012, we became homeless, and jobless. The bank (Navy Federal) threatened repossession again. We made arrangements, they dropped the issue. We moved to South Carolina temporarily, during which time we didn't have money, and upon trying to contact the bank, were told repeatedly that there was only ONE person with whom we could discuss the truck and it's loan, and that person was on vacation. Shortly after we arrived in North Carolina, they threatened repossession again. We made arrangements again, and the gentleman in charge of the account stated that as long as we're keeping in touch, he'll do all in his power to keep repo-man at bay. DH makes contact at least twice monthly. He knows this person's work schedule and calls during hours the man is to be available. But lately, this person is NEVER in the office. We have to leave messages with his supervisor or assistant to call us back. He doesn't return calls. He also didn't provide a notice or warning of repossession before the tow truck arrived this morning.
DH ran outside in nothing but pants. Fortunately, the repo-man let him empty out the truck, so our belongings are okay.
More bad news: When we first became homeless, another family was kind enough to loan us half their storage unit space for some of our household goods (kitchen equipment, some personal artwork, other sentimental items, our bed which is a queen-size memory foam mattress as DH has a bad back). These things are in Aiken, SC. And we were told last week, they need to know what to do with our stuff as they're moving into a smaller unit. We have no way to get to our things... or pay anyone else to.
Dear God... I know you love seeing how many brick walls you can slam me through before I shatter. But it's getting old. One would think you'd know your creation well enough not to need to test it's limits on this level. I refuse to blame you. To hate you. To be defeated. I get it. We all need to be vulnerable at times... but I have been. And I was walked on. I was kicked. I was shoved deeper into the bricks.
I'm wondering if we should go bankrupt. Because this isn't all the debt we owe. I'm scared to go bankrupt though. I'd like us to have a vehicle (mainly in case of emergencies, and so we could get groceries without hurting our backs). I don't know all the ramifications of bankruptcy. I want our truck back... I'm praying for a miracle... please pray with me.
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LaLa |
Posted - Jun 03 2014 : 10:25:34 AM
Thank you both so very much.
Most recent updates:
-- Our water got shut off in April. We're okay, and borrowing from local businesses at this point, but we can't do that all summer...
-- We're a little behind in rent, but so far, our landlords have been very gracious in dealing with us. They know some of our history, and understand that we're struggling. But again, even that isn't going to last forever.
-- I've posted a Go-Fund-Me account, which I hope will generate about a grand for us to go to SC to retrieve our things. There are many items in storage that we could sell for cash. I also have some things here for sale. I'm going to do a secondary Go-Fund-Me fundraiser looking to help us out with our finances. I'm not proud of it, but we're desperate.
We are also putting together a plan to stock up on a month's worth of groceries. We can freeze breads and set aside enough cash to purchase milk, eggs, etc. which we cannot freeze or keep that long. If we can get our monthly bill collectors (water, power, rent) to agree to NOT shut things off for a few weeks, we can spend an entire paycheck stockpiling food. With that we can spend the next two paychecks on nothing but catching up on bills. With any luck, we may be able to pay a little in advance on each bill as well.
DH has applied for food stamps, but we have not heard back from them yet. He applied 2 Mondays ago and was told he should hear from them within a week if he was accepted, however, we haven't received the EBT card or anything of that nature from them. If they're calling his cell, it's not on because that got turned off, too. He informed them of this, but... I've seen people try to call us before after we told them our phones weren't working.
He's been working or handling household business every day since applying, except one, and we took that day to have some much needed time spent with one another.
DH's schedule has really messed up our eating and sleeping habits, plus I've been struggling with springtime pollen allergy issues. So prayers for strength and energy boosts are much appreciated. I miss fruit and yoga the most...
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
DH and I share a blog: http://wesubtleties.tumblr.com
Follow on Twitter: @wesubtleties |
| Blessed in Colorado |
Posted - Jun 03 2014 : 06:08:48 AM
Keeping you in my prayers, and hoping that things will get better for you very soon. Keep the faith.
Hugs,
Debbie
"BE KIND TO PEOPLE BECAUSE EVERYBODY YOU KNOW IS ENGAGED IN REALLY TOUGH BATTLES."
www.etsy.com/shop/MountainWingsAntique
http://debbielynnf.blogspot.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/debbt |
| hudsonsinaf |
Posted - Jun 03 2014 : 06:03:50 AM
Laura - most definitely praying, as I said on your other post. I must agree with Nini - cling to our Creator. He doesn't say life is going to be easy, but rather He will be with us every step of the way!
~ Shannon
http://hudson-everydayblessings.blogspot.com/ |
| LaLa |
Posted - Jun 02 2014 : 5:43:44 PM
Hi, Joey!
Thank you for the comments and message-board hugs. I think I emailed you a couple weeks ago, but not sure if you received it. Hope to talk to you soon.
Lala.
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
DH and I share a blog: http://wesubtleties.tumblr.com
Follow on Twitter: @wesubtleties |
| Joey |
Posted - Apr 25 2014 : 10:49:51 PM
Hi Laura,
I am so sorry this is happening to you. Wish I could give you a hug and I am sending prayers. Please send my your address. I want to send you something. Keep your chin up. As I have always told my family, "it is easy to have faith when all is going well. The hard part is continuing to have faith when things are not going well." Take care of yourself. BIG hugs, Joey
Well behaved women rarely make history. |
| LaLa |
Posted - Apr 04 2014 : 8:09:40 PM
Thank you all! I'm feeling a little better. The truck... it's very {sentimentally speaking} special to me. I've fought so hard to keep it.
• We drove from Virginia to Georgia twice in 2010 and 2011 -- despite it flooding in 2009.
• It moved us from one apartment to another. No UHaul necessary.
• Despite it being in disrepair, it got me and our pets to Georgia in 2012.
• I was only able to have a few repairs done on it in Georgia. But it still got me home to Virginia later in 2012. Even though it did try to stall out once right after I entered Virginia.
• We drove it back to Georgia in early 2013. Even though it was still in disrepair, it took us everywhere we needed it to.
• We even drove it to Griffin, GA (about 3 hours from Athens) where we stayed for 2 weeks.
• In October, we made it to South Carolina.
• Then we drove to North Carolina.
• Here in Hickory, NC, we spent 2&1/2 weeks (November - December) living in the truck with our five pets. We shared meals in the truck, we fed our animals both inside and outside of it. It kept us warm, and never once did the battery die.
The door no longer latches shut. The battery needs replacing. It needs new license plates and registration. And always needs gas because we never can afford to fill the tank completely. It may be a rattle-trap, but it has been very dear to us.
That said, I'm looking forward to seeing our new town on foot and by bus. We're happy, but we're also a little scared. Unknowns, what ifs... all that.
Marie, I will be in touch very soon. Thank you for offering the opportunity to reach out. I hope you'll be able to answer a few questions, especially as regards bankruptcy. We're seriously considering it.
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Apr 03 2014 : 7:54:33 PM
Laura,
I am sorry and am still keeping you and your husband in prayer.
I agree with Nini, just cling to Him and He will see you through anything.
Farmgirl Sister #5392
By His Grace, For His Glory
~Sharon
http://amerryheartjournal.blogspot.com/
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| churunga |
Posted - Apr 03 2014 : 3:39:22 PM
Laura - Filing bankruptcy is a good option for you and your husband. The process is as follows:
1) Find a bankruptcy lawyer. Ask around to see whom your acquaintances recommend. Do not agree to engage with the cheapest one. Engage the one who has the most experience.
2) Initial consultation. The first meeting with the lawyer should be free. Bring all the documentation for all the debt you have no matter how small and to whom it is owed. Also bring any documentation of income and assets. Be very honest because if the lawyer has all the information, they will be better able to help. At this time, they will quote the fee they require to file the case. My DH's bankruptcy cost $1800.
3) Gather the fee. DO NOT obtain the fee by borrowing it or putting it on a credit card. That will make it a debt and a lawyer is not about to put his fee into a bankruptcy filing. This is probably the most difficult part of the process. I took a distribution from my IRA to pay for DH's bankruptcy.
4) Engage the lawyer. Pay the lawyer and fill out all the paperwork as accurately as possible. Again, be as honest and precise as possible. Any untruth will come back to haunt.
5) Let the process go. Now your work is done and you let the lawyer do their thing. Answer the lawyer's questions, get some financial counseling and start getting improving your financial health.
6) After the bankruptcy is final, save all the paperwork. There will be an immediate feeling of a burden lifted and you will find yourself in good financial shape.
After all the paperwork is turned in and the process is in motion,
take this time to gather information on general assistance, food assistance, housing assistance and medical assistance. See if a veterans organization can help out. Now is the time to get back on your feet and start over.
A few things you can do now:
* examine your debt and determine how it got the way it is
* craft a strategy to stay financially healthy
* learn about the debt market
* make a budget
* determine what is needed and what is wanted
* set realistic goals for the next 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years
I have gotten myself out of debt and have helped others. At this time, I know where every penny I make goes and when. I am able to save, spend and share as I wish. Even though it doesn't seem so now, it will happen for you. Email me for advice anytime.
Marie, Sister #5142
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Apr 03 2014 : 3:02:56 PM
Oh, Laura - I, too, feel so badly that you're going through this, and will pray for you. Please remember, though, that God is never slamming you into the walls or testing you, but, rather, He is the one making the way for you. He loves you, sister. I know how difficult these trials can be, I do. But when you were walked on, He lifted you up; when you were kicked, He bent down and reached out His Hand; and when you were shoved deeper into the bricks, it was He who removed the debris and dug you out. Evil is what harms; it is evil that wants you to lose heart and separate yourself from Him. It is evil that plays with our minds, our lives, that crushes and destroys. It is God Who is constantly by your side, watching over you, loving you, and saving you. Honest. God love and bless you, dear sister, and may He reveal Himself to you and His profound love for you and your family in the most miraculous of ways. Try not to lose heart. When you are pressed deeply into these walls, find it in your heart to press even more deeply into Him. Hugs and blessings - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| prariehawk |
Posted - Apr 03 2014 : 2:33:12 PM
I'm so sorry you're going through all this. I see nothing wrong with filing for bankruptcy. It costs a lot to be poor in this country.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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