So what's my story? I got a credit card
at 18, courtesy of my dad, and it just got worse. My dad wasn't the
best when it came to money, and due to my mother's intervention after
my dad had surgery, she took control of the bills and paid them off.
I wasn't so lucky. I stupidly thought I'd get a good job someday, and
meanwhile, my debt grew bigger. I took on multiple jobs, but I didn't
curb my spending. I'd try to avoid using credit cards, but my car
would break down, or I'd have some other emergency, and because I had
no money saved, I had to pay for it with credit. It was a vicious
circle, and when I got laid off from my post office job, my mom
didn't want me to look for work. Her health had deteriorated, and she
wanted me to take care of her. I told her she'd have to support me
(i.e. give me enough money to cover my bills, and no, I didn't tell
her how much I owed) and we were able to survive on her Social
Security. Luckily, dad had left her $40,000 in life insurance. Mom
didn't have a lavish lifestyle, and she got by okay. Ironically, it
was probably at the end of her life where she was the most
financially comfortable. But she died, and the $18,000 she left me
didn't go very far. I probably should have declared chapter seven
while I was taking care of her. That way, since I didn't own
property, I could have walked away from my debt, and I would have a
fresh start, plus an inheritance. But I didn't. Hindsight is 20/20.
More to come!!!
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