Layout:
Home > introduction

introduction

March 10th, 2012 at 11:41 am

i became disabled in 2003 with bipolar disorder. true to my illness, i accumulated massive amounts of debt from gambling...online internet. i accumulated so much debt in fact that once i was terminated from my job i found my only solution was to file for bankruptcy as i owed something like 30,000.00 and had absolutely nothing in savings. i mananged to come up with enough money to cover the lawyer fee and in fact paid him in advance so i wouldn't gamble the money away and did it. it wasn't pretty but there was no alternative. in actuality, at the time, my creditors were very understanding before filing. i was fortunate i guess.

today, i still owe money but it is all late fees and interest. i owe about 500.00 to paypal credit as i used to buy and sell on ebay but when i sold some jewelry i had insured the package and it was lost and because i didn't get a receipt saying it had been mailed, they deducted the money from a non existant bank acct. i later got the money from the p o however by that time another package that the buyer had never picked up at the po had been returned so there was another debit to my acct. at the same time i was having an episode and just gave up trying to settle the issue.

i owe the late fees on two other credit cards whose balances have more than been paid. you see ever month for years i was sending these ccs 100.00/month and finally i tallied it up and saw the evidence for myself. once i stopped paying there were even more late fees and interest charges. today, i just don't answer the telephone after getting an answering machine.

then there were the payday loans. they ruined my credit at the bank making it where i must used debit cards. ANYWAY.............

i make 1234.00/month. i live and care for my 87 yo father. i pay the cable/internet bill of about 110.00. this gas, cigarettes are my main bills. i manage ok if i don't play solitaire. the urge is strong to play but when i run out of money i am fine.

i was hospitalized in jan for 8 days many of those in ICU. i was billed about 90,000. but with my supplimental medicare insurance my part was 1225.00. i have saved up 400.00 of that and will have another 400.00 next week at which time i will mail a check or rather my father will as my credit is too far gone to get a checking acct. the bill will be paid in april in full and then i will start saving like crazy.

what i would eventually like to do is ladder cds monthly to the point where i would be able to eventually withdraw about 100.00/month to help out once i get on my own.

my car is a 91 mazda with about 65,000 miles on it bought from my aunt and she was the only owner. it is in good shape and i just paid my insurance this month of 315.00. gas runs about 30.00.

since i was hospitalized with respitory problems and have been unable to quit i was advised to cut down one half pack/day. i have done better whereas i used to smoke two packs a day i now smoke one. cigarettes are about 39.00/carton here for my brand.

i occassionally (once a month) go to the grocery store and buy 100.00+- groceries. and about once a month i will order take out for the three of us, dad, my brother and myself.

these are my bills. i am a good saver once i make up my mind to save. i know a little about gold and silver to buy and sell and have been buying a little gold when i could afford it. when i say gold, i mean gold jewelry used on ebay. since i can't have a bank acct i need stuff like that.

i have been reading these blogs for over a year and am jus t now submitting my blog. i hope it will hold me accountable to not gamble and also to save, save, save.=

10 Responses to “introduction”

  1. NJDebbie Says:
    1331382292

    Welcome to SA! Take it one day at a time; I know you can do it.

  2. creditcardfree Says:
    1331388107

    Welcome to SA! Blogging can be a great outlet for venting, goal setting and support of others.

  3. CB in the City Says:
    1331388291

    Deciding to change is more than half the battle. Welcome!

  4. Bob B. Says:
    1331404929

    Welcome. My sister is bipolar. I am familiar with some of the struggles.

  5. Looking Forward Says:
    1331420664

    Welcome! Smile

  6. rob62521 Says:
    1331425804

    Welcome to SA! There is a good group of folks who become your cheerleader. Good luck as you make progress!

  7. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1331431947

    Best wishes to you as you work to turn things around. I agree with CB that deciding to change is more than half the battle. One step at a time. You can do it.

  8. michele Says:
    1331435218

    thank you all so much for helping to make me feel welcome. its such a relief to know so many are here waiting to help me. thank you very much!

  9. Jerry Says:
    1332101129

    It is definitely one day at a time, but you can do it. It is good that you had insurance to take the edge off of that hospital bill, but it is still a chunk of change. I hope that your resolve to make the payments will lead them to allow you to pay it off over several months. Good luck!
    Jerry

  10. Saving For a Rainy Day Says:
    1332469890

    welcome! you're off to a good start and we'll be here cheering you on. good luck!

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]