What do yu wish you knew before you went BR?

ClaireLR

I have started this thread to try and get some advice from people who have gone through bakruptcy or are in the process of doing it atm.

I'm considering my options (still!) and would like to know if there was anything unexpected along the way that you feel might be worth knowing/considering before I make my final decision.

Any comments appreciated! Thanks

AlanD_3

Great question!

ClaireLR

thanks for that last comment, like I said anything and everything that people want to let me and others who might be thinking of going BR know about is all gratefully received as it all helps in the decision making process of what to do.

Thanks!

jobby_2

You feel like you are taking control and things get better and you're coping, just ticking over and then something really little tips you over and you realise you still have long way to go yet - so remember to take little steps.

It does get better but its not all roses

Sorry to sound down - I'm not - I don't regret going BR for a moment but it can still be hard work and its not a magic wand

allofadither

For me it was the very sudden finality of it all. Like most people I thought long and hard before going BR, and had loads of concerns and questions, but even though I was as prepared as I could be the second the Judge stamped the papers I realised I had just crossed a monumental bridge and there was no going back. Everything about my financial situation had changed in a matter of minutes...a fact I'm still getting used to.

I echo what Blind and Jobby have said about your emotions being all over the place, which is something I hadn't really expected.

plantpot100

Would still choose this route...just wish i had realised that not all ORs are sympathetic. The day of my interview i felt totally torn to shreds and worthless...mainly because i was expecting a human being at the end of the phone...but ended up with a bit of a monster!

And as said before - emotions very up and down. Also a little difficult explaining to people why i might want to 'get rid' of my car and purchase an old banger! Am trying to explain i want to stick to a strick budget as am broke...but is raising a few funny looks!

never mind. there is a lot worse going on in the world than my bankruptcy! just have to remember to put things in perspective. Also think how things would be if i were still drowning in debt!

user55

blind-as-a-bat wrote: »

the totaly unexpected (even though i was warned ) range of emotions and the speed they can swing from low to high and back again!
sorry all i can think of at the mo but its a start:D

Even at my stage of things, can I say how much I agree with this! 1 minute I'm all positive and upbeat, the next I'm in floods of tears, and a few minutes later calm descends. Then there's the anger and the embarrassment...never a dull moment with my emotions!

Red1708

I expected everybody to condem me, I probably put off going BR for well over a year due to what others would think and not having the courage to face up to the reality of the position I was in. I'm actually quite suprised by the amount of support I've received from family & friends.

Also, as with the other my emotions are all over the place.

NekoZombie

For me, the decision-making process leading to bankruptcy was very difficult. Just when I thought I'd made a decision I would abruptly change my mind. I thought and rethought things, literally going in circles chasing my tail. Anyway, once I made the final decision, I felt like I'd achieved inner peace at last. Walking away from the Strand courts was just a great senses of relief. I wish I had realised that the world doesn't end when you go bankrupt.

A small side effect that I had no idea about - I recently wanted home insurance and was amazed that most wouldn't offer quotes because of my bankruptcy. That was a bit of a shock as I don't see what BR has to do with it, but so far, the only bad thing to come out of this process so far.

claire1976_2

ClaireLR, the unexpected thing for me was how easy it was! I paid an advisor £25 to fill in my forms, rang the court and 2 weeks later im sat in a small room with a guy who looks more nervous than me! i paid him the fee then was told it would take 15 minutes (he suggested i had just enough time for a quick ciggie outside too!) went back in and it was all done! Then came the call from the OR... he was real nice too, he said i could keep my car (worth £1000) as i dont live on a direct transport route to work and had no interest in any of my possesions (including my laptop which was on HP!).
I've never looked back since. I didnt find it that emotional, i had no choice so i just got on with it. I've had a few people comment but when i've asked them why they feel the need to say something, it turns out their just jealous because they dont have the guts to do it! Of course, i lost the obvious bank accounts but i've got new ones and get all my insurance from them as being bankrupt doesnt help when trying to find home ins etc...

Claire1976 - Bankrupt April 2006 - now living a CASH only life :j

Good luck with your decision making... i'm sure you'll do the right thing for your situation

smiales

This is a great thread, I am about to go BR and its good to hear the ups and downs.