Just to say there is light at the end of the tunnel!

NorthernKitty

To summarise, due to a financially controlling (now ex-) husband running up joint debts then deserting, I had to go through bankruptcy, divorce and house repossessions (yes, plural- they were included in my bankruptcy but still got all the paperwork and harassment, my ex occasionally paid money towards the mortgages to stop repossession and it went on for years until he gave up).

I was on a low income, he was the breadwinner, and I struggle with maths so went through a steep learning curve. Things were tricky for a while,  the debt collectors and the insolvency service were lovely, but council tax dept and mortgage co weren't, and I got depression.

I have always been careful with money (most things I possess are second-hand for example!) and never used credit etc, and stayed strong, so managed to go to the ombudsman and even get one of the mortgage companies to pay me £150 due to their harassment as they were ringing my ex at my new rented flat he'd never lived at! I moved house 3 times in 5 years, as rented places weren't great where I live, eg teens were sat on my doorstep taking drugs at one place. 

Just to let you know, if you are facing bankruptcy, life doesn't end, for me it was a great new beginning! I got some credit cards to build up a credit record (paid it off in full every month), saved enough to do another degree, went on my first foreign holiday, and then found out I could be a homeowner again, thanks to discovering this website a few years ago. I am very careful with money (haven't paid for a haircut in decades, don't drink alcohol or smoke, can't drive due to a visual impairment) so that helps, for some of you it will need a lifestyle change for a while. But...

8 years after the bankruptcy was discharged, I have got the keys to my own house! It's a bit of a dump, but it's mine, and never believed I could own my own house after what I went through! 

In the next few weeks will be barraging the Mortages and Homes board with DIY issues to solve, but thought I'd just let you all know there is life after bankruptcy! Keep going, people!

cuddlymarm

Well done NorthernKitty
Bankruptcy isn’t a pleasant experience but it does draw a line where you can make a fresh start.
Now you can take your time getting your house the way you want it and enjoy your life and there will be plenty of advice and support on here I’m sure.

NorthernKitty

Thanks! So wish I had known about this forum when all the problems started, would have made a lot less mistakes! Keep going, skint people, don't get overwhelmed, and just have something to aim for, however small!