Comments on: The Social Acceptance of Bankruptcy http://mcleodlawoffices.com/2006/04/the-social-acceptance-of-bankruptcy/ McLeod Law Offices, Boston, Massachusetts. Consumer Bankruptcy, Business Bankruptcy, Litigation: Bankruptcy, Consumer & Debt. Fri, 11 Mar 2011 03:01:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Bill McLeod http://mcleodlawoffices.com/2006/04/the-social-acceptance-of-bankruptcy/comment-page-1/#comment-773 Bill McLeod Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:06:47 +0000 http://mcleodlawoffices.com/?p=60#comment-773 Matt, First, thanks for commenting...discussing this stuff is tough. But with the economy the way it is, I think it's important to get it out there - which is among the reasons why I started this blog. Let's step back a bit: what exactly did you do wrong here? You used your cards to help you through difficult times, and your credit card company decided it would be cool to raise rates and make it nearly impossible for you to get out of debt. Did you borrow the money knowing you could never pay it back? I'm willing to bet dollars to donuts that that wasn't the case. I am willing to bet that you're like many Americans who are finding that things are not going the way they hoped or planned... which is made even worse when the credit card company opts to move the goal posts by hiking interest rates or cutting credit lines. When it comes to meeting me (and we have not met yet), all you're doing is getting information. Our meeting is not a public forum - and no one knows about it. It's all confidential. I listen to you, I get the facts you give me, I pay out your options, I give you my recommendations if you want it, and then you take some time to decide. I think the only thing that's really painful is how you're beating yourself up for being in circumstances that you did not plan, and now cannot control. It sounds like you're exploring every non-bankruptcy option out there (like credit counseling), but if it's not working, and it's making the quality of your life terrible, it may be a good idea to consider a new strategy....something other than a miracle. As for your security clearance concerns, I'm going to blog about it later today - so keep an eye out. Perhaps it will give you and other readers some food for thought. -Bill Matt,

First, thanks for commenting…discussing this stuff is tough. But with the economy the way it is, I think it’s important to get it out there – which is among the reasons why I started this blog.

Let’s step back a bit: what exactly did you do wrong here? You used your cards to help you through difficult times, and your credit card company decided it would be cool to raise rates and make it nearly impossible for you to get out of debt. Did you borrow the money knowing you could never pay it back? I’m willing to bet dollars to donuts that that wasn’t the case. I am willing to bet that you’re like many Americans who are finding that things are not going the way they hoped or planned… which is made even worse when the credit card company opts to move the goal posts by hiking interest rates or cutting credit lines.

When it comes to meeting me (and we have not met yet), all you’re doing is getting information. Our meeting is not a public forum – and no one knows about it. It’s all confidential. I listen to you, I get the facts you give me, I pay out your options, I give you my recommendations if you want it, and then you take some time to decide. I think the only thing that’s really painful is how you’re beating yourself up for being in circumstances that you did not plan, and now cannot control. It sounds like you’re exploring every non-bankruptcy option out there (like credit counseling), but if it’s not working, and it’s making the quality of your life terrible, it may be a good idea to consider a new strategy….something other than a miracle.

As for your security clearance concerns, I’m going to blog about it later today – so keep an eye out. Perhaps it will give you and other readers some food for thought.

-Bill

]]> By: Matt http://mcleodlawoffices.com/2006/04/the-social-acceptance-of-bankruptcy/comment-page-1/#comment-771 Matt Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:59:08 +0000 http://mcleodlawoffices.com/?p=60#comment-771 If I could I would rather hurt myself than meet you...would gladly give my credit card bankers an arm to forgive my debt, so I won't loose my security clearance. Look, I even wrote to the Honorable Barney Frank for help to fight these folks, how was I supposed to know they can raise rates and minimum payments any time they wish and they did, where is the law when I lost my employment three times in the past thirteen years, where was the law when I had to take a forced relocation with two kids and a third on the way and maintian two abodes while selling one. I am sorry I have to vent, I have too much pride and honesty to declare the "B" and would rather be recalled to a one way mission to Afgan or Iraq than to face you. Yes, we talked once on the cell phone over the summer, I have improved my situation some and took your advice, even counseling at Money mangement International twice...but the last round of mailings from BofA will certainly be a Sunami for all of our efforts. Just pray for that miracle, what can I possibly explain to DoD to hold onto my clearance..that I have failed in my private life so continue to trust me with your clearance ? http://www.rjhresearch.com/ADR/index.htm Very Respectfully, Matt If I could I would rather hurt myself than meet you…would gladly give my credit card bankers an arm to forgive my debt, so I won’t loose my security clearance. Look, I even wrote to the Honorable Barney Frank for help to fight these folks, how was I supposed to know they can raise rates and minimum payments any time they wish and they did, where is the law when I lost my employment three times in the past thirteen years, where was the law when I had to take a forced relocation with two kids and a third on the way and maintian two abodes while selling one.

I am sorry I have to vent, I have too much pride and honesty to declare the “B” and would rather be recalled to a one way mission to Afgan or Iraq than to face you. Yes, we talked once on the cell phone over the summer, I have improved my situation some and took your advice, even counseling at Money mangement International twice…but the last round of mailings from BofA will certainly be a Sunami for all of our efforts. Just pray for that miracle, what can I possibly explain to DoD to hold onto my clearance..that I have failed in my private life so continue to trust me with your clearance ?

http://www.rjhresearch.com/ADR/index.htm

Very Respectfully,

Matt

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