As a result of years of compulsive spending & shopping. I got a job making what would be considered good money but barely have enough to cover expenses like gas since I am driving 25 miles each way to work, groceries, rent & credit card payments. Like I fool I rented a larger apartment in Stamford Ct because I was supposed to be on a contract job thru August. It ended in Feb after 4 months. I had to let the apartment that I had in NYC go into eviction because it was unlivable due to compulsive buying of clothes and neglect of the place.

Also paying $550 a month for cobra from my last full time job that ended in sept. I want to keep cobra for 3 months before converting to this co. plan because if I get termed before the 90days, they don't have to offer cobra since they are less than 20 employees. I took the first offer I got after being out of work for 3 months and going on many interviews - even looking in Boston but never got the offer.

Seriously thinking of filing for chapter 13 BK. Won't qualify for full discharge under chapter 7.

Some cycling over the last few weeks due to a new ADHD med I am taking Vyvanase. Like usual I doubled the dose and also taking Neurontin and Prozac -- both prescribed and Neurontin increased to 900MG a day. I keep putting off finding a doctor in the NYC area. I am still seeing the person near Hartford CT that I talked about here back in October. Every few months I drive up there and get a 3 month supply of prescriptions. The ADHD meds are controlled substances and harder to get in NY. Every psyc doc I saw wanted me to get full psyc testing & adhd before prescribing.

Nick,

Have you looked into some debt consolidation choices like Consumer Credit Counseling Services (go for a not for profit agency)? They might be helpful. If I hadn't looked into them, I probably would have filed too. I currently pay less monthly, than one of my minimum payments (I have four cards I am paying on, totaling over $6,000). I actually have money again, well as long as I can keep myself from spending sprees ;) It will take me almost 4 years to pay off the debt, but the creditors are happy and I have money again without filing bankruptcy.

I hope this helps. Good luck with the doc situation.

Nick,

Have you looked into some debt consolidation choices like Consumer Credit Counseling Services (go for a not for profit agency)? They might be helpful. If I hadn't looked into them, I probably would have filed too. I currently pay less monthly, than one of my minimum payments (I have four cards I am paying on, totaling over $6,000). I actually have money again, well as long as I can keep myself from spending sprees ;) It will take me almost 4 years to pay off the debt, but the creditors are happy and I have money again without filing bankruptcy.

I hope this helps. Good luck with the doc situation.

I wish I only had $6,000. My total CC debt is more like around $70,000 total. After work, I usually go home eat dinner, then goto the gym at around 9pm. Keeping busy keeps me out of the stores. At least I know longer have this obsession with shopping and feel more in control.
The problem is my debt & my employment situation. Keeping a job more than a few months is hard which is a topic for another discussion. Either I get too distracted or I don't perform as well as they want.

Nick, 70K!? How did you get this much debt? college loans? what kind of stuff have you bought? wow, this is one of the highest totals I have ever heard. Sorry, but I'm just surprised at how much this is. I'm not trying to be insensitive or anything. I wish you the best of luck.

I see your 70K and raise you 100K


I can tell you from personal experience there are ways to get out of debt without going the bankruptcy route.

I know you mentioned the gym as a way to avoid shopping but is the cost of the membership expensive? Are you willing to eliminate things to pay down your debt or are have you pretty much resolved yourself to bankruptcy?

Have you contacted each of your creditors to work out different terms with them? I assure you I've been there and then some. There ways out but you have to do some homework, and do without.

One time my husband pointed out just how many cars I could have had with the debt I created.... I've been (and technically still are ) in horrendous debt. I'm currently digging us out of it one payment at a time.


Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

You could start out by renting out/selling what you can, on the 'net.

First things first.

I'm thinking Craigslist, KIJIJI, EBAY, etc.

what is cobra? (must be an american thing?)

COBRA is an acronym for "Continuation of Benefits...something or other" It is a law that gives employees the right to continue their medical benefits fir up to a certain amonut of time (2 years?) after leaving a job. The catch is that it is at your expense. And it is expensive. Over $500/month for most single people. It is an American thing.

I bet 20 bucks an individual policy even with BC/BS would be cheaper.

I had an individual policy that I paid for myself as I am self-employed. I will try to see if I can find the name of it and the info. about it. It's available in NYC (where I reside as well). I don't recall exactly but it was about $250/mo. covered everything any other health insurance would and I believe the co-pay was $10. However, there was not a copay if you saw a dr. at one of their health centers.

Depending upon your financial situation (which sucks-- take comfort in knowing that you are not alone, my friend is declaring bankruptcy both business and personal and his debt is over $400,000. $70,000 in debt and the inability to pay it off is not uncommon in this crazy city), you might qualify for an affordable health plan through New York state. It might be worth looking into. It's not as difficult to obtain as many think.

Hang in there-- i endured the kicked out in the middle of the night with $26 and my chihuahua escapade, no heat (too poor to pay for heating oil tank to be filled) for my ex-bf & I's shack in the middle of a field, life in the city of Newburgh where crack only costs $3, and many more. As freaked out as I was, I somehow made it through all of those times. I wasn't on any medication so my judgment was probably impaired, but I survived. I even contemplated moving to Europe so I wouldn't have to deal with all my bills, creditors & student loans. (My great-aunt once moved to Africa to avoid paying taxes. I never learned this until recently and when I heard, I felt proud to have known her.)

Other thoughts:

Whether or not your spending is related to, seperate from, or magnified by your bipolar-- have you ever thought of going to a Debtor's Anonymous meeting? I agree that the gym is a great way to relieve stress and keep yourself out of trouble, but maybe some DA meetings could help you get a better grip upon your finances? Haven't been, just an idea.

Feel free to pm me any time & I can send you info. about options you might want to check into to help you with your finances. However, I think getting stabilized might be a key to regaining control. My spending patterns are definitely related to my mood).