Took the noble way out
About two weeks before I finally filed for bankruptcy, I got a phone call from a lawyer's office. Her name is Bitchy McCuntenstein. Or might as well have been. I couldn't work anything out with her and, of course, I was the biggest waste of time. I did a little research on debt code in the US and found out if they did try to sue, they'd get a fraction of the debt. Called her back again and told her this, telling her I didn't know what else to do. I couldn't get a loan from my credit union or my boyfriend's parents, so I seriously contemplated downing the entire contents of a bottle of night time pain reliever. Sleep it off. For good.

Then I thought about how pissed my mother would be. How strapped my boyfriend would be because he's on disability. Everybody around me.

Finally went to a bankruptcy attorney. They were actually very pleasant people, only getting upset because this was post-reform of the US bankruptcy code and the whole thing sounded like it was a mess, from their view (I actually amused them, I think, with my expeditious nature in getting all the forms and paperwork to them sooner than they'd expected!)

A couple days go by and I get another message from Bitchy McCuntenstein. I tell her I'm filing for bankruptcy and she needs to talk to my lawyer now. In a tone that is usually reserved for 10-year-olds who finally learn how to change their socks, she said to me, "Well, I'm glad you've finally decided to do something about it." I should have told her, "Shut up, bitch. You're losing your commission on this one. And getting much, MUCH less than what the debt's actually worth SO I WIN. Sort of."

P.S.) My debt was about $10,000 more than my income. Do I get some sort of prize?

P.P.S.) I hear all the time about how people in Great Britain are worried their credit card rates will be going up to 10% to 15%. Here in the US, card rates are regularly 20% to 35%.
(BenPanced, Sat 25 Nov 2006, 6:41, Reply)