…actions have consequences.
We've filed for bankruptcy.
Obviously this was not a decision that we came to hastily, but rather one that we've been mulling for nearly a year. The single greatest precipitator of this was the loss of income we've both suffered by moving back from Denver. Ben knew beforehand that he'd take a cut in pay by returning to Phoenix, but I foolishly believed that while I knew I wouldn't immediately return to my pre-Denver salary (earned through years of raises at a single company), I would at least match what I was making in Denver; not have to return to what I was making in the 1990s.
Unfortunately our financial obligations were based on maintaining something close to what we'd been making in Denver, not to a combined yearly income loss of nearly $20K.
While we were pretty good at juggling our bills, it was obvious we were both slowly sinking into a black hole of debt that nothing short of a much better paying job, a winning lottery ticket—or bankruptcy—would ameliorate.
This is something I've never had to deal with before, so I am understandably upset—even though almost everyone I know (family and friends alike) have gone through bankruptcy at least once and has come out the other side okay.
Ben fell behind on his car payments to such a degree that the creditor was not only threatening immediate repossession, but also was also totally unwilling to even consider discussing reaffirming the loan until he brought it current—something we were financially unable to do. So Ben turned in his car. This was a sad day for both of us because many fine adventures were had with Marvin. (My Anderson is long paid for and considered exempt property, so I'm still good on the transportation front.)
Because of this (and any number of other things that have happened over the past nine months) 2016 will henceforth be known as The Year Of Suck in this household. And we haven't even gotten to the elections yet—that with Herr Drumpf's recent rise in the polls in key swing states basically bringing him within the margin of error with Clinton—has me terrified.
"Never underestimate the stupidity of the of the general public." ~ Scott Adams, (American Cartoonist, b.1957)
Buck up. "So long as you have your health"… We've faced, and discussed, bankruptcy twice. Its not an easy decision, and I'm sorry you've had to "go there." Consider yourselves invited to Breen Acres for a "lowbrow" vacation: free booze, cheap eats, dog kisses, and guys who know we all don't get to live high on the hog. Good luck, guys!