I did this to myself

[Raggedy-Ann]

I am getting mixed advise from my Psychiatrist and my therapist. I am trying to deal with some debt it is going to take years to pay it back. My Psychiatrist told me to file for bankruptcy. Said someone with my level of disability = depression, I would be better off getting rid of the pressure and stress of trying to pay it back. I talked to my Therapist she told me to get a second job.

I have a great credit score and that would be ruined. I spent the money I should be responsible and pay it back. I owe 35K and I am living off $600 mo. It is not a hard math problem. Sigh. I'm a compulsive shopper 24k . I get that tiny bit of a lift when I buy something. I suck that for every moment - looking at things thinking my life would be better with item, create the fantasy/ need then the fun of putting things in and out of the cart when that fades I narrow it down to roughly 25$ then the bump of excitement right before I press the purchase button. Then comes the anticipation of something coming in the mail. I watch the tracking then watch for the mailman. I bring whatever I ordered over to my coffee table and pretend it's Christmas. Then I try to fulfill the dream I had about it .

I was told this is common with people with depression.

I decided to read the local job opportunities. That was awful. I can't work with data or make change, drive in the dark and I still have one arm in a brace and sling. I read all of the ads and cried. I feel so useless.

[gajh]

I can't advise you to file for bankruptcy or take a second job. I don't know which would be in your best interest. You could try to work a second job just to give it a try and see if it is manageable, if it is not you could then file for bankruptcy. You don't have to rush into a decision before you are ready. You will be ok though either way. People recover from debt. Just be sure to learn from it and find another coping skill instead of spending. Find things to do that are good for you and make you feel better. Not things that cause more pain. It is hard that your psychiatrist and therapist told you two different things. You could talk to each of them more about it and see if they come to an agreement in time. Ultimately though you are the one who knows best for yourself. You will make the right decision.

[Raggedy-Ann in reply to gajh]

I have been transferring my debt from my one credit card to zero interest cards. 11k is student loans, of the 24k in credit card debt I have moved all but 6K to zero interest. I only had the one card and the interest rate went from 12% to 25%! The zero interest helps me make payments that count towards the principle while I try to figure out what to do. When I was accumulating the debt I figured screw it, they will get paid when I die from the sale of my house. Then August 16th $45, 000 of my student debt was forgiven. After that relief I figured the rest is something I can try to pay back. I have also been trying to pay that kindness forward with acts of kindness in my community. I have been returning grocery carts I see around town back to our one grocery store, I give my lunch to the homeless, donate stuff to a local thrift store that funds our animal shelter and help lost dogs get home. I am trying to find other ways of helping the community. If you have any ideas I am open to suggestions.

[gajh in reply to Raggedy-Ann]

It sounds like you are already doing all the right things about your debt. Getting rid of the interest is huge. Good for you. You are doing so many acts of kindness in your community already. I don't think I have to suggest anything more. My suggestion is give yourself acts of kindness daily. Be good to yourself. Don't beat yourself up over it.

[Cal51 in reply to Raggedy-Ann]

Thank you for picking up the shopping carts and helping the dogs. I always put shopping carts up, pick up trash and put items back on the shelf in the stores. I guess it makes me feel a little better.

[Hidden]

I'm probably too young to give financial advice, but I would say ask the banks for forgiveness and try to get a person to help you with your finances, but is filing for bankruptcy the worst thing in the world?

[Raggedy-Ann]

I spread it out over 0% interest. Banks don't forgive loans. I looked into bankruptcy and talked to an advisor for bankruptcy. It doesn't wipe out your debt completely, you may be able to get rid of some but you will still have to pay portions of your debt and trash your credit. I still browse but I am very cautious. I am trying to spend less time on my computer. I am so alone and tired.