When is the right time to file for bankruptcy? There are times when people struggle to make money and can’t make ends meet.
We’re short on funds and the amount we have to pay for our personal loans is increasing instead of decreasing.
Sometimes, our debts pile up so much that we reach a point where we need to file for bankruptcy to prevent our financial situation from going further down the drain.
So how do we know if we should file for bankruptcy? Let us look at these seven signs:
#1). Minimum payments seem too much
If you start to worry about monthly minimum payments on your credit card or personal loans, it could indicate it’s time to file for bankruptcy.
You should then take it as a sign that you’re already deep in financial trouble. This is especially necessary if you think that even the minimum amount is too much for you to pay.
#2). You skip paying bills
The same goes for paying bills. If you skip paying some of your bills for a month or more and you start putting off settling them — with the payment on your personal loan already long overdue — it means your finances aren’t as healthy as it once was.
Getting regular notifications about paying your bills or using your credit card to pay for basic essentials such as food, gas, and toiletries is a sign that you’re financially in bad shape.
#3). Phone calls from credit card companies
If credit card companies or other loan agencies start to call you all the time to collect payment for your bills, it could mean your current financial situation isn’t too good, as you haven’t been paying them regularly.
Having creditors call you all the time can lower your credit score, and decrease your chance of increasing your credit on your credit card and other loans you may be interested in applying for in the future.
#4). You spend more than what you earn
Another sign that tells you if you need to file for bankruptcy or not is if you begin to collect more debts and expenses every month, and you find out, after a close examination of your finances, that you spend more than what you earn.
SEE ALSO: Smart Ways To Manage Your Bank Account With Ease
The longer your debt stays with you, the harder it’ll be for you to pay them off, as interest rates add up and increase for every month if you missed out on paying for a personal loan or insurance plan.
A life filled with endless debts and spending is a form of financial suicide—one you could stop when you file for bankruptcy.
#5). You exceed your credit limit
The general rule for credit card limit is to use just below thirty percent of your total credit limit. If you’re using the exact limit or even exceeding the limit, it could lower your credit score, and not being able to pay off your debts can mean problems in the future for your personal finance.
#6). You avoid talking about your debts
If you don’t talk to your partner about money — because you’re afraid it may cause a rift between you two, then this is a sign of a financial problem — one that needs to be dealt with right away.
Choosing to avoid the issue can only make the problem worse as time goes by. Better be transparent about your money troubles to your spouse, and file for bankruptcy as soon as you can.
#7). You don’t earn enough
If you see that what you earn isn’t enough to cover all your daily expenses such as basic necessities plus money for an emergency fund and unexpected expenses such as hospital bills, house repairs, car maintenance, family support, and other unplanned costs you have no way of knowing in advance, then maybe you need to file for bankruptcy.
#8). You can’t keep up with how much you owe
Another sure way to know if you should start filing for bankruptcy or not is when you know—or finally realize — you can’t keep up with exactly how much you owe in terms of personal loans, credit cards, and other forms of debts, and you’re not sure which among your debts have been paid or not.
To be able to pay on time and to avoid high interest rates, it’s essential to always note what you owe, what you’ve paid, and how much balance you still have to make up for. Keeping an organized list will help you deal with debts and payments that much easier.
If, after reviewing these signs, you feel like you agree with most of them, then maybe it’s time to look for a bankruptcy attorney and consult on what type of bankruptcy you can file for—one that would suit your current financial situation best.
I was doing a search for Filing Personal Bankruptcy when I stumbled upon http://www.onaplatterofgold.com.
Thank you for the info.
I am thinking about declaring bankruptcy however I have no idea how you can begin. Wow, I presume I much better hire a lawyer. It is too many laws. I was doing a search for Bankruptcy Information and also came across http://www.onaplatterofgold.com. Much appreciation for the information. Thanks. Schlanger
Superb site. A great deal of helpful information in this article. I am just mailing this article to some of my close friends and also sharing on social media.
It is always difficult to decide when to file for a bankruptcy. It is pretty much common knowledge that filing for bankruptcy is going to damage your credit score. One should carefully analyzed the situation based on these points before taking any decision on bankruptcy.
Well written, this is a nice blog!
Typically, people do a few things when they are thinking about bankruptcy. Firstly, they may chat with some close friends and/or browse the net.
The trouble with both of those approaches is that the information is generally incorrect and very generic.
There are no two situations the same, as everyone has a distinct set of financial circumstances that must be considered in this process.