Readers got their say earlier when I showcased the 10 most popular new posts on Bankruptcy Soapbox for 2017; now it’s my turn to spotlight the best bankruptcy advice of the year. In my opinion.
They were posts that touched subjects important to me and, hopefully, important and useful to you.
How Bankruptcy Changes Your Life
Those considering bankruptcy too often see it as surrender, and willingness to accept a reduced financial life going forward. Not so. I look at things bankruptcy changes and things where change is up to you. Color your future as you wish.
My Home Is My Retirement
Equity in your home may add to your net worth, but it’s a poor substitute for retirement savings. Surrounded as I am by extraordinarily expensive housing, I still maintain that you need cash savings to fund your old age.
What Are Banks Really Doing With Your Mortgage Payments?
Get a look at your home loan balance and you may be horrified to see where your payments have gone. New statutes, new rule, and some new attitudes from judges are putting an end to mortgage servicer abuse of borrowers. Uncovering accounting abuses after Chapter 13 is my new favorite thing.
Before You Even Think About Selling Your House
New federal regulations give you a right to expedited information about what charges and junk fees have been added to your loan balance. Flush the details about what your lender claims you owe well before you sign a sales contract for your house. Start early and you have time to insist that errors be corrected without jeopardizing the sale.
Changing My Tune About Retirement
I’m done talking about “retirement”. Consider how you’ll get by in your old age. Chances are, the comfort and degree of independence you’ll enjoy in your old age depends on how you spend or save your money now.
My take on the best bankruptcy advice
What’s striking about my favorite posts is that they aren’t all about filing bankruptcy, but more about taking care of your financial life.
More
In 2016, I picked out the 12 new posts I thought most important. See if you see the themes.
