Debunking 7 Notorious Bankruptcy Myths

Published on: 23 July 2018 Last Updated on: 08 August 2019
Bankruptcy Myths

Bankruptcy is a serious step in anyone’s life and can have serious consequences. However, in many cases, bankruptcy is the only way out for some and can bring about the much-needed change as it helps them get rid of old debts. Understanding how bankruptcy affects you is key when deciding whether to file for bankruptcy with the help of experienced attorneys such as the BK Lawyers.

People often turn to familiar people who have been through the same thing or try to find answers regarding bankruptcy on the internet. And while in some cases this might provide the answers they seek, in others, it may bring a lot of misinformation.

There’s no reason to turn to unreliable sources for advice when in most cases bankruptcy attorneys don’t charge the initial consultation during which they can provide answers to all the questions you may have about the process. Therefore, we recommend consulting an experienced attorney before consulting the internet.

To help you better understand bankruptcy, we are going to debunk some of the most common myths.

You Can’t Travel Overseas after Filing :

Many people believe filing for bankruptcy prevents you from traveling overseas. However, the truth is that a trustee will let you travel overseas as long as you make the required payments and provide the required information. You’ll also need to provide financial information regarding the trip, for example, who’s financing it, where you’re traveling, etc.

Filing for Bankruptcy Costs a Lot :

As we mentioned, the initial bankruptcy consultation is usually free. Reliable sources you can consult about bankruptcy include trustees, insolvency experts, and AFSA.

You’ll Love Everything :

One of the most common myths is that filing for bankruptcy means you’ll lose all your assets in order to pay off your debt. Depending on the debt, you may be allowed to keep a lot of assets including your household items, furniture, and appliances. You may keep a significant portion of your balance to cover the costs of living.

In some cases, you may be allowed to keep your vehicles to a certain value, as well as tools of the trade. However, most people worry about losing their home. And even if your home has to be sold to cover your debts, you may arrange to purchase it from the bankruptcy trustee.

Your Earning Will be Limited :

There are no limits to your earning when you file for bankruptcy. However, if you earn more than a certain level you’ll need to make some contributions every year during the period of bankruptcy.

The Debts you leave off the Bankruptcy Form are Not Included :

When filing for bankruptcy you need to submit a form listing all your assets and debts. This form is called a Statement of Affairs form. Leaving information out of this form is considered an offense for which you may be criminally prosecuted.

While you need to fill out the form as precisely as possible, leaving out a debt unintentionally will not affect whether that debt will be included in the bankruptcy.

You Have to File for Bankruptcy if You Can’t Pay Your Debts :

There are other ways to cover your debts, but in most cases, bankruptcy is the most effective one. Bankruptcy has a minimal impact on your finances if you’re not able to cover your debts through selling assets and earnings. IF you have a higher income or have reasons to avoid bankruptcy (if you’re a CEO) you can refinance your home, arrange a debt agreement or make informal arrangements to cover the debt.

You’ll Never Get a Loan Again :

While your bankruptcy is recorded in the credit report seven years after filing and it’s recorded in the NPII, there are still ways to help people with bankruptcy get back on their feet. Credit providers are willing to assist individuals who filed for bankruptcy to get a loan despite that.

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9 Vital Options for When You’re Desperate for Money

Most people themselves in a financial jam from time to time, but not everyone knows what to do when it happens! The initial reaction is a sense of panic or desperation. But at some point, logic steps in and reminds those who are short on cash to take action and turn things around. If you're in need of money fast and you're not sure what action is best, don't worry. Take a deep breath and keep reading. Here are nine things you can do if you're desperate for money. 1. Pawn Something You Own: Maybe you don't have too much money in your bank account right now, but chances are you have plenty of things you can sell for quick cash. The real issue comes down to what you're willing to part ways with and how much you can get for the things you pawn. Take a moment to consider all the electronics you don't use anymore and the jewelry you never wear. See if there are any pieces of furniture around your home that are in good condition but that you wouldn't mind not having. It's not like you have to turn in every single thing of value you own. A few personal sacrifices can go a long way, though. 2. Go Through Your Closet: Instead of pawning one or two things of value, consider getting rid of a lot of things of average value--like a bag of old clothes. There are tons of consignment shops and thrift stores that are willing to purchase the old clothes you rarely ever wear. The thing is, your clothes have to be in good condition, and you shouldn't expect to get the same amount money back as what you paid. Still, one bag of clothes can become the money you need to do groceries for the week or get enough gas to get to work. 3. Do Odd Jobs: Another option you have to make quick money when you're short on cash is to do odd jobs. This can be especially profitable if you just got laid off. As weird as it may sound, just take a second to think about all the odd jobs you can do in one day. You could run errands for people who are too busy to do them themselves--like walk their dogs or pick up their dry cleaning. You could babysit, mow peoples' yards, or even take out their trash. There are plenty of things that people will pay others to do if it means not having to worry about it themselves! The trick is to get out of your comfort zone and swallow your pride a bit if you want these odd jobs to help you pay your bills. 4. Pick Up a Side Job: You could do a lot of random odd jobs or you could pick up one side job in addition to the work you already do. This will take up all of your time. It will make you tired and a bit restless, but it will also help make ends meet. It's worth it, and, it could be more fun than you think! A side job could be anything from bartending at night to being a coffee shop barista in the mornings. It could mean you become a waitress or waiter or that you wash dishes in the back of a restaurant, too. 5. 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Is Fixed Deposit the Right Place to Invest Post-Demonetization?

Fixed deposit is an investment option which is balanced with both: Returns and Risks. Although the investment is the most preferred option; these day’s people are seen to be disappointed with its returns. Perhaps the reason behind this disappointment can be the drop down of interest rates post-demonetization. Fixed deposit (FD) is always considered as a much favourable choice than savings since the returns earned are comparatively high. But as the rates have dropped down, the investors might have to think about parking their funds in savings rather than investing it. Before you change your mind, it is important to consider other financial institutions too, who offer fixed deposit investments. Banks are not the only ones providing the fixed deposit service; there are highly reputed NBFCs which are providing it too. The FD offered by the NBFCs are called as company fixed deposit. Despite the repo rate cut down, NBFCs still manage to offer best-fixed deposit rates which are higher than banks. Yes! You read it right, you can earn higher returns by investing in company’s fixed deposit, plus there are many schemes and facilities you can gain from. Owing to the favourable fixed deposit conditions, you no longer need to resort to less interest offering saving options. Here are some things that you should know about fixed deposit investments:  1. Secured Investment: As fixed deposit does not depend upon the market conditions, the interest offered on it is fixed throughout the loan tenure. This makes the investment a safe option to allocate your funds in. Whereas, the returns offered on the high-risk investments depends upon the market conditions which makes them risky. There is no such guarantee that you might always earn higher returns as there can be times when you might face a loss. This is not the case with fixed deposit. Besides, there are some NBFCs who are awarded ICRA’s MAAA rating and CRISIL’s FAAA rating which means, they are reliable as well as safe to invest in.  2. Flexibility: With a safe investment option, fixed deposit also provides flexibility with its tenure. You are free to choose any tenure period ranging from one year to five years. Also, you can reinvest in FD if your account matures.  3. Interest rates: The interest rate is a very important factor to consider when it comes to investments, as it decides the returns you will be earning over the fixed deposit. Fixed deposit interest rate offered by every financial institution differ, which is why it is important to compare FD rates and then apply for it. Also, as mentioned above, investing in NBFC’s fixed deposit can benefit you with higher FD returns in comparison to banks.  4. Tax deduction: In case, if you are investing a lump sum amount and the interest offered on your investment is above INR 10,000, then you might have to pay taxes. To escape from this tax deduction, you can split the money and invest it in different FD accounts. Also, you can apply for Section 80C to benefit from the tax deduction.  5. Senior citizen fixed deposit: If you are a senior citizen, you can benefit here, as you can invest your pension funds and earn higher FD returns compared to normal FD accounts by parking your funds in senior citizen fixed deposit. Although post-demonetization has brought down interest rates on normal FD account, the rates offered on senior citizen fixed deposits have increased. Though rates offered on a fixed deposit have dropped down, investing in a company fixed deposit can earn you higher returns. If you are planning for an investment, then NBFCs such as Bajaj Finserv offers highest Interest on FD Rate as well as provide different schemes and facilities that can benefit you. Read More : How To Get Low Cost Life Insurance For Seniors 10 Tips To Design The Perfect Business Card

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Debt consolidation plans for your debt relief

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