Debunking 7 Notorious Bankruptcy Myths

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

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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4 Tips for Not Panicking When You Get a Letter From the IRS

A letter from the IRS may seem serious, but the situation that results in the letter may not always be serious. You may find that you're receiving a notification of a minor error or small sum of money that you owe. Even an audit isn't causing to panic — the IRS may simply need some additional information in your personal files. Follow these tips to handle communications from the IRS in a calm, sensible manner. Read the IRS Document Carefully: Image via Flickr by dvs You should always open and review documents from the IRS as soon as you receive them. The IRS will attempt to connect with you by mail to make initial contact regarding any issues with unpaid tax debt, tax filing errors, tax audits, and other issues. The sooner you address the problem, the easier it will typically be to find a satisfactory resolution. If you ignore letters from the IRS, it is possible for the agency to reach out to you by phone. The IRS recently started working with private debt collection companies to handle unpaid tax debt. Many telephone scams exist as well, and you should be vigilant about confirming any information that you receive by telephone. Keep Your Tax Documents Organized: Ideally, you'll have your tax documents for the last three years safely stored and ready for your review at any time you may need them. These materials include documentation regarding any protections you may enjoy through a third-party tax filing service. Many websites and companies provide audit protection or a guarantee of accuracy, which can give you valuable peace of mind if an audit should arise. If you do not have these documents on hand, you should take the time to gather them as soon as you're informed of any type of dispute or IRS audit. Having these documents provides an important sense of security going forward. Verify the Tax Issue: Before you make arrangements with the IRS to settle a debt, make sure that the amount of the debt is correct. The IRS may occasionally make errors, so it's crucial that you check the numbers for yourself and file a dispute if you believe that the figure is incorrect. Contact the IRS immediately if you believe that the agency is operating with incorrect information. Explore Your Tax Debt Options: If you owe a debt to the IRS, you don't necessarily have to pay the full sum immediately. You can explore several tax debt options. Understanding these options can help you avoid panic, particularly if you're facing a debt too large to pay at once. You may qualify for an offer in compromise, a condition in which you settle your debt with the IRS for a lower sum of money. You can also request that the IRS delay collection or set up a payment plan to handle the debt in a series of installments. If you hear from the IRS, you should take the time to thoroughly review all communications so that you understand what the IRS requests from you. If you need assistance navigating an audit, tax debt, or other situation, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional for help. Read Also: Eight Essential Tips For Getting Out Of Debt What Are The Types Of Debt That Can Be Discharged In Bankruptcy?

How to Become Financially Stable Before Age 30

Your twenties can be some of the most exciting years of your life. You're young and experiencing life, but you have to remember that decisions you make now will affect the rest of your life. One of the most common questions people ask in their twenties is how to plan for the future. Check out these useful tips to learn some of the best ways to start off your life and learn how to become financially stable for the long term. Make Plans: This gets the top position because it's the most important. One characteristic you'll find among the wealthy is that they plan things in advance. They set long-term goals and create short and medium-term plans to make them happen. The act of creating real plans makes it more likely that you'll become financially secure. This isn't only about your career and investing, though those are important. Set personal goals for self-improvement and growth. Learn how to keep yourself accountable to your plans so that they become reality. Start by figuring out where you see yourself in five years. You should have a real thought about what you want to happen in your career and personal life. Set shorter term goals to help you accomplish your five-year plan. These can include things like: Pay off student loans Get out of credit card debt Save up for a down payment Visit somewhere exotic Buy a car Many of the plans you need to make relate to enjoying life and your lifestyle. By figuring out the kind of life you want to lead, you learn more about the steps you have to take to achieve it. Budget: Once you have plans, you need to set a budget to make them a reality. The thought of making and keeping a budget intimidate a lot of people. Knowing where your money goes is the easiest way to start becoming financially stable. Sit down and write out how much money you make every month. Include your salary as well as any side incomes you have going. Once you know what you make, write out all your fixed expenses next to them. These will be things like your rent/mortgage, car payment, health insurance, and car insurance. Always include your savings in fixed expenses. What you have left over is the money available for food, gas, entertainment, and other things. Always try to build in some 'funny money'. This is a small amount you can spend on literally anything you want. Having a little flexibility every month makes it easier to keep your budget going. Learn How to Become Financially Stable: Being financially literate is one of the most important things you can do to build your longterm finances. It's pretty much impossible to build wealth without knowing how personal finance works. There are lots of online resources you can use to do this. Start with the basics: budgeting, investing, and finance terminology. It's important to know enough about finances to tell when something is too good to be true. If you don't spend some time to learn how finances work it's almost impossible to become financially secure. You don't have to learn advanced finance and trading techniques, just enough so that you can recognize where your money is going and how to make it work for you. Invest Early and Often: Albert Einstein once said that compounding interest is the most powerful force in the world. It doesn't matter what you invest in, only that you invest early and let your gains compound. Historically the stock market goes up on average. By putting your savings in broad basket funds you can generate consistent growth over the decades. If you don't want to spend too much time you can use a fee-based financial planner to help. Look for low fee index and exchange-traded funds to maximize your gains. Take Some Risks: Your twenties is the best time to take some risks for your future. You're young, you aren't tied down, and you've got nothing but opportunities ahead of you. Start with career risks. You can often get significant pay or benefit gains by moving to a top job. When you're young you don't have the baggage that comes with kids, houses, and rooms full of stuff. If you get a great opportunity across the country or across the world, take it. Don't forget to look for other big opportunities. Starting your own business is still one of the best ways to build real wealth. Your twenties is also the time to put your investments into high risk high potential reward mode. Look for emerging industries and markets that have great potential for large gains. You can check out industry sites and investor groups for new technologies, such as NICI for cannabis investments. You'll see some losses in many of your investments, but even one or two big winners can provide you with significant gains. Make Saving Automatic: One of the best ways to continue saving and investing is to make it completely automatic. There are lots of apps and employer programs available that will set aside part of your income every pay period. This allows you to save and built wealth without having to think about it. When you set up your budget, leave this money out to the side. If it was never something you're spending you won't even miss it. An employer-sponsored 401k is a great way to do this for retirement planning. Many employers offer a match if you invest. This is literally free money for saving. You also get significant tax benefits by investing this way. Remember to Have Fun! Your twenties are the best time to experiment and discover who you are and what you want from life. Take risks, make plans, and build the kind of life you want to live. Think about how to become financially stable, but don't obsess over it. If you liked what you read here, check out some of our other interesting and informative articles to learn ways to improve yourself. Read Also: 3 Must Know Accounting Tips To Help You Finance Correctly Everything You Need To Know About Term Insurance Plan Premium

Balancing Risk And Reward In Investment Portfolios

Investing is an art and a science, requiring a soft balance between reward and risk. Although high-risk investments can lead to greater returns, they also have the potential for significant losses. Conversely, low-risk speculation typically offers more modest returns but provides a sense of security. The key to successful investing lies in understanding and managing this balance. This article delves into the intricacies of balancing risk and reward in investment portfolios, offering insights and strategies to help investors make informed decisions. The journey of balancing risk and reward is not a solo endeavor. Guidance from experienced professionals like Monty Cerf can provide valuable insights into navigating the complex world of investments. With a deep understanding of market dynamics and investment strategies, such guidance is instrumental in shaping a well-balanced portfolio. Understanding Risk And Reward The Nature Of Risk Risk in investment refers to the possibility of an asset losing its value or not performing as expected. This risk comes in various forms - market, credit, liquidity, and more. The level of risk is often tied to the potential reward; generally, higher risks are associated with higher potential returns. Reward Expectations Reward, on the other hand, is the return on investment. This could be in the form of capital gains, dividends, or interest. An investment's potential reward attracts investors, but it's crucial to weigh this against the associated risk. Balancing The Scales Diversification: The First Rule Of Balance One of the fundamental strategies for balancing risk as well as reward is diversification. By dissipating investments across multiple asset classes (stocks, bonds, real estate, etc.), geographical regions, and sectors, investors are likely to reduce the effect of poor performance in any area. Diversification doesn’t guarantee against loss, but it can significantly mitigate risk. Risk Tolerance: A Personal Benchmark Every investor has a different level of comfort with risk, known as risk tolerance. Several factors influence this, including age, investment goals, financial situation, and personal temperament. Understanding your risk tolerance is crucial in creating a portfolio that aligns with your comfort level and financial objectives. Strategic Asset Allocation Asset allocation involves dividing an investment portfolio among different asset categories. This allocation should reflect an investor's goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. For instance, younger investors might lean more towards stocks for long-term growth, while older investors might prefer bonds for stability and consistent income. Advanced Tactics For Seasoned Investors Rebalancing: Keeping Your Portfolio In Check Over time, market movements can cause your initial asset allocation to change. Rebalancing involves buying or selling assets in your portfolio with the aim od maintaining your original asset allocation. This keeps your risk level in check and disciplines you to buy low and sell high. The rebalancing process is crucial, especially in volatile markets, as it helps maintain the alignment of your investments with your risk tolerance and financial goals. For instance, if your portfolio has become too heavily weighted in stocks due to a market rally, you might sell some of your stock holdings to purchase more bonds or lower-risk assets, thus returning to your original asset allocation. Such a disciplined approach can help mitigate the emotional decision-making often associated with market highs and lows. It’s recommended to review your portfolio regularly, possibly annually or after significant market shifts, to determine if rebalancing is necessary. Utilizing Hedging Techniques Hedging is akin to insurance for your investments. It involves using financial instruments or strategies to offset potential losses. Options, futures contracts, and asset correlations are some ways to hedge against market volatility. However, hedging can be complex and is typically suited for more experienced investors. For example, options can be used to protect against downside risk in a stock portfolio. If you hold a significant position in a stock, buying a put option can help limit your losses if the stock price falls. Similarly, futures contracts can be used to hedge against commodity price changes or foreign exchange risks. Another strategy involves investing in negatively correlated assets, so when one asset class performs poorly, the other tends to perform well, thus balancing the overall portfolio risk. While effective, these strategies require a deep understanding of financial instruments and market dynamics and often involve additional costs. Considering Alternative Investments Alternative investments like private equity, hedge funds, and commodities can offer unique benefits and risks. They often have a low correlation with traditional asset classes, providing diversification benefits and potentially higher returns. However, they can also be less liquid and more opaque, requiring careful consideration. Private equity, for instance, involves investing in private companies and can offer the potential for significant returns; however, these investments often need to be more balanced and have a long investment horizon. Hedge funds employ a range of strategies to achieve returns, including leverage, short selling, and derivatives, which can be profitable but also carry a high level of risk. Conclusion Balancing both risk and reward in investment portfolios is a continuous process that requires diligence, research, and, sometimes, professional advice. By understanding the types of risks, determining your risk tolerance, diversifying your investments, and employing strategies like asset allocation and rebalancing, you can create a portfolio. Furthermore, ensure that it suits your investment goals while managing the level of risk you’re comfortable with. Read Also: Investing In Machinery For A More Productive Business What You Must Know About ELSS Before You Invest

Debunking 7 Notorious Bankruptcy Myths

You Can’t Travel Overseas after Filing :

Filing for Bankruptcy Costs a Lot :

You’ll Love Everything :

Your Earning Will be Limited :

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

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

You’ll Never Get a Loan Again :

5 Ways to Become a Profitable Landlord

Hiring a Blockchain Developer

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Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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4 Tips for Not Panicking When You Get a Letter From the IRS

How to Become Financially Stable Before Age 30

Balancing Risk And Reward In Investment Portfolios

Debunking 7 Notorious Bankruptcy Myths

You Can’t Travel Overseas after Filing :

Filing for Bankruptcy Costs a Lot :

You’ll Love Everything :

Your Earning Will be Limited :

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

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

You’ll Never Get a Loan Again :

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5 Ways to Become a Profitable Landlord

Hiring a Blockchain Developer

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related