Throwaway account for obvious reasons.
So, I moved in with my girlfriend right after high school. We just separated after a relatively long time together (almost ten years), and our finances were very intertwined. I worked as a freelancer, she collected government benefits. We barely made it by. Not to sound cliche, but she got everything after the breakup, which was sudden and unexpected.
The emotional toll was so bad that I couldn't keep up with my work, and I subsequently lost all sources of income afterwards. She kept the apartment and the car. Most of the debt is in my name, so she is free from the obligations of our poor shared decision-making.
I had to move back home basically penniless. I'm lucky to have family that isn't charging me for rent right now, but that could change soon. Also, the area is not accommodating for public transportation, and I know no one in the area anymore, so it is pretty isolating.
I accumulated a substantial amount of student loan debt, but prioritizing the relationship caused me to drop out of college before I got a four-year degree. (I also wasn't studying anything terribly useful anyway. Think social sciences.) My Associates in Liberal Arts is about as valuable as a high school diploma. I just got a notice that one of my loans entered default even though I thought it was in forbearance.
My credit score is in the low 500s. There were multiple closed bank accounts, one unpaid credit card, several bills that got sent to collections, etc. Again, it's all in my name.
I get the feeling that these bad choices will make it impossible for me to ever be financially secure. My work experience isn't exactly resume material, so I am looking at minimum-wage entry level positions.
Not sure if I should claim bankruptcy or what alternative routes I have for correcting all of this. I know that I have dug myself into a pretty deep hole, and taking responsibility for it is going to require a lot of effort, let alone patience. But I simply don't know where to begin. I would like to get back into school and study something useful, but that is probably a long ways off.
I was hoping this subreddit would be able to help me devise a plan of action. Seriously, I appreciate any and all advice you might have to offer.
TL;DR I have tons of debt from a failed relationship, and now have no money at all while trying to start a new life. Help!
Submitted February 20, 2017 at 04:18PM by OhNoWhatIsMyLife http://ift.tt/2lA2fg4
