@jetsfan2013 wrote:This question is for those who are currently in or recently completed a Chapter 13. As you reflect, how did the case change you, your relationship with money, your relationships (personal and professional), etc.?
I recently sat down and reviewed where I stand in my current case, and am optimistic I will be able to complete my case one year and 3 months early. Seeing the finish line, and the opportunity to live a life debt-free with mistakes from earlier in the decade behind me inspires me daily.
My relationship with credit has changed quite a bit, from "needing" unsecured credit to living within a zero-based budget. Family relationships have strengthened, new hobbies have formed, and old friendships (and habits) have fallen by the wayside.
That is where I am. What about you?
That is my story. What about you?
Congratulations on potentially finishing your plan early, I assume you are in a 100% plan; those of us who were in plans less than that were not allowed to finish early as any extra money was simply handed off to the creditors; the number of payments didn't change. In fact, even though I was in a 60-month plan, I had to make 61-payments because my Trustee wanted me to pay a few extra thousand dollars from a tax return.
As for how has my relationship with money changed, it isn't all that different compared to before or during my Chapter 13; the two largest differences are the rewards based credit cards I now have versus the non-rewarding debit card I used prior to my discharge, and the fact my income has gone up by nearly two and a half times since I filed in 2015.
As for relationships both personal and professional, yes, things have changed; there have been virtually zero changes to my personal relationships except the ones which would have happened regardless of my financial situation, professionally, yeah, big changes there. My former business partner of over 30 years spent me into my bankruptcy; I now work for a large multinational corporation, and if the stars align, I'll be working for one of the largest companies in the world by June, so by definition, my professional relationships have taken a different course had I not been forced to file.
@coreyb80 wrote:For me I had to learn things the hard way to appreciate where I am today. I filed 13 in 2016 and was able to obtain a solid a rebuild during the process with some reputable creditors. Problem is I also made more money from 2016 to 2023 and as a result thought that meant I could spend more. Needless to say, I ran up a crazy credit card tab along with missing some tax payments and now I'm back in 13 again as of February 2024. This go round, I've learned to live minimally and every want doesn't tranlate to a need. This go round I'm on a 100% payback plan. Like the OP I've learned unsecured credit is a luxury not a necessity. I have my Excel spreadsheet that I use monthly with my budget. Looking forward to being done with this before 50.
Good for you, I was 57 when I filed, so yeah, I'll be working until I'm in my 70s to afford a comfortable retirement.
@coreyb80 wrote:Better late than never is the motto that keeps me moving! Here's to hoping retirement comes sooner than later!!
Probably later, or even later than later. 
In fact, for the last couple of months I've interviewed for a few new jobs; the one I want the most is with one of the largest tech companies in the world, and today I found out my application, and all of the notes from the half-dozen folks I've interviewed with, is being forwarded to the hiring committee; I should know in a few weeks.
@Horseshoez wrote:
@coreyb80 wrote:Great to hear! You'll get it!!
Thanks @coreyb80!
Quick update, Google HR reached out to me today and verbally gave me my offer; I told them I'd accept the it without changes, and was told they'll have an official Offer Letter in my hands either late this week or early next week. It feels kind of strange being well past retirement age and being offered such a cool job.