Use Your Tax Refund to Help Your New Year's Resolution

A couple of years back, I resolved to try to get in better shape. Being in my mid-50s, I had made this resolution several times during my life. What I have learned is that making the resolution is easy. It is keeping the resolution that is the hard part.

Trying to keep on track, I stopped at the local YMCA on my way home from work tonight to get in some time on the elliptical machine. What struck me while there is that it is only the second week in February and the crowds that were there the first of the year have already started to thin out. Many people who had resolved to get in better shape for the new year had packed the YMCA and other health facilities in early January but most have them had apparently already given up. I hope that some of them will get a "second wind" and follow through on the resolutions that they made.

In the first week of 2016, my partner Amy Tanner encouraged people dealing with financial stress to "resolve to relieve that stress in the coming 365 days and start a clean slate with [their] credit and financial future". She encouraged people to evaluate their current debt and take action to eliminate bills that had become out of control. People with overwhelming debt need to seek the advice of an experienced consumer bankruptcy attorney to see if the debt can be dealt with through a chapter seven straight bankruptcy or chapter thirteen debt consolidation plan. In our conveniently located offices, we offer a free and confidential consultation during which you can get answers from one of our experienced attorneys. If we think that bankruptcy is your best option, we will quote you a fair and reasonable fee to complete the process.

So how do you pay for a bankruptcy if you are already having trouble paying the bills that you have? The answer may be the tax refund that you will be receiving in the next few weeks. Many people use their refunds to "catch up" on minimum payments but still have overwhelming debt remaining. Others use the money to make a "down payment" on a new car resulting in yet another monthly payment. Instead of simply continuing the cycle of debt, why not use your refund to finally GET OUT OF DEBT. You may have resolved at the first of the year to get your finances in order. Now is the time to follow through on your resolution.

Don't wait until next year. Before you spend your refund, make an appointment to meet with one of our attorneys to explore your options. We will help you get in good financial shape for 2016!