The Road Out of Debt: Bankruptcy and Other Solutions to Your Financial Problems

Conclusion: The Road Worth Taking

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

—Chinese proverb

When you start out on the road out of debt, you'll need to take a hard look at your financial situation to determine what remedies and resources to pursue. Picking up this book was a giant step in the right direction. Finishing this book means you now have the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions to get out of debt without the confusion and intimidation that so many people experience.

We've shown you the road out of debt but you must make your own way through the long stretches, turns, roadblocks, and other obstacles that stand in the way of your destination: freedom from debt. As Americans, we are under constant pressure to spend, spend, spend ... and to use our credit rather than hard-earned cash. Living a life free from debt means you have to resist that pressure and stand your ground as a financially responsible person.

If you decide that bankruptcy is your best route out of debt, you will need to plan. Planning for a bankruptcy case can mean the difference between a successful and unsuccessful case. The choice to file for bankruptcy is a serious one: consider the timing, different types of bankruptcy, the prerequisites to eligibility, and your duties as a debtor in a bankruptcy case. By this point in the book, you know that we strongly recommend consulting with a competent bankruptcy lawyer to best understand your legal rights and obligations. With all this ...