Many people are filing for Bankruptcy as a result of the mortgage crisis and the down turn in the economy. In many cases a bankruptcy will take more than a year to complete. Once the bankruptcy court rules on your bankruptcy and discharges your debts you will be essentially debt free. Many people who file for bankruptcy find to their surprise that a the less a bankruptcy does remove most of your debt allowing you to get back on your feet.
Once the bankruptcy court publishes the record of the debt discharge these records become part of the public record that is available to anyone. There are many bankruptcy marketing firms that gather this information in order to develop a bankruptcy list. These lists are then sold to other bankruptcy marketing companies that market financial information to the people who had their debt discharged approved.
These bankruptcy marketing firms develop various offers that include bankruptcy credit card info. This information is mailed to everyone that is on the bankruptcy mailing list. Much of this information contains scams or traps for unsuspecting people who are desperate to acquire a credit card or consumer credit. In many cases these marketing schemes will cause a recently bankrupt person without any debt to suddenly find that they are back in financial trouble.
If a person is wise they will send all these mailed offers right to the trash. There is no reason to apply for any credit card shortly after bankruptcy. Most credit counselors will advise people to live on a cash basis for at least 2 years after their debt was discharged. Spending cash causes a psychological change in spending habits. Many people will actual feel pain when paying for their groceries with cash. Studies have shown that buying groceries with cash causes the buyer to spend between 15 and 18 percent less than when using a credit or debit card.
Once you have gotten your budget under control you might consider adding a debit card that is tied to your bank account. Most debit cards are also carry the VISA or MasterCard logo on them and can be used just as a credit card. This allows you to make purchases on line or over the phone. You should have a separate account just for the debit card. This will protect you from someone taking your card and emptying your account. You only keep enough money in the account to cover your planned purchases. Do not follow the advice of bankruptcy marketing firms and get a credit card.
Again you must avoid all the bankruptcy credit card offers that you receive in the mail. The best thing to do is just throw them away. Bankruptcy marketing firms are only offering credit cards with high interests and fees. They also have additional conditions which are traps that may cause you to get into financial trouble again. Just say no to bankruptcy marketing firm offers.