The broken economy is hitting everyone hard, and if you're thinking about filing bankruptcy, you're not alone.

The headline of today's Contra Costa Times featured a story about the huge increase in bankruptcy filings all over the San Francisco Bay Area.  Filings by Alameda and Contra Costa county residents increased 59% over last year, filings by San Francisco, San Mateo, and San Joaquin county residents increased 62%, and filings in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito increased by 50%. 

The article notes that even people with higher incomes - over $150,000 - are being forced to declare bankruptcy due to large debt and their inability to get modifications to their home loans.

One of the biggest things that prevents people from declaring bankruptcy is the perceived stigma attached.  We're conditioned to think about bankruptcy as synonomous with failure.  As something only "irresponsible" people do.  Perhaps you hold these beliefs yourself.  I ask you to let that belief system go.

This article is proof positive that thousands of good people - just like you - are declaring bankruptcy in droves right now.  They're not failures.  They're not irresponsible.  They're doing the very best they can in a very ugly financial world. 
Take comfort in knowing you are not alone.  Declare bankruptcy if you feel it is right for you.  And go forward, unburdened, with a fresh start and new hope for the future.