Bankruptcy vacated

(On mobile so sorry if the format is weird.) Long story short, I (22F) am stuck. Like, stuck stuck. My Mom (50’sF) has been unemployed for a couple of years now, and in the beginning I agreed to pay for all of her bills until either she or my brother got a job to help me out because what 20 something wants to give their entire paycheck to their mom? Well that’s exactly what I’m doing. She has lymphedema, and that’s not her fault but my family has spent thousands of dollars on equipment and treatments to fix it but she gets demotivated and stops trying after awhile, it’s to the point she struggles to get in and out of the car. Meanwhile my brother (20M) does nothing but play roblox all night and talk to his friends on discord. Sure he helps around the house sometimes but every time my mom picks me up from work (no car. Tried saving but my mom got into bankruptcy debt so all of it went to that. Which I’m also paying for and I guess she goes to jail if I stop.) she complains about how her legs are getting worse and it makes me so frustrated because your unemployed son is right there! Let him help you, I’m at work literally all day and can’t do anything about it. I did in the beginning, but if I’d kept doing it we would’ve been homeless by now cause I’m the only one out of the three working. I tried showing my bro how to wrap her legs but he always had an excuse not to do it. Anyways, that’s not even the big issue- my girlfriend (24F) wants me to move in with her, but she’s about 21 hours away by car and I have no idea what to do. I’ve always dreamed about getting out of here- my bros always been the favorite and I know that my mom only started being nice to me because I’m funding her lifestyle. Would I be a bad person if I just left? It would be a rug pull sure but everyone here is extremely religious and don’t think I should move out until I’ve got a husband or whatever. Not to mention my coworker has vacation in November and is counting on me to cover his shift but I’m just so tired. At this point it might just be easier to kms. Any advice would be helpful, please. I’m supposed to be moving in June. I love this girl, and I want to go there so bad but will I even be able to live with the guilt? Am I a bad person for even thinking about it? I’m so tired. I keep begging for help but I guess I have to save myself, if I can. I don’t know what to do.

Long story, sorry, please bear with me.
I met my bestie Emma and her friend in college and we became an inseparable trio.
Emma never took her academics seriously and bunked the exam despite our appeals. Me and our bestie graduated and got a job in the same company, unintentionally. She's in accounts & I'm in web design.
Few weeks later, I got married to my bf and Emma started dating a creepy guy and he said he wants to meet me, the bestie. She introduced me to him in a cafe. In front of her, he grabbed my arm and told me to "dump my husband" I pushed him away and ran home. Emma apologized to me and disclosed that she had sent him my pictures and told him how awesome her best friend is. I asked her to block him for her and my safety and politely, never share my details with any guy. She agreed and thanked me for forgiving.
We girls planned a vacation. 2 days before the flight, Emma texts at midnight "I'm not coming. I'm too fat for the trip". I went over, comforted her, "it's ok, be confident, don't cancel the trip. You're beautiful, what about all the outfits we purchased? Talk to me, I'm always here"
That was the turning point of our friendship. In the days that followed, she mocked me, "you're skinny, all male bosses favour you and that's why you got the job. My Walmart part time job is more difficult than your designing" I laughed if off as a joke.
vacation- she almost came empty handed. No cash, no sunscreen, no towels. Didn't carry any outfits we'd planned and refused to go sightseeing, stayed in her room.
We convinced her to go to the beach. There, her footwear broke, I asked the resort employee to check if they have any guest flipflops in her size, as the market is far away.
She got angry "how dare you ask me to wear this waiter's flipflops" I said, "No, they always have new spare onesp for guests. I am not asking you to wear HIS (waiters) footwear! I am just worried about you walking barefoot on the hot sand!!"
She went back to her room angrily.
Later That night, I asked her if she's feeling okay. she accused me of "pitying" her and perceiving her as depressed. Citing the night I went to her home to comfort her. She took a jibe at my husband, "he is too innocent and simple, otherwise he wouldn't have been with someone like "you"
I was very offended and had enough. I confronted her abt everything she'd done lately. Our common friend agreed with me. We yelled at each other, apologised, and life was good again.
Months later- my family went through bankruptcy and we lost our home. I wanted to meet my friends and tell them what happened.
Emma refused to talk, saying she's too busy. On the group chat, our common friend texted-
"Emma- Why are you so distant? She needs our help, Why didn't you come yesterday?"
Emma responds- hmm, she (I) didn't call me personally.
"Emma she just lost her home, do you need special requests to go help your bestie?"
Emma blocked us both, Instantly, on all social media. I didn't go to her home to ask her what happened because I was upset too and had a lot of cope with. Emma didn't block my husband and our friend's bf, she continued to "like" their posts. Eventually they removed her.
It's been 9 months without any contact. I think she has always hated me secretly. But I feel like I need to confront her and ask if our friendship ever meant anything to her.
What should I do? Move on or try to contact her? Sorry for the long post and thank you for reading.

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Synopsis:
Juliette Contzen is a lazy, good-for-nothing princess. Overshadowed by her siblings, she's left with little to do but nap, read … and occasionally cut the falling raindrops with her sword. Spotted one day by an astonished adventurer, he insists on grading Juliette's swordsmanship, then promptly has a mental breakdown at the result.
Soon after, Juliette is given the news that her kingdom is on the brink of bankruptcy. At threat of being married off, the lazy princess vows to do whatever it takes to maintain her current lifestyle, and taking matters into her own hands, escapes in the middle of the night in order to restore her kingdom's finances.
Tags: Comedy, Adventure, Action, Fantasy, Copious Ohohohohos.
Chapter 240: Private Gallery
My, how quaint.
An underground maze.
If it wasn’t dark towers laden with bats, it was underground mazes filled to the brim with all the upholstery recovered from the Summer Solstice Festival’s annual bonfire.
Here beneath a barn utilised as little more than a cellar door, black was still the new black. An unending panorama of dark embroidery and furnishings to match any budding empress’s humble beginnings, ensuring I remained busy offering all the slightly different variations of wrinkling my nose could perform.
The porcelain vases featuring motifs of the wrong season? A mild scrunch. The candelabras burning below 98% of their height instead of being immediately replaced? Hints of a sneeze. The golden silk carpets clearly stolen from the cathedrals of the Holy Church? … A nod of my head.
But what I could have no complaints about was a door still swinging upon its hinges.
Poetry in motion, it painted the picture of a baroness desperate in her haste to stumble over her dress as much as humanly possible. Excellent news. We didn’t need to break another door today.
A surprise.
After all, the baroness seemed intent on breaking everything herself.
Bwoomph.
The sound of a heavy object being dropped came crashing through.
And then another. And another.
A commotion to rival the scuffling of two rival sons at our reception hall. The cadence of chairs, small tables and then backsides falling to the ground as insults became slaps and slaps became a scene of disgrace, all the while my sisters and I watched and snacked on the walnuts.
Sadly for the baroness, I chose not to stand idly by as she roughly squirrelled away her stolen possessions. And neither did Coppelia, who rubbed her hands together in gleeful expectation.
It was still the most innocent gesture she’d ever made.
“Should we let her gather up the loot pile some more?” she asked brightly.
I shook my head at once, my nose aching from the ceaseless wrinkling.
“Absolutely not. Even a moment is too long in this burrow.”
“We could double back and ominously stamp our feet to make her go faster, too.”
“Or we could merely offer our supervision instead. Come. It’s time to end our stay in the countryside. As well as this baroness’s grand misadventure.”
Already dreaming of my bed, I lightly pushed the door open.
A moment later, I was met by the sight of an adventurer’s most wanton dream come to life.
Within the centre of a bedroom chamber, chests laden with silver and gold crowns sat waiting for the first lout to claim as hardship expenses for chasing cats in an endless circle. The chests gleamed with an organised lustre, winking in unison as though counted and arranged to the coin.
It was a sight which contrasted with the desperate movements of the baroness.
Only brief snippets of her could be seen as she went to-and-fro in another room, accessed through a parted bookcase. Through the opening, I heard hints of calamity. Heavy banging as objects crashed to the floor, joined by the sound of ragged breathing to match a servant dashing up and down my bedroom tower to fetch grapes for me in quantities of one.
“Haah … haahh … hahhh …”
And now my curiosity was kindled.
Things worth more than chests of crowns. What could she possess, I wonder?
Sweeping past the gleaming pile of silver and gold, I made my way towards the parted bookcase, and then peeked through to see our baroness performing one last act of defiance.
With her golden hair as dishevelled as her dress, she was kneeling beside an assembled pile of what were unmistakably paintings. A veritable mountain of them, all framed in gilded brass. The scent of oil, watercolours and various pigments struck me more than any whiff of alcohol I’d experienced today.
Clearly a gallery of sorts. A secondary trove of treasure, but no less valuable. Rare paintings were worth their weight in silver and gold as much as any of the coins gathered in the chamber.
And also, to my horror, much easier to destroy.
“Haah … haahhh … hahhhhh …”
The baroness didn’t even notice our presence.
So absorbed was she in her final act of petulance, her only concern was to raise her feeble arms, weakened by all the disdain it required to gather so many heavy paintings in one spot.
All to set it alight.
With a look of desperation on her face, she raised a single candle, readying to set the oil upon the canvasses ablaze.
“Noooooope~”
“–Aah?!”
The same candle which was promptly plucked from her hand by Coppelia, who required no prompting to stop the destruction of precious treasure.
The baroness jolted in shock at Coppelia’s sudden appearance behind her, and even more so at the playful smile leaning towards her. A heartbeat later, she swiped at the candle, tearing away the topmost half. But it was too late.
The flame had already been extinguished.
“Noo … nooooooooooooo!!”
The baroness cupped her hands around the top, offering a tiny breath as she hoped to ignite it like the fading embers of a hearthfire.
She failed.
I took a step into the hidden gallery, ready to offer the coup de grâce to round off this minor detour into my countryside. A final reminder to my kingdom’s nobility, that whatever their rank, none were too lowly to be ignored.
“Ohhohohohohoho … how pitiable,” I said, my hand barely covering my lips. “Instead of a vain attempt to flee, you choose mindless destruction instead. I suppose I’ve no grounds to fault on this. You were wildly successful. Only that it was your own schemes which came to ruin.”
I gazed at the crumpled heap of the baroness as she turned around.
Her grey eyes widened as she viewed me.
All of a sudden, what colour remained upon her face drained to the point where if she threw herself on her bed, she’d be invisible against the white linen. Her only method of escape remaining.
It certainly wasn’t in the gurgling she made.
“Ah … n-no … wait …”
Her voice petered out, whatever words she spoke fading like a mousy squeak in the distance.
Ugh. The standards I endured.
Despite attempting a final act of spite, she didn’t even have enough vigour left in her to transfer that into the most cursory of insults.
“Now, this right here is what separates the barony from the city nobility,” I said, well and truly exasperated. “You may despise your peers, but know that Lady Tolent and Duke Valence at least performed their roles as expected. They were rude until the end. You’ve a considerable amount to learn.”
With a sigh, I took a step towards the mound of portraits.
Given what I’d seen so far, I doubted if any painting here was worth what the baroness deemed worthy enough to hide away like a dragon’s favoured treasure. But I was open to being pleasantly surprised.
Who knows? Perhaps she’d pilfered more than carpets from the Holy Church.
However–
“Wait!!!!!”
The baroness scrambled to her feet, arms raised as she blocked my path.
Despite her sudden burst of life, no colour returned to her face. It was like a ghoul raised as a puppet, desperately heeding the command of its owner.
“You … You can’t look!” she said, quivering. “None of this … none of this is for you!”
My mouth widened at the gall.
… Why, so she did have some insult left in her!
To insinuate I wasn’t worthy of judging these paintings was far more wounding than any generic disdain she could level against my superior wealth, standing, beauty and shape of my hair!
After all, I was exceptionally confident in my curating skills!
Anything less would see my own works being met by a chorus of snivelling! Amongst all who resided in my kingdom, it wasn’t traitors who were the most fearless to my ire! It was art critics!
“E-Excuse me! Rest assured that I’m more than capable of judging the qualities of any painting! When it comes to my assessment of art, my valuation leaves no detail unturned!”
Somehow, the baroness paled even more. Her eyes quivered like ponds in a gale.
A moment later–
“You can’t!!!!”
She threw herself at me.
A slow, lumbering tackle to match her anaemic state. I stepped to the side as she hurled herself past me, falling to a heap by Renise’s feet.
The maid looked down. She didn’t wear a single hint of animosity. Only pity and sorrow. Truly, she was too kind to ever have been in the nobility. I feared for her current role.
Still, I gave a sigh, before leaning over the mountain of paintings.
“Uwah~ this is a new one.”
As the light from the doorway fell upon it, Coppelia offered a hint of what was to be expected. She wore a peculiar expression, her smile oddly fixed as she gazed down at the nearest one to face upright.
I joined her.
And then–
“Hmm.”
I blinked as I assessed it.
A moment later, I glanced over those nearby. And then those nearby them.
Not only paintings. But portraits.
All featuring the same subject. A girl with long, dark hair and vivid eyes.
Many featured a dress hinting at a summer’s day. Shafts of golden sunlight was a common theme, along with a backdrop of a pristine tea table, laden with a familiar array of confectionery. Carrot madeleines and carrot cakes. The same ones I tactically placed for everyone else to eat at my mandatory tea parties.
Indeed. That made sense.
Since this was assuredly my tea table being presented. And that girl with a pleasant smile, unblemished features, a regal bearing and warmth radiating from her very presence was me.
I dug inside the mountain of portraits, lifting up another at random.
Yes.
It was me. Again.
In fact–
Every single portrait in this heap was of me.
At least a hundred or more. All framed and recently placed upon the walls of a hidden room. A private gallery to a baroness–one who was a keen painter. A corner had been transformed into a small workshop. Unlike the one found in her tavern, this one was far more organised. Easels and brushes were neatly tidied away, cared for as much as the paintings that had been created here.
“Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!”
Ignoring the cry of despair behind me, I gazed at the heap of paintings, hand against my cheek as I considered the sight.
A short hum was all I required.
I turned to the stricken baroness upon the floor, her mouth wide as she waited for my judgement.
And then–
“Oho …”
I began to laugh.
“Ohoho … ohhohohoho …”
But this was no mocking laugh which spilled from my lips.
No … it was a laugh of pure delight.
“Ohhhohohoohhohohoohhohohoo!!”
True, nothing here was fit to be placed upon the Royal Villa’s walls. But few paintings were. This didn’t mean they were without merit. On the contrary, even a surface level impression of my face was worth more crowns than even a mosaic of the Grand Duchess completed by a thousand master painters.
But while better artists than her had painted me, few had painted more.
And this I could use.
Why … with this many paintings, I could fill up Soap Island with my imagery!
I could ensure that every tunnel possessed my permanent smile and watching eyes!
No matter where the soap miners hid, seeking respite from their days of hard labour and repentance, they could be met by the sight of my angelic face reminding them that I know and judge their every moment of unsupervised rest!
How … How wonderful!!!!
“A 7/10,” I declared. “Individually, they range between passable and acceptable. Except this one. There is something wrong with the nose. But when taken as an entire collection, the overall composition is greater than the sum of its parts. Alone, each is a verse describing a princess forced to adhere to her mandatory tea parties even as summer blooms a window away. But together, it is the sonata of a princess who continues in her duties without care to repetition or fatigue, reminding those whose hands falter when they should be mining soap that I do not rest, and so neither will they. Not an overly complex message, but then I wouldn’t wish it to be lost.”
Thus, I clapped my hands together in satisfaction.
“... Indeed, I shall put these portraits to excellent use!”
I waited for the gasp of relief which usually came with any of my scores which didn’t plunge into negative numbers. The baroness would not be destroyed by the world of fine art. Only ignored. The baseline criticism. She’d survive.
Providing, of course, that she ever woke from her stupor.
Looking down, I was appalled to see all the light had vacated her eyes.
Far from offering her gratitude, she lay collapsed in an untidy heap upon the floor, her body prone and motionless, her expression locked in morbid embarrassment, and with no signs of life other than the trail of drool which began to leak from the edge of her lips.
“Wow~” said Coppelia, leaning down to poke her cheeks. “You managed to kill her with just the laugh.”
I was appalled.
If this was the reaction to my satisfaction, I may as well be disappointed! That was always easier!
“C-Coppelia! I didn’t kill her! … Why, anyone who dies looking so slovenly would come back to life just to fix themselves!”
Also kneeling beside the fallen baroness, Renise gently shook the girl’s shoulder. Only a weak gurgling came out, wishing for an eternal night.
After a moment, Renise sent a slightly pained smile towards me.
“Um, by any chance … do you not have any thoughts regarding seeing so many portraits of yourself?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well … do you not find it odd?”
I looked at her in puzzlement.
“... No? Why would that be odd? Isn’t it natural that people would wish to paint me? I’m a princess. And an excellent one, too. Better me than a fruit bowl, surely.”
Renise blinked … just before raising her hand to her lips in a small giggle.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
Words which advanced her on my family’s career ladder exponentially. I nodded profusely.
Mreoow.
At least until an unexpected sound filled the air.
I looked around in puzzlement.
“... Did I hear a cat?”
“Mmh~” Coppelia pointed towards the faux-vault door we’d passed. “More than one. There’s a whole bunch being kept nearby. It smells terrible.”
I threw up my arms in exasperation.
Why, no wonder the baroness sought the bliss of unconsciousness! It was to evade my utter disbelief!
The absolute state of my kingdom’s schemers!
First Trierport! Now Hartzwiese! To think it was an epidemic!
Just what were these people doing?! Truly, it’s one thing to undermine my kingdom. But that was a pale crime compared to their feat of singlehandedly fuelling the existence of the Adventurer’s Guild!
“It must be Tantrum and Peppy,” said Renise, far less aggrieved. “As well as all the others.”
I directed my bewilderment towards her instead.
“What is a … Tantrum and a Peppy?”
“They’re the names of the deputy guildmaster’s cats. The ones she was looking for. We should ensure they’re rescued before the night is done.”
I shook my head rapidly. No, no, no, no.
“I am not rescuing cats.”
“Hm? … Why not? Isn’t that the job of adventurers?”
“No, that’s the job of drunkards who mistake the commissions plastered on walls for requests to save a kidnapped princess. Besides, cats hardly need rescuing. Whatever bonds they find themselves in, they’re more than capable of slipping free by their own endless guile.”
Indeed, our only danger was that we tripped over a lazing cat hidden in the shade!
It’s a wonder they hadn’t escaped already. By the time we were done, I fully expected to see cats causing anarchy as they reclaimed the town, mewing from rooftop and windowsill with barely held contempt for the very people who fed them!
… Why, they should be ashamed!
“I see …” said Renise, with a hum of uncertainty. “Well, I suppose they’re known for their self-sufficiency. But even so, I feel that we shouldn’t leave them in the chance that their artfulness fails. There’s a very dangerous forest between here and the town.”
Coppelia clapped her hands together.
Her interest in the baroness severed, she leaned towards her next source of amusement, her smile alive with all the usual colours of the mischief rainbow.
“That’s right~ cats are pretty smart, right? There’s no way they’ll be caught by the slobbering horrors devoid of mercy and compassion which I kept from eating us.”
“Coppelia, you frightened them away with sticks.”
“Exactly. Sticks thrown using opposable thumbs which cats lack. And that means they know where they are on the food tree. They’re gonna stay here where it’s safe, waiting for the dumb humans to come fetch them like they always do, even though cats do nothing but hiss and scratch at them.”
I gave a cautious nod … all the while leaning further away.
“Yes, well, I’m glad you agree. We’ve no need to lift a finger to rescue them.”
“Mmh~ but even so, aren’t you willingly leaving gold on the table?”
“Excuse me?”
“I bet every cat has a poster somewhere up in the Adventurer’s Guild. That’s a whole bunch of change you’re leaving lying around that could be used for our apple strudel budget.”
I was aghast.
Not only at the suggestion our funds went entirely towards the apple strudels she ate before I could even touch them … but also because I knew exactly what Coppelia was doing!
My keen eyes could see through her deep subterfuge!
True, it was only prudent to ensure our personal finances were as secure as possible … but even so!
I had my pride!
In my darkest dreams, I still recalled the shame of rescuing a warehouse of cats in Trierport! There was no scenario in which I’d willingly suffer such humiliation again! Once my dignity was stripped, what was I, but a beautiful maiden without equal?
Indeed, I had no doubt in my mind!
I, Juliette Contzen, 3rd Princess to the Kingdom of Tirea, would absolutely not resort to saving lost cats!
“The Adventurer’s Guild will never be happier,” said Coppelia brightly. “I bet that in less than a day, a literal army of adventurers will be swooping in to claim all the free cats for themselves. They’ll be everywhere. Literally everywhere. Productivity will be at its highest. You’ll be actively supporting the livelihoods of all those guys you see drinking themselves into a coma!”
Renise blinked, then looked at me with an expression filled with new warmth.
“Oh, I see! You intend to leave these cats behind to be collected by new adventurers. That’s very thoughtful of you. I understand now. This must be how high-ranked adventurers help their juniors progress and gain confidence in their skills.”
Renise filled the ensuing silence with her smile.
And then–
She slowly waved a hand in front of my face.
“... Miss Coppelia, why isn’t she responding?”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. Her cogs get stuck every now and again.”
“I see … ? Should we do something or … ?”
“Mmh~ I’ll scoop up the striped ones! You get the normal ones!”
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I feel a sense of accomplishment and other emotions today, thinking back on the bad and good choices I've made to get to this point, and how this will change future behaviors and habits. I ran up a lot of debt on credit cards via cash advances gambling, and brushed it all aside since I was getting raises/bonuses at work pretty regularly, but it was never enough to keep up with my problem there. Getting divorced (surprisingly not related to this situation) really got me to the point I needed to file though, as I was essentially paying for two households at that point, and couldn't keep up with even min payments on all the debt.
But I wised up, found a good ch 13 lawyer who knew the local system/trustees/etc, and followed the lawyer's advice, word for word.
Now the waiting game to get the discharge complete paperwork. 60 months later, it started off slow but flew by the last couple years. Once you adjust you get used to it and keep looking at the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.
Lessons learned...
You really re-learn how to deal with money, it forces you to. Not sure if 5 years is necessary, I probably could have "figured it out" in 6-12 months, but I get they want to get as much of their $ back as they can. But re-framing how you see money is the real goal here, right? I get some people will get discharged and go right back to doing whatever they did before, but I think this is the main lesson learned.
It's been an interesting 5 years, especially since I've gotten numerous raises and bonuses (most of which never saw my bank account) - that's been the hardest part for me. I would have liked to have taken the family on some nicer vacations or upgraded some things at home, but, I get the way this works.
My lawyer set me up with the TFS auto-payment system, instead of getting a wage order at work, so as not to potentially draw attention to the bankruptcy, and it was very easy. Just like an auto-payment coming out of my checking account the same day every month, plus a few bucks tacked on for convenience factor. If you work in a job where reputation is important, you may want to consider this and ask your lawyer if it is possible to use TFS instead of garnishing wages. I know the lawyer had to make the motion/request/whatever it's called and get that approved early on in the payment plan after I had been making direct/manual payments through the trustee's website up til that point.
Overall it was the best choice given my circumstances - which I will hopefully never need to deal with again.
Now on to buying a house...

I finished 2.2 main story a few days ago, so I headed back to Dreamflux Reef, planning to talk to every NPCs, exhaust all dialogues, complete every side quests, hidden quests, find all birds etc. On the surface, we escaped from Ena's Dream, defeated the boss and fulfilled Mikhail's final, long-awaited wish, happy ending, right? The aftermath, Dreamflux Reef and side missions tell a different story, I will go over each one I encountered so far:
Gallagher and his Pet, Dormancy:
Gallagher has completed the task entrusted to him and presumably ceased to exist. His pet, Dormancy can later be found in SoulGlad Scorchsand Audition Venue near the end of adventure mission: Scorchsand Vacation, presumably looking for his owner.
Dr. Blues, aka Orla, a former Nightingale Dreamweaver.
Dr. Blues's Great Tree, Dreamflux Reef
The quest Dream Song is a bit of a bittersweet one,>! 3 of his ill-fated friends met their demise at some point in their life. His fourth friend, Fischer failed to convince Orla to come back and later passed away due to sudden illness. !!Orla !< join his long dead companions or wake him up.
Jessie:
Jessie's Snack, Dreamflux Reef
If you ask her about has she ever met any interesting customers, she would tell you there used to be an old man (Mikhail) who came by regularly and how he indirectly saved her from bankruptcy.
Lightcone "For Tomorrow's Journey":
For Tomorrow's Journey
Well, self explanatory, especially after knowing the other two's fate (Especially Tiernan):
"The youthful silhouettes of these Nameless get gradually swallowed by memoria. "Have a... safe... trip...please..." When the conductor turns their head, the Express is already empty. The conductor stand frozen, this scene hauntingly familiar, as if lived through countless times before."
There's also Robin who's looking for clue of her brother's whereabouts after the main quest and a couple minor ones where NPCs talk about how Dreamflux Reef used to be more livid.
https://preview.redd.it/1c2k5zkkus0d1.jpg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2fb907bd2844291bfef4ee758c77033696892ed2
Well, that's all I found so far, there might be more.
...Were all these also written by Shaoji?

Heads up - I wrote a longer than anticipated into to this topic...if you want to skip the background and get to the meat, you can skip to the list toward the bottom!
Background:
My childhood was a pretty typical middle-class, suburban existence.
I went to public schools growing up. I went to an average state university. My dad passed while I was in college and my mom was a public school teacher so I was more or less on my own to figure life out after my dad passed.
I share that because cruising often and being able to afford to stay in suites is relatively new for us.
I'm an entrepreneur and when COVID started we were on the verge of bankruptcy, not just my business, but my personal finances as well.
I had quit my last corporate job in the tech industry 4 years earlier and hadn't taken a paycheck since. We were surviving on my wife's teacher's salary and the savings and retirement I'd built after a decade in the soulless troughs of corporate BS.
After 4 years of not paying myself while trying to raise two kids, a mortgage, and living the American dream we were at the end of our ropes financially.
I'd drained my retirement (I never touched my wife's incase something ever happened to me), drained our savings, and racked up $250k in credit card debt.
Just as COVID was beginning, I came home from the office one day, handed my wife a credit card, and looked her in the eyes holding back tears and told her, "there's $400 in this account before it's maxed out - buy all the groceries you can because I don't know when I'll have anymore money for us."
Faced with $250k in CC debt, if I couldn't turn things around we were going to going to have to claim bankruptcy so with nothing to lose, I cashed out our home equity as one final cash infusion into the business before closing shop and starting over financially.
With the money from that loan, I resolved to do three things:

1. I hired a business coach to figure out why despite growing revenue, we couldn't make consistent profits. ___
2. We're located in a rural community so we expanded into a much larger city 90 minutes from us...my hope here was that I didn't know how long the shutdown was going to last (it definitely hit us hard early in the pandemic), but by marketing to a larger area we'd hopefully be able to make enough money to survive. ___
3. I was going to finally begin paying myself after 4 years of not taking a paycheck and reinvesting everything into the business. ___ I've been extremely fortunate that this was a turning point in my business. In the 4 years since then we've grown by nearly 1,000% and we're now making a very healthy profit and I've built the business to where it runs without me (I work 8-12 hours/week on the business on high-level activities, primarily guiding my leadership team and handling the financials + some tech innovations periodically as I identify them). I've repaid all of our debt and I'm working on rebuilding our retirement while investing a percentage of the profits into building a new business (one that will be less employee intensive).

This is all relevant because this has put me in a place where we can afford to cruise often (6-8 weeks/year) + I have the luxury (privilege honestly) of not having to worry about PTO.
Side Note: For those of you who hate capitalists like me - my lowest paid employee last year made $50k (+ full benefits) in an area where the median income is only $33k...half of my team made $100k+. We're quite possibly the highest paying company in our region (definitely in our industry) and as a result have extremely low turnover and I'm able to hire the best of the best so we have an excellent culture.
So back to the main reason for this post - having the opportunity to cruise often, about 75% of the time in suites, I've noticed the folks we meet and interact with in the suites tend to fall in one of six categories:

1. The Status Cruiser: These are the folks we all see on social media and unfortunately on cruise ships whose entire identity is wrapped up in their loyalty status and their suite class. They are absolutely the main character and its of absolute importance to them that everybody know this. You can typically spot them from across the room before you even talk to them because they're dressed to the 9s and carry themselves in a way completely stereotypical of what you'd expect from somebody who truly believes their farts smell like roses. ___
2. The Retirees: There's a good amount of overlap between this persona and the Status Cruisers mentioned above, but they're not all like this. The ones who don't overlap with the previous group tend to be extremely friendly and I've had many great conversations with them learning about their life experiences as they share the wisdom they've picked up over the years to help me along on my own journey. They tend to stick to the recommended dress codes and are sometimes put off by people who don't share the same motivations for structure and etiquette. ___
3. The Bucket List Cruisers: These folks often save money for years, pinching pennies so they can afford what may very well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them sailing in a suite. They often want to squeeze as much value out of the suites as they can since they may never be in one again (I don't fault them for that...make the most of it!). They're often dressed to the 9s as well but sometimes appear less comfortable in the various social situations you find in the suite areas (i.e. grabbing a drink in a lounge, having a nice dinner in the suite restaurant, etc). ___
4. The YOLO Cruisers: I don't encounter these cruisers on every sailing, they're definitely more common during holiday sailings (i.e. Spring Break, Christmas, etc). These folks are living their best lives. The fellas are often wearing flip flops and neon tank tops and their wives/girlfriends in cut off jean shorts and a see-through cover-ups over their bikini tops. Fortunately they typically aren't over the top obnoxious, but they couldn't care less about any recommended dress codes or societal queues. They're there to have the time of their lives, everybody else be damned. ___
5. The DINKs: These couples are often from the LGBTQ+ community (not hating, just the reality), but not exclusively. They have good paying jobs and often are able to work remotely from the ship so they don't even need to use PTO. They typically keep to themselves and associate mostly with other DINKs. You can usually find them enjoying a drink in the suite lounges later in the evenings after a fun night out partying. One evening you may see them dressed to the 9s and the next they may be in beach attire - they march to the beat of their own drum but also don't really interrupt anybody's vacation (aside from maybe the folks in the first two categories who care more than they probably should about dress codes). ___
6. The Family Cruisers: There aren't many sailing in suites with kids, but the ones who do tend to have well-paying corporate jobs that they're not able to fully disconnect from (even on a cruise ship). They have good to great paying jobs but have limited vacation time so they prefer to pay a premium to make the most of their time off when they're able to get away. Often you'll see these parents responding to emails in-between parenting. You can sometimes catch them in the lounge grabbing a drink in the evenings after their kids have gone to bed for the evening. We fall into this category with two kids under the age of 10.

I don't know if this is interesting to you guys but I was randomly thinking about it earlier and thought some of you may find it of interest.
What do you think? Did I leave any categories out? Do you disagree?
Random food for thought! Whatever category you fall into, and whatever type of cabin you happen to cruise in, happy sails everybody!

Can my property management break my lease and ask me to vacate my apartment if I filed bankruptcy? I have never been late and my payments are up to date and I plan on continuing this way. TIA!

Throwaway.
I’m an overly anxious over-thinker by nature. I’m sure I’m not alone, but I worry about anything and everything, including things out of my control.
I recently received a CJO & filled out my SF-86.
I have a few things I’m worried about that might cause me to be denied clearance. It’s my own fault. It’s been a messy few years prior to going back to school.
My background is clean. No drugs, no credit card debt (only student loan debt), no missed credit car payments, no bankruptcy, no criminal history, etc.
I’ve been out of the country twice (both times to the Dominican Republic) for vacation in 2022 and 2023. I have no foreign contacts or anything like that.
Here’s where I’m worried:
I worked full time up until 2018. Lost a family member and spent some time in a pretty dark depression. Late October 2018 I started working part time, lived off of savings, and ended up enrolling in school in early 2020. Left that part-time job when Covid hit and focused on school. That same job (small company, 5-8 employees) thought I had a full on landscaping business (which I did not) and so they never asked me to full time. I also didn’t want a full time role, so I never clarified this. But it’s possible they bring it up if the investigator reaches out to them.
I landed another full time job in late 2020 and worked there til mid 2021 before leaving to focus on my final 2 years in school.
I was fortunate to have family support me while I was in school. So, I didn’t work from mid 2021 until I finished school at the end of 2023. Therefore, I didn’t file tax returns for 2022 and 2023.
That’s concern 1.
Concern 2:
I did try to start up a side gig cutting grass from 2017-2019. I only cut for 2 months in the summers and never made enough to report. It was kind of a go visit family, cut a couple yards while there - essentially gas money & some extra. But because I didn’t make enough, I didn’t report it on taxes. I also didn’t include this side gig on my SF-86 because it wasn’t a serious job. I didn’t want to come across as if I’m trying to upsell a “job” I had and fabricate my responsibilities.
Am I pretty much screwed for getting my clearance? My background investigator was assigned and asked me to reach out to my surrounding neighbors for their contact info since I didn’t have that in my SF-86. She said she will call me next week to schedule my interview.
I’m wondering if I should just withdraw before going through the process just to get denied?
I’m extremely anxious about this and it’s keeping me awake at night. I’m not one of those who can just “let it ride.”
Any help is greatly appreciated!

My father is very toxic, egotistical, selfish who only cared about himself.my mother is big time enabler that will do everything to keep the "peace" at home even if me and my future is crushed in the process.
When I was in lycée, my father only cared about moving to where his parents were from despite being some remote place in the country side were no basic infrastructure but he kept fighting us for years for this because of some childhood fantasy in his head, he even moved several times to that place but he couldn't handle. Imagine going home tired from school to only walk into a fight at home, or my father just randomly starts destroying stuff because he is angry, or one time you go home to find out that he wrote "للبيع" on our house. Or my mother telling me not to smile when entering the house.
I considered running away somewhere far away in my childhood several times and never coming back, walked 15 kilometers to my aunt several times just to get away from his mess.
Despite my rough childhood, I understood early on that no body will come to save me and that I need to fight for my self, I was beyond excellent in high school but I understood that I cannot rely on my father for so long I needed to finish my studies faster, so I avoided studying médecine and did engineering.
He kept bugging my mum to make me join the army or the police for a safe job so I can help out the family but I kept refusing and stood my ground because that was not something I want to do although I cave in several times and went to show my testicles to the police twice. But luckily I was not accepted despite reaching the final stage twice.
My father really never cared what I study or what I do or what are my goals, he only sees me as some worthless loser or probably a liability, actually he enjoys humiliating me in front of his friends to depict the picture of him being in control. In reality I kept despising him more with every insult.
Miserable years pass and I got the opportunity to leave the country directly to do my PFE in Germany and then I got a job there in a very cool company, I was being paid nicely compared to engineers in Tunisia. a money that would trigger some other problems with my father.
My father never really cared about me he always thought that I will study for few years and come back to stay at home to join the sea of unemployed people in Tunisia. Now I'm working, not only that as an engineer and not only that in Germany.
His language has changed, and also I needed to help my siblings, I needed my family to finally have some good life, I thought the problem with my father was money, I started rationalizing his behavior in the past ,I said he was like that because life was hard, I started sending money like crazy, kept few savings but sent them most of it, I was working like a dog and saving like there's no tomorrow.
Everything was stable and fine at home, I go on vacation and no major problems at home.
And then COVID-19 hit, companies started closing around me, crisis and unemployment. I needed to save some money for myself, I needed to have some peace of mind And then the language has changed again
My father expected me to work only for him way into my fourties, he doesn't want me to have my separate money, every time I fly to Tunisia, the same topic give us your savings. He even pin me against my brother who works in the government saying to him, he is getting rich while we stay where we are, although I bought land to my father and renovated the house and still send to this day monthly amount of money when he was at the brink of bankruptcy but he wanted more for himself and less for me.
He stopped taking care of my 2 other younger siblings, he stopped spending on the house and I stepped up.
Imagine going to visit your family abroad, no one waits for you in the airport each time, no one takes you to the airport, entering the house him and my brother no one from them both welcome me even if I stay for a whole year away, no calls in the Eid, Ramadan, when I'm sick, when I'm dead, pure silence from him and my brother.
My mother and my other 2 siblings either siding with me or caught in the middle, I don't really want them to engage in any of this, I want them to study and succeed
At this stage, I'm just indifferent and expect so little from people, I'm working on myself to become a better father, and I rarely remember my father, I don't hate him, I don't love him complete numbness, going to vacations in other countries and living my life.
As for him, his entitlement will get in the way for any self assessment, I never saw my father apologize for anything, and probably will never be, for him I'm the son that refused to be a slave and that's enough reason for him to hate me for life.
For my brother every time I see him I feel like he is about to explode because I did not fulfill his unreasonable demands .. because he thinks he is entitled to my life savings .. whatever..
The moral of the story, you can't fix your broken parents, you leave them alone.

Having read a comprehensive book detailing the Hart Family/ Stampede Wrestling, as well as books by Bret Hart, Bruce Hart and Dynamite Kid, I can say it was great to hear from someone who was spoken about in all those books. It is fascinating to see all the intersecting points of view when it comes to anything Hart Family related.
Bret Hart book
Bruce Hart book
History of Stampede Wrestling book
History of the Hart Family as documented in various books
Dynamite Kid book
This book was short and a quick read, but you could tell it was written with honesty and truth. She doesn't shy away from her own mistakes and issues while detailing the own POV on a relationship where most people have only heard from Bret.
As always, it's done in chronological order. I hope you find it as interesting as I did...
Julie had a truly wild and horrific youth experience between being sent to juvenile detention centers and dealing with genuinely abusive step parents. She is honest and critical of her own behaviors as well and doesn't like the choices she made. I grew up in the area where she spent her teenage years, and I can confirm that the seedy ghetto areas of Saskatchewan are genuinely gross and terrifying places to be when you're young and directionless.
She talks about how she was r*ped while hitchhiking as a teenager and got pregnant. She gave the baby up for adoption and tried to press charges but got cold feet and ran to another neighboring city. She was afraid the man who assaulted her would escape the charges and come after her again. She was young and naively thought that if she had just switched towns, she could escape everything. When a cop found her, he accused her of running because she was lying about the assault. This type of bullshit is why women don't come forward.
Julie was working in Regina, Saskatchewan, at the arena where wrestling was held when it came in town. That's where she first saw Bret Hart, and Bret saw her too. He ended up asking her boss Gil to introduce the two. Bret spoke about this in his book, too, how Julie caught his eye while he was in the ring. Gil later warned Julie that dating a wrestler is risky because they have a lot of "stops on the road." Julie didn't understand that Gil wasn't criticizing or accusing Bret of anything, but how he knew how wrestlers were on the road, in terms of meeting women.
Julie speaks favorably on how Bret treated her younger sister Michelle (the future wife of Dynamite Kid) but I remember in Bret's book, him describing in detail how attracted he was to the underage Michelle when he met her. Julie says Bret treated her like a sister, and her book came out after Bret's, so I'll take her word for it.
Julie moved in with Bret in Calgary just a few months into their relationship and she remembers being a wreck of nerves and anxiety ay the start, unable to cook or even attend the big Hart Family Sunday dinner. Eventually, Bret got her out to the Hart house where she met Stu and Helen Hart. Helen was a sweetheart, but she remembers Stu eying her up and down, with Julie saying, "He gave me the once over." Adding, "Stu judged women on their teeth and legs." She said Stu stared at her teeth and legs as if she were a race horse he was inspecting.
Julie remembers how Stu would turn any conversation into something about wrestling. She mentioned being a Saskatchewan Roughrider fan (Canadian football team), and Stu went on a rant about Gene Kiniski, who briefly played for the Edmonton Eskimos This made me chuckle as Stu and Gene had a but of a rough relationship since Stu gave up on Gene when he was a rookie and hurt his knee. Gene went to Toronto where "Whipper" Billy Watson essentially turned Gene into the big name star he was known for.
In Bret's book, he described the first night Julie came to the Sunday Hart dinner and when Julie passed on the salad, Bret's sister Diana Hart snapped on her saying, "What, you're too good for fuckin' salad!?" Bret says his mom responded by saying to Julie, "So you met Bret's sister Diana." In Julie's book, she describes this event as well but doesn't mention the funny line from Helen. She says Bret just took Julie and decided to leave immediately. Bret's other sister, Georgia, followed them outside and apologized on behalf of Diana and excused Diana by pointing out how pregnant Diana was at the time.
Julie actually puts over Diana quite a bit and says she actually came to admire Diana for how outspoken she was. She says Diana had a great style and was a gifted artist. After reading so many Hart related books, it's refreshing to hear something positive about Diana. Diana is the "Black sheep" who married "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith. Diana would write a scandalous and legal minefield of a book in 2001 called "Under the mat." It was quickly pulled from shelves after Owen Hart's widow Martha threatened legal action over what was said about her and Owen. Bret and Bruce Hart also denounce the book, calling it mostly lies, but not everything can be written off as fiction, including stories, some wild stores about Dean Hart. I desperately need this book.
Julie said she never got over the sight of Bret Hart eating an avacado as if it were an apple.
While Bret was in Japan wrestling with his brother Keith, Julie said she spent a lot of time with Keith's girlfriend. It was Keith's girlfriend who smartened Julie up to how wrestling works. Up to this point, she believed it to be legit, and even Bret had been selling it like this to her. She was furious, and when Bret called, she told him they were done and hung up on him. The next day, Bret's older brother Bruce stopped by to help her understand kayfabe and how silly it all was. Julie says she ended up feeling bad for reacting like that and yelling at Bret, but she says he forgave her immediately. Bret tells this same story in his book, adding details of how Julie would worry and stress about Bret Hart being brutalized every night.
Here's something I dont remember from Bret's book. He knocked up Julie very early into their relationship, and Julie got an abortion. She said they both weren't ready for being parents, but Julie says she was deeply saddened by their choice. She never expressed these misgivings with Bret, and assumes Bret was relieved, she didn't make it any more difficult on them. To Bret's credit, maybe he didn't mention it in his book for Julie's benefit. Or he did mention it very briefly, and I missed it.
Julie remembers accompanying Bret on a trip overseas where they went to a freaky sex show place where they had "baby tigers and lions and torture rooms."" She says at one point Bret got tied up on a table and was playfully whipped.
On this trip, Julie remembers a woman hitting on Bret right in front of her and had to yell at her to back off while Bret laughed. Julie was pissed and made them go back to the hotel. Once there, Julie was mouthing off to Bret before he grabbed her and "bodyslammed" her into the flower bed. He offered to help her up afterwards but she told him to fuck off.
A week later Bret came home smelling of perfume and Julie says she just snapped. She said she grabbed him and dug her finger nails into his face and eyes. She says Bret later would tell her that he never saw her the same after this incident. I don't remember Bret describing Julie ever getting physical like that in his book, but he did describe a lot of shouting matches.
Julie says she and Bret got married after her younger sister and Dynamite Kid. She says they got married in secret because Bret didn't like his siblings much and said they didn't deserve to be part of it.
When Julie was pregnant again this time they felt ready to start a family. Though Bret made Julie not tell anyone for the first 5 months of her pregnancy and when he "told" his parents, it was through a letter he left on their bed before he left for a wrestling tour. Julie remembers feeling hurt by this because Bret would say his parents always wanted their children to start families with someone who had money, a significant name and an education. Julie had none of those things and while she doesn't say it, you get the feeling that she thinks Bret was ashamed or embarrassed by her.
When she got pregnant again, she says Bret was mad at her for not being more careful with birth control. She says she became very irritable and bitchy throughout the pregnancy and always found something to be mad at Bret for. She is super critical of her behavior here and doesn't excuse it.
The night she gave birth, Bret left to go out for drinks, despite Julie asking him not to in case her water broke. When she woke up at 5am to her water breaking, she was furious that Bret didn't come home yet and had to call a friend to get her to the hospital. Bret was a no-show for her entire delivery and missed his second child being born. Julie says she was furious and seriously considered divorcing him then.
When Bret started touring with WWF, he was gone for much longer periods of time and this strained their marriage. Working for WWF really put a strain on Bret and filled him with confidence issues as well. She said between his self doubt and her loneliness, their marriage was barely holding on.
She remembers how Bret would call from the road and bemoan about how lonely he was. I'm reminded of his book, how he would complain about feeling lonely, then complain that the guilt of cheating on Julie was too much.
Julie says she got a literal itch and went to a doctor who told her that she caught "something" from a public washroom. A suspicious Julie went home and threw all her bedding in the garbage and then thought to check on her suspicion. She looked through their phone bills to find that Bret was placing a ton of calls to a girl from New Jersey and that he even kept the receipt for a Christmas present he bought this girl!
Julie describes how Bret called and she just screamed "I want a divorce!" Before she hung up and ripped the phone cord out of the wall. Eventually she agreed to go meet him and they started yelling at each other in a parking lot after a show. She says at one point Bret through a can of budweiser at her head, hitting her! She says wrestler Les Thorton got between the two and tried to calm them down. She remembers screaming how she won't get in the car with Bret and Bret yelled back, "Don't be stupid, get in the car! Your embarrassing yourself!" She says Bret later said the girl meant nothing to him and Julie should be greatful that Bret isn't addicted to drugs. Wild. At one point when they were back in the hotel room, a girl called the room asking for Bret and Julie snapped, breaking a lamp.
In Bret's book, he described how he decieved both Julie and this girl from New Jersey, neglecting to tell this side girl that he was married until she was head over heels in love with him. Bret talks about how tough this was for him and says that Stu and Helen Hart talked Julie out of leaving him.
Julie says their relationship was never the same after the affair. She couldn't trust him again.
Julie says when her grandmother died a few months after the affair, Bret was calling her everyday to check in but she said "I couldn't have cared less about those calls."
Julie says it was around this time that she and Bret started to regularly do cocaine. She said the coke helped her not think about the affair and how she would ask Bret to score some if she couldn't get it out of her head. She said she would do coke and sleep in the car just to avoid Bret. She suggests this all slowed down when Vince started cracking down on coke use with drug tests.
She speaks highly of Vince McMahon, this book was written in 2013, and she is greatful for what Vince was able to provide for her family and the opportunity he gave Bret. She says when she first met Vince, he was wearing a suit and sneakers. When she asked Bret why he wore sneakers, Bret said "so he can get around." During the show she noticed Vince was all over the place during matches, never sitting still and always running around from one person to another.
Julie remembers meeting Ozzy Osbourne at Wrestlemania 2 and "marking out" because he was her idol as a teenager. After the show, she says Ozzy was present as everyone had drinks at the hotel and Dynamite Kid spiked her drink. She said she could barely stand and Dynamite just laughed at her the whole time.
Julie notes how devoted Bret was to making sure his kids had the best toys, and how Bret would drive to every toy store before Christmas and find what the kids wanted. She appreciates this but also wishes Bret didn't miss so many plays and dances and activities due to his schedule. She was starting to really resent wrestling and wanted Bret to quit. She hated having this big house that felt empty most of the time without Bret home. In Bret's book, he wanted her to get a job to fix her loneliness.
She says her 3rd pregnancy was easier than her second and Bret was very sweet to her and praised how good she looked.
Julie brings up how devastated Bret was when his brother Dean died in 1990. She remembers watching him wrestle the next night at Survivor Series ppv and seeing the pain on his face. Bret talks about how tough this was in his book and how much shame he felt. Dean needed a kidney transplant and none of the Hart brothers stepped up. Bret didn't want to derail his career. Though you can't blame anyone more than Dean himself, who was stubborn and often went against doctors orders, so even with a mew kidney, Dean may have still died.
Julie talks about continuing her partying and drug lifestyle into the early 90s when she would party with a local band and inviting them to live at her house. She said Bret was very understanding and never pushed her for details on those nights out. Some nights Bret would watch the kids all night while Julie was getting fucked up and partying.
On of those musicians, Marc, was very close with Julie and while Julie never says she hooked up, she does say her younger sister Michelle did hook up with Marc, a bunch of times in secret. She doesn't specify if this was before or after Michelle left Dynamite Kid, but she says Marc did move in with Michelle and help her with the kids. This would have been after Dynamite went back to UK, since I'm sure Dynamite would have kicked the door down and attempted to murder Marc if this were in the final months of of Michelle and Dynamite's marriage.
Julie's brother committed suicide and Julie didn't have the support system around to prevent her from spiraling into heavy drinking.
In 1996, Bret Hart was filming a movie (Sinbad) in South Africa and halfway through, asked Julie to come join him. Julie is very honest about how she was self sabatoging her life at this point but was still deeply in love with Bret. She was excited to read an early draft of some Shakespeare work that was at a museum, but Bret couldn't be bothered to go with her so she went by herself.
She says her and Bret shared a perfect moment watching the sun set, but Bret got mad at her when she decided to record it.
Julie describes sneaking cigarettes because Bret didn't know she picked the habbit up again.
The trip ended when Julie was asking Bret something but he just ignored her several times in a row. When she finally looked at what had his attention, she saw he was gawking at a topless sunbather on the beach. She stormed off to the hotel room after telling Bret to show her more respect than that. Julie says Bret followed her to the room, with him saying she always ruins these trips. When Julie started packing her bags, she says Bret pushed her hard onto the bed. She started spewing insults at him, before, she says, Bret grabbed her by the hair and threw her from the bed and onto the floor! Julie says she started crying and demanding that Bret get her home immediately or else she would find someone who would. Bret screamed at her "Get the fuck out! I've had it with you! We're fucking done! I will put you on a plane tonight, but don't expect to win me back!"
Having read Bret's book, he does mention the trip to South Africa where he filmed the Sinbad movie. But Bret makes no mention of inviting Julie on the trip and instead points out how it coincided with a WWF tour in South Africa at the same time. Bret does talk about how the Dutch found the area and how beautiful itnwas there, which was something Julie mentioned as well that Bret talked about. Bret does mention getting a lot of ladies phone numbers on the last few days of the trip and seeing a drunk Yokozuna swapping spit with some South African PR woman when they were both very drunk. Bret makes no mention of Julie being there or how he got physical with her.
The Hart's always try to shy away from controversial truths, just ask any one of them where Bruce Hart met his wife. They will all say at a wrestling show, and neglect to mention how Bruce Hart was a 33 year old substitute teacher who knocked up his 17 year old student. Gross. (I'll never not bring this up when talking about the Hart's btw)
Julie talks about Mathew Hart, Georgia and BJ's son who died in 1996 from Necrotizing Fasciitis, a legitimate flesh eating virus. From everyone's account, the poor boy suffered for 2 weeks until he died. Julie says she and Bret took their kids on vacation when the poor kid died. A lot of people act as though the Hart Family curse started at the Screwjob in 1997, but really it started with Dean in 1990 and Mathew in 1996.
Julie remembers how gleeful Bret was when he called her up and bragged about giving a drunken Vince McMahon his tag team finishing move. Julie warned Bret that Vince wasn't the type to forget that and she suspects that it played a part in the screwjob. This sounds silly imo but what do I know, I found it an interesting and unique take if nothing else.
Julie remembers the morning of the 1997 Survivor Series ppv, someone warned Bret that Vince and Shawn were seen the night before talking and getting into an elevator together.
Julie says she and her lawyer were sitting somewhere in the arena as the Montreal Screwjob happened. Julie says she got up, looking at the monitor and said, "Holy shit, that's not supposed to happen!" And her lawyer, also shocked, said, "No, it is not."
Julie says she and the layer had to sprint to catch up to Bret and Vince and she describes her scolding of Triple H and Shawn Michaels, saying the words just poured out of her. It's maybe the most memorable scene of that documentary, watching Triple H and HBK shrink into children as Julie dresses them down.
Julie says the 1997 holidays were anything but cheerful and says she was boozing a lot and doing coke "from time to time."
Julie wanted to get a nanny or house keeper but Bret refused and put his foot down on the subject.
Julie says Bret asked for a divorce in early 1998 and she handled it poorly. She is critical of her immediate response to run away from home and stay at a hotel. When she returned home for clothes, her confused daughter asked her what was going on and a rageful Julie said "Your dad wants a divorce and I can't stay in the same house as him anymore! Julie says she was so blinded by her anger she didn't see the damage she was doing then.
Julie says that the Wrestling with Shadow's documentary crew needed Julie and Bret to reshoot something that didn't come out right when they originally shot it. So Julie and Bret had to pretend to be a in a marriage again talking things out about Bret's career. Julie says her and Bret slept together after they shot the scene and she was hurt when Bret said afterward, "One for the road, I guess."
The next time she heard from Bret, he told her to get a lawyer because he had one already.
Julie says she and Bret spent many nights yelling at eachother over the phone, with Bret calling her a whore and saying he didn't take all those bumps so Julie to take all his money. This is a statement Bret would repeat a lot to Julie over the years of them fighting. He would call her a money grabbing whore and how he didn't take a bunch of bumps so Julie could end up with the money.
Just as Julie was ready to sign custody papers, Bret's personal assistant contacted Julie and told her that Bret had been seeing some girl in the States for months. The assistant said she felt guilty arranging their meetups behind Julie's back. Julie said she later told Bret that she isn't signing shit and she needed to contact her lawyers with the new developments. She said Bret first tried denying it, calling his assistant jealous and a liar. Then Bret blamed Julie because Bret said he "couldn't get past her traumatic past." What the fuck Bret, I'm pretty sure he is referring to Julie being sexually assaulted as a teenager. (He makes this clear later in the book) Then he bragged about his new girl looking better than Julie and being younger than Julie, with Bret also saying the kids will love the new girl. Bret even later said Julie was getting heavier and letting herself go.
Pretty wild story here. Julie says that Bret started neglecting the kids, even when he was in town, and often skipped out on seeing them altogether. For Canada Day 1998 Bret promised to take them out and to the fireworks. Julie says they waited all day, expecting a fun evening with their dad. But Bret didn't show up with their friend Dean, until after 9pm, (stoned and drunk according to Julie) after Julie tried to call Bret repeatedly and got no answer.
Julie isn't proud of this, but says before Bret arrived that night, Julie had sat the kids down and told them Bret was off smoking pot with a new girlfriend. Julie knew immediately she shouldn't have said it, she saw her kids starting to cry and knew she tarnished how they look at their dad.
Bret was pissed off that Julie decided to take the kids to the fireworks, and when Julie had herself and the kids in the car, an enraged Bret started punching the drivers side window until Julie agreed to get out and talk.
Bret grabbed and dragged her off around the corner of the house where Julie defiantly told him that the kids know he smokes pot and is seeing someone else.
Julie says Bret snapped, slammed her hard up against the wall and yelled, "You bitch! I hate you! I hate you!" Then Julie claims that Bret grabbed her by the throat and slammed her on the ground where he continued to choke her until their son Blade came around the corner and screamed at Bret to get off his mom!
As Julie was catching her breath, their friend Dean, who was still there and in shock, tried to help Julie up. Bret took off with their son Blade and a panicked Julie called the police. She foolishly said to the 911 opperater that her husband pro wrestler, Bret Hart, had taken her child againt her will. The police arrived and seemingly didn't know who Bret was, tried to get Julie to press charges. The police were able to call Bret and convince him to bring the kid to the police station, so the cops could bring him home. Bret makes no mention of this in his book.
Julie says Bret stopped by the next day and apologized and tried to ask her to sit down for coffee. Julie explained how they scarred their children for life the night prior and she wasn't interested in speaking to him in friendly terms yet.
Julie defends Bret a bit by saying she could see in person that she wasn't the cause of his anger and that he was just deeply angry and disappointed with things. This would be 1998 and even Bret describes how bitter and despondent he was at this time. Julie says he stopped being around the kids and it hurt them, especially their boys Blade and Dallas who started getting a chip on their shoulders and seeking conflict. One time Julie asked Dallas about Bret and Dallas said, "He never calls and is never around."
Julie says things were getting stable but she and Bret started secretly sleeping together again and complicated things. She says Bret would pick her up and drove to a seedy part of town before casually dropping her off at home after. She says she was initially amused by this but eventually began to wonder how many other women Bret does this with. It made her feel uncomfortable to say the least.
One time as she was being dropped off, Julie asked Bret if he was happy. Bret said no and that he couldn't get happy. Then Bret asked if Julie was seeing anyone, but didn't let her answer, he just said "of course you are." Julie realizes now that Bret was suffering some deep depression and at the time she mistook codependency for love.
Eventually Bret's other girlfriend caught wind of his and Julie's rendezvous and made Bret break things off. Julie could hear the woman on the other end of the line when Bret called to inform Julie that they need to set boundaries in their relationship now.
Julie says Bret once called her to say he tested for hepatitis and that Julie should get checked out as well.
Julie later found out that the girl Bret was seeing was nearly the same age as their daughter.
Julie says her and Bret continued to sleep together behind his girlfriends back though, with Bret always asking for "coffee" before making a move, which Julie always reciprocated.
Bret would break up with his girlfriend near the end of 1998 and ask Julie if he can spend the holidays with her and the kids. Julie relents, and soon they seem to be trying to salvage their relationship with Bret more present then he ever has been.
Soon after the new year, Bret and Julie take a trip together to Hawaii. Julie finally builds up the courage to ask Bret what he thinks of them getting back together, and Bret says he doesn't want to get "trapped" again. Julie snapped and said, "That's it I'm done, I can't keep playing these games with you!"
During this conversation, as Julie was walking away, Bret randomly said, "My therapist said that sometimes girls, like the ones your age when all that stuff happens to you, they like it." Julie burst into tears and ran out of the room. What the fuck Bret, to imply that that when his wife was a 16 year old girl, she liked getting r*ped!
Helen Hart died a few weeks after 9/11 in 2001. She was from New York, and Julie remembers how devastated Helen was following the September attacks. Helen went back to New York a few weeks later to visit her sister, but due to the border concerns, she was held up for hours after her plane landed back in Calgary. She wasn't able to reach her insulin and eventually went into a coma.
Helen was on an off ventilation a few times while at the hospital, and one day Alison (Bret's sister) called and told him to come visit asap, because Helen was back on a ventilator and it wasn't looking good. Bret thought Alison being an alarmist and decided to visit the next day. Julie says she wishes they had visited that night, because Helen passed away a few hours later.
One afternoon, Julie came home to find her son Dallas on the phone, when she asked him who he was speaking to, Dallas said, "It's dad, but he sounds drunk." Bret told Julie that he fell off his bike and couldn't get up. He wasn't speaking clearly and couldn't properly explain where he was. Julie and her daughter Beans, drove around looking for Bret based off his perception and directions.
Julie and Beans found him laying casually in the grass, as if he was resting. She said one of Bret's eyes was wide open and the other was closed, and half his mouth was dropping. She struggled to move him as he slurred his words and insisted he was fine. Eventually an ambulance was called and Bret was loaded in.
Julie says the stroke changed him, made him mooder and more depressed. She isn't casting judgment, just pointing out changes she noticed as she spent every day at the hospital with him, helping to feed and cloth Bret, even helping him to the bathroom.
Julie remembers one night that Bret confided in her that he feared he got a stroke as punishment for all the bad things he done. He told her that the morning he got a stroke, he was planning on signing the divorce papers.
Several months later, with Bret moving aorund more, he spent Easter with Julie and the kids, but Julie found an email from some woman in Italy, directed to Bret and it suggested some heavy sexual stuff. Julie felt stupid and used again. When she confronted him on it, he denied anything and she reluctantly believed him.
A week later as Bret prepared for a trip, she found a plane ticket to Italy, when she asked Bret where he was going, he said England. Julie drove him to the airport and told him to get the fuck out.
Bret went to Italy to be with a fan he met at a contract signing, who was obsessed with him since she was a little girl. Julie says she is exactly what Bret needed to feel like the Hitman again. After reading Bret's book, this assessment is completely accurate.
The Italian woman's name was Cynthia and she was also just a year older than Bret's daughter Jade. Julie said Jade had the hardest time accepting Cynthia, whom Bret was determined to integrate into the family.
When Bret's dad Stu died, Julie remembers how she, Bret and Stu's granddaughter Jenni all stood by the bed and watched as he passed. She remembers how she kissed his cheek and told him he could go see Helen now, he didn't need to be here and longer. I remember the speech Stu gave at Helen's funeral, with one line in particular staying with me, "I'm glad for the time I had with her," he said full of love, but his pain was on display too, "Ill never get over this" he finished solemnly, "I don't have enough time."
Julie remembers one day that their son Blade called her from Bret's house, begging for her to pick him up. Blade and Bret started arguing about Cynthia, with Bret saying to his own son, "Don't make me pick between you and Cynthia, because I'll pick Cynthia! And if you don't like it you can get the fuck out!"
Julie started calling Bret "Hitman" when he acted like this to his children, with Julie telling them that their father still loves him and not to worry about what The Hitman says, because it's coming from a broken mind.
One day after Julie bought a house, Bret randomly showed up with a turkey and tried to hit on her. Julie found it amusing and asked him if Cynthia knew he was there. Bret tried to make a move on her but Julie made it clear that won't happen so Bret left. As he left, he told Julie, "I still have cravings for you and I'm not sure I'll ever get over them." To which Julie just cooly responded with, "You will."
After Bret left that day, Julie called his assistant who confirmed that Cynthia was literally on a plane back to Italy right then. Julie laughed at how pathetic it was for Bret to say goodbye to Cynthia and then an hour or two later, show up at Julie's with a turkey and looking for sex.
Bret secretly married Cynthia and months later told the kids after the fact. Their son Blade was so furious he could barely speak to Julie when he got home and eventually blurted out, "Dad married that girl!" Their other son Dallas was also furious and explained how Bret callously told the kids "tell your mom, make sure you tell your mom." He was clearly trying to hurt Julie and used the kids to do so.
When Bret was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006, Julie insisted on going and told Bret if he doesn't find a way for her to be there, then she would call Vince McMahon herself and arrange it. Bret promised her she would be there but asked her to be discreet about it.
Julie got asked to do an online interview leading up to the Hall of Fame, and she let slip that she would be at the show to support Bret. Later, an irate Bret called her, yelling about how she was supposed to be discreet. Julie clued in on the fact that Bret didn't tell his new wife yet about Julie coming and now he was in hot water. In the end, Bret refused to allow Julie to come to the Hall of Fame to support him.
In Bret's Hall of Fame speech, he just talked about his new wife and how Cynthia was there for him after his stroke and just put her over big. He didn't mention Julie and only mentioned 2 of his 4 children. She says her children were extremely hurt by this and calls it the ultimate betrayal.
Julie started running low on money in 2008 and even attempted to be on a reality show. It was all a BS scam though and she had to invest money into it and eventually it all fell through. She speaks of this with a bit of shame while framing it as something she learned from.
Julie was facing bankruptcy and foreclosure on the house, so as a last resort, she called Bret. She asked him for 9 grand to cover 3 mortgage payments so she can sell the house. Bret chastised her for having money problems before ultimately saying no. He suggested that she rent the house out or have the kids pay rent. As they left, Julie warned him that if she loses the house, Bret may need to take the kids at him place. She doesn't say what he said to this, but she does say, "His response was too cruel to put into writing." Good lord, considering all she told so far, I wonder what Bret said that was so bad, Julie didn't want to even write it down?
Julie does point out that Bret didn't owe her a damn thing and she was in this situation by her own doing. Julie felt like she was letting her kids down most of all.
Julie would move in with her daughter Beans where they split the rent together. She got a job making $14/hour working as a janitor at a local middle school and Julie notes that she was living well below the poverty line.
Julie remembers how absurd it was for her to show up to her janitor job driving a Lexus.
Julie ended up selling her Lexus to her daughter Beans, and Julie bought herself a 1999 Sunfire. It was the first car she ever bought with her own money.
Julie's father died in 2012 and Julie says she wrote a letter to him, promising to make him proud, and stuffed it inside his coffin.
Julie says she spends most of her days being a grandma to Jade's daughter and how grateful she is to be close to her kids still.
Bret can't say the same, Julie notes how he travels alone or with his wife and never offers invites to his kids. She says it breaks her heart to see how far Bret drifted away from their children, even if all her kids insist that they don't care. This was in 2013, so potentially Bret and his kinds could have a better relationship by now.
Julie spends the last several pages of the book detailing her kids and all the ways she loves them. You can tell she is a mother first and foremost, you can tell she loves them unconditionally. Jade, Dallas, Beans and Blade, weird names for kids but I also have a weird name so I can't judge.

I grew up in a pretty poor family. It was just my parents and my older sister that I lived with growing up. Parents filed bankruptcy because they couldn’t afford the condo they bought. We lived in a small 2 bedroom apartment ever since I was 8. The space was small and my dad has always been verbally/physically abusive and inconsiderate. We used credit cards to pay bills until they got maxed out and then we filed bankruptcy again. I was working full time while going to school to both pay rent and pay for tuition. Twice he cleaned out my bank account on business ideas that went flat. I had to cancel planned vacations. Ended up having to go the day without food at school because I needed it for gas. My sister is 6 years older, went to school, got married, escaped with her husband. I finished my degree and make a decent amount but nothing crazy around the 75k/year mark. I tried to tell my parents I was thinking about moving out but my dad screamed at me because he wouldn’t have anyone to help pay the rent. Against my better judgment, I stayed at the apartment. Over the years there was so much tension in the house with my dad because they’ve always been unhappy but stayed together for us as I was told. On one of my dad’s drunken rants I got so boiled i basically told him to leave and he had my blessing to do so. Parents got divorced and my dad got with some other chick a few hours away. The problem is my mom never had a career and was a stay at home mom since she was 20, so now it’s just me and my mom at a new apartment with me solely paying the rent. I’m grateful she raised me but it’s been 2 years and I’ve never lived on my own. My sister said she would get a house big enough to take care of mom but she never came through on that deal. I’ve wanted to experience having roommates or my own private space. I’ve saved up a decent amount of money and she keeps telling me to buy a house. The homes she’s suggesting are around 800k. With these interest rates I can’t afford it without a double income. I want to move to more affordable areas but my mom keeps telling me she want to stay in the area. This irritates me because I tell her you can t have options if you’re not helping pay for anything. I don’t want to leave my mom hanging but she’s limiting my options in life and she’s difficult to work with. I’m at my wits end

If you're considering buying a home in Kentucky and looking for a mortgage loan with favorable terms, a Kentucky USDA loan could be a great option. Kentucky USDA loans, backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are designed to help low to moderate-income borrowers in Kentucky rural areas achieve homeownership. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to get approved for a USDA mortgage loan in Kentucky in regards to credit score, income, work history, debt to income ratios, bankruptcy and foreclosure :

1. Kentucky USDA loans Credit Score Requirements:
   • While Kentucky USDA loans are known for their lenient credit score requirements compared to conventional loans, having a good credit score can still improve your chances of approval. Aim for a credit score of 640 or higher for smoother processing. On paper USDA says there is no minimum score, but it is very difficult to get approved with lenders with no score.
2. Kentucky USDA loans Income Eligibility:
   • USDA loans have income eligibility criteria based on the area's median income. To qualify, your household income should fall within the USDA's income limits for the specific county or area in Kentucky where you plan to buy a home.
3. Kentucky USDA loans Work History:
   • Lenders typically look for a stable work history, preferably with at least two years of consistent employment in the same field or industry. This demonstrates your ability to repay the loan.
4. Kentucky USDA loans Property Location (Counties 120 in Kentucky):
   • USDA loans are specifically designed for properties located in eligible rural areas or designated suburban areas. Before applying, ensure that the property you're interested in is within a USDA-eligible location in Kentucky.
5. Kentucky USDA loans Income Ratio:
   • Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is an important factor in loan approval. Generally, USDA loans require a DTI ratio of 41% or lower, although some lenders may allow higher ratios with compensating factors.
6. Kentucky USDA loans Income Limits:
   • USDA loans have income limits based on family size and county location. These limits vary by area, so check the current income limits set by USDA for the county where you plan to purchase your home.
7. Kentucky USDA loans Property Type:
   • USDA loans are intended for primary residences, including single-family homes, townhouses, and eligible condominiums. Investment properties and vacation homes are not eligible.
8. Kentucky USDA loans Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Requirements:
   • Having a bankruptcy or foreclosure in your financial history doesn't necessarily disqualify you from a USDA loan. However, there are waiting periods after these events before you can apply:
     • Chapter 7 bankruptcy: 3 years from the discharge date.
     • Chapter 13 bankruptcy: 1 year of on-time payments and court approval.
     • Foreclosure: 3 years from the sale date.
9. Kentucky USDA loans Closing Time:
   • USDA loans typically take around 30 to 45 days to close, although this timeline can vary based on factors such as application volume and the efficiency of document processing.
10. Kentucky USDA loans Appraisal Requirements:
    • A professional appraisal is required for USDA loans to determine the fair market value of the property. The appraisal ensures that the property meets USDA standards and is worth the loan amount.
11. Kentucky USDA loans Termite Inspections:
    • USDA loans may require a termite inspection, especially in areas where termite infestations are common. The inspection aims to identify and address any termite-related issues in the property.
12. Kentucky USDA loans GUS (Guaranteed Underwriting System):
    • GUS is a tool used by lenders to process USDA loan applications. It evaluates the borrower's credit, income, and other factors to determine eligibility and streamline the underwriting process.
13. Kentucky USDA loans Manual Underwriting:
    • In some cases, USDA loans may undergo manual underwriting, especially if the borrower's application doesn't meet automated approval criteria. Manual underwriting involves a more thorough review of the borrower's financial situation by the lender.

To get a Kentucky USDA loan, potential Kentucky rural housing borrowers must follow this sequence of steps:

1. Determine eligibility by consulting online USDA maps.
2. Decide whether you want a guaranteed or direct loan. Guaranteed loans will have higher income limits, which you’ll work out with the lending institution.
3. Submit all applicable paperwork, including income, debts, and credit reports.
4. After pre-approval, begin searching for new homes (or launch renovations on your current home).

Keep in mind that you’ll have fees associated with your loan. Guaranteed loans require an upfront 1% fee and annual fees of 0.35% for as long as the mortgage is active.
USDA program for properties located outside urban areas of Kentucky areas where you can secure a no money down loan at a fixed rate of on 30 years.
The max household income limits usually are between $110,500 to $146,000 for most rural area counties depending on household family size.
This changes every year so make sure you are using updated USDA Income Limits for this year
A 620-640 middle credit score is needed for loan approval on this program. They're no max loan limits on USDA loans. You just need to qualify based on your debt to income ratio (see below under income section)-----USDA will go down to 580 on scores but it has to pass 👉 USDA Manual Underwriting guidelines
Need to be 3 years removed from a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and 3 years from a foreclosure
Joel Lobb Mortgage Loan Officer American Mortgage Solutions, Inc. 10602 Timberwood Circle Louisville, KY 40223
Text/call: 502-905-3708 fax: 502-327-9119 email: [kentuckyloan@gmail.com](mailto:kentuckyloan@gmail.com)
http://www.mylouisvillekentuckymortgage.com/
If you're considering buying a home in Kentucky and looking for a mortgage loan with favorable terms, a Kentucky USDA loan could be a great option. Kentucky USDA loans, backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are designed to help low to moderate-income borrowers in Kentucky rural areas achieve homeownership. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to get approved for a USDA mortgage loan in Kentucky in regards to credit score, income, work history, debt to income ratios, bankruptcy and foreclosure :

1. Kentucky USDA loans Credit Score Requirements:
   • While Kentucky USDA loans are known for their lenient credit score requirements compared to conventional loans, having a good credit score can still improve your chances of approval. Aim for a credit score of 640 or higher for smoother processing. On paper USDA says there is no minimum score, but it is very difficult to get approved with lenders with no score.
2. Kentucky USDA loans Income Eligibility:
   • USDA loans have income eligibility criteria based on the area's median income. To qualify, your household income should fall within the USDA's income limits for the specific county or area in Kentucky where you plan to buy a home.
3. Kentucky USDA loans Work History:
   • Lenders typically look for a stable work history, preferably with at least two years of consistent employment in the same field or industry. This demonstrates your ability to repay the loan.
4. Kentucky USDA loans Property Location (Counties 120 in Kentucky):
   • USDA loans are specifically designed for properties located in eligible rural areas or designated suburban areas. Before applying, ensure that the property you're interested in is within a USDA-eligible location in Kentucky.
5. Kentucky USDA loans Income Ratio:
   • Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is an important factor in loan approval. Generally, USDA loans require a DTI ratio of 41% or lower, although some lenders may allow higher ratios with compensating factors.
6. Kentucky USDA loans Income Limits:
   • USDA loans have income limits based on family size and county location. These limits vary by area, so check the current income limits set by USDA for the county where you plan to purchase your home.
7. Kentucky USDA loans Property Type:
   • USDA loans are intended for primary residences, including single-family homes, townhouses, and eligible condominiums. Investment properties and vacation homes are not eligible.
8. Kentucky USDA loans Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Requirements:
   • Having a bankruptcy or foreclosure in your financial history doesn't necessarily disqualify you from a USDA loan. However, there are waiting periods after these events before you can apply:
     • Chapter 7 bankruptcy: 3 years from the discharge date.
     • Chapter 13 bankruptcy: 1 year of on-time payments and court approval.
     • Foreclosure: 3 years from the sale date.
9. Kentucky USDA loans Closing Time:
   • USDA loans typically take around 30 to 45 days to close, although this timeline can vary based on factors such as application volume and the efficiency of document processing.
10. Kentucky USDA loans Appraisal Requirements:
    • A professional appraisal is required for USDA loans to determine the fair market value of the property. The appraisal ensures that the property meets USDA standards and is worth the loan amount.
11. Kentucky USDA loans Termite Inspections:
    • USDA loans may require a termite inspection, especially in areas where termite infestations are common. The inspection aims to identify and address any termite-related issues in the property.
12. Kentucky USDA loans GUS (Guaranteed Underwriting System):
    • GUS is a tool used by lenders to process USDA loan applications. It evaluates the borrower's credit, income, and other factors to determine eligibility and streamline the underwriting process.
13. Kentucky USDA loans Manual Underwriting:
    • In some cases, USDA loans may undergo manual underwriting, especially if the borrower's application doesn't meet automated approval criteria. Manual underwriting involves a more thorough review of the borrower's financial situation by the lender.

To get a Kentucky USDA loan, potential Kentucky rural housing borrowers must follow this sequence of steps:

1. Determine eligibility by consulting online USDA maps.
2. Decide whether you want a guaranteed or direct loan. Guaranteed loans will have higher income limits, which you’ll work out with the lending institution.
3. Submit all applicable paperwork, including income, debts, and credit reports.
4. After pre-approval, begin searching for new homes (or launch renovations on your current home).

Keep in mind that you’ll have fees associated with your loan. Guaranteed loans require an upfront 1% fee and annual fees of 0.35% for as long as the mortgage is active.
USDA program for properties located outside urban areas of Kentucky areas where you can secure a no money down loan at a fixed rate of on 30 years.
The max household income limits usually are between $110,500 to $146,000 for most rural area counties depending on household family size.
This changes every year so make sure you are using updated USDA Income Limits for this year
A 620-640 middle credit score is needed for loan approval on this program. They're no max loan limits on USDA loans. You just need to qualify based on your debt to income ratio (see below under income section)-----USDA will go down to 580 on scores but it has to pass 👉 USDA Manual Underwriting guidelines
Need to be 3 years removed from a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and 3 years from a foreclosure

Non QM Mortgage Overview.

It’s important to note that the specific characteristics and features of Non QM mortgage products can vary from one lender to another.
Non QM loans can provide valuable options for borrowers who don’t fit within traditional mortgage guidelines but may come with higher costs and risks.
Borrowers considering Non QM loans should carefully review the terms and conditions, as well as consult with a mortgage professional, to fully understand the terms and risks associated with these types of loans.

How is a Non QM Mortgage Defined?

NON QM: A Non-Qualified Mortgage (Non QM) is a type of mortgage loan that does not meet the qualified mortgage (QM) criteria established by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) under the Ability-to-Repay (ATR) rule. Unlike QM loans, which have certain borrower protections and stricter underwriting standards, Non QM loans are considered non-traditional, and are structured to meet the needs of borrowers who may not qualify for standard QM loans.

Non Qm Mortgage: What are they used for?

Jumbo Loans: Non-QM loans can be used for larger loan amounts that exceed the conforming loan limits set by government-sponsored entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Non-Traditional Property Types: Non-QM mortgages may be used for non-traditional property types, such as investment properties, vacation homes, and certain types of mixed- use properties.
Credit Issues: Borrowers with credit challenges, such as recent bankruptcies or foreclosures, may find it easier to qualify for Non-QM loans compared to traditional mortgages.

Here are the key characteristics and features of Non QM mortgages:

Higher Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratios: Non QM mortgages often permit higher DTI ratios compared to QM loans. This means borrowers can allocate a larger portion of their income towards housing expenses.
Interest-Only Payments: Some Non QM mortgages offer the option for interest-only payments for a specified period, which can lower monthly payments but may result in a balloon payment at the end of the interest-only period.
Some Non-QM loans offer negative amortization, where the loan balance increases over time. These features can make initial payments lower but come with higher risk and potential for payment shock later.
Alternative Documentation: Non QM mortgages may allow borrowers to provide alternative forms of documentation, such as bank statements, asset-based income, or stated income loans, to verify their income and assets, making it easier for self-employed individuals or those with irregular income streams to qualify.
Prepayment Penalties: Some lenders in the Non QM mortgage market may include prepayment penalties if borrowers pay off their loans early.
Asset Depletion Loans: Some Non QM mortgage lenders consider a borrower’s assets as income, allowing individuals with substantial assets but limited income to qualify for a mortgage.
Fixed and Adjustable Rates: NonQM mortgage loans come in both fixed-rate and adjustable- rate options, providing flexibility to borrowers.
Shorter Waiting Periods: Non QM mortgage loans may have shorter waiting periods after significant credit events like bankruptcy or foreclosure compared to QM loans.
Investor-Focused: Non QM mortgages are often sought by real estate investors looking to finance investment properties, as they offer more flexible terms.
Private Lenders: Many Non-QM loans are originated by private lenders and not backed by government agencies, so they may have unique underwriting criteria and guidelines.

Types of Non-QM Loans.

Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) is a financial metric used by lenders to assess the ability of a borrower to cover their debt obligations, particularly for loans like mortgages and commercial real estate loans.
Bank statement loans are a type of mortgage loan that doesn’t conform to the standards set by government-sponsored entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
These loans are also sometimes referred to as “bank statement mortgages” or “alternative documentation loans.” They are designed for borrowers who may not meet the strict income and, credit requirements of traditional mortgages but can still demonstrate their ability to repay the loan through alternative means, typically using their bank statements.
Asset depletion loans are a type of mortgage loan that allows borrowers to use their liquid assets, such as savings, investments, or retirement accounts, to qualify for a mortgage, even if they have limited income or employment history.
These loans are often used by individuals who may have significant assets but do not meet the traditional income requirements for a standard mortgage.
Interest-only loan is a type of mortgage or loan in which the borrower is required to pay only the interest on the principal balance for a specified period, typically for a few years.
During this initial interest-only period, the borrower is not required to make principal payments. After this period expires, the loan typically converts to a fully amortizing loan, and the borrower must start repaying both the principal and interest on the remaining balance.
Stated Income/Stated Asset (SISA) loan, also known as a “no-doc” loan, is a type of mortgage or loan where the borrower’s income and assets are not verified through traditional documentation, such as tax returns, pay stubs, or bank statements. Instead, borrowers are allowed to state their income and assets on the loan application, hence the name “stated income/stated asset.”
Foreign national loans, also known as an international borrower mortgage, is a type of home loan specifically designed for individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card holders) but wish to purchase property in the United States.
These loans allow non-U.S. residents to invest in U.S. real estate, whether for personal use, as an investment, or for other purposes.
Foreign national loans typically have specific eligibility requirements and terms to accommodate the unique financial circumstances of international borrowers.
Fix and flip loans, also known as a rehab loan or a flip financing, is a type of short-term real estate loan used by real estate investors and developers to purchase a property, renovate or “fix” it, and then sell it (“flip”) for a profit.
These loans are designed to provide funding for both the acquisition of the property and the cost of necessary renovations.
Fix and flip loans are typically used for residential properties, such as single-family homes, multi-unit dwellings, or condominiums.

Summary:

In the journey towards homeownership, one of the most crucial steps is securing the right mortgage. This course has been meticulously designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of various mortgage products, their features, and the benefits they offer to prospective homebuyers. Why it’s important to understand the differences of each product.
Financial implications: Different mortgage products have different interest rates, payment terms, and fees. Understanding these differences can help borrowers choose the product that best suits their financial situation and goals.
For example, a fixed-rate mortgage may be a better option for someone who wants predictable monthly payments, while an adjustable-rate mortgage may be more suitable for someone who expects their income to increase in the future.
Legal implications: Mortgages are legally binding contracts, and borrowers need to understand the terms and conditions of the contract before signing it. Different mortgage products have different legal implications, such as prepayment penalties, default clauses, and foreclosure procedures.
Understanding these implications can help borrowers avoid legal issues and protect their rights.
If you’re not an attorney you should never offer legal advice. Understanding the legal definitions or clauses in the contract will help you in the long run.
Customized Solutions: Flexibility: No two homebuyers are the same, and neither are their financial situations. Different mortgage products offer different levels of flexibility, such as the ability to make extra payments, change the payment schedule, or refinance the loan.
Understanding the flexibility of each product can help borrowers choose the product that best suits their needs and goals.
Cost savings: Some mortgage products offer cost savings, such as lower interest rates, reduced fees, or tax benefits. Understanding the cost savings of each product can help borrowers save money over the life of the loan.
Real estate market: The real estate market is constantly changing, and different mortgage products may be more or less suitable depending on the market conditions.
For example, during a period of low interest rates, a fixed-rate mortgage may be more expensive than an adjustable-rate mortgage.
Understanding the real estate market and the different mortgage products can help borrowers make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
Wealth Building: A mortgage is not just a loan; it’s a tool for wealth building. Some mortgage products offer unique features that can help borrowers build equity faster or invest in other assets while still owning a home.
Understanding these features enables you to make strategic decisions that contribute to your overall financial well-being.
Financial Preparedness: Mortgages represent a significant financial commitment. By offering valuable insight into the various mortgage products, the borrower can better prepare for the financial responsibilities associated with homeownership.
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Mortgage Interest Rate Review

📷

Mortgage Technology and Innovation

📷

Mortgage Housing Market Trends

Loan Officer Training
Group Training
FREE EVALUATION
Conclusion
It’s important to note that the specific characteristics and features of Non QM mortgages can vary from one lender to another. Non QM mortgage loans can provide valuable options for borrowers who don’t fit within traditional mortgage guidelines but may come with higher costs and risks. Borrowers considering a Non QM mortgage loan should carefully review the terms and conditions, as well as consult with a mortgage professional, to fully understand the terms and risks associated with these types of loans.

Took a stroll through some nice neighborhoods in my town recently ($500,000-$1,300,000 homes) and the peace was so nice. Nice brand new cars in the driveways, perfectly landscaped yards, kids running around in the yard and swimming in the backyard, bbq’s going. And just stunning 3,000-6,000 square foot homes everywhere. How does it make you guys feel when you see people living good and enjoying life? Most of us on here are doomers and just absorb negative news all day and watch fear porn on YouTube so I think that’s why we’re so negative and paranoid about everything. I know multiple people in my personal life who make over $150,000 per year and they told me they don’t ever watch the news because it’s negative and not productive. These people are getting promotions in their jobs, raises, bonuses and are planning where their next vacation is going to be. You guys can say “CREDIT CARDS!” All you want but I’ve been hearing that since 2022. Credit cards have limits and minimum payments due, you can’t avoid it forever unless you file bankruptcy. Idk I just don’t think we will see a collapse, home prices are still 50% higher in my area than they were just 4 years ago. I think this way of life is the new norm and if you aren’t making good money than you’re fucked and that’s it, end of story.

I am all for selling items to raise money for new items, health care, family emergencies, personal emergencies, pet care, relaxing vacation. It's your things, and if they are no longer serving the purpose you want, why not make a few bucks to fund something else?
However, I see a lot of comments here that are just off kilter. Some comments say "sell your house to pay your debt or it's over for you," or "sell that car! just walk 20 miles everyday to work!!!!"
I'm embellishing of course. But this really has me thinking about those PRIZED possessions. Those things that you can never re-buy, are very valuable, and are tied to your heart. Whether it be that old car you've been wanting forever and remodeled, or a Jackson Pollack (a real one). Does everything need to be sold to pay debt? Tons of people are in debt everyday. What will off-loading a prized possession do to help someone besides mourn the loss?
On another note, I notice that some people just don't know how to discern when, and how to pay debt. A lot of comments saying, "file bankruptcy!" like it's always that easy (it's not). A lot of comments are regurgitated like little kids copying adults saying words they don't understand.

20(f) I grew up with an emotionally immature and financially irresponsible mother. We have never had a real relationship. I don’t think she has ever known who I was. I stopped trying to explain who I am to her because she describes me as someone I am in no way like. In many ways she has put me and my brother in situations that make her look or feel good at our own expense. My 16 year old kid brother has been in and out of jail for almost two years now. My mom has always put me in a motherly position for him and I carried a heavy weight knowing he had behavioral problems before I left home. When I moved out for college in august he was in jail by thanksgiving. So far he has been to two jails, military school, and 2 mental hospitals. My mom has posted all of this on facebook. Im from a small town and my mom posts on her public facebook account updates and lies about him doing better for others approval. He cannot find a job due to his stigma and when he was in jail would receive letters from people he does not know. She is in a constant cry for people to feel bad for her and to help her. When in reality no one cares and they view her life as entertainment. Many people will send me photos of her posts and I can tell that our lives are highly discussed in the area. She does not help me in anyway and I am fully independent yet will post my achievements online unconsentually. I really value my privacy and for my brother and I to be seen as public entertainment is really disgusting. My mom priortizes her appearance in the town and has filled bankruptcy due to her extremely irrational purchases to keep up with people in the area. For example my mom built at $65,000 pool the summer before I went to college. She told me she didnt want me to go to college because its too expensive and I am not smart enough. Whenever I am literally her first born that has wanted to go to college forever. (I ended up taking out a loan for my tuition..its paid off thank god)Unreasonable purchases like constant lengthy vacations, new cars, and season sports tickets have been high priority in my house growing up. My parents are almost 50 years old, make plenty of money, yet own nothing, filled bankruptcy and the fancy vacations haven’t stopped. All the while I have a 16 year old brother living in the house who has a severe drug problem and is in a gang. Now this sounds like the rich family to rebellious child pipeline. This is not the case. Yes my parents make enough money to buy nice things (or so it seems) but there has been times they have picked football tickets over our doctors appointments. Open credit cards in secret to piss each other off. My brother was once a good hearted boy that I loved and wanted to take care of more than anyone. But now I cant be around him without him yelling at me, stealing my things, or telling me some horrendous shit about what he’s been up to. My 16 year old kid brother has no hope as of right now other than being a lifetime career criminal. I feel so much guilt for not helping him be a functional person but its too late now. My mom helps him pass his drug tests with his PO just to save her reputation. She let him drop out of highschool and buys him expensive clothing after an arguement. She doesn’t feel any responsiblity and wants me to carry it for her. I wish I couldve helped him more. I wish I was his mother. But Im about to move to Europe for university where I will live there for probably the rest of my life. I am starting to plan my last conversations with them. I will not allow her to tell me I am not capable for greatness. And I will not watch my brother deconstruct until nothing is left. His pain and actions is too much. I never imagined he would be ruined so young and I wanted to believe that my mother was better than that for so long. I think anyone who is in a similar situation of going no contact with their families would agree its just crazy its too this point.

I currently drive a 07 Honda accord that was discovered to not only have a faulty AC compressor which being in Texas it’s already hot as hell but a oil leak and power steering fluid is leaking and I don’t want to have an accident or serious injury to myself or others driving this beater in these dangerous Texas highways and roads with these horrible drivers.
I make 55k a year currently or 3900 net monthly income after taxes and my living expenses are about 1600 including rent utilities etc.
I don’t want a brand new car nor an expensive used car paying 400-600 a month which is just insane to me. I don’t have a down payment saved up and I’m going on vacation for two weeks this month.
How much of a used car should I finance or be able to afford with my 3900 income? I have horrible credit a involuntary reposition of my 16 sonata I gave back to my lien holder that I added to my chapter 7 bankruptcy but my attorney is taking his sweet time with updates and idk when I’m going to get through this process discharging 40k of personal debt on top of my 60k of student loans I can’t discharge unfortunately.
I know this is a lot and probably not wise to get another car loan but I don’t want to deal with these issues with my 07 accord and the amount of money I gotta put in for 200k miles on it I don’t see feasible. Idk where to go or how to go about finding dealerships who will let me walk out without a down payment or no 5-10k most places are quoting me which is fucking ridiculous and still having my payment at 450-500 it makes me mad.

My tenant without my permission opened a LLC business which has my home address as registered LLC address.
Can any liability, e.g., Fraud, bankruptcy, creditor issues etc., impact me? Is it better to provide notice to the tenant to vacate instead of being on the edge all the time?

Title! I'm retired as well I know that VA disability and/or SSDI can't be garnished UNLESS it's for child support or state/federal taxes/loans.
My friend (yes I'm serious) he's also retired and he's panicking because he can't afford his new car (I told him to just get a motorcycle he already have a car bit no, he doesn't listen).
Anyways he's losing the car and chances are he'll have to pay the negative equity. Bit he's on VA disability too and I'm telling him if they know he's disable they won't come after him because taking him to court would be a waste you can't garnish VA or Social security income country wide.
Now he's saying he should file for bankruptcy which again is crazy because he does have a house with decent equity yes they can out a lien on the property but it doesn't matter if he never plans on moving out the home. There'd a higher chance that the dealership would go bankrupt in the coming years vs him actually moving from his house.
What's the question you ask? Just correct me if I'm wrong or confirm that I'm right. 🤷 and I'll put this chat on the TV when he comes over tomorrow 😆. I mean google says just this but someone who actually went to court and was on disability who have experience in the matter please chime in.
He can't afford his car since his gf left he should be worried about ultitiles and mortgage he has an older car that functions and is paid off its just not as nice but it runs. My opinion is not to buy things and just take vacations and cruises lol
Thank you all in advance!

Failed business and losing hope
39 male from S. Ontario
At a crossroads on what I should be doing.
I’m at my end financially and emotionally
Long and short is I went all into a restaurant last year.
Thought I could make it work while I was working my regular job but it failed.
I’m exhausted and overwhelmed.
All my lines of credit are maxed, sold my condo (was a rental) , cashed out my TFSA and have pretty much nothing to my name (have about $40k in my RRSP).
I currently owe
$90k to various lenders (small business loan, unsecure LOC, credit cards)
$20k to CRA in various remittances for payroll CPP/ EI / HST
$30k to the landlord who is now starting to take legal action
$10k to misc businesses (utilities, food supplier, equipment supplier..etc)
$15k to friends and family
While some of these debts are tied to the business, the bulk of them are personally guaranteed to me.
To top it off, my wife and I are divorcing and I’m being kicked out of her house (I moved into her condo when we got married a few years ago). She often sleeps at her sisters place so we don’t have to interact with each other. For the most part we kept everything separate from the start and it was all of her furniture. It will be a clean divorce as we didn’t even have a joint bank account or credit card.
The good news is I have a decent job with a company car working for a major consumer retailer.
My salary is $120,000 with a $10,000 bonus each year.
Either way, I’m trying to figure out (3) things right now
Clearing my finances. I’m trying to stay above water on all the payments and trying to prioritize what to pay down first. I’ve been debating declaring bankruptcy but that will hinder my ability own my own place again (and hopefully date)
Getting out of my wife’s condo and finalizing the divorce. I honestly don’t even have enough money for first and last months rent to get out. I’ve been trying to come up with a solution but most places don’t accept pets (I’ll be taking my cat). I’m hoping I can date again and hopefully get married and have kids but that seems so far down the line. I’m worried I’ll be homeless soon
Acceptance of my failure. It seems like all my co workers and friends are successful in their lives. Own a house, have a few kids, go on vacations…etc. I have none of that and it will take years for me to even get to that point to even consider it. I struggle a lot as I once had that (minus the kids) and try not to get too jealous or down on myself when I hear about others successes. It also pains me that I owe money to my friends and family and it will take a long time if I could ever pay them back.
What do you guys think I should do?
Tldr - owe $165k and have no assets from a failed business. Feeling depressed and will soon be divorced and possibly homeless . Starting life again at the bottom @ 39 yrs

Hey legaladvice,
I've recently been laid off and I'm facing a serious issue with unpaid wages. I haven't been paid for the last 7 weeks, which includes both regular work and accrued vacation pay. From what I can tell, my former employer (based in Toronto) is on the verge of bankruptcy but most likely they won’t declare it anytime soon.
I've already filed a claim with the Ministry of Labour to recover my unpaid wages. Is there anything else I can do to ensure I get what I'm owed? Any advice on how to handle the situation if the company declares bankruptcy? Your insights would be really helpful!