Find the best financial services for you at: SMARTFINANCESOLUTIONS.NET - How far in debt do you have to be before you claim bankrupcy? And are there any other options for me? - Growing up I have never been very responsible until I met my boyfriend. He has taught me a lot about trying to pay bills on time and not letting them go to collections. I am 27 years old and not even close to responsible until I hit 25. Now, in my past I have had A LOT of things go to collections. I didn't understand why credit was so important. I want to prove that I can do it now, but there is no way I can afford to pay off past debts without getting a loan. No one will give me a loan because of those past debts. I owe right around 8,000. Is that enought to claim bankruptcy? I really don't want to do it but are there any other options out there for me??? -