Yes, the house foreclosed after 2 missed payments. Bank of America moved quick in my instance. I could have stayed in the house but I also lost my car and my house was very far away from my haunting grounds. Logistically it wouldn't have worked. Plus there's the fact that I couldn't afford utilities (in Texas you need A/C). I have no deficiency judgement as that was all cleared up after I was forced to file Chapter 7.
No, I never believed in credit cards. I always tried to carry a low debt load, at least as much as I can.
Yes I applied for public assistance, but since that year I made a good bit of money on paper I didn't qualify for government assistance. Trust me, I couldn't even get approved for WIC or Texas Lone Star.
I'm glad I was able to share my story with everyone. In America it's very easy to lose everything (and gain it back again).
These days I save as much as possible and live a very frugal existence. That's been my mantra ever since I recovered.
Cheers!