In these tough economic times, many Missouri residents may find themselves struggling to meet all of their financial obligations. Whether it is due to unemployment or costly medical bills, too many people are facing financial hardship through no fault of their own. And that seems to be the case of mother from Springfield who recently sought an alternative way of providing her three young children with a merry Christmas.

The woman and her husband found themselves for the first time in financial trouble in 2010. They have a number of medical bills, in addition to considerable credit card debt. So far, they have managed to make ends meet, but they are finding it very difficult to get by.

Fortunately for them, the local community has stepped in to help. The Salvation Army opened a toy shop inside a gymnasium and let parents shop around for gifts for their children. Understandably, the mother has reservations about accepting charitable offers. She, like so many other Missouri residents, would like to provide for her children without the help of charitable organizations. However, in order to confront their financial troubles head-on, people throughout the state have had to make difficult decisions to move toward a better future.

In many cases, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be a helpful possibility, particularly for Missouri residents who find themselves drowning under medical bills and credit card debt. Although the word "bankruptcy" may carry a negative connotation for some people, that is simply a common misconception. Far from being a stigma, bankruptcy can be seen as a much needed chance to seek financial protection under the law. With the protection of the court, individuals and families may be able to restructure their debt obligations and eventually emerge from the process with no debt. Bankruptcy, then, can be a way to seek out a fresh start in life.

Source: kspr.com, "One Springfield Mother Shares her Story of Need at Christmas," Joanna Small and Joel Girdner, Dec. 21, 2011