I'm 30 and already have $50,000 in credit card debt. Declaring bankruptcy is my only way out.

Getty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BI

• I have over $50,000 in credit card debt after living in New York City for eight years.
• After looking at my options, filing for bankruptcy was the right choice to wipe the slate clean.
• The process was easier than I anticipated, despite the daunting prospect of finding a lawyer.

Eight years ago I moved to New York City from Boston, and it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

When I was looking for apartments...