My debt is pushing me over the edge... what should I do?!?

Question

I have a credit card debt of $5,000 and a bank loan for $3,000. I'm still behind on the minimum and it feels like I'm not even making a dent in the interest. The bank has been harrassing me and calling me even more lately and they've been getting extremely pushy. I've been working part time while I finished up a summer anatomy class and I start my fulltime status next week so I can get paid more, obviously. My question is should I go to a credit counseling place? Or should I try to handle this myself? And I haven't even touched basis with the credit card company. I was young and made stupid mistakes and now that I've finally got my life turned around, I have to deal with those consequences. My credit is already ruined and I have no idea what to do. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I think you need to read all the replies to your questions carefully and also head over here:

http://credit-cards.ebookorama.com/
http://finance.ebookorama.com/
and read up the parts on dealing with debt, I have had a best answer posting these to people with similar problems so hope it works for you too.
good luck!

Answer 2

First, cry, the situation warrants it. Now thats out of the way. You have a few options, since I'm completely aware of your entire situation, I cant tell what your best option would be.

1. Change your name to 'Nixon Carmichael', get a new identity, SS# and DL and move to another state. Preferably one like California that has liberal ID and housing laws.

2. DEBT Consolidation. For some people this works, others still struggle. Give the low amount that youre behind, it may be worth looking.

3. Credit Counseling. *shudders* While these people are a bunch of weasel-d*cks, they've been known to help every now and again.

4. Best option: Get a full time job and works your a&& off until your debt is paid up to a reasonable, liveable amount. This is what most people do.

-J.

Answer 3

This is a common problem among college age Americans.

First, the cause of the problem is that too many people use credit for the wrong reason. Credit should be used primarily to by assests (things that actively make us money). Cash is what should be used to by liabilities (things that lose value the minute they are purchased, decrease in value with use, or require more money to maintain them over time).

Now, the cure. The only way your are going to pay off your debts is to stop the interest and late charges from accruing. One way to do this is to contact a credit consumer company (CCC) to help you negotiate with your debtors. They will negotiate with your credit companies, stop interest and late charges from accruing, and sometimes even reduce the amount that is owed. The catch is, you have to abide by their payment policy. If you default on them, then the companies can come back at you in full force.

Answer 4

Call and see if you can get the credit card company to lower your interest rate - way down. If not, then look into moving the balance to a zero-interest balance transfer card - just be careful! Lots of those deals have a rate that goes way up later on, but it is a temporary relief from accruing so much interest. See if your current credit card company will work with you first. Tell them if they don't you'll move the balance to a card with a different company.

As for the bank, call your original loan officer and tell them you want to make good on your loan but may need to refinance or make a different payment plan to avoid falling behind. You may have to pay a higher interest rate but you may be able to negotiate a lower payment or more payments over time so that you can keep up.

Since you have just one credit card and one bank loan, I think you could definitely try to work with these lenders to get things on track. You'll feel good about yourself when you get on top of it all!

It's not too late to restore your credit and with some time and disipline, you CAN do it!

Answer 5

I would guess if you really looked at your situation you could make some changes. Eat out less, get rid of the cell phone, get rid of cable tv etc. Get another job anywhere. I am sure you have had time to hang out . Sometimes you have to give up something to get something. It will not be fun but if you want it bad enough you can make it happen. Short term sacrifice is worth the long term gain. Donate Plasma for 40$ a week takes little time and gets you a full payment for the month I would guess while spending a few hours a week. I am still paying $30,000 in college student loans so your situation is not as dire as it may seem.

Answer 6

The best way to get rid of debt is to buy property!!!
This isthe ONLY way to pay off $$$ credit cards and other loans. If you find smart person who can help you buy house and help with financing - you will get rid of you debt in 2-3 years.
In more details - property value is always goes up. When you buy house, even small one, the price will go up no matter what. So when you do refinancing after few years, you'll be able to cover all debts. Now days you can have 2 loans and then you can convert them into 1. Once again you need home broker who can help you out - I have done it and it worked for me!

Good luck!

Answer 7

Honestly, stop buying things you can be without.
Be extremely selective ie dont eat out, buy groceries (necessary ones) and cook big dinners that you can eat for several days. Get an extra job and save, save, save.

Try to start payment plans with whoever you owe, and just pay on time everytime. Pay everything off little by little and balnce your checking account. You should talk to a manager at the credit card co. and bank and explain your situtation and work with them on payments thats all.

You will have to work a lot- the more you work now, the quicker you can pay them off and hopefully be done by christmas 2007.

Answer 8

your credit has been harmed, but it's not ruined forever. You will be able to re-build it. Try calling the companies you owe money to and working out a compromise payback arrangement. If you go to credit counseling, it will be worse for your credit. If you get on track with these people and avoid judgements against you, your credit is not irreparably harmed. Then, cancel all your cards except one and use it judiciously, paying it back promptly. Since you're still so young, you will get this back in shape soon.

Answer 9

You have a very good question. As a Paralegal, I am not giving legal advice but offering possible solutions. I could act as a mediator between you and your creditors, possibly negotiate a payoff amount to pay each creditor and cou;d save you money, and credit. You could see a debt counselor, which will show negatively on your credit report, as bad as declaring bankruptcy, because your credit report will show you had a third party take care of your debts. You may as well declare Bankruptcy. You may want to seek the advice of legal counsel as well.

Answer 10

Don't try to go it on your own. I've been there and it doesn't work. Definitely try a debt counseling service such as Family Credit Counseling Service or one of the counseling services you see on TV. They can get your payments lower and also try to lower your interest rates - especially on credit cards. If you have equity in a home, try going to a place like CITI Financial to see if you can get a debt consolidation loan. That's what I did and I'm glad I did. If you have to, try to get a second or third job until you are back on your feet. Go to FreeCreditReport.com to print out copies of your credit report and credit scores. Do anything (legal) you have to to try to raise your score. But, go to one of the debt counseling services first. They can tell you what you have to do or where you have to go.