I need money to pay my bill.........A desperate mom?

Question

I am a single mom, and I live pay check to pay check. I need to pay some collection bills, but I just can't do it because I don't have the money to do it. Please help me.

Answer 1

Have you contacted a credit counseling service? Most of them will work with your creditors for you, with several benefits:

1. It takes you out of the loop and eliminates collection calls to your home.
2. The credit counseling service will work with your creditors to reduce or eliminate finance charges, late fees, etc., until the bill is paid in full.
3. By lowering your payments to the creditors, the counseling service will reduce your monthly obligations to one low payment amount - you send them the check and they take care of the rest.

It's easier on your pocketbook, and easier on frazzled nerves.

Look in the yellow pages under "Credit" for local services, or contact some of these numbers for more information:

Christian Credit Counselors 1-888-520-4422
Money Management International 1-888-823-2227
(www.moneymanagement.org)

The organization should offer free credit counseling (although they will keep a percentage of your payment each month),
and they should encourage you to consolidate your debts and reduce the payments before steering you towards bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy should only be a last resort.....

You may want to contact your local Better Business Bureau to find a reputable agency - they are not all created equal. But a valid credit counseling service may just be the answer to your prayers.

Another avenue for help might be a local church. Many churches will temporarily assist people in your situation with food, power bill expenses, (etc)...or they may at least know some local organizations that can help you get back on your feet.

It's tough to be in the situation you're in. You don't give any details so this suggestion may not be relevant, but if there is an ex-husband floating around out there who isn't sending alimony or child support like he's supposed to, you may want to contact an attorney or do some research on the "deadbeat dad" laws. If their father is an ex-boyfriend, there may still be some recourse through what is known as "common law marriage". And I realize their dad may be deceased or someone violent that you absolutely want no contact with whatsoever, so if this suggestion is inappropriate then I ask you to forgive me. Just wanted to make sure you had considered ALL your options.

Wishing you the best - hope this helps.

Answer 2

I am a single mom as well. I have a few things in collection too and I use some of my tax check to pay at least one off from collection.

Answer 3

Take in kids for daycare/babysitting so you dont have extra care charges for your kids. Especially do a night service, a lot of parents who work nights have a hard timing finding that kind of care.