For those who have used credit counseling services, what was your experience?
Posted By: Paycheck to paycheck on 2006-03-11
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Has anyone used a credit counseling service to consolidate credit cards?
What was your experience? Was it worth it? Which ones are credible?
Credit counseling
Yes, it does go on your credit report. I explained this to my banker that I had not had a problem before in paying my bills, just that I had too many. My banker reviewed my payment history and still approved the loans I requested. Each case is individual, and going through credit counseling may or may not affect your ability to get loans in the future.
Some info on credit counseling vs bankruptcy
This is just a heads up for those that were questioning about your choices. I was doing some research on a cancellation of debt form - 1099-C that I am doing for my ex-husband as he never paid me the $9720 he owed me and found on a web page that some of the people that are going through Credit Counseling now are getting 1099-C for some canellation of the debt from credit card companies. If they forgive this debt, then you have to claim it on your income tax as "INCOME" so think about this in your situation. If you are going through a counseling agency ask them if any of your accounts can give you a 1099-C for anything that they forgive you and the only way that they can't is through Bankruptcy. So that is another consideration when wondering which way to go. As for me, I have a signed promissory note signed and it is not a verbal agreement, was not in the divorce and he just never paid. So I get to put on 12 years of interest at 10% plus late fees and he will end up paying the IRS instead of me but I get a tax deduction of $3000 per year until the 21K is used up. So that is fine, he doesn't have to pay me and I will cancel out his debt, but Uncle Sam is not as forgiving as me. But I wanted everyone to be aware of this as it tempting to pay a credit card company only 50% of what you owe them but thing of putting that other 50% on your income tax forms. Patti
Anyone have any GOOD experiences with a credit counseling service/
If so who were they and what did they do?
Anybody had any experience with tax relief services SM
for back taxes owed, specifically state tax? I owe some back taxes to the state (2005), not much, $1200. Need to come up with it pronto. I saw an ad on TV about tax relief and was wondering if anyone has done this. Thanks.
great website for credit and credit cards, interest rates
great website
CREDIT, everyone is living on credit, and from what I see
with a rather, 'might as well, we have no future' kind of attitude.
our credit cards are maxed out, we are buying gas, food (which I swore I would never do, how stupid - all that interest for food, yuck!), paying bills, and we would not have survived without them. now they are maxed out, and we are not making one bit more than we were.
glad things must be going so well for you, but look around in your own neighborhood.
the gap is closing between rich and poor. like it is in somalia, for example.
call us doomsdayers, but I call it protecting our own interests.
why is it the only people who are supposed to care about themselves are the rich?
Consider counseling
Sometimes an objective opinion from a person you respect can give you some insight that you have disregarded or give you positive suggestions on improving your life. It's worth a try.
counseling is a must.
I have only been married 4-1/2 years myself, so I am not an expert in this field, but I think you need to do everyting in your power to make this marriage work before you call it quits. Whether your husband will agree to go to couseling or not, YOU need to see someone (marraige couseler, pastor, etc.). If you can get your husband to go, that's awesome. He may take the advice differently if it is coming from someone other than you. Men tend to think we nag a little! I have never been to marriage counseling, and I have never been in a situation like yours, but if I were, I think I would give it my all before I throw in the towel!
Why don't you go to counseling with him?
At least once - and ask for help in dealing with his calls...
It really is an illness.
Wow you need some seriously counseling. sm
I am very very sad for you. What a very shallow and pathetic thing to do.
Please, go get counseling before you give up ---
It can really help you two see things in a different light and get to what is really going on. My situation was nothing like yours (different issues) when we decided to get counseling after 17 years of marriage. I was very doubtful it would help one bit and was ready to just get out. After 4 weeks we made some changes, did some reading, talked things over together and with the counselor, and today my marriage is better than it has ever been. I think it can be done if BOTH parties are willing to give and make some changes. Good luck. :)
Bankruptcy vs counseling
I went through an ugly, expensive divorce - after 22+ years. He had the girlfriend but he wanted me to loose everything and fought through several attorneys. I tried the counseling -- finally went through Christian counseling as their fees were the lowest and they seemed the most honest -- but after everything and to keep my house did file Chapter 13. I feel better doing the Chapter 13 as at least I am paying back something to everyone and did not leave them all hanging. Am paying back 25 cents on the dollar to credit cards. Just be careful should they offer you to cut down the balance if you will "pay in full" as what is not paid will be considered "income" and you have to pay income tax on it. I still do not feel good with doing the Chapter 13 and don't understand how a lot of people can do this several times as I saw in court when I went there. It is not easy to walk away from the debts that you made and truly owe but there are some circumstances that make it necessary. I for one am glad of the new laws as I don't think it is truly unfair to make people make an attempt to pay back what they owe, at least partial. Some of the counseling groups I talked with -- the ones with the best reputations-- were going to charge anywhere from $100 to $150 to handle my money and I could be putting that on a payment to a credit card and so Iooked long and hard. You can also negotiate directly with your credit cards but they put a "stop use" on them and you cannot be late with one payment. But make an attempt and you will feel better about yourself. Just my thoughts and experience. Patti
She needs to attend counseling regardless!
She will find a way around the restrictions you have imposed if she wants to keep losing weight. You cannot follow her around day and night. It is really easy to hide weight loss if one wants to. The longer it goes on, the harder it will be to get a handle on later. It took me YEARS to overcome this myself. Hope it works out.
I agree, she does still need counseling...
She needs to meet with someone who knows how to handle a situation like this. Going to counseling might also help you both learn how to deal with her better too. I might also add, while what you say you are doing sounds good and I think you should stick with it, also think of ways you can add positive reinforcement too. I think it would do her a lot of good if Dad could spend a little more time with her, doing activities, talking more, etc, something that would bring them closer.
I have sought counseling myself--sm
online, but I was not too successful in finding anything that was free. I thought I had found one once, but after I submitted my questions, no one ever replied. Guess you have to be careful with that too, or you may find your personal problems pasted all over the internet. Try doing a search, you may end up being lucky and find something worthwhile. Good luck.
I have some docs that say totals if counseling is
part of the visit as they get paid extra for the visit with certain insurances.
your whole family needs counseling - including you. nm
nm
SEEK MARRIAGE COUNSELING NOW!
You need to be telling this to a marriage counselor. If your husband won't go with you, go without him. It will give you the insight needed to make this tough decision.
Try debt counseling first - if that does not work - sm
it will at least look good to the judge when you declare bankruptcy. I do not regret declaring bankruptcy at all - got a lot of pressure off of me when I needed it. I started all over, and now I am so much wiser so I don't get in that circumstance again. It doesn't take long to rebuild, either.
You really need some counseling and anger management
tsk, tsk, tsk
Go to counseling and get guidance and structure.
It CAN work if he earns back your trust and is truly sorry. Counseling can help guide you through this process. It is truly worth a try. What have you got to lose? Good luck to you! :-)
Working on Master's in counseling and sm
I have had a hiatus of nearly 3 years. I could not decide if this is where I really wanted to go. Recently, I put myself back in therapy with my last therapist after a 5-year hiatus to help me decide. Two sessions and I can see the clear path back to it and yes, this is my "true calling."
I feel pushed to get out of MT because my hands are suffering after 15 years of this. I have 3 autoimmune disorders too. I am having energy problems and focus problems...pain and all that comes with AIs. I have trouble with consistently good line counts and I am working 2 jobs out of sheer boredom with the entire thing. It has nothing to do with no making as much money or ASR or any of it. It is my body telling me to move along. I also believe I would be happier as a counselor.
No credit card is a good credit card.
Just kidding. I'd suggest not using credit cards to pay debts. It'll only dig you in deeper. Look into a signature loan or putting a lien against a vehicle or house. Lower interest rate, pay off sooner.
The family can get free counseling through hospice even
if their mother was not a hospice patient. They have programs that the family participates in together and just programs for kids too. If they are able to associate with other kids that have experienced what they have that would probably be a tremendous help. They don't just talk about their feelings, but do activities and play games and just be kids, but if the emotions come then there is a trained person to help them.
Sounds like the dad could use some counseling too and maybe just a break from being a parent 24/7.
Get marital counseling for the sake of your children.
You probably could stay there your entire life and manage but the kids deserve better.
From the sounds of it grief counseling may be in order -sm
My mom died 9/04 after 9 weeks in the hospital (as was recovering nicely too) so her death was actually quite unexpected. Considering how close we were I have handled it quite well (we talked on the phone almost every day and I visited at least 6 x a year). I never really cried though, don't know if that is good or not, yes I get teary, but I never broke down or anything. I just withdrew into myself I guess as part of me died that day. I had a rough patch in 02/05 that lasted about a month or so, but for my daughter's sake I had to pull myself out of my funk. I don't think I every really got to fully grieve though as then my dad met his girlfriend < 3 months after my mom died then got engaged 2 months later, then Jen got diagnosed with cancer, had surgery/chemo, my dad married 9 months after my mom died, etc. I can go days w/o thinking about my mom, though I loved her very much. So either I am in denial, cold-hearted, or just deal with things quickly. I don't believe you should dwell on things. Life keeps on going and there is nothing you can do about that but live your life the best you can. But if you are still so upset and cry a lot then I really think you should seek out a grief therapist so you can learn how to cope and move on. This doesn't mean you have to forget you dad by any means. I still "talk" to my mom though I have no grave to visit or anything as she donated her body to science so I have no clue where she actually is now but I like to think her spirit is here with me and that makes me feel good.
Is there a free online counseling service?
My daughter, who is 33, is married with 1 child - every time something goes wrong in her marriage or job, she calls me and I'm supposed to solve all her problems. I have asked her repeatedly to go to a counselor, but usually when she calls, it is in the evening. By the next day or Monday, the problem has gone away temporarily and then she doesn't get the help she needs again.
Does anybody know if online counseling is available that is free, other than this message board ?  I guess I'm thinking of someone with an actual degree?
Working on my Masters in Counseling Psych. I should be done in Summer 2007.
x
Experience on top, current experience first. Education second. Leave out ALL fluff.
Recruiters don't need your life story. They need to know if you can do the job. If you want, put your current employer, then state "I have 20 years in the profession doing....." Keep it simple; keep it clean. If you want to go into more detail, do it during the interview. A HUGE red flag is to see that you've worked for 10 different companies, for months at a time. I know that someone who has worked for the same company for 2 years or more is going to have some degree of loyalty and will work through issues rather than cut and run.
Where are the services that pay 11.5?
I have 18 years of experience, and the most I've been offered is 9 cpl and that's jumping through hoops. 11.5 for a company is just not the norm, sorry!
HIM/services will get you any way they can!
Howwouldtheyliketoreadareportjustlikethisandcodeasfastorbill? Maybe we can charge "air time" for all those times the docs leave us hanging while they figure out what they are going to say.
services
Carol, I have never worked for an on-line service but was thinking of switching. I'm tired of getting screwed by the hospital and cheated on line counts. Which services are you speaking of.
Services
Services Provided as Key Activity of the Business
If a worker provides services that are a key aspect of the business, it is more likely that the business will have the right to direct and control his or her activities. For example, if a law firm hires an attorney, it is likely that it will present the attorney’s work as its own and would have the right to control or direct that work. This would indicate an employer-employee relationship.
Does this mean I am not an IC because my company presents my work as its own and they tell me what platform I have to use?
You keep saying they tried other services?
Why did they try other services if they were so happy with you? Maybe they keep coming back, but one day they may not...
What extra services...
I was wondering if any of you MTSOs, or MTs that work for an MTSO, offer any extra services to your clients? For example, do you do their envelopes and labels as well? Or anything else? Keeping in mind that you are not in the same town and that your employees are not in the office or even same state as you, lol. Thanks for any suggestions!
curious
Yes, small services (sm)
used to pay 11 cpl IC, have now sold out to squids who in turn pay 7-8 cpl.
And services left average 8 cpl, if you're really experienced you'll get 10 or 11 and get such bad dictation you'll get a headache you'll never forget. 
ICs can work for services, as well. nm
nm
Funeral services
I agree. I personally did not attend my first funeral until I was in my mid 20s, even when my beloved grandmother died, it was her wish that we "kids" not attent (age 12 at the time). I have never forced my own son to attend as a child either. I now feel obligated to attend services for husband's family, etc but always dread the whole ordeal, even for just a distant relative, etc. Grateful that my parents also will not be having formal services, just simple cremation. You must do what YOU feel is right for your child and your own situation.
armed services
My sone joined the Navy in his junior year of college. He went in as an officer. They finished paying his college and then sent him for Officers training. He is now teaching nucler physics for them for 4 years and go do something else in the Navy after 4 years to do anything he wants.
Did you get a contract for your services?????
If so check your contract.
if not
Are they normals he supplied you?? If not then are they YOUR MACROS???? If they are then I would think they would be your property. Did he pay for your ShortHand or Office programs or even your spellchecker????? Did he furnish your computer?????
If your answer is repeatedly no then perhaps you should tell him NO money No macros.
Just my humble opinion.
And then company has right to not use services
x
Not being paid for IC services
What steps can I take to collect payment for my services as an IC? Company is ignoring me. The only thing I can think of is to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Hiring a lawyer wouldn't be worth it. Thanks.
Transcend Services
Thanks so much for the information.
When you market your services with a
business name and a business license, it shows the doctors or hospitals that you are representing yourself as a professional business and are not just a homemaker or housewife trying to make a few extra bucks. They will treat you with more respect and take you more seriously, and in turn will be willing to pay you a fair rate as a respectable businesswoman. Think about any business in your community or town. They all first procure a business name and a business license before they open their doors. You may be working from home, but you can will present yourself in this fashion. I would also suggest obtaining a P.O. Box to use as your business address instead of using your home address. Believe me, this works. I have been running a successful small MT business from home for over 20 years now, and I support my entire family on my earnings.
No, these services have not cleared
it with their legal staff. If they did, they would not be advertising IC status and flexible schedules, then presenting a contract that requires Tuesday through Saturday, set hours, or Sunday thru Thursday, set hours. No, no one has to accept a contract, and I certainly would not under those conditions. I bet there are a lot of MTs though who need jobs, don't know the law, and who are willing to accept a contract under those conditions. However, it is ILLEGAL under IRS guidelines. If the national MTSOs have consulted their attorneys, then pray tell why are they hiring ICs, controlling their schedules? Under those circumstances, they are considered employees under the law, and these large nationals KNOW IT. I'd fire my attorney if I was told it was okay to operate under the screen of IRS detection. No, you do not have to shy away from services and find your own accounts. Get real. I subcontract to MTSOs, albeit smaller ones, as an IC, and do not have my own accounts. Right now, I am under contract to only 1, and I am not breaking any IRS laws in doing so.
MRT Services - anyone familiar with them?
Anyone ever heard of MRT Services? I saw them online. Please provide feedback.
Gmrtranscription Services
Good morning,
Has anyone heard of Gmrtranscription Services or Verilogue?
I am testing for a home position and I am curious about their reputation.
They transcribe physician/client interactions for medical marketing research.
Any advice is appreciated.
Kymee
I didn't say they tried other services after
Yep, I know they've used Medquist, MRC, Medifax (long time ago - don't think it's the same Medifax that I think is in existence now) and some local services I won't name because they'd be identifiable by their names. How do I know this? I knew about it before I even went on my own; in fact, that's one of the reasons I did it. I saw a need for QUALITY transcription, not the crap that was coming back from services, and I knew i coulld provide that. Also, I have contacts in the HIM world who told me by name the services they used and what poor quality/turnaround time they were getting.
Transcend services
Has anyone heard of Transcend Services? Is this a good company to work for? I need to find a dependable reliable national co to work for. Thanks for any advice
They will put this on your credit
Please get them to explain to you that this does affect your credit in a similar way that a bankruptcy does. After having this explained to me, I filed a Chapter 7 and was done with the problem...no payments to anyone (other than the attorney).
I was able to immediately (upon discharge 3 months later) get secured credit cards and purchased a new vehicle after 12 months. Best move I ever made.
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