If you are truly serious about getting out of debt....
Posted By: Been There on 2006-03-07
In Reply to: Has anyone used a credit counseling service to consolidate credit cards? - Credit cards are out of control!!
I would really suggest getting your hands on a copy of "Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey. It has changed the outlook of our family totally and we are on our way out of debt one "baby" step at a time - we've already paid 3 credit cards off and are going to be debt free (including our vehicles and our mortgage) in less than 5 years - credit card debt (to the tune of about $28,000) will be gone in another 17 months. His method is working for us. We tried debt consolidation by credit card and by "equity line of credit" but this only treated the symptoms and not the actual problem. Hope this helps you if you're TRULY wanting out of debt. It really motivates you as you go along, too ! Nice to write those zero balances off of our refrig !
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Considering they have just gotten out of debt,
it is very accountable for them NOT to get back into it by donating responsibly.
how far are you in debt?
 Just curious as to where I stand, thought it would be interesting to find out what the average is in a forum like this.
school 3200 (in forebearance at the moment, original loan 6000 in 1994, three deferrmants)
car 6000 (1999 chevy, original 12,000, backwards on loan, brakes going fast).
credit cards 8400 (just paid 2000 to one, first priority to pay off, debt contributed by ex).
hospital 4000 (major operation, no insurance, total bill 10,000 in 2001, lived with parents almost a full year to pay off half).
Well, thats mine. Please share yours.
debt
Approximately 25K. Would love to have a plan that really works to pay off in 5 years. Anyone know of one?
Thanks for the input. It's not debt, as we
don't have anything besides a mortgage and one loan. It's just tracking the finances. I've been thinking about switching to a cash basis for everything instead of using checks or Quicken. It would speed the process up a lot by not having to balance the checkbook or enter everything into the computer. I already spent an hour this morning trying to balance the checkbook because somebody can't save receipts, write down amounts or use duplicates. I give up...
I also need debt help. Any advice.
because of slow work this winter in MTing, but now with a new job, maybe making more to finally get caught up, our mortgage company is threatening us. I only owe 1700 over but that is a lot when you don't have it. This is not FHA loan. Has anybody else been in this position and what did you do.
When the CC debt is paid down
9 months and counting, then I can relax a bit
True, this is just until I pay off some debt. And 1 job
p
Unfortunately, CS seems to be the easiest debt to skip out on
You'll get into more trouble if you bounce a $25 check. I have used one of those private agencies because my ex had moved out of state and once that happens, if the ex doesn't want to pay and moves around in jobs, you can pretty much forget about getting anything.
The private agency works a lot faster, but the contracts are very complicated and you are pretty much signing up for the life of the CS obligation; otherwise there has be nonpayment of CS for a year before you can end the contract. And yes they take a big chunk of money but at the time I thought it was better than getting nothing at all.
But in the end, once payments have been established, the private agency ends up filtering the payment through your local CSEA anyway.
I think your best bet is to use some kind of locator service and if you can get a good address provide that to your local CSEA.
I wish they had an "America's Most Wanted" for deadbeat dads/moms. It's amazing to me that it is seemingly so easy to stop paying, change jobs, and just not be found.
About 50K in debt not counting mortgage. nm
x
I also tried debt settlement and I am now also being sued.
I spoke to a bankrupty lawyer and he said absolutely go for Chapter 7 but I guess I just wanted to here from somebody else who has been there. Thanks.
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.
Desperately need debt consolidation help.
Can anyone recommend a reputable debt consolidation service that they have used to help successfully get them out of debt? I just want to break down and cry, but we have to do something as our credit card debt/medical bills are through the roof and unmanagable due to tough times findings jobs, etc. Thank you for any advice you can give. 
I knew someone that did get in debt overnight due
to illness. The bills were higher than any loan would cover and they wanted their money then. In that particular case, BK was the only answer and this person got it in about 1 week before the new law took effect. The individual will be able to purchase a home I believe within 2 years and has already received offers for credit. That was under the old law.
The new law makes you take a course I believe 6 months before you can file. I believe you have to qualify if you want all your bills discharged and they make it harder to get that done, i.e. you have to make a certain income only and anything over that, you have to pay back over time and it is still BK.
With the new law, I would weigh it carefully. Not everyone has emergent medical illness which might necessitate taking this step and it is automatically assumed they mishandled their affairs. This person raised her children alone and just did not have extra money in the bank for bills totaling over $150K. In that case, she was warranted in filing.
caused me to go severely in debt
that 10 years later I am still recovering from - was writing checks on charge accounts to pay mortgage - this was local and when I would go to her house to pick up and drop off tapes I was seeing boxes from QVC yet she said she wasn't getting paid. Still angry.
How? I've done pretty well staying out of debt, but
I'd like to get some money set aside for retirement and pay off my home. Any advice you can give?
If you have the time to get down and dirty with some low-life bad debt,
As for me, I live and learn. Ever hear the phrase cut your losses. The more time you spend chasing down a bad debt the more loss you incur.
Because it is hard work to collect and once you know a company is a bad debt,
Got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them. She already lost on doing the work. Now she loses doing the collection work.
Bank debt/check card? Same thing?
Is the prepaid visa card the same as a bank debt or check card?
I did. I never have regretted it. We filed 7, I beileve. All unsecured debt was wiped out. Kept my
xx
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