Internet's first get-out-of-debt community - 136,000 members

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 4:56 pm Subject: A Sorry Mess!

My tale begins much like everyone else's does on this site. About four years ago I was short of money one day and wondered where I could put my hands on some cash. I had heard of payday loans but knew nothing about them an how they worked. I went around the corner and got my first "fix" at a local payday loan store.

Thinking of it now it seems funny to put it in drug user terms. But, like a drug--this fix is temporary and you have to keep at it to get the same feeling. Except I wasn't getting a "feeling" but in debt. After the first one, the next one was easy and so on. For a long time I only had 4 storefront payday loans.

When I exhausted the local PDL stores, I started looking for a "supplier" on the Internet. I found one and I was off to the races! (not literally, just give me some creative license here!). Like so many others, I was having to get one to pay the other and so forth.
I would get student loan overpayments and would use that to pay them off and then it would start again. I have or had 6!

One day a very good friend of mine bailed me out by loaning me the money to pay off the storefront PDL's (5). I was too embarrassed to tell her about the online ones. I didn't want people to know how stupid I have been with money.

I was pretty desperate when I came across this site. I had prayed for an answer to my problems with money and the very next morning. I came across this site. I am not trying to force my beliefs on any of you, but show you my state of mind. I decided to go with T&C when I found out they could work with my PDL's and credit card debts. I have had the best two weeks, just not having to worry about where I am going to get the money to pay those fees.

I have definitely learned a hard lesson and am beginning to feel hopeful again. Sadly, my health has suffered because of this stress and other stuff. My hair has started coming out, I am on another anti-depressant and the doctor just diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia/Rheumatoid Arthritis (he is not sure which one it is yet). But, because I don't have the other stress I am dealing with the health stuff a little better.

Thanks for listening to my story!

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 5:05 pm Subject:

Lorri, I am so glad you found us. there aren't too many of us that don't know what you're going through. I personally remember that awful deperate feeling. Your drug metaphor is absolutely correct..It is an addiction. But you have a lot to be hopeful about, and we're all here for you.

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 5:15 pm Subject:

Apart from being like a drug, this payday loan is dangerous because it does not put any check on the credit or perhaps, bad credit. They just want you to be trapped in it.

Lorri, do take care of your health also. You have learnt your lesson so far. Now, you won't rely on it anymore. Your health is more important for your near and dear ones. Just keep the good faith on you.

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 7:27 pm Subject:

Just like wtih drugs, financial troubles take a lot of work, strength, and patience to get over. We're glad to have you here Lorri, and I am still very much interested in some writing from you in my magazine! A teacher could only put out the best! Very Happy

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 7:49 pm Subject:

Lorri,

I'm so glad you found the site, and I think the drug analogy is a good one. Same kind of spiral effect that takes a lot of effort to get away from. But you've taken the first step, and are not alone in what you are going through. Smile

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 11:08 am Subject:

Thank you all for your comforting comments. I don't know why I used a drug themed analogy as drugs have never been part of my life, it just seemed to fit what I was trying to say. Ari--I would still like to do some writing for you. Tell me what you want and I will do my best.

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 3:50 pm Subject:

You said your specialty is education? What do you teach? Social sciences, social problems, art, music, and anything else is welcome in the magazine. Erzeke1 already submitted her piece, we're just waiting for everyone else while I edit hers and get to work on the web page.

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 3:51 pm Subject:

Lorri, I've said the same things about payday loans--comparing them to drugs. I've never been into drugs, but I do believe that these payday loans are like drugs..It's so hard to stop.

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 4:18 pm Subject:

Any financial ploy can be like a drug. Some people are spend addicts who can't stop using credit cards just like my ex. Having an outsider's view of his financial farce made credit cards feel like plastique explosives to me.

Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 10:40 am Subject:

Ari---I teach second grade so my experiences in education are very "elementary". However, I do enjoy other types of writing---do you have any particular topics I could focus on? I know you said art, music, social issues---any others?

Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 4:10 pm Subject:

Current events, culture, maybe even history!

Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 4:20 pm Subject:

OOOOOHHHH---History is my thing! Now my mind is working overtime!

Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 4:21 pm Subject:

YaaaaaaY! Anything from women's liberation history, to art history - whatever lights your fire, would be a fabulous addition! I'm also sure that being a teacher, your writing flair must be some of the best!