cant afford my bills

You should sign up if you haven't already for a counselor to contact you through this site. :) Click on the free consultation and sign up there or call 1-800-601-1579 and a debt counselor can give you some information on what to do in your situation. :)

Best of luck and let us know how it is going there are plenty of people on here that have been in the same boat myself included.

Once you get started on getting your finances in an organized manner you will feel much better, especially after you talk to a debt counselor. :lol:

ladybug

Welcome gianna :D Here is a link that explains 12 Ways To solve Your debt problems at http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/debt-solution.html You can look these over and see if any would help you.

When you are contacted by the debt counselor, they will discuss what options you may have according to your debt, income, etc. You are free to choose one or not.

Feel free to ask questons here, we are here to help..Karen

CareOne tried to charge me annual fee for their service. I spoke to them and got it reduced to $5 per 12 months. But then I decided to go on my own and to deal with more and more companies...

Stefan, how has that gone for you? I would like to do the same but don't quite know where to start.

Hi eleroo!

Well when I spoke to the agent, she didnt tell me anyhing about their fee. I received a letter showing how that have "lowered" my interestes. And showing their fee as well. They were only able to lower the interest on one credit card by 5%. So I called them back and I told the agent "why the hell would I join your program and get myself into even more payments?" She spoke to her supervisor, I spoke o her supervisor and finally lowered it to their minimum, which was $5. But I was very dissapointed by that time already. Went on my own, and I am glad that I did honestly.

Being a single mom can be OVERWHELMING!! How I deal with some of my debts?? Just have to take things 'one issue at a time'. If you think about everything, all at once, it can be mind boggling!! One day at a time..one issue at a time. Hope this advice helps a bit.

I think that the advice that sdchargers and stefan has given you is a good starting point. Please follow everyone's advice that way you can explore all the options available to you and you can make a decision on what is best for your situation.

ladybug

Good luck keep us posted :)

I went with Federated Financial. They are getting my cards down from
About cant afford my bills 27% to a 9%-15% interest rate & saving me $281.00.

Its hard getting it started, but I know once I get the program underway its really the best way for me to go.

I would have liked to have tried it on my own, but after dealing with Discover today I was near tears-so I need someone to help me deal.

**Just make sure you check out the next company with th BBB!

Yes dealing on your own is kind of painful especially if you have an a**ho*e on the other side of the line. I actually enjoy talking to them and make them look stupid by asking them questions about compound interest variable apr etc and making them calculate my fees interests etc they get all messed up and start apologizing :D Unfortunately I dont have the time. Maybe one day when I am rich and only have to work 4 hrs per day I will call them sometimes for fun :D :roll:

Sorry...don't know what went wrong with my last post above Stefan's! That link doesn't belong there!

There are many ways to take cahrge of your debt. I have tried consolidation in the past, and about a year and a half ago, tried doing it myself.

Actually had started doing this before I found this site.

I called my creditors and explained that I was trying to get out of debt and get everyone paid off as quick as I could. I asked them to drop my interest first, so I could get them paid off. If they wouldn't do it, I asked for the lowerst possible rate. Sometimes I called a company two or three times a day(you always get a different person) until I got one to work with me!

I then started with the debt with the lowest balance and paid extra on that( as much as I could and it was really tight for a while) until it was paid off.I took that payment, added it to my next lowest balance and that payment, and so on.

Alot of people say to pay your highest interest off first, but I am the type of person that needs to see progress soon, or I get discouraged!

Good Luck to you--I will remove that link for you since it was an error!

Feel free to ask questions..KAren :D

Bossy4455 I have tried to do it on my own, and I have to tell you I am a very good psychologist, and I have worked in a call center, asically I know how to talk them to do what I need. Unfortunately some companies (like Aspire & Merrick) are hiring very unprofessional, uneducated, rude staff and all they can tell you is that you can either continue paying or close the account... and continue paying.

Their favorite phrase is "Yes, your apr is 30.33% as of right now because you have missed a payment last month. You are a valued customer but unfortunately our contract states that your credit card rate will go into default if you miss a payment, and it will be staying in default for the span of six months. We review accounts frequently and if you become eligible, we will automatically lower your APR. Is there anything else I can help you with today?"

Then I usually speak to a supervisor and most of the time I get the same story, the same wording and the same result.

I am not saying that it doesnt work though; I have been successfull with CitiBank and Chase, my observation is that primarily major banks are willing to negotiate; Also soetimes you may be lucky enough to hit a rookie - I ve had that luck twice at least, and you can make them do everything for you :)