5 accounts settled, 0 to go......I'm debt freeeeeeeeee

congrats

congrats, please go forward in life and don't get back into debt! That is my one single goal when I become debt free!

Congratulations! (I'm sooo jealous!) I just started and I'm 60 days in...long way to go for me. Good luck to you and learn from what you have gone through.

YAAYYY! Good for you! I have four left to go, out of nine. This past year, I have learned to do without credit cards and it is actually very liberating and empowering. I am looking forward to living the rest of my life that way. NO DEBT except for a mortgage and maybe a car loan here and there. Once any one of us starts a settlement program, either with a company or on our own, each step puts the worst of it further behind us. Making the decision to dive in and do something about it, even if you're only 60 days in, darottn1, is a huge step and something to be proud of.

Thanks for the encouragement SusieQ (I appreciate it). But I don't want to take away any attention from Julia666 accomplishment, it's her thread! :)

(but it does take a load off of me to save some money even if I have to pay it all out to settle)

Why did the name of the debt settlement co I used get removed? Isn't the purpose of this forum to help and educate people?

did you just put the name, or did you use their website and list their phone number? I've never known just a companies name to be removed unless it appeared that you were soliciting for them?

just the name.

Julia666, thank you for sharing your story. Your success has convinced me to go forward. I have been so sceptical of debt settlement companies. Based on your experience I'm going to use freestar also.
Thank you

Julia666, thanks for the information and congratulations on being debt free! How long did it take you and what percentage of your debt did you end up paying back and how much in fees?

It took me 36 months. Final settlement including fees to my settlement co came to 44% of my initial balance. I had originally been quoted 55% but freestar was able to settle some accounts for under 40%. Look, the process is not easy but if you are committed and have a good company working for you it will get done. :D

Congrats Julia. May I ask who your 5 creditors were?

Congrads to all of you!! stay focused, pay with cash, no more credit cards!

My cc (except for 2) have all been settled a long time ago. But i still have 2 secured loans that i have 4 years left on. Then i will be absolutely debt free. Only utilities and insurances i cant wait. Every few days i look at my husband and smile and he says "what??" and I reply "4 more years to go" and he says it makes his day.

sometimes 4 years seems so far, but yet it really isnt is it? When i started my settlement program i was in so much debt i couldnt breathe. I was pregnant with my son at the time. Now he will soon be 5. How time flies.

1. a line of home equity from when we first moved in (HUGE MISTAKE) 500.00 A MONTH

2. Harley payment (our reward after settlement) probably not the best decision, but it has brought us so much joy. 300.00 a month.

ITS SO EXCITING ISNT IT???????

I want to congratulate Julia666, she is an inspiration to all of us in debt.

Julia666,
How long before your 1st settlement took place?

The first settlement took a little under 1 year. My settlement firm did a great job of running interference with the cc co's and had their attorney write letters to all the co's which greatly reduced the phone calls and letters.

hey Julia have question,I have decided not to go with a company and try to settle on my own. I'm starting to learn about junk debt buyers. Since you settled for a certain % of your balance,what happens to the rest of the balance? Do these junk debt buyers buy them?and then do they?can they? come after you for the rest of the balance?

As far as I know when u settle that's it.

You would need to have an agreement in writing stating that they will not sell the remaining balance.

This is why it is essentual to know alot about settlement when settling your own accounts. This way you know ahead of time what you need to have in writing, and proof, and what they can and cant do.

Settlement is a great tool weather you use a company or do it yourself. If you do it yourself, you must be well informed. There are some great posts, and links here to help you know what you need to know if you are settling yourself.