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What is the best way out of this mess?

Date: Fri, 05/22/2009 - 13:22

Submitted by anonymous
on Fri, 05/22/2009 - 13:22

Posts: 202330 Credits: [Donate]

Total Replies: 3


My wife and I have been living pay check to pay check, so far able to pay creditors and expenses on time, but the tidal wave of debt is above us now and is about to come crashing down (so it feels at least). Our savings are pretty much depleted. We are tired of working to pay the banks (and then pay the government to give away my taxes to the banks...but I'll digress from that). I currently gross about $1750/wk and net around $1150. My wife is currently unemployed but looking for work. We don't know what to do basically. Before the economy flat lined I was making enough to pay all our bills but I've taken a pay cut as a result of the downturn, and may be in for another one soon (part of my pay is based on profit sharing). I know I can't manage to pay our debts, bills etc on what I am making, and though my wife is looking for work, it's reasonable to assume she may not find a job for a while, as layoffs are abundant and hiring is rare. We rent an apt in NY (Brooklyn), and we have one checking account (in my name only) w/BOA. I'm trying to figure out how best to deal w/our creditors since I know we won't be able to pay them all on time going forward. My primary concerns are a) can the banks somehow affect my lease (contact my landlord and get me evicted) if I don't make my payments to them on time and b)since my checking account is with BOA and I have also a credit card and a loan with them, can they freeze my checking account if I am late or don't pay them? I truly do want to pay back the money I owe but know that I can't make minimum payments on time. Am I better off making payments for less than the minimum amt but continue to pay them every month (at least I'm paying them something this way) or just not pay some of them at all and let them "come after me" (if so, who is best to pay/not pay). I don't want my credit to get destroyed, though I know its going to be pretty bad as a result of all this either way, but way is the best way to minimize it? Here is my current debt:
BOA (Visa) owe $8600, monthly min $210 APR 22.99%
BOA (Loan) owe $18300, monthly min $375 APR 16.99%
Chase (MC) owe $9550, monthly min $270 APR 22.24% (this acct is already closed but am still paying it off)
Citibank (MC) owe $23,750, monthly min $457, APR 19.9%
Discover owe $13,300, monthly min $262, APR 16.25%
Sallie Mae (student loans) owe $5800, monthly min $245 APR 8%
GE Money (credit/loan account) owe $1700, monthly min $54 APR 23.99%
--those are MY debts, in addition I'm paying my wife's as well, plus auto $110/month, groceries, utilities etc. In addition my wife has 2 credit cards and a Sallie Mae student loan, all together about $650/mo. What is my best option? I've tried consolidation (the BOA loan) and it really did nothing to help at all.


From what you have described it sure sounds like you would be a good candidate for debt settlement. I would normally suggest a debt management plan with a non-profit credit counseling agency but I can clearly see that you are struggling. A DMP will get you lower interest rates but typically not lower payment6s and thus won't really help you.


lrhall41

Submitted by mobile0311 on Fri, 05/22/2009 - 13:25

( Posts: 1817 | Credits: )