I dont want to let the bills go to collections

When you signed up here you should have opted for the free counseling. If you did you will be contacted by a proffessional debt counsellor who will discuss your options with you. If not, click the free consultation link on the side bar.

I got into this mess. Talk to each of your bill people and explain the situation. Most will work with you to help you out, especially if they know you are really trying to keep up on your obligations, but are just having a very bad time of it.

For example, say you have a few utility bills that are already past due (I let some go a month with no payment so I could pay another, then didn't pay that one the next month while I paid the late...so in essence, all my bills were always getting paid a month late)

Ask them if they can break that past due up into like 3-4 or more monthly payments, most will agree to this (at least they did for me) so that you can catch up and be a very good customer and get back to paying in a timely manner.