Thanksgiving at DebtCC

When I came here almost 2 years ago, I was desperate. I had six pdls in default, and had no idea what to do. I couldn't tell my husband about it, I was keeping secrets from everyone and lying to myself. Thanks to this site I was able to learn how to handle them and what to do. I also found I wasn't alone. I am so thankful I was able to turn my debt situation around and live a great life again. I am also thankful for the personal friends I've made here, and all the laughs. Also, it means so much to me that I am able to help people out once in awhile.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

We love you too Fins!!!

I love that we are so diverse but yet we can all come together to help eachother & cheer us all one. Even the smallest victory feels like a major one when I tell you all about it! Sometimes I think "Oh...they won't care! Its just a small piece of news" but the I tell you all & you are so happy and supportive for me its makes me feel incredible.

I can't thank just one person...its everyone here who has helped me. Even if you didn't have advice to offer & just told me to "keep my chin up" or "you'll be ok"...just simple affirmations like that mean the world.

There is a counselor I'd like to thank from the phone line, but I forgot his name! I was in a panic one night & was near hysterical, but the rep calmed me down & told me what to do and NEVER EVER made me feel stupid. Sometimes when you are in debt you are so afraid of being judged that you are scared to ask for help.

My mind set when I came here? Well, my monthly minimums were getting insanely high. I couldn't do it anymore & needed help. I don't even know how I found this place, I just stumbled in. I lurked for a bit and then I saw how nice you all were & decided to take a leap &ask for help. I was so scared that I would be made fun of or that no one could help, but you all did help! I didn't feel alone & i felt like I could actually get out of this hole I was in! I applied for a consultation & got matched to a great company. The rep was really nice & helpful. She didn't pressure me & was very willing to work with me & explain things. She was always following up to make sure I was comfortable with everything we were doing. Even the dumbest questions she answered. Now I'm in the plan, I don't feel as stressed. I still stress about where I'm getting $$ from as my amount to pay is high (but no where as high as it was if I just paid minimums).

I can't tell you how much I love you all & am glad I found this place. I used to post on other message boards...meaningless boards where we'd chat about our day, weather, tv shows...but I only come here now as I love to help others...even if its just offering encouragement.

Ok...I've babbled enough...HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

I found this site completely by accident while looking for a loan...about 3 1/2 months ago. I was so scared to believe I would not go to jail. I had nine internet pdls and to this day only people on this fourm and one other person (not hubby) know about what I have been through. The people here were my lifeline. In the past three months, I have 4 pif's and the rest are on their way. I have learned so much here and have met many great people. Things in my life are much better and I am happy and proud to be able to help the people on this fourm. I am thankful for you all!! Please everyone be safe and have a great Thanksgiving...enjoy your families.

Hello, all! :D I, for one, am more than happy to be here, which might be an "odd" thing to say regarding being a member of a site who's life was turned upside down by pdls. However, at fins urging, I'll share. I will NEVER forget the night I sat down and posted on here for the first time. I'm not lying - I was suicidal. I had 12 internet pdls and 5 storefront pdls. I thought I was going to jail. I was broke, in trouble, and had nowhere to turn. I happened upon this site by the grace of God and cried my eyes out when I realized that I was not the only one. I cried for hours. Then I posted. I had so many people respond to me so quickly. I followed every piece of advice that was given to me. I could not have done anything without this site or the members here. No one knows my "dark secret pdl life". No one except the members here. I have come so far since that first night when I was rescued. And I got on my knees that night and I thanked God and I cried some more. I have been on here almost every single day since that first day. Never in my life have I had complete strangers reach out to me and help me and make me realize that I wanted to live. It still hurts my heart to remember my desperation. I honestly may not be here now if it wasn't for this site and these members. I have been helped by everyone on here in my times of need. I have been supported by everyone on here in my times of darkness. I have been cheered on by everyone here in my times of happiness. This site is a huge part of my life. The members here are my friends. Basically my only friends. And I wouldn't have it any other way. My friends here are "real" friends that I can depend on. I know that when I come here, people will listen, people will help, people will support me, people will help me. My best friends are here. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I'm more than grateful for debtcc and every single member and guest. And I am proud to sit and post to help others out of their situation. I would do anything to prevent anyone from feeling the way I did before I came across this wonderful community. And it is my pleasure to be here on Thanksgiving to share this special day with these special people and give thanks to every one of you. I owe a lot to debtcc and every person here. A lot. I wish only the best for everyone and may God bless each and every one of you. And thank you for being with us. My Thanksgiving is complete with my "family" here. :D

I forgot. I wanted to be the "welcome person"! Welcome to Thanksgiving at Debtcc fins (of course), lawn, and roxy! I hope to welcome MANY, MANY others, too! :D

You go Cannr!!! You have a future job at Wally World if you need it. :lol: Thank you for the welcome. I can not wait to read the rest of the posts. This is a wonderful idea Fins and Mike.

This is awesome. I can't wait for others to come and post and share this day with us!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Doing a bunch of food prep work for tomorrow so will drop back by later. :D

Have a nice holiday everyone.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. i wanted to thank you all for the constant communication and support that you offer everyone here, whether users are members or not! I joined in October 07 and I've been through lots of issues with debts and still am dealing with debts but on a smaller scale. I learned so much about various types of debts and how to deal with them...
Like many others before I went into consolidation 2 years ago I was depressed and thought that our problems would never end. but they did end, there will always be some problems but you learn from your past mistakes. I am so thankful to be in the situation we are now. My husband works and i stay home with our baby, there's little left over but we pay our bills and are relatively comfortable and we manage our credit much much better. I think of many people who do not have a family, who are lonely, who are sick, unhealthy an dam so grateful that God blessed me with a beautiful family, I have started my own family (not alone of course ;) and I'm thrilled. debts will always be there, all I can do is manage the best way I can and make intelligent choices for our family. Big hugs to all of you, I hope you truly enjoy Thanksgiving...this is a great thread!
Oh one more thing...I really enjoy the rapport I have with many of you...so supportive and emotionally understanding. I can only hope I have the opportunity to offer that to other members as it has been offered to me :)

Welcome volley and kash! :D And, debtstinker, thank you for sharing with us on this special day. We are thankful for you being here with us and for all that you give to our members and guests! May God be with you all!

Hello...I misunderstood your intentions Fins...thought you wanted us to post on the annnouncement site..sorry. Anyway just to let you all know when I came here I had 5 pdls all internet all with very harrassing companies! Yes..I was tired of them I had no idea there were laws they were suppose to abide by and no idea what to do. I asked questions and got some great answers..I am very appreciative to everyone who helped me and now I try to help others. I don't have many answers but I enjoy reading what others write and learning new things. So to end this I feel great about my future and I'm very thankful for my family and everything I have been blessed with. I hope everyone here has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving,

I am thankful I found such a community and it was quite by accident. I was actualy looking up my employer and was relieved to find not too many negative post/threads about them. But I did see several negative post about other companies and collectors and I thought to myself that maybe a collectors point of view wouldn't be so bad.

I seriously wish that there had been a community like this when I was racking up credit card debts!

I wish a happy Thanksgiving to everyone who posts here.

Good Morning everyone and Happy Thanksgiving! And how could any of us have a thankful day with out being grateful of having found this place in our darkest time?? When I came here in June of 07, I had 10 ipdls and had fallen behind on my rent, utilities and all my credit cards. I sadly had just blown a $2500. bonus on ipdl fee's that didn't make a dent and had to borrow food and gas money from my daughter in college!!! I had contacted a debt management company who was great but didn't have a lot of experience with internet loans....The day after I closed my bank account (or thought I had) I found this site....I was up till 1 am reading and tentatively posting questions...I was so relieved to find I was not the only one who was in this trap!! I slept for the first night in months!!

I too have laughed and cried with members here,some of which have become dear dear friends....they have helped me through not only my pdl mess but my cancer scare and my son moving away for the first time. I have learned to budget and will be debt free totally by May 08 when I also plan on moving back home to the Chicago area. I have not had a nasty phone call in months and sleep soundly at night. And the best part?? I am able to calm and help others facing the same trial and assure them through my own experience that there IS light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Thank you all and have a peaceful, safe Thanksgiving Day!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I unfortunately have to work and avoid frostbite since us cajuns don't do cold weather very well at all. :lol: It is in the 30's here in North east Texas where I am working.I am thankful for many things. This site,getting paid extra today,being fed a holiday meal on a isolated rig,my poor wife putting up with me and my job for over ten years,and my lovely spoiled kids. Everyone be safe today. :D

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I am taking a very old person out who is all alone to dinner. She is so excited. She has no one but me and I try to see her at least twice a month. I will try to post later today. Take care Happy Holidays.

Thanks to laura, FYI, lawstudent, morningstarr, cajun, and luke who obviously got up early this morning and jumped on here to share Thanksgiving with us! This is great! Each of you have a wonderful, wonderful day. cajun, I'm sorry you can't be with your family today. And, luke, God love you & that nice woman you are spending the day with is very lucky to have you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

When I joined DebtCC in October of 2006, I had a few outstanding PDL's - internet and storefront - and was at my wits' end. One of them was the infamous Rt. 66 Funding...they were a nightmare to deal with, but by using the skills I learned here at DebtCC, I finally got them to back off and stop calling me at work every five minutes! In fact, I haven't heard from them for a year now - what a great anniversary - one whole year free of PDL's!!

Though this year has been somewhat bleak for me, I do have MUCH to be thankful for, and I can see the good in even the bad things that have happened. I purchased a home last year - unfortunately, I was one of those you hear of in the news who were taken advantage of by a dishonest, shady mortgage broker and real estate agent (who worked together). They told me they would sue me if I didn't buy this house (which I really didn't want) because I had signed a purchase agreement on it. I didn't know they couldn't do that (but I know it now). Within 6 months of closing on the house, I was forced to file Chapter 13 Bankruptcy to keep it, because I had no where else to go to live if I lost it to foreclosure. In September of this year, after living for over a year on $130 a week plus $500 child support each month, I made the decision to surrender the house to foreclosure. The decision was hard to make, but when the whole mortgage crisis exploded in the news, I suddenly became very aware of what a horrible mortgage the broker had put me into. An ARM, at 9.595%, which would start adjusting one point per month in March of 2008, and could adjust up to a maximum of 15.595%. With a 10-year balloon. I was tired of my kids and I living on Oodle Noodles and PB & J sandwiches all the time. I made the decision to surrender the house, and started the paperwork in September. In October, my daughter and her fiancee came up from VA to visit and attend my parents' 50th anniversary party. We talked of them moving up here and staying with me briefly until they could find their own place, and I could help them find jobs, etc. Three days after they left to go back to VA, they were back here, having run out of money to get back.

Now, over a month after my daughter and her fiancee arrived, I have to look back at all that has happened in the past year and be thankful for the good that hides within the bad:

-yes, I will be surrendering this house to foreclosure. But in light of my daughter and her fiancee moving in with me, it's too small anyway. It's a 2 bedroom house with only one bathroom (and it's upstairs-what a pain!), and we have 5 people living in it now. So losing it is not such a bad thing after all.

-we have found a beautiful house to RENT, not buy, which is about 19 miles closer to where I work and the kids attend school than I am now. Gas savings!

-my credit will be badly damaged by all of this...but it will eventually recover. It has made me MUCH more aware of my credit and the effect it can have on my life - so I'm thankful for that! And I'm SO thankful for what I've learned through DebtCC about credit and collection agencies, etc.

-no jobs for the kids yet, but they are working on it. They have interviews on Monday, and my daughter's fiancee is headed for a day labor agency tomorrow to get signed up for work there. They are at least willing to work, which is more than can be said for some kids their age these days.

-with moving in January to the new house, we will not be spending another cold winter in this drafty, leaky house with plastic over the windows and worrying about a $500 a month heat bill, and I won't have to play Thermostat Nazi!

-money is tight right now, yes, with only me supporting 5 people...but I DO have my whole paycheck back now that I've decided to surrender this house - so I'm not supporting 5 people on $130 a week.

-we lost one of our dogs this year to Leukemia. We miss her terribly, but we know she is better off not suffering. We do still have Barney, our German Shepherd mix, who has been a great dog, and now we have a new kitten!

-my ex got remarried this year, to the woman he left me for over 5 years ago. That was a bit of a bitter pill for me to swallow, but now I'm thankful that he did, because he's easier for me to deal with now that he's married than he was when he was single. I don't have to talk to him as often, and he seems to be a little more understanding and just easier to deal with. Not so angry all the time. And the child support actually comes on time now, without me having to call from the 15th through the 30th of the month and hearing "I'll send it out tomorrow" only to find it wasn't sent.

-I did lose a co-worker earlier this month to suicide. He was one of my inside salesmen, and worked closely with me every day. I have a hard time finding "good" in this situation, but I can be thankful that his wife has family around to support her during this difficult time and that she will not be alone, nor will his children, who have returned to live with their mother. I guess in something like that, you have to be thankful for small things.

Sorry this was so long, but when I started typing, it just started pouring out. I guess what I'm trying to say is...Life is Good, people. No matter what you're going through, or have been through this year, nothing is worth ending your life over - certainly not debt, PDL's, mortgages, or credit. I know many of us came to this site when we were at our lowest point, feeling we were worthless and ready to just end it all. This site has brought hope to thousands, and will continue to do so for years to come!

Happy Turkey Day everyone!!!!

Well, my turn. I am so moved by reading all of the posts so far. It is amazing to see what happens when we ban together for a cause that is good and just! I am so proud of everyone here and myself, too. When I first came here, I was losing sleep, weight (not that I haven't gained it back now and then some :-) ), basically my life was consumed by the worries of pdls and other bills. I stumbled ont this site when I was doing some research about the consequences of defaulting on pdls. I was so excited and relieved to see that I wasn't going to get arrested or that someone wasn't going to take my house, car, etc. I was also angry that so many of these companies take advantage of people...literally take their last morsel of food and the roofs over their heads, and are so heartless. Thank God I found this place. Now, things aren't easy, but they are certainly much better. I am making strides each and every day to dig myself out of this hole that I have gotten into. I, like so many others, had the "secret pdl" life. Only you all really know the extent of detriment that I had gotten myself into.

Thank you all so much for being here and for being such good friends. Most of all, thank you for listening. I love each and every one of you and hope you have the best Thanksgiving ever!

just checking in with everyone. later on this house will be bursting at the seams with family and friends. can not wait!! i started cooking yesterday so most of the food is done. i am so thankful for my family. they have helped me through the hard times that me and my bf has gone through. i really hate that we overslept, and i could not attend church this morning, but i said a prayer and i know god will forgive me for it. my bf just found out yesterday that his brother has lung cancer and believe it or not his brother is in good spirits. (mad at the doctor because he would not discharge him from the hospital) so later on today, we will take a plate to him at the hospital. right now, i'm mad at my kitchen sink because it will not unstopped. but i'm not going to let it spoil my day. but most of all, i am SO THANKFUL for my friend here on debtcc. i don't know how i would have gotten through my financial and emotional crisis without you all. :hug:

love ya,
granny

will check in later.

I already posted earlier, but have been checking in while getting food prepped.

I have to say, I can relate to almost if not everyone story here in part. Its amazing how these pdl's and just debt in general can screw with everyones life, emotions, well-being and self esteem.

Volley, yes it is amazing...and it is equally amazing that something, someone, however you want to phrase it, drew us all here to this particular site when we needed it most. Gave us this amazing support group where we can learn and grow,where we have faced and conquored frears, insecurities and mistakes, and where we have built relationshipes and friendships that have and continue to sustain us when we need it....ok enough sap :lol:

I hate to be that one that says "I agree" on these boards, but in this case"I agree". It was something that drew me here, and i dont know what. I usually,dont join these forums. Well,not usually, I never do.For some reason, I arrived here , and never left. Thank you my friends for helpimg me when I needed it, and for continuing to be there for me. I was able to finally share my pdl secret. I am no longer scared. Have a happy and safe holiday.

:lol: :hug: :rose: :sun:
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FOR ALL MY FRIENDS OF debt consolidation CARE!!!
I HAVE GREAT ADMIRATION FOR ALL GREAT MEMBERS OF THIS FORUM.
I WISH ONLY WONDERFUL THINGS FOR ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.
I PRAY TO GOD ALWAYS TO GIVE MANY HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS FOR ALL OF YOU THAT TAKE YOUR TIME TO HELP PEOPLE LIKE ME AND PEOPLE LIKE US.
THANKS!!!

Just popping in real quick before we head to my aunt's house for dinner to wish each and every one of my "family" here a HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING! We have been pretty busy. We are cooking 1 turkery here and we made a bunch of stuff yesterday so would not have as much to do today. We are at my mom's house, my grandmother (who is 90) is here with us, and we have just really enjoyed out visit. Bad thing, my daughter got sick right after her band competition in Indy. She has been in bed most of the time, but she is better. Still a stuffy in the head, but better. We are leaving to head home tomorrow afternoon.

Anyway, God Bless you all! Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day. Don't eat too much and thank you for being part of my extended family!

Luv you guys!
Karen

Popping in for just a minute for a quick hello and a Happy Thanksgiving to my friends on the boards.
Yes, it certainly has been a challenging year for me. I am now dealing with my own health issues, along with my husband's and the normal financial challenges but we're taking it one day at a time.
What do I have to be thankful for? Two beautiful daughters who are now on their own--one in college and one working FAR away from me, which I am very sad about, but we deal with it.
I have also made a whole new set of friends at a second job near my home that I have to help me get out of debt--which I WILL DO!!! I am the surrogate mother to a whole set of young adults who staff a KMart near my home and share their problems with me as I sell portraits in the photo studio there. I've been given "cool" lessons by them and have learned how to do the "Cool handshake", what a Mosh pit is and have even played Laser tag (don't ask--but I did it, LOL).
I have also gotten a better job within my hospital chain, and was terrified when I first got it, but 30 days later, have realized that I CAN DO IT!!! I also overheard someone saying that I was catching on quickly, which made my day in spades. The department manager who told me in my last job that this was all I would ever do has been proven wrong by me.
Anyway, I hope everyone has a great day and look forward to hearing from many more people here. Vikas and Mike, can you carve the turkey and pass it down to us here at the kid's table?? I'm sitting next to JediJeff, ya know!!
Love you all!!

Hey everyone, Im back and so tired from dinner. I had a great time with my friend and she loved it. We had dinner in a fancy steakhouse by the huge stone fireplace; I got a steak and she got prime rib and all the fixings...so good. I hope all here had a great and safe day and hope the rest of the year. Goodnight all, love you.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody. I found this place when I was on the verge of losing everything because I got caught up in the PDL trap. I was 2 months behind on my car and my mortgage. I typed in the search in "help with payday loans" and lo and behold I found this site. I am eternally grateful to all of you for helping me get through this. I am thankful for my children and my husband who was very upset when he found out I had gotten us as deep in debt as I did, but has come to forgive me and now we are closer than ever.

Hey everyone thought I would jump in and say my thanks, I'm still working on getting out of debt, but all the wonderful information here has really helped me figure out what's best for my family. It has been a great source of knowledge and inspiration reading what everyone has gone through and has/is continuing to help me deal with the debt my DH and I have created. I don't post much but I do have alot to be thankful and grateful for, and one of those things is this web site. So Happy Thanksgiving!

I came to this site about 8 months ago. It was payday and I was overdrawn by $500. A co-worker had to lend me money to buy gas to get home. I was rock bottom. I had 14 pdls. I came to find out that all the internet ones were already paid. I am still battling some, but most have given up and 5 have given me pifs. This site was a life saver and has helped me in so many ways. I remember the first person to respond to my plea was Leah. She made me feel all was not lost. I am still having financial difficulties but can't imagine where I would have been without this site. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

Thank you to suebee, lawn, eleroo, granny, tania, 2nband, kscornell, pybasj, jb2007, and tali1956 for sharing with us! And I see volley, kash, roxy, and luke even popped back in again! Awesome! :D We are all so glad that you are all here. This thread is great!

What wonderful sentiment everyone has shared today..and I have to say I am gretly humbled by Luke. You are an amazing man and really touched my heart today.

Ooohhh, don't make me cry, roxy! :cry: We do have some saints in this community, don't we?

We do have very wonderful people here and everyone brings something special to this fourm.

You guys are all so amazing! I love you all so much!

Fins! We have some great people, don't we? I've been just watching this thread! Where's Mike???

I hope you all had a beautiful day!!!! It's so great to know we can come in here and "bump" into a friend at any time of day or night. Sometimes just reading for a bit calms me and makes me feel all is good with the world....

I was gone out with my friends. I thought this will be a nice time for me to go out and have a break from the routine work every day. Anyways, it's so nice to read everyone's story here and make your heart melt. Everyone????????s situation is different but so close. Thanks for starting this thread fins and making everyone feel comfortable and show their soft corner.

Life is good! I wish you all success and pray for your happier days. :)

hello everyone, just stopping by before clean up after all the company has left. had a wonderful time with family and friends and guess what thirty minutes before the company came my kitchen sink unstopped all by itself. i was so happy, just kept running water in it just so i could hear it drain out. anyway, got to go to hear the water drain out again and will try to get twenty dollars to shop with tommorrow. i just want to get in the crowd. see ya!!!!

No shopping for me tomorrow! I hate the crowds and the fights over silly materialistic things. (No offense to those that DO go out shopping tomorrow, it's just not for me!)

My kids and I will decorate our Christmas tree tomorrow, and then go over to set up and decorate my parents' house. We are not decorating much at our own house this year, beyond putting up a tree, because we are moving in January, and would only have to pack it back up again...along with everything else in the house!

Of course, the tree decorating comes secondary to job hunting for the two oldest kids tomorrow! :-)

I am sleeping in tomorrow. :D

Thank you Fins for starting this thread! You had a great idea here.

Hey All My Dearest friends! Wanted to thank you all for being part of my life! Without your help I wouldn't be where I am today....out of the PDL HELL! You are all in my heart forever!!!!

After working retail while in college and working what we called Black Friday, I do not go anywhere near the stores that day. So we will be at home putting up the Christmas tree and decorations. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting with my kids watching the tree sparkle.

Oh, gosh! morningstarr, granny, suebee, and volley popped back in! I love how you guys stop in during the day and night! And I see Mike came by to share the day and also erzeke1, who is an "older" member of the community! Thanks, Mike, for stopping by. And thank you erzeke1 for coming and sharing even just a minute!!! :D

I have been posting on this site since July. I was so desperate and did not know where to go for help. I had a total of 16 pdls and my husband did not and still does not know about these pdls. We had lost our house due to Hurricane Wilma then lost my father and all of our savings just went, so i had no choice then to borrow from all these companies. I was always sad, depressed, upset until I found this wonderful site. I really really thank all of you for your support, your help, and your friendship if it wasn't for all of you I would not be down to only 5 pdls. I want to thank all of you for helping me get my life back in track. Love you all!
Kate

Side note to "black friday"....I work retail...was up at 3:15 am...left the house at about 4 started work at 4:45 am and got home at 4pm this afternoon. Do I shop?? H--- No...after dealing with people all day every day I do most my shopping on line...LOL!

Here I come, a day late and a dollar short... as usual! :lol:

[center:64d7e4f431]I hope evryone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!![/center:64d7e4f431]

I am fairly new here, and I still have a long road ahead of me. But to go from feeling like there was no way out of the mess I had gotten myself into to feeling like all of the weight had been lifted and everything was going to be okay is priceless. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all of the help, support, advice, kindness, understanding and everything else. You are all wonderful, and I thank God every day that I found you!

I know someone said it earlier, but I too had never joined a forum, and never thought I would. But something drew me here and pulled me in. And I am so grateful that I stayed to read posts and then ask about my situation. This site has been a lifesaver. I hope to be able to help others as all of you have helped me.

THANK YOU ALL!!

I don't know where my post went, but I just left one and then noticed I wasn't signed in. But it's me, the one who is "a day late and a dollar short"!! :)