No light at the end of my tunnel

Welcome to the Community :D I knwo exactly how you feel. I couldn't even find the tunnel! Now I am alomst debt free, thanks to this forum and the help I received here. Have you tried to get some help from your states' human services? Sometimes they will help with expenses, utilities, etc. Also, it may be wise to find something to rent a little cheaper than 60% of your income going to rent. There are helping agencies in most towns, even small ones- call churches, everyone to see if you can at least get some temporary help. As far as your debt, what kind is it-credit cards, payday loans? If you can give us some more info about that and what state you are in- no personal info please- we can direct you. Since you are registered, someone will contact you and discuss options you may have, including consolidation. Hang in ther, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. If you still feel this way, their are fee mental health centers where you can talk with someone-don't mean to butt into your personal business- I am a counselor, and it just pops out sometimes!!Good Luck..KAren

Believe me... I've thought of suicide too. Just remeber that you are not alone. It would be silly to kill ourselves over anything really, but money problems?! Hopefully, we will both get the guidance we need to brighten our future. God Bless!

Joye

Hi. Debt can be very frustrating and very serious. I read a book that really helped me. It's called "How to get out of debt, Stay Out of Debt & Live Prosperously" by Jerrold Mundis. It's based on the principles of Debtors Anonymous. One of the first steps was to give yourself a break from your debt and to choose a 30 day period in which you place each debt notification in a container and cover it with a lid symbolizing the mental break that you are allowing yourself to take. At the end of the 30 day period you take the notifications, one at a time, and you deal with them one at a time. It is a long process but breaking it into single steps can help you to feel more in control. Don't lose sight of true financial emergencies...just remember that as long as you have food, clothing, shelter, and transportation then you have your necessities. Financial emergencies occur when you are in danger of losing these things. I think one of the strategies of bill collectors is to make you feel frustrated, nervous, and anxious so that you forget that they are not a priority. Just slow down and do one thing at a time. I really encourage you to read that book. It was very enlightening for me. Good luck. :-)

There is no greater force on this planet than the force of a man determined to rise. Do not lose hope that your place in this world is awaiting you. I know how hard debt can be, I once followed an armored car around town, learning its stops, to maybe snag a bag and run. I thought of killing myself. But this is LIFE! This is the only one we have! Debt is not you, you are not debt. Your decency as a person keeps you tied to it because you feel it is your obligation. You are simply YOU, not debt. Do not end a beautiful life in this endlessly amazing world due to debt. Pay what you can, live every moment. Life is passing you by, that is a debt you can never get back. Enjoy life, keep your chin up, and eventually a star will whap you right in the forehead. Mine did, it took a whole year of terrifying misery, but it is here. Let me tell you, once it arrives, life begins anew! Hang in there!

I have felt hopeless at times too. We are not even able to pay the minimums anymore and most books and material are geared toward paring back your lifestyle. We cannot do that, it's to late. I wish we had gotten help sooner.

Lisa- I have been where you are! Hang in there, there is hope!

It takes time and effort, but you can be in contol of your life and finances again.
If you signed up for the free credit counseling, listen to what options you may have, and you are free to choose one or not. We are here to support and guide you through the process of becoming debt free!!..Karen :D