Multiple Debts.
Date: Thu, 10/01/2009 - 00:50
I am trying to pay off multiple credit cards and student loans. I am not sure which is better to pay off first: credit cards still with the actual credit card company (discover, chase, etc) with a larger balance ($2000-$4000 range) or smaller debts ($400-$500 range) that have gone to collections. Which should I attack first?
Thanks & Regards.
Can you make minimums on the cards that you still have good rela
Can you make minimums on the cards that you still have good relations with and attack the collectors with larger amounts? If so, that seems the best way.
If not, I would suggest calling each of the card companies you have good relations with and asking for a hardship program--reduced interest/reduced payments. Your goal in this is to cut down the amount you have to pay your good cards every month to free money to pay the collectors.
As for the collectors, record all of your phone calls with them. This could be as simple as having the phone on speaker and using a cheap microphone... Send follow up letters to provide suppording documentation to any agreements you make over the phone.
What is the status of your student loans? If they are federal,
What is the status of your student loans? If they are federal, keep them current. If defaulted, get into repayment or you will end up with your wages being garnished.
Soaplady is right-check on your student loans first. What I did
Soaplady is right-check on your student loans first. What I did to get out of debt was, I took my lowest balance card,paid as much extra as I could until it was paid off. Then I took that payment,plus the extra I added and applied it to the next lowest card, and so on.
I know alot of people say to go with the highest balances first, but I needed to see results fairly quick so I wouldn't get discouraged. It took some time-alot of doing without extras,etc., to get there--but has been well worth it. After I got the first one paid for,it gave me more incentive to keep going, and also got some stress relief as it went along...Good Luck!..KAren
