drowning but trying to stay afloat

start writing letters to your creditors stating your position. Plus there might be a way to be in their hardship program

Contact your creditors and be honest with them. They will usually work with you if your trying to work out a solution to the problem. It's when you try to hide, ignore or hope it will go away that you will find yourself in trouble.

Have you talked to your creditors? As Buzzette has posted, communication holds the key. You need to contact your creditor and tell them about your financial hardship. If they reject your plea, then don't lose hope. Try again next day. Ask them to put you in their hardship program. And try to save as much as possible by cutting down your expenses. Put this money to pay more towards the debt.

i got a call from chase today -- i missed my first payment ever in 30 years. i didn't really miss it, i paid them 100 bucks as good faith. this was the second call -- they offered to settle over the phone at 75%! of course i can't, but whaddya think about that? i nearly fell over.

tell them not to contact you over the phone but through email or mail

Please tell them that not to contact you over the phone but through e-mail. This is a right way to teach them.
Savings Account Interest

mgt I would not listen to anyone telling you to write a letter to your creditors or to insist that they only communicate through email or mail. You are not trying to "teach them" anything. You are trying to develop a history of cooperation so they will work with you. Writing them a letter only increases the chance that they send your acct straight to their legal dept. As Buzzette posted communicate by phone in a honest personal manner and you will get much further than taking the attitude that you're going to "teach them" something.