ducttapejake1980 . asked:
I’m barely making ends meet working two jobs and would like to eliminate or reduce my credit card balances as well as pay a medical bill. It’s stressing me out.
I’m barely making ends meet working two jobs and would like to eliminate or reduce my credit card balances as well as pay a medical bill. It’s stressing me out.
#1 by sarcastro1976 - January 28th, 2010 at 06:16
Call the credit card companies and explain. They’ll often work with you to lower payments.
Then, stick to the basics: pay the highest interest card or loan first, while paying the minimum on all the others. When you finish that one, start paying more on the next-highest.
If collections calls are stressing you out, you do have rights: they can’t call you at work or at crazy hours. One of them called me one too many times once, and I started crying on the phone because they were stressing me out. They agreed to stop calling for a week.
As far as GETTING the money: it sounds like maybe it’s time to go back to school. If 2 jobs aren’t doing it, you need a more dependable job. Good luck.
#2 by cope_acetic@yahoo.com - January 30th, 2010 at 22:11
Go to your bank and ask for some credit counseling. If you have good credit, it might be a good idea to get a loan to pay off the debt you have. A bank loan will DEFINITELY have lower interest than your credit cards are charging you, so you will save money in the long run.
Then cut the cards up–they are far too easy to get & use, and so many people get into your situation because of them.
Good luck to you!
#3 by drjane29 - February 2nd, 2010 at 08:06
You should listen to Dave Ramsey or get one of his books. You can also get tips from his website at daveramsey.com. He has a great video on there about how to get free cars for life just by doing some saving in the right way. Dave says sell what you have that you can’t afford. Stop living on more than you make. Save for emergencies. Pay the smallest bill first when paying everything off so you feel like you’re making progress. Good luck. I’m working on this too!
#4 by arhpete1 - February 5th, 2010 at 18:46
I wouldn’t try to deal with the companies myself….I would either contact an attorney and ask for a free consultation or perform an internet search for “credit card debt help’ or “debt help” and see what forms of help are available! Good Luck!
#5 by catinhat95 - February 6th, 2010 at 06:43
How much are you making? Is there a way you can transfer your credit card debt to lower interest cards? Do you get offers for 4.9 or 5.9? I would try to consolidate as much as possible on one card. Then pay it off over time paying more than the minimum amount. it is very stressful. You care about it and that is a good thing.
#6 by Jen G - February 8th, 2010 at 07:21
I would like to recommend the book The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. He goes through getting yourself on a budget, out of debt, and building wealth for the future.
Go to the library and check it out. That’s what I did. This book had changed my life and how I look at money.
Best of luck to you.
#7 by Robert S - February 11th, 2010 at 18:06
I agree with a previous poster: listen to Dave Ramsey, buy his book “Total Money Makeover”, put yourself on a strict budget (beans and rice), and pay down your debts.
Stop using the credit cards, or else you’ll just keep throwing yourself further into debt.