Two months ago I maxed out all my credit cards and opened an unsecured personal loan because I needed cash for family emergency. Now I have approximately ,000 debts from credit card companies and bank (all unsecured). After one month, I couldn’t afford to make the payments. For my situation, I don’t think I am able to payoff all the debt. What are my options now? When would the credit card company sue me? Can they garnish my salary? If the debt transfer to collection company, how much can I bargain off for a lump sum payment? Should I settle the payment myself or go to debt consolidation company? How many years the bad record would stay on my credit report?

I live in California. I’m working full time with ,000 annual salary. The only property I own is a free-and-clear car (2007). I might able to borrower ,000 from my girlfriend if a lump sum payment is offered.

Please answer as much as you can. Your help is much appreciated. Sincerely thanks.

Technorati Tags: annual salary, credit card companies, credit card company, credit cards, credit report, debt consolidation company, debts, family emergency, full time, girlfriend, lump sum payment, unsecured personal loan

I’ve recently been contemplating filing for Bankruptcy (Ch. 7) because I am in so much debt it hurts my brain to even think about it!! I am currently over k in debt. Most of the accumulated debt I owe is from past bills I ran behind on due to some unnecessary circumstances. Right now I am attending school full time and working part time making a measly 20/month as my take home pay. With my salary I pay for all the usual bills: rent, utilities, wsg, car insurance, car note, and use whatever I have left over to pay down my debt. For the past year and a half I haven’t opened any new credit accounts and I’ve been on a tight budget. I take full responsibility for all of the finanical debt I put myself into but am stressed and afraid that some of the creditors I owe will soon take legal action (as some have stated in their threatning letters). I’ve attempted to set up payment plans and have tried to negotiate a reasonable payment plan with my creditors but even with some agreeing to this others are not as willing. I am just seeking some advice because my credit is already horrible and even if I decide to paydown my debt it will take well over 5 years relinquish. I figured if I file for Chapter 7 it will stay on my credit just as long as if I tried to paydown all my debt on my own.
Big T: THank you very much for the advice and the many suggestions. I have been trying to stay optimistic about the whole ordeal and I have to give it up to you because I understand first hand how hard juggling work and going to school full time can be. I understand my debt is nothing compared to others but it is still a debt I have to take care of. I appreciate the encouragement and will look into other wage earning opportunities and try other ways to cut back!

Barnaby J: Thank you, I didn’t really factor in my wage earnings after college because they are still unbeknowest to me. (maybe if I looked into a crystal ball I’d know for sure..lol) But, since you have mentioned it I am predicting my salary wages will increase quite significantly after college which will help me drastically in cutting my debt!! However, I am not trying to rely entirely on those predictions! Thank you!!

Technorati Tags: big t, brain, car insurance, ch 7, chapter 7, circumstances, credit accounts, creditors, crystal ball, encouragement, filing for bankruptcy, full time, insurance car, lol, ordeal, part time, salar, salary, tight budget, wage earnings

I wanted to know what my options are in terms of settling old credit card debt. The debt was charged off in september of 2009 and now they are looking to seriously collect as I recieved an official "summons" with no court date. I called the lawyers office who are repesenting the creditors and they said I can still mediate the account by writing a letter stating how much I can settle for or how much can I pay monthly on the account and they will report to the court the agreement and cease legal action. Is this really the case? or do i automatically have a judgement/lien against me being the fact that they took the step to start action with a summons. Called this morning and he said it is just the initial step. How do I approach this?

Should I write a letter to settle the account? For how much?
Should I pay monthly and then settle later on or pay in full over time?
I cannot afford to pay in full up front. Just graduated in 2008 but just started working full time.It is an old debt and credit cord from my college years coming back to haunt me. I use to make regular minimum payment without missing a beat until mid last year and then they charged it off.

Now it is at a collection company who is now being represented by a collections attorney company.

I am interested in pay for delete off my credit report but do understand that it would remove my oldest credit account on my report which would negatively affect me. How should I apporach this and what should I state in my general repsponse letter to them?
the account is about ,000 from student credit card from bank of america. It is now with cavalry portfolio after going through FIA CArd services.

I just could not afford the payments at the time
Does the summons and/or me sending a settlement letter to them after the fact show up on my credit report as a consent judgement or just a charged off account being paid on?

Technorati Tags: bank of america, cavalry portfolio, collections, credit card debt, credit report, creditors, fia card services, full time, initial step, judgement lien, lawyers, minimum payment, student credit card, summons, writing a letter

I am a single mom of 3 with no financial help. I work full time and have a pt time job to support us and get no other help financially. I have about ,000 in credit card debt. I have not been able to pay consistantly on them in about 6 mos. I want to get the debt paid and am trying to budget to do so. Is it better to try to settle myself or hire an agency to do so?

Technorati Tags: budget, credit card debt, financial help, full time, pt time, single mom, time job

I have ,000 in credit card debt from 5 years ago. I am currently in school full time and simply cant pay anything on it. The collection agency wants me to get a student loan and settle at the origional debt of ,000. He is sending me in writting now that the debt will show paid in full on my credit report. Is it wise for me to do this or would I be a fool?

Technorati Tags: credit card debt, credit report, fool, full time, student loan, writting

A few months ago I took out a ,000 loan for my Father. I declined the first four times he asked. He kept on asking & it got to a point where I felt I was forced to apply & sign the documents because it was someone I had to do for him. He has poor credit & had already maxed my mother and sister out -s o I was next. It was hugely ignorant & immature of me to do so but he insisted it was for business & to "move the family ahead". I also had pressure from my mother and sister as my Dad is very convincing when he wants people to "move the family forward".

Anyway, long story short is that since then his drinking (he has a problem) has spiraled out of control over the past few months & he blew all the money whilst also making our live hell. Finally the entire family has seen the light & he will be moving out by next weekend & we will be getting on with our lives.

My mother is in 150K debt & she has no choice but to go bankrupt (see has been the one earning money over the years but unfortunately she hasn’t seen a cent & she has been forced to sign loan and credit card applications under duress). My sister is a teacher & is well paid so she’s fine. However I’m a full time student & only work 2 days a week & I can’t afford it. It was a huge gamble I took on my Dad’s character in hoping/expecting he’d do the right thing by us & it looks like it’s going to cost me more than I could afford.

Is there anything I could do so he’s accountable for the loan? (I live in Australia BTW) His credit rating is shocking so I can’t transfer it across. Legally is there anything I can do regarding signing under duress? He actually submitted the applications & made most of the phone calls himself pretending to be me (he’s my Father so he knows all my private details). It’s just without his support now the family will be very tight financially & I also have a younger brother who is still in school that needs looking after.

I’m not looking for anyone telling me how naive I was because I’m already well aware of this. However all other replies would be MASSIVELY appreciated!

Technorati Tags: australia, brother, credit card applications, credit rating, dad, do the right thing, earning money, full time, hell, light amp, mother and sister, poor credit, private details, signing under duress, time student

Due to domestic violence in my home, I left my marriage. I drew up a proposal to my (soon-to-be) ex regarding our MASSIVE debt which left me with one medical bill of ,000 (not including interest) and two credit cards of over 00. I also left with only what I could fit in my car and left all our furniture and assets to him. I don’t work full-time, though I’m going to try to soon and I just CANNOT pay these debts. I have no problem with the idea of bankruptcy for myself…however, NOTHING is in my name except our Bank of America overdraft protection credit card and he works for a financial industry and told me that if he has a bankruptcy that he’ll loose his securities license and then his job. It’s not my goal to be malicious and cause that – but I can’t pay these bills. Will it be better for me to wait until the divorce is final and then file bankruptcy on whatever debts the judge gives me? Any advice? I don’t know what to do.

Technorati Tags: assets, bank of america, bank of america overdraft, bank of america overdraft protection, bankruptcy, credit card, credit cards, debts, divorce, domestic violence, full time, furniture, job, marriage, massive debt, medical bill, proposal, securities license

I went to CUNY Laguardia COllege here in NYC back in 2006. It was my first semester as a Freshman and decided to take a few classes. Unfortunately since I was working full time, I did not qualify for financial aid. I was told that I could take my three classes and just pay my debt off to the Bursar Office. Unfortunately I passed only 1 class and because of relationship problems I did not finish the last two. Now I have a debt of ,500.00 to pay off. This has discouraged me from going back to college. I would very much like to go back, but want to take the appropriate steps to resolve this debt in the most affordable fashion. Is there anything I can do to dispute the total amount?? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Technorati Tags: bursar office, fashion, financial aid, freshman, full time, laguardia college, relationship problems

Also do you know of any bankruptcy lawyers in the Western PA area?

Basically I went into debt consolidation through a non profit organization. I paid them one monthly payment and they dispersed it to all 3 of my creditors.

They have had problems with American Express accepting a proposal, or accepting a proposal then a month later saying no they wanted more than that. So basically they defaulted my account 2 times for this proposal problems and now they want immediate payment of ,300. I do not have that kind of money. I go to school full time, live it at home, drive a car owned by my mom, and work a part time job.

I have tried compromising with them, but they won’t budge. And my mom won’t bail me out because she feels I need to fix this myself. I know bankruptcy is a major step but I am just trying to look at all of my options.
Also if you know of anyone who has gone through a similar situation with American Express let me know. I would love someone to talk to about this.

Technorati Tags: american express, bankruptcy lawyers, creditors, debt consolidation, drive a car, full time, immediate payment, mom, money, non profit organization, part time job, proposal, western pa area

I work 50+ hours a week and go to school full time. I just recently signed up for 6 classes over the summer and feel I may not have the time to balance both. I did it last semester and found myself stressed more then I have ever been. I work out as well to keep stress levels down but feel my social life is at an all time low. I have stacks of bills to pay every month and without the job I could go bankrupt. I have alot of dreams and aspirations! What should I do!? If I Drop some classes it could take me years to get a BA if I dont work then how will I pay for college/rent/bills! Help!

Technorati Tags: aspirations, ba, dreams, full time, job, stacks, stress levels

First off, I am a full-time college student. Ok, here’s my situation–I’m a little over ,000 in credit card debt. My monthly payments from all my cards combined add up to about 0, and every one of my cards (with the exception of one at 8%) have rather high interest rates (19%, 20%). Most of them are pretty close to being maxed out. Having to make these payments is really hurting me every month. I would like to consolidate all of my cards through a loan from my credit union. HOWEVER, due to having a bill that has been out in collections (0 electric bill) for the past 3 months, my credit score has gone down. I know you’re prob gonna say just pay it because it’s only a 0, but I wouldn’t even be able to pay that right now without ultimately cutting myself short at the end of the month. Would this mark on my credit inevitably prevent me from being able to secure a loan through my credit union?

Also, if that wouldn’t be able to fall through, do I have any other options at all? I am pretty stressed right now about finances and would really appreciate some educated/experienced advice with this type of situation. First hand experience with this would probably offer me the best advice to this predicament–what did you do to get out of debt? Is bankruptcy (which I know absolutely nothing about) even a good option, or is my debt small enough to where there’s still hope for another alternative? Please respond to this i am desperate to get out of debt! Thanks a lot in advance.

Technorati Tags: bankruptcy, cards, collections, credit card debt, credit score, full time, hand experience, high interest rates, maxed, predicament, time college student

First off, I am a full-time college student. Ok, here’s my situation–I’m a little over ,000 in credit card debt. My monthly payments from all my cards combined add up to about 0, and every one of my cards (with the exception of one at 8%) have rather high interest rates (19%, 20%). Most of them are pretty close to being maxed out. Having to make these payments is really hurting me every month. I would like to consolidate all of my cards through a loan from my credit union. HOWEVER, due to having a bill that has been out in collections (0 electric bill) for the past 3 months, my credit score has gone down. I know you’re prob gonna say just pay it because it’s only a 0, but I wouldn’t even be able to pay that right now without ultimately cutting myself short at the end of the month. Would this mark on my credit inevitably prevent me from being able to secure a loan through my credit union?

Also, if that wouldn’t be able to fall through, do I have any other options at all? I am pretty stressed right now about finances and would really appreciate some educated/experienced advice with this type of situation. First hand experience with this would probably offer me the best advice to this predicament–what did you do to get out of debt? Is bankruptcy (which I know absolutely nothing about) even a good option, or is my debt small enough to where there’s still hope for another alternative? Please respond to this i am desperate to get out of debt! Thanks a lot in advance!

Technorati Tags: bankruptcy, cards, collections, credit card debt, credit score, full time, hand experience, high interest rates, maxed, predicament, time college student

I’ve made a big mess out of my life by making mistakes I could actually afford at the time. I had a great job making enough money that I could afford my own apartment and a brand new car. Life was great for about 2 years, all my payments were on time, and I had a little extra cash so I could go out with friends on the weekends. I met a guy and he moved in, and everything went straight down the tubes. My boss fired me and didn’t give me an explanation ("something needs to change and we think it’s you" whatever that means), and I found another job immediately but only making about half of what I was making when I got fired. This whole time, I was still paying all the bills for the apartment and car, even when I had a full time roommate because he didn’t contribute a dime for the first 5 months he lived with me. I used up all savings and started to borrow money from family and friends until they all cut me off ( reasonably stating that because I had someone else living there, they shouldn’t have to rescue me and I’m inclined to agree ). so at this point, I’m about 2 months behind on my credit cards and car payments, and my brain snapped and I told my bf that he had to start helping with the bills. at which point, he started "helping" with about 1/4 of the bills for the apartment ( i never expected him to help with the car or credit cards, but I do feel he should have had to help with 1/2 the bills for the apartment, especially since his kids were there on the weekends as well ). I quite stupidly started just flat out ignoring the harassing calls from creditors and collection agencies (hey, I couldn’t pay my bills just to live, sleep and eat much less give anything to the creditors, and they refused to work with me the first couple of times they called). I surrended my 2 year old car that I adored because the creditors told me they had reported it stolen (i don’t even know if they can do that, I was 2 months behind on payments). also adding to the misery, I had co-signed a loan for my brother to get a truck, which he also defaulted on and surrended. So to date, I have ,000 in debt and have no way of paying it back (at least not for the foreseeable future). I do have a job, making less than 0 a week with no possibilty of any overtime and / or supplemental income. last october, I was severely depressed and got behind the wheel of a car drunk, got arrested and charged with a dwi. so now, I have to pay rent, fines and surcharges, my car insurance went through the roof, and my phone bill. at the end of the month, I’m left with about , 0 if I’m really lucky. I talked to a credit counselor to try to get the debts under control, and she informed me that my ONLY option is bankruptcy. I’ve come to terms with the whole bankruptcy thing ( and believe me, I’m not thrilled about it ) but the biggest problem I’m facing now is trying to come up with the money to file for bankruptcy. The creditors are getting more aggressive, I’ve been sued at least twice, and they are threatening bench warrants and garnishing my wages. I can’t afford what I’m living on now! If they garnish my wages, I will not be able to pay for something (most likely fines and/or surcharges) and all of this is going to turn into an even bigger mess.

I’m at the point now where I understand all of my mistakes, realize that I have to pay for them. But I’m also at the point where I am extremely close to suicidal. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep and I can’t concentrate on anything. I’m ill at the situation I’ve created for myself, but I don’t know how to fix it. I don’t even know where to start. I quit drinking nearly 6 months ago after realizing what it had cost me. Is it too late? Am I doomed to be a mess my whole life? It seems like this situation never gets any better, it’s gradually just getting worse, to the point of just giving up completely.
This situation feels completely hopeless. No one has any advice for me. every one just says "that sucks". well, no kidding! I hate to sound so shallow, like money is the only thing that matters to me. I don’t just care about money ( in fact, I HATE IT ). The fact of the matter is that my whole life feels wasted, like I’ll never recover from any of this. I hate no longer being self sufficient, and feel like I will never be able to take care of myself again.

Is there anyone out there that has any advice for me at all? Steps I can take to improve the situation? Or possible jobs I could take on to try to make some extra cash so I can take care of all this with a less than stellar record? I just need some help and this is my last resort. I really don’t know what else to do.

And for anyone who has snarky remarks, IE: you’re on the internet ( so I must have $ right? no, I use my computer at WORK), you made your bed blah blah blah, please keep the comments to yourself. the purpose of my post is a last ditch attempt at trying to get some help, not lose any more of my self esteem, if there is any left.
Thanks

Technorati Tags: 5 months, apartment, bf, boss, brain, brand new car, car life, car payments, collection agencies, credit cards, creditors, enough money, extra cash, family and friends, full time, misery, roommate, sleep, tubes, whole time

First off, I am a full-time college student. Ok, here’s my situation–I’m a little over ,000 in credit card debt. My monthly payments from all my cards combined add up to about 0, and every one of my cards (with the exception of one at 8%) have rather high interest rates (19%, 20%). Most of them are pretty close to being maxed out. Having to make these payments is really hurting me every month. I would like to consolidate all of my cards through a loan from my credit union. HOWEVER, due to having a bill that has been out in collections (0 electric bill) for the past 3 months, my credit score has gone down. I know you’re prob gonna say just pay it because it’s only a 0, but wouldn’t even be able to pay that right now without ultimately cutting myself short at the end of the month. Would this mark on my credit inevitably prevent me from being able to secure a loan through my credit union?

Also, if that wouldn’t be able to fall through, do I have any other options at all? I am pretty stressed right now about finances and would really appreciate some educated/experienced advice with this type of situation. First hand experience with this would probably offer me the best advice to this predicament–what did you do to get out of debt? Is bankruptcy even a good option, or is my debt small enough to where there’s still hope for another alternative? Please respond to this i am desperate to get out of debt! Thanks a lot in advance.

Technorati Tags: bankruptcy, cards, collections, credit card debt, credit score, full time, hand experience, high interest rates, maxed, predicament, time college student

I have been accepted in to a great university and I am unable to work full time and go to school. Can I file bankruptcy in order to afford school. I am in a debt consolidation program currently with Consumer Credit. Any advice would be great.

Technorati Tags: bankruptcy, consumer credit, debt consolidation program, full time

I was worrying that I wouldn’t be able to get private student loans in the future. I am a full time student now and my credit card debt is out of control. My only way out is through debt settlement. I hear it will affect my credit score badly–something that the private loan companies look at. Any advice?

Technorati Tags: credit card debt, credit score, Debt Settlement, full time, loan companies, private loan, private student loans, time student

Brief background: Moved from one state to another for a job, which was lost. Income has dropped to about 50% of what it was. We’ve gone through our savings to try and pay things. Bring home pay now covers ONLY new house payment, utilities, groceries, life insurance, and government student loan. Have previously surrendered 2nd vehicle, (1st vehicle is paid in full). Old house in old state foreclosed on and being sold tomorrow. Credit cards remaining unpaid and sent for collections, etc.

My question is this: should bankruptcy proceedings begin or should we continue as is? What, if anything, can our creditors do to us (other than trash our credit – which has already happened). We live in Texas. I would appreciate any suggestions. However please refrain from replies such as "get a job", because we are both working full time jobs and have cut ALL unnecessary spending. We dread the thought of bankruptcy, but see no other alternative.
We’ve done the credit counseling, etc., and the funds are simply not there.

Can they garnish wages for debt in Texas?

Thanks for the replies so far – I appreciate it.
The one vehicle we have is paid in full and is a 1999 Ford Ranger – not new. Excellent comments everyone – thanks!

Technorati Tags: 1999 ford ranger, bankruptcy proceedings, collections, credit cards, credit counseling, creditors, dread, ford, ford ranger, full time, government student loan, groceries, insurance, job, life insurance, texas thanks, time jobs, trash, wages

He owes about ,000 we want to get married when he is debt free. Do you know any reliable settlement companies that are trust worthy? What are the procedures?
He is a full time student and has a job he works full time with minimum wage.

Technorati Tags: full time, job, minimum wage, settlement companies, time student