Chopin, I work with middle class, upper class and I volunteer with DV woman teaching them how to make ends meet. Believe me when I say the only difference class makes is how much in debt they are. Most people screw up their finances at some point in their life. Some learn from it, make good decisions and move on. Others continue to jump from one mess to another. I have a client that has lost 4 houses and declared bankruptcy every decade for the last 5 years. His income would be considered upper class. You didn't ask for advice, but if I were to give it anyways it would be: don't avoid talking to the creditors. I know it's frustrating and hard, but as long as you are talking with them you can make arrangements and save your credit score. Partial payments are payments none the less. Medical bills take tiny payments and don't generally report to credit companies. There are businesses that will do that for you, but believe me it is much better to do it on your own. Make a budget and use it. http://mappingyourfuture.org/money/budgetcalculator.htm