If this doesn't stop....

I might end up where I was a month ago.

I owe too much money too too many people and the letters never stop. I want to claim bankruptcy but people say that's a horrible idea. I can't afford to deal with this and this being hunted is starting my symptoms up again.

Hey Moose,

I am sorry to hear this! Is there no-one who can help you out?

I don't know. Help me how?

Help with money, I know you say you owe too much but if your really struggling surely someone can help you?

What about benefits?

I feel for you, Moose. I am in the same boat. A lot of debt (bad debt,) and now we need a new place to live (scary.) And getting hounded by creditors is not fun.

One thing I've learned is that the attourney general is there to help you. Basically, there are laws that creditors have to follow. And any time one of them steps over that line of "harrassment" I report them. I've actually spoken to the attourney general in my state via e-mail. She has told me that you should never, ever speak to creditors over the phone. It should always be corrispondance done in writing. So don't even answer the incessant phone calls (I know that's hard, but it is possible.) The ones that really harrass you are the ones that use the phone the most.

As for bankruptcy, I have to say I would love to do that myself. Yes, it marks your credit for 7 yers. But right now, my credit is already marked for 7+ years. Also, it relieves the stress of "am I going to be sued?" I've been sued once (over a $170 bill from many years ago, that just cropped up this year! It was almost at statute of limitations.) It appears creditors are suing more than they used to. Same month I got sued, so did my work-friend.... also for something almost to statute of limitations. And if you get sued 3 times, your job can fire you.

So bankruptcy is a better option if there is no way you can ever pay that debt off.

Finances are a struggle. And people who are able to make it month to month with extra are actually lucky. They may think they are smart or whatever, but they are lucky. I was taught how to save and do my finances. However, the best laid plans, as they say... don't always work out. This is a hard life and money is the devil.

I just hate this subject so much.

Money is the devil. It's true. Root of all evil. You're not alone, Moose.

One thing I also learned is that they can't physically hurt you. I realized that we have the same response to creditors that our ancestors had to saber tooth tigers. It's evil. I've been poor as dirt, and as a human you figure out how to survive.

It's going to be okay.

dark

I'm sure it will all work out somehow, maybe bankruptcy is the best thing to do. I sure hope you figure it out. again

I've been there, too, Moose. Actually I am still there, but I choose to ignore the phone calls. I negotiated down credit card payments on two accounts, and on a third one, I defaulted on it when I had to stop working a few years ago. I'm glad that I no longer qualify for huge amounts of credit. My therapist has helped me in dealing with it because it is such a big issue with many people who have bipolar.
At the end of the day, you can only pay what you have available. Do what you can, and ignore the phone calls.
Bluemountains

Thanks. I just think ill never be able to pay it back and thus bankruptcy.

I used consumer credit counseling service that is a nonprofit. Bankrupsy (I know it's mispelled isn't much worse than having consistent bad credit but you have to get a lawyer and pay some fees upfront in most states.

It's scary to be in your situation because some creditors use illegal methods and threats.

It can stop immediately if you get the right free financial counseling. Good Luck from someone who'se been there and done that.

I'm feeling ya, Moose. Over the years of financial irresponsibility---racking up huge student loan debt, mismanaging credit, late payments, several lawsuits, garnishments etc.---I've probably got a credit score of -300. (Duh, I'm bipolar, LOL!) I've been through two Chapter 13s and a full bankruptcy, and I'm about to file another 13 because I'm up to my arse in medical bills.

Yes, I hate the robo-calls and absolutely refuse to answer the phone or call them back. Like I'm gonna call somebody back who I know is going to hand me my butt over the phone and try to get me to make payment promises that I don't know if I can keep. I'm not poor, but I have been, and probably will be again once the student-loan people exact their pound of flesh.

Moose, you are SO not alone in this. ((((HUGZ)))) to you!

Me too, many years ago, and they did help. If I remember correctly, with them YOU contact credit card lendors and YOU close your account and begin repayments at a reduced rate - it is important not to let the LENDOR close the account on you because otherwise it creates a worse report. I am not exactly sure though that this is how it works - it has been many years since I did it.

I'm feeling anxious about this today.

Thinking working out can help.

Don't know much on this subject, but I all the time see the ads for these debt consolidation firms. Maybe that would be another option before considering bankruptcy.