I have gotten myself into abit of debt due to credit cards, cant see a way out at the moment. Can anyone help?
488445
Been there!  Done that!  Ah, the innocence of youth!  Here's what we did.  \n\nList all of your credit cards, starting with the lowest BALANCE first (not the highest interest rate - I'll explain why in a minute).  This way, you know who you owe and how much you owe.\n\nIf you can afford the minimum payments, but not much more: pay the minimum on everything EXCEPT the lowest balance.  Put as much as you can (until it hurts a bit) on that card.  But don't neglect necessities, like shelter (including utilities), food (not fa(s)t food), transportaion, and clothing - you need these to earn an income.  Pay for them first, then credit card debt.\n\nWhen the first card is paid off, take what you were paying them and ADD it to the next card, so your total debt payment stays the same.  Keep doing this until they're all paid off.\n\nThe reason you start with the smallest balance first is so that you see yourself making progress much more quickly and will be encouraged to keep at it.  The difference in the interest paid when it's all said and done, is very small.\n\nIf you can't even afford the minumum payments: contact the banks that gave you these card BEFORE they start calling you.  Explain your situation and tell them you WANT to pay these debts, but can't afford to.  Tell them what you can pay, don't let them tell you how much they need (only YOU know how much you can afford).\n\nThen go get a second (or third) job and get rid of these things.\n\nWhen you're finished, don't forget where you've been and remember that you NEVER want to go back there.
960694
You might call the number on the back of you card and inquire what credit amount you have remaining. It would serve you better to reduce your personal debt.
938453
I highly recommend you call these folks\nhttp://www.cccsintl.org/\nCCCS or Consumer Credit Counseling Service (if you are in the US)\nThey are a non profit credit counseling service that all major credit card, irs, government agencies recommend to help folks with bills.. might even prevent bankruptcy.. They can work with you and help you with contacting your creditors and what to say and help you settle with them, might even negotiate lower payments. etc.. I used to work for a major department store dept collection department and we always referred the worse cases to these folks... goodluck!
30897
First thing you need to do is to find a debt management company for help.  Please stay away from debt consolidation loans or anything similar.  Find a debt management company only.  What they will do is, they will contact every creditors and make a deal, such as lowering your APR.  Then they make promise to pay certain amount every month.  They will take certain amount from your bank account every month and distribute to your creditors.  \n\nIf you go this route, you don't have to worry about getting threathend by the creditors.  Also, this helps with your credit score.\n\nFor a typical company they charge you anywhere between $20-$50 per month for this service, but it's well worth it because they also provide good financial advice for free.\n\nOne of the company I recommend is called Amerix Corporation.  They helped me get out of debt when I was in debt.  Good luck.
893468
Other than my mortgage I have no debts. Always pay my credit card bill in full every month.\n\nIf you're having debt problems, stopping using your credit card is a good idea.\n\nYou can get lots of good advise on this forum:\nhttp://forum.moneysupermarket.com
12932
Credit counselors probably would help.\n\nYou might find the book below to be useful.\n\nNow is the time to straighten out your problem before it becomes overwhelming!!
1131773
You are paying off bills with another bill! Did you ever try Consumer Credit Counseling? I believe it's a free service and they help you reduce your payments maybe even lower your interest rate. I would try that first before you get deeper into debt.
395711
First, you have to realize and accept the fact that there is and won't be any easy way out of your debt without certain consequences.\n\nHere are a few suggestions from someone who's been and done that:\n\n1. Go to a debt consolidation company, they will make negotiations on your behalf with your creditors for a lower monthly payment. Basically, you will make a agreed upon monthly payment to this company and they will in turn disburse the money to each of the creditor each month. You can call them and tell them your situation as far as the amount of debt and your income. I can suggest one I;ve used in the past, Debt Options in FL, 800-523-0102. It will have a negative impact on your credit score, but at least you will be able to pay down the debt in a fairly short time, and you will only have to repay a small percentage of the actual debt, maybe around 10-30%.\n\n2. File bankruptcy, this is the fastest and least painful way, you can file for Chapter 7 and just walk away from all of the debt. Even though the laws have changed, you can still file for a Chpater 7 or 13 bankruptcy depending on your particular situation, you would have to speak with a bankruptcy lawyer. The fees are probably around $1000 to $2500.\n\nIf you have been in debt for 20 years, then you really need to review your situation seriously and make a decision if you truly want to regain control of your life and finances. It sound that at your current pace, you will still be in debt another 20 years from now! \n\nAs painful as my suggestions may sound, it at least provides a way out for you and then you can start all over with a clean slate, no debts! Trust mem there are millions of people filing bankruptcies every year, so it is not a life ending move, but rather a way to give you a new start.\n\nIt's your life, you can decide as you wish...good luck!
918640
Get in contact with the debt management charity the 'Consumer Credit Counselling Service.'  \n\nExplain your situation.  Thry maybe able to assist you with your creditors.  \n\nDON'T go to a debt management company which charges.  \n\nGood luck.
877860
Deborah,\n\nHave you tried to switch the cards to lower interest cards, presumably  your credit rating is okay ? so try applying for cards with lower rates on the interest and then switching to those cards, cards like capitalone.com who might be able to give a limit that allows you to get rid of some of the cards down to say three or four.   Presumably you need at least one or two cards so thats an option.\n\nAnother suggestions is take a  look in the financial pages of the "Daily Mirror/Mail" there are always loan firms advertsing in there for debt consolidation loans, do it while you are able to before things get out of hand. Sounds like you are having a bit if a struggle there.
1000135
I'm actually in a similar spot... I can never seem to get ahead. The first thing you need to do is take out some paper, as well as all your pay stubs and bills. Right down exactly when and were you either got money, or spent money. I don't know how you're using the money you get (if all of it is going to debt or not) but if you have outside expendatures like clothes, food, movies, etc., you might have to cut back on them a bit. It sucks, I know, but a lot of times my money goes places I don't think about because I'm too tired to get food, or it's just ONE movie, but it all adds up in the end.\n\nAlso, don't pay off all the bills the day the bill arrives in the mail. Make sure you have enough money just for essentials and then send the money out. A lot of times sending the bill back right away can result in big overdraft fees when you find out you paid the bill, but don't have enough money for gas.\n\nIf you're doing everything right and still can't figure it out, talk to your credit card company or bank about your debt. They may be able to work out a special payment plan until you get back on your feet. Banks and credit companies don't like selling off debt to other collectors, so even though they can be "evil" they also want to keep you as a customer and may be willing to work with you to bring down your debt. Essentially, just live as low to the ground as you can, just getting essentials and not spending anything on any cards you may have debts on. Also, carrying cash instead of using debit cards or writing checks is great because the money is in your hand and you can see literally where it is going. Best of luck
170265
so shy,\nI really feel bad for people in your situation.  But fear not, there are a few things you can do.\n1.  Being that you asked this on a religious board, I'm assuming you belong to a church.  The first thing you need to do is talk to your church leader about this.  They can take up a collection for you to get you out of some immediate debt.  \n2.  You need to really decide what is luxury and need and cut out the luxury for now.  For example, if you subscribe to cable, cancel it.  Unless you need the internet for work, cancel it.  There's an extra $50 a month right there.  \n3.  You can see if you qualify for welfare.  Your local welfare office can help you with this.\n\nI hope this helps and God bless you with your finances.
30136
i am in the same boat as you. far as i can tell right now you have to go and pay all the bills that got you bad credit and then go and like finance something or get a contract cell phone or get a small loan. something to build the credit back up. but that is all i can figure right now.
1017288
Speaking as a 19 year old who somehow acquired $3000 worth of debt through an American Express card, I might be able to help...\n\nI say shop around for the lowest interest/APR rates. I'm not sure which Visa, AmEx, Mastercard, etc are the lowest, but just be careful with your rates. Try to stay away from credit card agreements where the company can raise your rate at any time, because that will screw you over in the long run.\n\nJust keep in mind that you SHOULD NOT GO CRAZY with a credit card. Its not free money. Think of it as a loan every time you purchase something. ...Sorry if this sounds like a lecture, but like I said before, I learned the hard way :-)
1003685
There is no way  around the bad credit.   Sounds like you will have to establish  the credit again.   Good luck though.
129202
what is your debt situation? consumer debt is BAD debt (credit cards, car loans, and even student loans).\n\nGOOD debt includes mortgages and business loans (provided the business is profitable).\n\nwith your credit cards:\nfigure out which one would be paid off first if you\nonly paid the minimum each month. line up the credit\ncards in order of getting it paid off first to last.\n\npay the minimums on all the cards except the credit\ncard first in line. on the first card pay the minimum\nPLUS whatever you can come up with (at least $100). once that card is paid\noff, move to the second card. this time, take what you\nwere paying on the first card PLUS the minimum on the\n2nd card, PLUS the $100+.\n\nyou can chart this out, and see how fast you can get\nyour cards paid off once you get rolling.\n\nIMPORTANT: do NOT close the credit card accounts once\nthey're paid off.\n\nin the mean time: scale down. cancel cell phones,\ncable, magazine subscriptions, carpool to work (do you\nhave an extra car? sell it, save on insurance and\ngas), stop eating out.\n\nfastest way: refinance your house, pull money out and pay off the cards. (this method is not recommended, as it sets you up to get back in debt.)\n\nthe harder it is to get out of debt, the less likely you'll end up in debt again!\n\n:)
730984
In short, they'll hassle you forever and make your life hell until you will want to pay your debt if only  to regain some sort of peace back in your life. \nBy using services from a debt relief organization you will stop receiving phone calls asking you for money. You will pay a fixed rate amount every month which will never go up. You won't be dealing with your creditors any more. The "debt relief people"  will be paying your bills for you, and your credit card company is out.\nYou then pay the debt relief company.\nlots more here:\nhttp://credit-cards.ebookorama.com\nhttp://finance.ebookorama.com \nhttp://credit.ebookorama.com\nhttp://credit-repair.ebookorama.com\ngood luck!