“Dear Steve,
I’m scared about being scammed also, I can’t seem to save any money. I’m just too tired to keep from worrying all the time.
To be very honest. We have a credit score of 760. I’m paying credit cards and no money left over so I keep the same pattern. Pay amount due and then have to charge groceries. I’m so embarrassed.
The total unsecured debt I hope you can keep your seat. 54,000.00. I ‘m sick of paying over 1,000.00 and see no end. I’m making all the payments but, not doing anything else for emergency. I”m flipping promotional offers to one to another and fees associated with that. I can handle a payment but, I can’t do that for the next 47 years with no way to save or stop the process.
It appears a debt consolidation loan is our best option? Do you agree with the background info I gave you. Can I get a loan for that amount? I just want to do the right thing. I just need some help . Thank you.
Patty”
Don’t miss our free Get Out of Debt – “How To” Guide Series on a number of topics, for loads of practical advice, tips, and help to beat back debt. – Click Here
The Answer
Dear Patty,
You are in a vicious circle. You have to decide which is more important to chase, a credit score or a better life.
Right now you are in the creditor sweet spot. You are making the minimum payments and making them the most interest.
Based on what you shared, you will soon reach a tipping point where you will no longer be able to afford the minimum payments as the balances increase by charging more and more necessities to get by.
While debt consolidation loans are available through groups like LendingClub.com, the limits on those loans is typically in the $30,000 range.
But there is no indication a debt consolidation loan is the way out in your case. Since it will not consolidate all of your debt I wonder if it would provide you with enough breathing room to get back on track and living within your income.
If not, then it would not be a smart move.
The goal here is to regroup your financial life, get you living again within your income, saving each month and putting money away for retirement.
We need to eliminate your constant fear, reduce your stress, get you back to enjoying life, and saving money.
Based on what you’ve shared it seems far more logical to consider bankruptcy as a way to rapidly intervene in your debt and get you back on track to do better moving forward.
You can click here to find a local bankruptcy attorney and talk to them for free about your specific situation. Get the facts and then you can make an informed and educated decision if bankruptcy is right for you.
Bankruptcy Articles and Posts You Must Read
To get ready to read the information below with the right frame of mind, please first read How Do I Get Out of Debt Quickly? Change Your Mindset.
Bankruptcy Advice
- How to Know if You Should File Bankruptcy
- So You Are Going to File Bankruptcy. That’s Great News. Congratulations.
- Easily Rebuild Your Credit After Bankruptcy
- The Truth About Bankruptcy Success Rates
- How to Get Out of Debt Calculator
- How Long After Bankruptcy Can I Buy a House?
- Is Bankruptcy Sinful and Bad or Right and Moral? An Examination
- What Does the Bible Say About Bankruptcy? Is Bankruptcy Scriptural?
- How to Get Out of Debt. The Honest and Unvarnished Truth
- The Emotional Seven Stages of Debt
- Getting a Job After Bankruptcy
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy – What is the Truth?
- Low Cost / Pro Bono Bankruptcy Resource Locator
- Bankruptcy Should Be the Last Resort Many Say. But That’s Just Not True
- The Ethical Considerations of Bankruptcy
- Is Bankruptcy Right For Me?
- 14 Reasons You Should Not Avoid Bankruptcy
- How to Really Discharge Your Student Loans in Bankruptcy. Many Can. But Never Try.
- Life After Bankruptcy: How to Quickly Have Great Credit and Dumb Mistakes to Avoid
- How to Find a Great Bankruptcy Attorney
- You Have Not Failed if You File Bankruptcy
- The Saddest Avoidable Mistake People Make When Getting Out of Debt
Life After Bankruptcy
- How Long After Bankruptcy Can I Buy a House?
- How to Rent a Lovely Home or Apartment After Bankruptcy
- Life After Bankruptcy – The Truth
- How to Easily Rebuild Your Credit and Have Good Credit Again After Bankruptcy
Filing Bankruptcy Yourself
If you want to look at the broader array of options I’d suggest you first read How to Get Out of Debt. The Honest and Unvarnished Truth and The Truth About The Success Rates, Failure Rates and Completion Rates of Credit Counseling, Debt Settlement, and Bankruptcy. They will give you a great overview of what we need to deal with to get you moving in the right direction.
Then use the free How to Get Out of Debt Calculator to review your options.
Once you’ve identified a company you want to work with, then follow my step-by-step guide on what you should look for and expect from a good debt relief company.
Please post your responses and follow-up messages to me on this in the comments section below.
Get Out of Debt Guy – Twitter, G+, Facebook
If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free.
