Nadia wrote to me through the GetOutOfDebt.org site and asked the following question. 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.
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“Dear Steve,
I am 24, I moved to Oklahoma in December of 08, it took me a while to find a good job. I have been working steadily now for about 4 months and trying to get back on track.
I planned on going to school and therefore being able to get in-school deferment on my student loans, but with my work schedule I am unable to go to school.
I have credit card payments, student loans, and some medical bills that I am trying to pay, along with rent, and other necessities. I do not go out, or spend money on anything else, I am trying to get a second job, and I think I will have an interview next week.
Until I get extra money rolling in, what can I tell the bill collecters that keep calling? I do not have money to pay all of them every month. I did get some economic hardship deferments on my student loans, but they only last for 3 months and not all of them accepted me for deferment. I just want to work and pay my bills. I am trying, but its just not good enough for the people that want money from me.
Is there anything I can do to get the bill collectors off my back for a few months?
Nadia”
The Answer:
Dear Nadia,
Yes, it is possible to hide from the bill collectors. In fact I wrote about how to do this before. Read “How to Hide From Debt Collection, the Debt Collector, and Creditors.”
Hiding from the debt collector, creditors, and collection company might seem like a great solution, but it’s not usually. The only time I think you should hide is when you are just mentally exhausted, can’t cope and need a brain break.
Otherwise, hiding does nothing to change the situation. It’s a bit like closing the windows with people screaming at you outside. You might not be able to hear them anymore but that doesn’t mean they are not still outside, wanting to yell at you.
If you need to hide, do it, but the better approach is to deal with the situation. It is what it is.
Hiding does not stop bad things from happening, like being sued. So the more productive approach is to find a way to deal with the creditors and debt collectors in a way that works better for you.
The best thing you can do is to be honest with your creditors about your situation, don’t make any payment promises you can’t meet, and if you are sued by a creditor, it is not the end of the world.
Keep working your plan to bring in additional income and once you do that then we can go back and deal with the creditors to put together a repayment plan to help you to get out of debt.
