Question: Dear Steve, I am a 22-year-old college graduate. I grew up in a very stable household, both personally and financially. My parents do exceedingly well, and I have never once struggled.. until now. I always saw how my parents spent money and thought I could do the same. I didn’t have a complete understanding … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I may have been involved in a debt validation program. How do I find out which escrow account my money is being deposited into so that I can attempt to get a refund? Michelle Answer: Dear Michelle, Oh my. There are a few levels to this. The first concern is why it … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, Is it wise to pay off smaller balances first or work hard on the higher ones with the out of control interest? Lainey Answer: Dear Lainey, This is one of those great questions that seem so simple to begin with. At first glance, the obvious answer would be to reduce the amount … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, ~$60k credit card debt with BofA 700 credit score Never been late on any payments of anything What options do I have to negotiate credit card debt right now. I was told that I could get BofA to go down to 1% APR on my remaining balances. As long as all of … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, After spending much of 2018 and 2019 surviving on part time freelancing, I racked up ~$8k in credit card debt across 3 cards and exhausted my savings. I also have a personal loan balance at ~$6.5k. In fall this year I returned to full time employment at ~$85k a year. Just got … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I owe a personal loan for 5,000 dollars. I was able to put all other debt in a credit counseling program. But Lending Club would not participate. I am on SSI and can’t work. LendingClub won’t work with me by lowering payments or interest rates. I am 90 days late. What can … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I received a mail invitation from fresh start company. I called and they told me about their debt consolidation program and I got to choose which credit card I wanted to include in the program. So it came out to 300 a month for 36 months to pay off the cards. Which … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, $70,000 unsecured debt $120,000 combined gross income Have checked with credit Counselor’s who offered a DMP we couldn’t afford, bankruptcy attorney, (chapter 13) payment plan we can’t afford. Tried resolving with creditors on our own, again can’t afford. So, what’s next? Do we just not pay and hope for the best? We … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I moved to Central America a few years ago and all was well until I lost a large sum of money on a scam and owed some 70K in CC debt. They are all closed now but have heard nothing from them since a year ago and I may be able to … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I’m a 57-year-old female. “Left a good job in the city” at 38 to raise my two boys as a single parent. I started a part-time massage therapy business that was not able to make ends meet. I have a very low credit score. In collection. Some charged off. currently not working … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I’m 13,000 in credit card debt. The rates range from 18-21% apr. I need to look for work by June because my other job will soon be ending. I’m able to meet the minimum payments but the interest fees are so high that I’m afraid I’ll be stuck paying for the rest … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, My husband and I decided to prepare for a family. We got two family-friendly vehicles before trying for a child (since I actually totaled my paid off the car after hitting a deer and his truck wasn’t safe for a car seat). Everything was going great. We had bought all main essentials … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I’m 41 and married with kids, 2 and 5 years old. Home loan and credit cards on hold while we identify affordability. Van unregistered just received penalty notices. 20 years history of spending more than we earn. We’ve got a box of beer at home and chocolate biscuits and now can’t afford … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I had an uncontrollable problem with not understanding how important having credit was. I would spend and only make the minimum payments on credit cards and student loan, that I co-signed for my daughter. Then when things got really bad I turned to payday loans and a car title loan. I begin … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I am recently married and between the two of us we have some credit card debt and students loans. Because of our wedding and moving into a new apartment, we have increased our debt. (I hate to say it, but it’s the truth.) We live in a very expensive part of California … Read more