“Hi Steve, I have one credit card with a $20,000 balance with a $450 minimum monthly payment. I’m not getting too far at paying this off. I would like to start paying higher payments to pay this off faster but im not sure how to figure out how much is the most I can afford to pay each month so ... Read More »

Trisha “Dear Steve, I am a single mom and heavily in debt. I was living with my husband (we are legally separated) because of finances but recently I moved out. I am not behind on my payments at this time because I didn’t have to pay rent, utilities, etc. It is only a matter of time before I can’t make ... Read More »

MJ “Dear Steve, I’ve been able to work very little because of severe health issues. Sadly they are on going, with uncertain prognosis. Medical bills mounting as well. (about 5K). I’ve been living off of credit cards and can no longer keep up with payments. Approx 2k per mo. in credit card payments. I’m not late on anything yet. I’m ... Read More »

Kayte “Dear Steve, My husband and I have roughly $75,000 in credit card debt. Due to the economy, we both have experienced a substantial decrease in our income (i.e., commission based pay). We have exhausted our savings trying to keep up with our mortgage payment, credit card payments, car payments and other cost. We are now at a point where ... Read More »

Shawn “Dear Steve, I have about $100k of unsecured consumer credit card debt spread out amongst several (about 15) cards. My wife and I are both in very stable jobs, and combined we make about $110k a year (about $6000-$6500/mo take-home after tax, health insurance, etc). We “own” our house, in other words, we pay $2k a month mortgage on ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I am a teacher. I have enough for mortgage and bills but not for credit card payments anymore and I am going crazy with debt. I was paying my minimum payments on credit cards but then was left with no money left over for day to day expenses so I would use the little amount available on the ... Read More »

Diana “Dear Steve, I have approximately $25,000 in credit card debt, drained my savings and struggling to meet my payments. I can pay my mortgage and normal billing but not the cards I am so confused about wha is available out there and frankly scared that I may not do the right thing with a repuable company. Can you help. ... Read More »

Tanisha “Dear Steve, I recently recieved $137k into a 401k account from my ex-husband due to a divorce. I’m 35 years old, 2 kids, unemployed stay at home mother for past 8 years. I will receive spousal support until 2012. I no longer own any property or assets and I have $33,000 in credit card debts with interest rates ranging ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I’ve been out of work since 10/17/07 (Auto accident) & was let go from my job…I am trying to work with credit card companies. One said they would deffer payments for two months but close the account…How does this effect my credit score with the credit bureau? Does deffered credit card payments (by the CC company) effect your ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I opened up too many credit card accounts in the past two years i recently joinend a credit union bank which offered me a chance to put all my credit cards under one account. I owe about 3,000. I also only make about 1,400 a month so at times I’m only able to make minimum payments Will putting ... Read More »

Our economic life cycle is dependent on all all parties doing their fair share of the heavy lifting. Finance companies and banks lend – consumers buy stuff using credit – stuff must be built – jobs are created and so forth. We keep hearing about a crushing windpipe grip on banks and the government pleading to them to lend again. ... Read More »

It's tough all over -- and not just in the United States. In India, where revolving credit is still relatively new, consumers are struggling under the weight of crushing consumer debt, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal this morning. But it's not just Indian consumers who are suffering. The banks that handed out this easy money are being hammered as well. Indeed, card companies that Read More »