“Dear Michael, “Working with a debt relief company recommended by the bank. Have a visa credit card, was behind in payments because of job loss. Bank sold my debt to a collection agency (just received the letter). Sent the letter to my debt relief company. Prior to this, we have set up a budget. I … Read more
Over the past few years my wife and I have accumulated over $50,000 in debt. Job losses, attorney fees, medical bills have gotten us in this situation. While my wife has a very good job and we continue to pay all of our bills on time, we are only able to make the minimum payments … Read more
“Dear Steve, My situation concerns Bank of America. Last november BoA lowered my limit from 16000 to 15000. at the time my balance was around 14700. When my minimum payment hit me it sent me over my new limit and defaulted me and I was charged with a 27.99% interest rate. The extra interest fees … Read more
“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 … Read more
Jairo “Dear Steve, I opened that Bank of America Clean Sweep six months ago and I keep paying every month a little more than the minimum but the amount is almost the same and they reduce my credit card from $7000 to $500. My wife’s job is giving her less hours every month and she … Read more
Annette “Dear Steve, I owe $94,023 total. I owe $41,089 on my mortgage, at 6% interest, and $2,754 on my car, at 6% interest. I owe $50,189 on my credit cards and line of credit, at interest rates ranging from 3.99% to 12%. My annual income is $56732. My house payment is $549, my car … Read more
“Dear Steve, Hi! I have 3 credit cards that have over $2000 each on them. I have not been paying on them for about 6 months. I have collectors calling me but I can avoid them easily. The only thing that bothers me is that now the minimum payment on them is between $600-$800 each. … Read more
Karen “Dear Steve, Have a lot of credit card debt – struggling to keep my head above water. Interest rates are going up, minimum payments are going up, and I am falling behind. which causes the rates a payments to keep going up and my credit score to go down. What is the best way … Read more
“Dear Steve, I am in credit card debt for $25k. I am making the minimum payments on each card, but it’s killing me. Should I focus on paying more on one card at a time and ignore the others? And then continue on the next card and so on? Or should I just continue to … Read more
Kathryn “Dear Steve, My boyfriend has $20,000 in credit card debt on a total of 8 credit cards. He was able to pay his minimum payments & a little extra, as he had been trying to do the debt snowball elimination method. Recently Chase bought out a couple of the companies he has credit cards … Read more
“Dear Steve, I have $40,000 in credit card debt but have never missed a payment.I am trying very hard to make more than the minimum payment. I have a long credit history with no late fees ever. My credit score is about 750. I have 3 kids in college and have outstanding deferred students loans … Read more
ConfusedSD “Dear Steve, In 2005 my wife and I were both working and bought a house. The original value of the house was $1mm+, we put over $250k down, and we were both making more than $250k combined. In 2007 we both lost our jobs and were unable to find employment that paid as well … Read more
San Francisco, CA – March 2, 2009 – According to a new survey for National Consumer Protection Week (March 1-8) from Credit.com, a third (33.7%) of consumers say their credit card company has made one or more of the following changes to their credit account: Increased their interest rate 15% Increased their minimum payment due … Read more
“Dear Steve, Hi, I am drowning in debt from student loans and credit cards. I have a steady job, but it’s just a matter of time before I’m going to have to look at debt settlement or bankruptcy. So far I’ve paid all bills on time, but LOTS of debt. My 5 year ARM is … Read more
I see a new advertising campaign in our future. When Banks Panic You Lose Even though the Federal Reserve has lowered its rate to 1%, banks are raising your interest rates in hopes of making a bigger profit. Oh yes, they are raising your fees or charging news ones as well. At a time when … Read more