How do I go about eliminating my credit card debt?
I am 23 with a nine-month-old son, and I owe (on top of my student loans from college) approximately ,000 in credit card debt. I am looking to do a debt management/consolidation program, but was wondering if I should just contact those credit card companies that say to call them if I have "financial difficulties" instead? Also, which debt consolidation programs would you refer, if any? Thank you!
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I'd do a lot of research before you enter into a contract with a CCCS because while it might get the bills paid – it will not protect your credit score or rating any better than dealing with it yourself. You don't state what your income is and if buckling down and paying more each month on your cards would get it paid off. I had $40k of debt, $30k being CC debt and drowning in it having been through a messy, expensive divorce. When my attorney did the calculations, he figured it would have taken me 40 years to pay off the $30k of CC debt at the rate I was going.
So I wound up filing a Chapter 7 BK and it wiped out 100% of the CC debt legally in about 3-4 month's time (from the date of filing until discharge date).
The other $10k was a car loan, which I continued to pay on 'as agreed', did NOT reaffirm the loan, and they did not come and take my car. I paid it off back in April and now it has a clean title.
No ~~~BK is not for everyone, but it sounds like you have a lot of debt and a little one to take care and his future to think of. And while going through a BK will trash your credit/score, it's no more so than muddling through years of dealing with collection agencies, some CCCS that will likely "fail" you.. and creditors that will STILL report you even those you are in a payment plan. Or you can wipe out the debt legally through a chapter 7, start fresh and be able to SLEEP at night.
You can get a free consult with most any BK lawyer and he or she will go over all of your debts, your income and help you decide the best course of action.
I have BEEN THERE and done it and this is not an "ad" for anything,but a testimonial. While it wasn't something I really wanted to do .. BK was the best solution for me during a really tough time in my life. I am not sorry I did it.
Hope this helps. Ignore the jerks that can't even give sensible or helpful answers and just bash you. It's clear they've never walked in your shoes.