tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31586768.post115422916130999382..comments2006-09-23T20:50:46.756-07:00Comments on Counting My Pennies: writing it downCommon Centshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897253253099859428noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31586768.post-1155844576519688392006-08-17T12:56:00.000-07:002006-08-17T12:56:00.000-07:00Sorry for the last post, I didn't keep reading to ...Sorry for the last post, I didn't keep reading to see your progress. <BR/><BR/>1. Pay-off baby pics<BR/>2. medical payments change to $5.00 per month.<BR/>3. Negotiate utilities like I explained in 1st post. <BR/>4. Call Discover and TELL them you are lowering your minimum payment to 1/2 of your current payment. This will extend your payments, but allow you to breathe. <BR/>5. Keep paying the rest as agreed.<BR/><BR/>You can start moving forward. Go to my website <A HREF="http://2-nickels-making-a-dollar.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">2 Nickels Making a Dollar</A> use my links and beginning making a little extra money every month. Apply that dough to the lowest medical bill until paid off (this is in addition to your minimum payment). Send this extra in a separate check or payment. This way it shows you are keeping to your payments and applying any extra dough you have, creates integrity.<BR/>You can do this yourself. Email me I would be happy to help you.Denise Mallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13253101883627114010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31586768.post-1154474604660460642006-08-01T16:23:00.000-07:002006-08-01T16:23:00.000-07:00you ROCK for this!!you ROCK for this!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31586768.post-1154396418807654422006-07-31T18:40:00.000-07:002006-07-31T18:40:00.000-07:00Knowing WHERE YOU ARE is the first step towards fr...Knowing WHERE YOU ARE is the first step towards freedom! Most people stick their heads in the sand and avoid thinking about their situations. So, I applaude your taking the bull by the horns.<BR/><BR/>One step you might want to consider is tracking where your money goes each month. If your bills are less than your take home but you don't have money left over, you have a leak somewhere.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, you should feel good that you do at least have money left over after your obligations. That at least gives you something to work with.<BR/><BR/>Best of luck to you and your family. It takes courage to stare those debts in the face!<BR/><BR/>JLP<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://allfinancialmatters.com" REL="nofollow">AllFinancialMatters</A>JLPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10233425972214458090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31586768.post-1154363117938983342006-07-31T09:25:00.000-07:002006-07-31T09:25:00.000-07:00Thanks for the advice Lost Filer.I do have some Co...Thanks for the advice Lost Filer.<BR/><BR/>I do have some Collection Accounts that are within the SOL. I've posted over at Credit Boards and I think i will start the validation process. I will probably just pay off the small ones, but only if they remove the negative from my reports once it's paid off (do i make this deal with the CA or the OC?). <BR/><BR/>The 2 old cards...i'm not sure who the original creditor is anymore. it was "The Associates" but they were bought about by another major company, so I'm not sure. I think Citibank. I'm definitely not paying that $1109, i'm going to let that one ride.<BR/><BR/><BR/>I will definitely focus on keeping things (mainly student loans) current. They are the only "open" accounts I have now. so I need to make sure they are in good standing. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the advice.Common Centshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897253253099859428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31586768.post-1154324053614117862006-07-30T22:34:00.000-07:002006-07-30T22:34:00.000-07:00Lost Filer,thanks. none of my loans are charged of...Lost Filer,<BR/><BR/>thanks. none of my loans are charged off. my student loans are actually the only positive things on my reports. the charge-offs are old credit card debt & just random things i've never paid/didn't pay on time. which brings up the issue of "dead" debt. i have 2 cards that MUST be past the SOL, but i'm just not 100%, but i don't want to mess up and revive it. i received a letter a few months ago about one of them (i think) but it didn't list the old CC company, just the amount. i don't want to inquire and start the clock on that old debt. i know i haven't made a payment in the last 3 years...and i'm pretty sure i didn't make a payment on those 2 accounts in 2002 either...so should i just let it ride? or should i inquire? the total on those 2 accounts is less than 3k (i didn't add that to my total).Common Centshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897253253099859428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31586768.post-1154307821694008792006-07-30T18:03:00.000-07:002006-07-30T18:03:00.000-07:00Tired: yeah, it is helpful to get a clear picture....Tired: yeah, it is helpful to get a clear picture. i was afraid i owed a lot more, it's good to know my other debt (besides student loans) isn't SO out of control.<BR/><BR/>Singla Ma: hanks for the advice. i will check out the site & email you if i have any questions. going from low 500s-700s is inspirational, especially to me because i'm at the 500 range. thanks again.Common Centshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897253253099859428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31586768.post-1154291629280975182006-07-30T13:33:00.000-07:002006-07-30T13:33:00.000-07:00Congrats on getting organized and laying it all ou...Congrats on getting organized and laying it all out on the line.<BR/><BR/>Paying a collection agency is not always the best thing to do. I'd recommend that you go to creditboards.com and get advice from some of the pros over there. I've been a member for years and my credit has improved tremendously. I'm talking from low 500s to upper 700s. It's empowering when you're armed with the right information.<BR/><BR/>Calling a collection agency can get you into more trouble than it's worth. It is against the law for them to strong arm or intimidate you into paying. Some of them are bottom feeders, some are unscrupulous, and some are just plain scum. They are not honest people, so don't be quick to pay something just because they send you a bill.<BR/><BR/>There are laws to protect you as a consumer and you can use them to your advantage. All communication should be in writing, but please before doing anything, spend some time reading at creditboards.com.<BR/><BR/>If you have any questions or need clarification on something you read, start a new thread on the board and ask. The people over there are so helpful, they'll jump to your assistance if they see you're trying to learn but have firt expended time to find the answer for yourself. If that doesn't work, send me an email and I'll try to help you.<BR/><BR/>There is no quick fix, but it'll be worth it and save you lots of money in the long run. Please, just take the time to do it right.<BR/><BR/>Good luck!Single Mahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02304629601616898196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31586768.post-1154280743560271112006-07-30T10:32:00.000-07:002006-07-30T10:32:00.000-07:00That is a first step to getting a clearer picture ...That is a first step to getting a clearer picture of your financial situation. I did that for my credit cards, but I need to do it for all my debt.Tired of being brokehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02026029030939029254noreply@blogger.com