Date: 9/29/2004 9:59:00 AM
From Authorid: 609
I personally cant help you with credit councling since Im in Canada but I can help you with a bit of advice my hubbys boss gave him. He told us we should focus on making more frequant payments rather then bare min. For instance if your phone bill (for sake of argument) is $75 that month then pay it off weekly rather then in one lump sum. This apperently makes your credit look great even if your just making the min. It's hard to get ahead I know. I don't work right now so we rely solely on my husbands job which is about $250 a week...for 2 adults and one child, and 2 cats lol, you can imagine how hard that is. We live in an apt now and really want a house but it's not looking like that will happen anytime soon, how do you save for a downpayment when you live week to week? You dont. My cards are maxed and Im trying to pay them off I called them recently to see how my credit stands with them and apperently paying the min each month has left me with excellant credit so that was a relief. I wish you luck and wish I had better advice for you.  |
Date: 9/29/2004 10:15:00 AM
From Authorid: 19772
Not sure I can really help you much but if it makes you feel any better MOST people are swimming in debt. I have a friend who tried one of those credit counseling places where they said they would pay off all of their other bills and make it just one lump payment a month with thier loan but it didn't work out to well for her. The monthly payment they got ended up being way more than all of her little ones put together and when she's late or misses a payment they just about double her payments for the next month. She ended up digging herself even deeper. As long as you are paying your bills every month your credit will be fine. But like Phe said when you can make double payments on some things and it goes a long way to helping you get yourself out of the hole. ~Take Care~  |
Date: 9/29/2004 11:21:00 AM
From Authorid: 49025
I went through a debt consolidation service called "Consumer Credit Counseling Service". It took me about 5 1/2 years but I am finally debt free. They were able to help me work up a budget for myself. They also contacted my credit card companies and in some cases they dropped all finance charges. Now, I'm a lot more careful about what I spend and I just got my first credit card from Capital One. I would definitely recommend using "CCCS". Good luck!  |
Date: 9/29/2004 11:45:00 AM
From Authorid: 58611
I dont know if it will hurt your credit or not. There are some types of regular loans you can take out that dont have anything to do with your house, I think it is a debt consolidation loan, where it will pay off your cards and such and you make a monthly payment to pay them off and it does not show on your credit as a counseling place or anything, just a regular loan.  |
Date: 9/29/2004 12:03:00 PM
From Authorid: 49689
Try what Frog Lady said..They should have a local office within' a few miles,Stay Away from the ones you see advertised on the internet,such as Ameridabt...As far as it hurting your future credit..Depends on the creditor,some will view it as a balck mark,others will view it as somebody who is on the right path to finacial responsibility,and they may be willing to take a chance on you...If you need to know anymore,you can message my profile...  |
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Date: 9/29/2004 12:04:00 PM
From Authorid: 49689
Ameridebt..rather |
Date: 9/29/2004 1:11:00 PM
From Authorid: 47218
not necessarily a bad way to go-- but make sure you look for a CREDIT COUNSELING service, not a debt consolidation place. There's many places that are non-profit-- I would contact a social services agency in my area (someone trustworthy) for a recommendation. Debt consolidation agencies are usually credit companies trying to sell you credit (I had an experience with one), and some are scams, so you have to be careful.  |
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Date: 9/29/2004 1:16:00 PM
From Authorid: 47218
I should add-- the difference between credit counselors and plain old debt consolidators-- is that credit counselors go over your income, your budget (if you have one) and your debt and make recommendations on where to cut back in spending and how to save up more in other places, and even help you put together a budget if you don't have one. Like I said, not a bad idea for *most* of us. |
62732 Category:(Discussion) Created:(9/29/2004 9:50:00 AM)