[Angry_White_Man_Syndrome]

We are in a pretty bad position right now. We have quit using cc but with energy bills increasing and several unplanned for expenses we are stretched to the limit. Just a week before Christmas, we had my commuter car drop a rod, the garage door opener broke, the service engine light came on on the good car, and the microwave broke. This was all in the span of less than a week. So now we are spending more on gas ( the commuter car got 45mpg the good one gets 21 mpg). We have cut back every where. Food and utilities have been cut to the bone. As soon as the cell phone contract expires they are gone, trying to find cheaper insurance, etc. The bad thing is starting next month our medical insurance goes up $40 a month, and then with the cc payments increasing it will be more going out than coming in. We are still trying to figure out how we are going to pay for everything.

We have been looking into credit counseling, but it is hard to do when you have negative cash flow. Most we have contacted want their fees up front.

[A. Pole]

We have been looking into credit counseling, but it is hard to do when you have negative cash flow. Most we have contacted want their fees up front.

Stay away from them!!! This is a warning from the Federal Trade Commission.

[No Blue States]

Wow, youve gotten hammered hard lately and right at Christmas time too.
Im very sorry to hear that. Maybe my situation isnt so bad afterall. So what if you default on the cards? What can they do about it in OK other than send your phone number to the collection agencies and ruin your credit?
That used to be about all they could do in Tx I think, although im sure they have lobbied hard to be able to repo your soul.

[azhenfud]

"We have been looking into credit counseling..."

Please, whatever you do - stay away from credit counselors. The fees you pay would do better applied to your debt and YOU have more bargaining power with your lenders than you would getting a third party involved.