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Home > O...M....G....GAH!!! I just don't know what to do anymore...

O...M....G....GAH!!! I just don't know what to do anymore...

January 28th, 2008 at 10:43 pm

ARGH! I have a feeling I'll have to edit this blog post when I'm done, as I don't think swearing is allowed here. I'm seriously ready to lose it...

Remember in my last post or so I mentioned I had a dream about a horrible cc statement coming in the mail? I was telling my friend about it and she mentioned in Psychology Today that there was an article about dreams and how they might prepare you in how you will/should (I forget which) act in a situation should it arise.

So I came home and the WuMu statement was sitting there. I opened it and breathed a sigh of relief. Then I opened the Citi statement and nearly fainted. I almost couldn't comprehend what I was looking at. My minimum payment had skyrocketed from a somewhat manageable $124 to a whopping $258.44. My interest rate on the almost $7,000 cc went from around 9% to *25%* PLUS the $39.00 late fee. I somehow thought my payment was due the 21st, but it was due the 14th. I never ever made a late payment until last month, and it all started to fall apart. WTH is wrong with me??

So I just burst into tears. I'm not the type of person who cries short of someone dying, but this is just too much. We are in SO DEEP. What the hell were we thinking all those times we used credit cards so carelessly???? We probably thought we were young and had tons of time to pay them off, then we were in a bajillion dollars (might as well be) in stupid consumer debt.

So I called Citi. They wouldn't waive the late fee, but they did reinstate my 9.whatever it was interest rate it was previously, thank god. But I do have to pay the $258.44 this month, nearly impossible as I have TWO other bills to pay (medical bills: $292 and other cc is about $300) the same day. At least I have some time to plan things out and start selling anything that isn't bolted down.

So I'm just a mess. I've been working so hard to do what I can and things somehow keep getting WORSE. My husband feels if I cancel his health insurance ($450 a month) that we'll be so much better off for a while, but given his major health problems, it's not something that we can do! We already owe roughly $15,000 in medical bills from when he didn't have health insurance and had to go to the hospital, and it would just be asking for trouble. I'd sell my soul before I see him suffer without health insurance again.

I keep telling myself we got ourselves into this mess, we can get out. I'm really starting to lose hope though. Someone please tell me it will be alright...

Posted in Uncategorized | 14 Comments »

14 Responses to “O...M....G....GAH!!! I just don't know what to do anymore...”

  1. Maismom Says:
    January 28th, 2008 at 10:55 pm 1201560935
    1201560935

    I'm so sorry you're feeling helpless. When I don't know what to do, I write down problems and think about what to do rather than just keeping in my head. I think writing something requires organizing my thought process, and I get the answer by the time I finish writing them down.

    As for your husband's medical insurance, can one of you find a job (or part-time job) that offers medical? I know $450 isn't too bad to medical insurance premium, but if you can find a employer who can help pay for it, less burden for you. Sorry, I know this is not an immediate solution, but just a thought. Good luck to you.

  2. Tightwad Kitty Says:
    January 28th, 2008 at 11:04 pm 1201561492
    1201561492

    I do feel so sorry that you're feeling helpless.

    My only advice would be to start a calendar of all your known bills, putting when due and approx amount to pay +10% for the whole year and put it in a place that you check DAILY. Then budget your bill money so that each bill is pay SIX days before it due. The goal with bills & credits card payment is the void any extra fees and try to pay most you can off them. The charge and extra interest that you got were because you were late with the credit card payment. Try to pay more off each credit card per month from next month even if it’s only $10 each for now. Aim for paying in full each month as soon as you can.

  3. Ima saver Says:
    January 28th, 2008 at 11:13 pm 1201561984
    1201561984

    I am so sorry, I really hope things will get better for you!!

  4. nomorecredit Says:
    January 28th, 2008 at 11:55 pm 1201564530
    1201564530

    Oh, the $450 health insurance IS with my employer paying half... really. It's that expensive and my employer doesn't offer a cheaper plan. Hrmph.

    I took a walk with the doggies as that always sees to clear my head... I'm going back later tonight to this little italian place that we passed that had a help wanted sign up, hopefully they're looking for someone part time...

  5. debtfreeme Says:
    January 29th, 2008 at 12:24 am 1201566260
    1201566260

    i am so sorry to hear that. the calendar idea is a good. one. Perhaps one that lists a whole year at a time that you can just put in a cabinet you use frequently (mine is in my glas cabinet.) I highlight each day for each card a different color and i have the legend on the back which shows me who is what color. that way know one but me knows what it is for.

    Can you set up a recurring payment online? that also helps me when i look at the account to know when theings are due.

  6. scfr Says:
    January 29th, 2008 at 01:29 am 1201570160
    1201570160

    Are you absolutely sure that you have to pay $258.44? Is there any chance that includes the $124 you already paid, so you actually have to pay only $134.44? [If your payment posted to the account after they sent your statement, that might be the case.]

  7. nomorecredit Says:
    January 29th, 2008 at 02:12 am 1201572779
    1201572779

    I did double-check on the phone and they did say that I had to pay the $258. And the $258 was actually for December's payment that I missed... don't know why all this didn't show up last month.

    And I printed out a calendar from ical on my computer with all the bills typed onto it and put it in an obvious spot *sigh*

  8. boomeyers Says:
    January 29th, 2008 at 02:33 am 1201574016
    1201574016

    Starbucks offers health insurnance to part timers. Is there one of these around you??

  9. nomorecredit Says:
    January 29th, 2008 at 03:22 am 1201576977
    1201576977

    oooh, of course there's a starbucks around me! I'll have to check it out and see if any of them are hiring!! Thanks for the tip.

  10. Broken Arrow Says:
    January 29th, 2008 at 03:50 am 1201578655
    1201578655

    I remember those feelings of helplessness. It's a feeling that I don't ever want to forget nor experience again....

    Please don't lose hope though. I actually think the hardest part is already over, which is to have the unquenchable desire to turn things around. The rest are just a matter of time and money to get them paid off. It may not happen overnight, but if you keep it up, it will happen.

  11. baselle Says:
    January 29th, 2008 at 04:46 am 1201581973
    1201581973

    I know that you are feeling helpless and hopeless, but you've taken the largest, deadliest, most important step: you opened the letter and faced it. That's huge. And it seems like everything is coming down around you because you are facing it and not avoiding it. Stand your ground, do the frugal things that clear your head, ice your credit cards.

  12. lost in debt Says:
    January 29th, 2008 at 11:23 am 1201605828
    1201605828

    I know your feelings of hopelessness, you just need to take a deep breath and write it all down and then try to formulate a plan of repayment. If you can't make that payment, they will up the rate again next due date, they may even lower your limit so they can charge an overlimit fee (that is what they did to me, late fee and overlimit fee and 24.98% interest). However, many credit card companies have a hardship program for people who are 30 days past due. Sometimes you can negotiate a 60 month repayment plan at 0% interest if you are having a true hardship. So if you are unable to make the payment by the next due date and it goes by, (there hardship programs require you are 30 days past due) call them and see if they have some options. Most creditors will work with you if you can provide evidence that you are having a true hardship i.e. copies of your medical bills and etc. Bad things do happen to good people. Best wishes.

  13. SingleGuyMoney Says:
    January 29th, 2008 at 04:21 pm 1201623676
    1201623676

    It may seem hard now but keep your head up. Things will work out for the best. I don't know how religous you are but don't forget to pray about it.

  14. clubneary Says:
    January 29th, 2008 at 04:23 pm 1201623835
    1201623835

    Oh boy, I know that feeling all too well. As soon as you have a plan in place I am sure you will start to feel better. Don't have that plan include cancelling your husband's insurance though. I am sure your creditors will be willing to work with you through this hard time, especially if you have been a good customer. Good luck!

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