Question: I’m ashamed to say that I am one of those Americans who have used credit cards to make ends meet. Mostly they’ve been used for moving expenses due to health reasons, and financing school supplies. I’m now having trouble paying off these cards, and worried about calling those groups that advertize debt consolidation services on late night TV. Who do I contact to help me get the interest rates on these cards to a reasonable level and organized so I can make a single payment each month? Maureen
Answer: You have no reason to feel ashamed. At some point in our lives, most people take on too much debt. They end up with big credit bills for good reasons–medical bills, a move, a lost job, helping out a child–and not because they’re living the champagne lifestyle on a beer salary.
The real question is: What lessons do we take away from the experience of carrying too much debt? In other words, will you leave your debt burdens behind and change your money habits? Or will you go on a roller coaster, zooming into too much debt, followed by a period of getting rid of it, only to take on more debt once your balance reaches zero?
Finally, you’re so right to steer clear of the fly-by-night outfits that advertize on late night TV. Don’t dial their 1-800 numbers.
I wish I could say that there’s a magic wand to wave that will get you out of debt fast. There isn’t. But here’s a two-step formula:
First, get a copy of a book such as Gerri Detweiler’s “The Ultimate Credit Handbook: How to Cut Your Debt and Have a Lifetime of Great Credit.” It’s in its third edition. Gerri is good at dealing with debt issues, and her book will give you a practical lay of the credit landscape. You could also check out Nolo, a leading financial self-help information organization. It’s at www.nolo.com.
If you want to work with an organization–a good move for many people–I would contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). It’s the largest and oldest national nonprofit credit counseling service. You can find a branch near you at www.nfcc.org. If you like working online, by the way, I know that one branch–the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco at www.cccssf.org–offers all the financial basics, plus an online debt counseling service and debt management plan.
Good luck.
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