What Can I do to Pay My Credit Card Bills? Credit Card Debt
Jun 23rd, 2009Due to unfortunate circumstances in our nation as well as around the world, many of us are struggling to make ends meet. We have rising prices in the cost of heating and cooling our homes and maintaining our cars. Shoppers are shocked at cost increases in groceries, clothing and other miscellaneous items. How do we manage to deal with these expenses? Those with adjusted ARM home mortgages, car and credit card payments in addition to normal costs of living often just can’t stretch their available income to cover everything and sometimes the house mortgage is one of those left unpaid.
Do Not Give In To Collectors
We frequently receive unwanted and unnecessary threatening phone calls from collection agencies for our past-due credit cards. When faced with choices of which bills to delay a month, we give into the pressure and make the minimum credit card payment. These collection agencies are quite skilled in intimidation and scare-tactics and sometimes that’s the best method for these collectors to get overdue payments as the debtors just want to get rid of the harassment.
Meet Your Living Expenses Before Paying Credit Card Debt
Although it’s not proper to neglect to pay your just debts when money is limited, decisions need to be made as to importance of the bills you are facing. Being on limited income and continuously facing higher costs of living, it’s a necessity to decide on what takes priority for payment and what can take a “backseat” for a month or two. Housing, car payments, utilities and food costs must be met. Also, to be considered are insurance premiums. In some communities, medical needs will not be met unless one carries insurance, although the cost of these premiums can increase budget costs. State laws require car insurance, because should you not carry liability coverage and are involved in a car
accident, serious legal consequences will follow.
Prioritize Your Bills
After planning your budget and paying the most necessary bills, then should you have money remaining, make those credit card minimum payments. If left without any money, then don’t be stressed out over the unpaid credit card bill(s). It is not likely your wages will be garnished. You will probably receive more unpleasant phone calls from credit card collectors, so calmly explain you’ve paid your main housing/living expenses and have depleted your funds. If bill collectors get nasty, lose their temper or start being obnoxious, you could lay phone down without hanging up and walk into another room. Losing your “cool” and responding to their verbal abuse lets them “win” which is their real motive or intention.
Catch Up Later On Credit Card Debt
After your financial circumstances improve, plan on catching up on all your overdue bills especially clearing up your credit card indebtedness. Try to pay off the least amount owed first, and then apply that amount to the next higher bill. Eventually, you’ll be able to get yourself out of debt. But be careful that, after doing so, you use wisdom by using credit cards only when absolutely necessary, and if possible by paying the entire balance off each month. Remember though that the most important issue is in keeping current on your house payments and normal living expenses. If you want more information on negotiating with bill collectors Negotiating with Collection Agencies, Bill Collectors, and Debt Collectors – 10 Tips.
Debt Free Dave has been in the mortgage and consumer finance business for over 10 years. He has a Finance and Real Estate degree from the University of Arizona. This Article is designed to be of general interest and should not be considered legal advice. The specific information discussed may not apply to you. Before acting on any matter contained herein, you should consult with your personal legal adviser.