I really need more money..

Comments: 31

Betty S. Nov 5, 2012, 6:08pm UTC

Money is tight all over.. Many college graduates can't find jobs they majored for. I know the feeling of being behind on bills.. It is very frustrating. I do hope things get better for you soon.

Amanda P. Nov 5, 2012, 6:26pm UTC

That's what I'm afraid of because I'll be graduating college next month. I am glad I have a good job now, but it's only part-time. I need something full time in order to afford my bills.

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kara t Nov 5, 2012, 6:13pm UTC

I know how you feel:(

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Pamela Marks Nov 5, 2012, 7:10pm UTC

The first thing that went when we needed money was TV that was almost 9 years ago, answer the phone when the bill collectors call and let them know you are having a hard time, most of the time they are willing to work with you, if you get someone rude ask to speak to a supervisor.

Amanda P. Nov 5, 2012, 7:13pm UTC

I don't have anything to work with.. and a lot of debts and old bills.. plus I've had them tell me before to get off my lazy azz and find a job! This was back when I was home with the twins when they weren't in school yet. I pretty much just avoid those calls now and will pay them when I am in a position to. It's nothing that's still collecting interest so I'm not worried just yet.

Pamela Marks Nov 5, 2012, 7:28pm UTC

Just be careful if they are credit cards they can go to the court and freeze your bank accounts or take your income tax return, it is better to pay 1.00 a week then it is for them to do the above.

Amanda P. Nov 5, 2012, 8:16pm UTC

I've never had a credit card.. they're all like medical bills and stuff.

Pamela Marks Nov 5, 2012, 8:35pm UTC

oh well good luck with that, and they wonder why americans can't afford anything, medical bills rack up really quick when you don't have insurance.

jeanne clarke Nov 5, 2012, 8:37pm UTC

If creditors are calling you, you can tell them you will no longer accept calls at home. If they persist in calling you, you can actually sue them. Google it - we went through that many years ago when we fell behind, and filed bankruptcy. That was two decades ago - the laws haven't changed as far as harassment goes.

Those creditors sound like they are harassing you, and that is against the law.
Also, depending on how old some of those bills are, you might be better off simply not paying them. Eventually, they can no longer collect if enough time has gone by.
You need to check some of this information out on the internet. There's a lot you can do.

Amanda P. Nov 5, 2012, 9:02pm UTC

Oh I know Jeanne.. many of the things are expiring soon.. others are not. I do check my credit report every year around tax time and try to pay on some of the more manageable bills.
We were trying to declare bankruptcy at one point.. but we couldn't even afford that!

Amanda P. Nov 5, 2012, 9:06pm UTC

Pam.. sad thing is.. I actually had insurance when these bills were racked up! Even with insurance health care is impossible to afford. $20 copays at every single visit.. but in NY state well child visits aren't supposed to have copays.. problem is my insurance is based in GA, so the doc tells me there's no copay.. but then I get a bill because I was supposed to pay the copay. I owe a few pediatricians a few hundred dollars now.. but I finally learned my lesson there. I also owe $2,000 for the birth of one child, $4,000 for the birth of another, $1,000 for an emergency surgery I needed.. a few more for my husband.. plus $100 everytime we walk into the Emergency Room.. and with 5 kids you know that's often.

Becky Paulsen Nov 5, 2012, 11:53pm UTC

It's VERY IMPORTANT not to answer the phone if you don't recognize the caller. My identity was stolen because I thought I was doing the right thing in trying to handle an old bill. There are a massive number of phony collection agencies that appear legitimate. You have to deal with the bills to avoid garnishment, but you're not obligated to pay anyone but the original creditor. It's best to contact the original holder, &/or, as you said your credit report. It should enable you to track who bills were given to for collection. Personally, I would deal only with them in writing, & send any suspected caller a cease & desist as well as a request for proof of the bill in writing. I'm sure you know this already, it just scares me when I see people fall prey to cons when they're just trying to do the right thing :-).

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August Lady Nov 5, 2012, 7:57pm UTC

"so I called to cancel DirectTV but they told me I'm locked into a 2 year contract now (even though I signed up less than 30 days ago) and it will cost $500 to buy out of the contract!"

You should check your state laws & make sure your contract didn't come with a 30-day free trial~all the emails I got did. These people are salespeople & they not only get paid to sell the service, they get paid to LIE!

Amanda P. Nov 5, 2012, 8:17pm UTC

It's a long story.. I talked to 4 different people and got 4 different answers.. the first lady said I could cancel within 30 days.. the others said I could not even though I kept saying they told me I could.
At this point I want to cancel just for what they put me through on the phone last night!

August Lady Nov 5, 2012, 8:21pm UTC

That's why I said check your state laws, you can do it online...or call your state's Att'y. General's office. Try Googling "how can I cancel my Direct TV"~less than 30 days tells me you still have options!

Amanda P. Nov 5, 2012, 8:33pm UTC

I just tried.. all I got were a lot of the same complaints I have. Awful customer service and not willing to help you out in any way shape or form!

jeanne clarke Nov 5, 2012, 8:38pm UTC

Call the State's Attorney's office.

jeanne clarke Nov 5, 2012, 8:38pm UTC

Otherwise, you are just going to wear yourself out trying to do more than you can handle.

August Lady Nov 5, 2012, 9:58pm UTC

Go over your contract with a fine-tooth comb...

Becky Paulsen Nov 5, 2012, 11:55pm UTC

Calling the Attorney General is a good idea. Even if they tell you they can only send a "request" that the company abide by the law {yeah, ours actually told me that, LOLl}, it's better than nothing, & might work.

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Becky Paulsen Nov 5, 2012, 11:45pm UTC

You can check out oDesk, Elance, workathomenoscams.com {a site that lists legitimate online work}, intelichek.com {phone mystery shopping that pays about $10/hour if you just sit there & call, not hard, but it has to be done during the day between about 8 am & 6 pm--if you're on the west coast, you can start calling the east coast at 5 am}, or the MSPA @ http://www.mysteryshop.org/ {mystery shoppers association that list all mystery shopping companies, be picky, many pay next to nothing in exchange for alot of work!}...it you need more thoughts, I'm happy to help with what I can. Be careful of the jobs on oDesk & Elance, they're legitimate, but the pay is seriously dirt cheap. skyword.com {Gather's parent site} pays writers for different types of articles--you may find something you're interested in to write about, & you can do it when you have the time {haha, yeah, I know}--some of the Skyword programs are paid depending upon the number of times your work is viewed, & some are a flat rate. I've been treated really well here, so it's a viable opportunity--it takes awhile to get your first pay, but if you start now you should have some $ for Christmas :-).

Hope that helps!

Amanda P. Nov 6, 2012, 6:50am UTC

Thanks for the info, but I really prefer to work outside of the home. I'm on enough pay sites but don't get much use out of them. Being on the computer too long gives me headaches. I enjoy getting out and meeting new people face to face.

Becky Paulsen Nov 7, 2012, 2:26am UTC

You're welcome, sorry it wasn't useful. If you're talking about the paid surveys, etc., I totally agree, they're a huge waste of time. If you like meeting new people, you might think about he mystery shopping if you get desperate. It requires interaction. At the least, you can get a free dinner or lunch, services to your car that are paid for in exchange for a report about your experience--sometimes extra cash on top of it. Good luck with your efforts! I wish you the best.

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Hyper Intellect Nov 6, 2012, 12:05am UTC

So thoughtful of Becky to offer solid suggestions - she's a good egg. Even if she does Photoshop her self-portraits.

I need a second job, even though I have no paid programming, T.V., or kids - which is a damn good thing.

Becky Paulsen Nov 7, 2012, 2:31am UTC

PHOTOSHOP??!! No way!! Corel Paintshop Pro, LOL. Sheesh, cut a girl a break. I had to have something professional for the Skyword/Gather articles for United Way, DiGiorno, etc. but I'm not about to try to come up with the big bucks to pay a professional photographer.

Thank you for the good egg comment, it was very sweet. If you change your mind about kids, I'll send my son, I'll even throw in cable :-).

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Amber C. Nov 8, 2012, 10:12pm UTC

Man, what a contract. That's awful.

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Renita P. Nov 8, 2012, 11:14pm UTC

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