Debt relief

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2004
Debt relief
2
Tue, 01-04-2005 - 2:13am
My husband got himself into a financial mess but is now about to get help through a debt relief company. I too have applied for help through them but they seemed to have shrugged me off and i am upset about this. I have been trying to get help for the past 2 months and everytime I think it may happen the debt relief lady says she can and then she cant help me. My debt is much less than my husbands(most of these loans were from before we were married 2 years ago).
I get calls from bill companies on Sundays and sometimes in the evenings(rarely through the days) and it is emotionally draining. My husband seems to run to the phone when it rings and everytime it is a business call he says it is for me(sometimes they dont say which company they are calling from due to 'privacy laws'-so wont tell him (sometimes i cant get to the phone -not feeling well or not home). I dont appreciate him answering the phone all the time although they dont leave messages).
I am due for my first child in April(thankfully I have nearly everything I need for baby). I feel like I am being left out for help and dont want to be answering the phone while trying to look after baby when he is here. My husband has his wage and I have a small benefit.
I am good at budgeting for food etc.
Any suggestions?
janine
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
In reply to: ibelle10
Tue, 01-04-2005 - 9:53am
What is the debt relief company supposed to do for your husband? Is it a debt settlement company? How much are they charging?

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2003
In reply to: ibelle10
Tue, 01-04-2005 - 2:37pm

Can you contact your creditors directly to try and work out a *reasonable* payment plan? By reasonable, I mean you take care of YOU first, not them!

Sometimes it helps if you take the initative and call them before they call you. It's not fun, true, but it shows that you are willing (just currently unable) to pay them.

Another resource is "How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt and Live Prosperously" by Jerrold Mundis. It's a book I used when I started trying to make sense out of all the collector's calls, etc.

It's no fun to feel trapped by this stuff, especially when you're expecting a baby.

Good luck, and we're here for you on the board-

Lisa