What should I do?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
What should I do?
5
Thu, 10-22-2009 - 7:28pm

So, some of you may know about my condo association debt. I owe $907 dollars to my association for monthly condo fees that I didn't pay when I was going through my toughest financial period. I've been on time with my payments for at least 6 months now. But I just haven't had the money to pay off my debt yet. I'm getting really really close to being able to concentrate on them though.

Anyway, today I get a letter from them (probably because we just had our annual meeting and now they are going to chomp down on the people that owe them money so they can do all these things they talked about at the meeting, including raising our condo fee), and they said that if I don't pay them within 10 days, then they are going to tack on another $55 dollar charge and they are going to start proceedings to collect the debt, which includes all kinds of new fees from lawyers! I don't want my deb to go up!!! EEK! I've been working so hard to get it down. But of course, they don't know this about me. They probably think they are never going to get their money.

Here's where I stand now. I have about $572 dollars in my emergency fund. I had to deplete it a little to buy my washing machine last week. I'm wondering if they would accept $500 dollars from me, and the rest in segments over the course of a few months. I don't want to incur any more fees, but I'm thinking I would have to add on the stipulation that they stop charging me outrageous fees!

Of course, this brings up a ton of other problems as I was counting on that $500 dollars to help me get my car fixed next month. I have to get it fixed (or figure out what to do with it at least) by next month because my registration will expire and then my condo association will probably tow me away! Car, Condo fee, Car, Condo fee. What is the bigger emergency, such a tough decision.

I called the financial lady in charge of my bill and we're going to talk on Monday. I just want to stop the fees. Hopefully if I pay them monthly on the debt, they will agree. When will this end? I'm so tired of dealing with debt!

Community Leader
Registered: 07-26-1999
Fri, 10-23-2009 - 9:46am
Abbie, I would suggest asking them if they will take a partial payment, say $250 or something and then take monthly payments for the rest and also possibly not tacking on anymore fees.
Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
Fri, 10-23-2009 - 11:23am

I would offer $250 and promise them a certain amount for next month and the next until it is paid. You must pay this without question, but also negotiate for less fees!


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Fri, 10-23-2009 - 1:04pm

I'm glad you have scheduled a meeting to set down and deal with it face to face.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Fri, 10-23-2009 - 1:30pm

I ended up with a great washer! A super energy efficient one that is supposed to last forever. It retails for $1300 but I bought it for $340 from a lady who had bad knees and needed a bigger washer to keep from going up and down stairs. She only had it for 4 years.

Here's the video. I had never seen anything like it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnxs601NyIw

About the car: I see your point about the car, but I'd at least like a mechanic to officially tell me what's wrong with it before I decide what to do. What if I could get it running for $700 dollars and then it would run for another year. That would just give me more time to save for a different car. I don't know! But I have to look at all of my options first before I make an informed decision on what to do.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2009
Fri, 10-23-2009 - 5:47pm

Abbie...I love your washing machine...Great deal


Clean clean clean...I love it lol


Duke


That condo board is a pain the butt...gosh you are doing the best you can