LaTigresse
Posts: 26123
Joined: 1/15/2006 Status: offline
|
fr TFB, I echo what NV and Kaliko have said. Credit cards are evil, unfortunately close to necessary today. I've been in the position of getting a little carried away and went rounds with Capital One a few years ago, before the government put the smack down on credit card companies. (so much for government interference being all bad...) I just recently finished paying the thing off. I used to work for a credit card company....in the credit department and had to work with people like yourself. One thing I must stress, as hard as it is. Do NOT end communication with them. As soon as you start blowing them off, they will make the assumption you do not intend to honour your contract and will take whatever steps they can, legally, where you are. Another thing to keep in mind. Each state has different laws regarding collections. Most laws in this area are federal, but it does vary by state to a degree. That is why, when I was working for Seiferts, we had states we specialized in and were each familiar with the laws in our states. Some were better for the customer and others were better for us. Lastly........if you make them a promise, KEEP IT! If you feel you can't, call them PRIOR to the due date and explain. Constantly prove that you are making an effort. However small. It is easier to ignore and not talk to them. Especially when it feels you are in over your head. Trust me, when it comes to unsecured debt, such as credit cards, most companies will work with you, regardless of their bluster and asshole-ishness. When dealing with Capital One I had to bluster right back and demand they make an effort to work with me. I did some reading and understood what they could and could not do. Also, force yourself to save to avoid needing a credit card for the things you have. No matter how little the amount at a time. Seriously, I have worked out my own little system that is probably cheesy to some people, but it works for me. I often use cash for stuff, just because of how I manage my stuff. So, all cash I get, goes into an envelope, in the safe. It's there for surprise whatever that I might otherwise need a credit card. Christmas money, birthday money, it all goes in there. Instead of spending a few dollars I might happen to end up with on something unnecessary like a candy bar, coffee, magazine, whatever.......it goes into that envelope. In just a few months GD and I put 450.00 in there that I am going to borrow against to fill the LP tank. Because I am looking at it as borrowing, and will pay The Envelope back, I am borrowing and paying back myself........instead of a credit card company. But back to the point at hand........don't beat yourself up, work through it. Use your head. Learn from it. Don't let yourself get in the same situation again. It took me two bouts of 'Damn, how did this credit card bill get so fucking huge?!?" to learn my lesson. Now I prefer to pay myself instead of some greedy corporate motherfuckers.
_____________________________
My twisted, self deprecating, sense of humour, finds alot to laugh about, in your lack of one! Just because you are well educated, articulate, and can use big, fancy words, properly........does not mean you are right!
|