Re: Same old story
I agree with lrjohnson's statement that you are very brave to have your financial and personal life put under a microscope!
Come up with a solid list of debts owed, min. payment, due date, date you get paycheck, and any other bills you have. List all income. Ask that any holiday gifts be money. Have a rummage sale if you haven't already.
The cell phone almost has to go if you can get out of the contract even with a $150 penalty you honestly cannot afford the extra $83/month.
What is the cost to turning in the lease vehicle? I realize this seems bad, but ask them if you can purchase a $3k vehicle and roll the loss on the lease vehicle into a new loan. You have to sell them on the possibility of you not having the ability to ever pay them their debts on it at the current monthly amt. and by accepting your offer you can swing payments on a 3k + 5-6k loss versus 26,000 lease at any payment amt per month.
I agree to with the grocery purchases. It's time to eat only at home and make it hamburger helper and potatoes with a veggy for the next year. No soda, bottled water, no bottled juice, alcohol, cigarettes, and any other non absolute necessities.
Take a picture of any credit cards and then burn the cards. Its cash only and that is the unfortunate position you are in.
I am not critizing your position, just like you're not arguing with us. I am only giving you the tough love approach you have to take with yourself and your debts.
What do you pay for the internet connection? That could go too for now unless you can validate even a $9.99/month fee. We tossed our long distance service on our phone and replaced it with a calling card from Sams Club for about 2.5 cents per min.
You have to cut to the bone and sell everything you can. When I was a kid our big shopping day for school was at Goodwill and we got 2 pairs of pants and 3 shirts. 1 pair of Kmart shoes, socks and underwear. Coats were very cheap ones too.
I survived barely. My dad still apologizes he did not spend more on us and saved less. His income is higher now than before he retired! Good for him.
The next few days are going to be tough for you to come up with a solid plan of attack. You have taken the biggest step so far and the rest will come with time and effort.
We should start a thread for you and only you to update us on your progress. Kinda like you are showing us your progress to not let us down, since it is obvious you have a few people here pulling for you!
Good luck!
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