What Would You Do?

[Junebaby]

What we did

My Husband and I got into a corner some years ago, and we decided to be our own debt advisor. We got a loan from a relative,(signed papers, pay-back schedule, the works), and then we sent letters to every creditor offering to pay a lump sum in exchange for a reduced balance. Some creditors responded with an offer to write off 40% if we paid them the remaining 60% with a wire transfer or certified check. We did that and after a while, our credit score went up a little.
Maybe you can talk to some of your creditors and see if they will go for a settlement. Then you pay the balance, even if it means not paying something else that month. Get caught up the next month. Or get that 2nd job to save some money, then write your letters.
Anyway, if you can pay off the card with the highest interest rate and cut it up, the following months will be easier. Or you could pay off the lowest balance first, just to take one thing off your list.
I don't know how much of this applies to you, but I wish you good luck.

[arthurb999]

Get a new job that pays better...

[Seeker]

Look into Inventory companies... where you and groups of peers carpool to assigned retail stores and other sites and input counts into handheld computers. Plenty of jobs available there I think, though most are minimum wage and after normal business hours. Movie theaters for weekends is another alternative to fast food places; they still seem to be busy.... probably moreso since summer is here.

Personal stuff, helping a neighbor go grocery shopping and other things like that can help. Check with your local church for anything that may be available.

Bunch of part-time jobs seem to be available; always see part-time help wanted signs in the places I walk. Sometimes these can be fun too, and less "work" than your normal work. Everything depends on attitude.

[julee_m]

Remember that taking money out of your retirement funds may cost you not only 10% penalty but additional taxes as well (if traditional IRA/401K). And if we're in tough shape now, what kind of shape will we be in when we're too old to work?
You can stretch out your milk by watering it down (eg. if you usually drink 2%, buy 4% and add half milk, half water to each glass). They say most pet food meets the basic nutrition requirements - perhaps you can mix cheaper food with what you're currently using.
I've worked 2, even 3 jobs at times and am not thrilled that I am back to working a full-time job plus a part-time job yet again. It does wear you out. Our health is important so I hope you will be able to take some breaks from that. Yet being able to sleep at night because you have an emergency fund is healthful too. Good luck!

[Tree0164]

As far as part time job if you want to work mostly on weekends/overnghts there are several at home call centers that are looking for new folks-Liveops, ACD, Arise and West are a few.

For a good at home workout if you want to check out some dvd Cathe Friedrich - Workout, Fitness, Exercise Videos and DVDs or the P90X® Extreme Home Fitness are good. they might be in the library or the check out ebay for some deals. If you have cable exercise tv is on there plus they have some workouts that you can stream online as well.

[Alex_Adviser]

I have a small retirement account that I could borrow from. I know the penalty would be around 10%.

The big problem with your idea is what cashing in now will cost. First, you will never see 10 percent because it will be deducted as a penalty for early withdrawal. Then, you'll owe federal and state income tax on the full amount. At least 40 percent of the account balance will vanish. So its not a good idea at all.

[inneedofhelp]

I have done odd jobs for part-time work, and with the recession the way it is, it is much harder to find people who are willing to pay for things that they can do on their own. But, I will keep checking things out. I think it would be nice to do part-time work at a coffee place or a barnes and noble.

[disneysteve]

A "part-time" job doesn't need to be a traditional job with a corporate employer. It could also be something you do on your own. Maybe you have a craft or hobby that you could use to generate income. Maybe you could start selling on ebay. Maybe you know someone who could use child care in the evening when you aren't working (like someone who works 2nd shift). Maybe you could walk dogs, water plants, house sit for people on vacation. How about delivering papers? That is usually done early in the morning. There are lots of ways to drum up some extra cash, even in hard economic times.

[Inkstain82]

Well, for some people they feel it is easy to just pick up and move to a cheaper state, but for others, their families are here, they get paid well for their education and position, etc. For me, my debt is what is expensive, not the cost of living.

Absolutely. I'm definitely not saying it'd be as easy as just picking up and moving for anybody.

[inneedofhelp]

Well, for some people they feel it is easy to just pick up and move to a cheaper state, but for others, their families are here, they get paid well for their education and position, etc. For me, my debt is what is expensive, not the cost of living.

[Inkstain82]

Not commenting on your specific situation, but it seems to me that one of this country's biggest problems is that half of California can't afford to live in California.

[inneedofhelp]

I checked into trying to find a part-time job, and as I am in California, the unemployment rate is pretty darn high, and it is a bit difficult to find a part time job that doesn't coincide with my regular work hours. I am finding that even though a job states it is "part-time", it is still having those part-time hours be during the regular 9-5 shift....I would prefer if I could find a weekend job or an overnight job on the weekends. There are times when I wish i was in better shape.....I would be able to not be so tired all the time, and I could do jobs like waitressing or jobs where being thinner was imperative.

[inneedofhelp]

I have been working 2 jobs off and on. Lately, because of how I have been feeling, i worry that getting a 2nd job will cause me to be worn out and pack on the pounds. I know that if I just keep paying down this debt, I will have two major debts paid off by next year...which would equal an extra $334 bucks per month.

I am thinking of trying to find part time work on a saturday...something fun, but enough cash so I make progress with my emergency savings, etc.

[kork13]

huh..you must not workout!

I respectfully disagree that a "workout" must include a full gym setup.... Between running, swimming, pushups, various core workouts, and my single dumbbell, I'm staying in quite good shape in the privacy of my own bedroom (short of running/swimming, obviously). I've always hated gyms, and never seen a purpose in using one when you can do everything you need to stay in good shape in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

[tripods68]

You can exercise just fine at home with a minimal one-time investment - a good pair of walking shoes, some dumbbells, a yoga mat and not much else.

huh..you must not workout!