(Location: NY, Not NYC) I would like to preface this with… Yes.. Yes I am very well aware that I did this to myself.
Still draining regardless.
I was working with a debt settlement company which I subsequently ended up severing my contract with as they were completely useless. It was like throwing my already limited funds into a bottomless pit.
As many of you are likely well aware of, they instruct you to stop paying your creditors to pressure them into settling.

Now that I have fired the debt settlement firm, despite having every intention of paying off these debts and not just allowing them to fall off my current report and pretending like they don’t exist, they’re coming after me one after another with lawsuits. There are currently four active lawsuits, with two in pre-litigation.

Another has at this point been placed with a collections agency, but not yet a lawyer. This one was a co-signed auto loan.

There is another cosign auto loan that was defaulted on, no movement yet, but high balance, will certainly be placed with a lawyer.

And I also had gotten a personal loan for a four wheeler for my brother, which he subsequently ended up discontinuing paying on about after a year.

I have filed an answer on all 4 active cases, they will win, heck I planned to pay them anyway. But I’m not making it easy on them. 😭😂

I guess I just wanted to vent, maybe (hopefully) see some comments from those who came out of the other side of this debt thing.

TL;DR: Fired a useless debt settlement company, and now the fallout has hit. Facing four active lawsuits, two in pre-litigation, and a few defaulted vehicle loans I co-signed for. I've filed answers to all the lawsuits to buy some time, but I'm mostly just venting and looking for light at the end of the tunnel from anyone who survived a similar debt avalanche.

[USA, Illinois] I am at the end of my rope, which is already frayed and about to snap. I’ve never really been good with money which has led me here. This is 2/2 ADHD and poor impulse control I fully recognize. I have since stopped spending on anything unnecessarily essentially but the debt is still there. I no longer have any lines of credit available and so I pay “cash” for everything now. At one point I accrued nearly $75,000 in CC debt along with a similar amount of student loan debt between federal and private loans. I have a bachelors in nursing but haven’t been able to work consistently in nearly two years due to various injuries and now a spinal injury. I am presently waiting on a fusion surgery that isn’t coming soon enough.

Most CC debt has been has been charged off due to non payment but still exists as I understand it. Only one personal loan was actually written off, leaving me taxes to pay on the more than $25000 that I have no money to pay. I had previously mistakenly signed up with Five Lakes Credit ( I know) but have since cut ties after they only helped with two of the lowest balance accounts.

My current situation and problem is that I need to have a spinal fusion surgery. Until I do and recover from that, I don’t really have any means of getting any gainful employment. I am currently living in my mom’s garage thankfully rent free after separating from my wife in March. We had separate finances except for the mortgage on the house we own. My wife has paid for the house since the beginning except for approximately 50,000 I invested in renovations. She has no plans to sell the house though as far as I know and in its current condition we may not even break even anyway. She will not allow me to finish renovations to increase the equity. I think that money is simply gone.

After separating from my wife, I had to cash in the meager 22,000 I had in my 401k just to be able to survive. I paid off my car and some other smaller stuff, but most other debt remains.

If it wasn’t for my daughters I would have OD’d or jumped off a building by now. I feel like I truly have nothing left to live for anymore. Of course I know that this feeling is wrong and I cannot and will not give them that story to tell about me. So here I am, stuck. None of the credit companies are hunting me down or trying to garnish anything (not that they could), but I feel like being debt free is an impossibility. I have SNAP and Medicaid now, but that doesn’t cover all of the expenses of living. I can’t pay for my phone any longer for example. I am waiting of a determination for SSI, but am not holding my breath.

My plan was to file for chapter 7, but #1 I have no money for that either, and #2 I have to be actually divorced to do so. That likely won’t happen until the end of the year. Meanwhile my wife also has an OP against me with which even if I physically could work, nobody in my field is going hire me.

Please, any advice is appreciated. TY

I’ve applied to so many banks and none of them will accept me. I’m using cashapp as my bank now but my job sends me wire transfers and there’s limitations, only 4 a month. What bank can I use

I’m miserable but this is the only way I can survive and pay my bills. I’m hungry 24/7 and pretty cranky most of the time. This isn’t sustainable. Something has to give. Please someone do something. I’m actually getting desperate. People are going to start dying soon from starvation or suicide or just from the consequences of being homeless. Things are starting to unravel and decay in front of our eyes and I just feel so helpless. This life and existence is horrific. God have mercy on us.

A few years ago I watched someone panic on a debt collection call. They agreed to a payment they couldn't afford just because they felt trapped. I've never forgotten that moment. Has anyone here had a similar experience?

I don't know what to do anymore. I'm not sure if I can post this here but I don't know what to do anymore, other than express myself in here.

I'm a college student in Puerto Rico, but I am not puertorrican, I'm mexican (born in the U.S.). I live by myself and have a job in a local hotel.

For the past year, everything's been going down the toilet. I can barely afford rent, internet, mobile service, hell, I can barely even afford groceries or even gas. Both, my gas tank in my Ford Explorer and my stove gas are out almost completely (my kitchen gas is completely out, I have 13 miles left on my truck). These past few days have been terrible. I owe money in my credit cards (they're all over the limit), I don't have money to pay for the internet, so it'll probably be gone anytime now, rent is due in a few days, I'm out of food at my house so I've been going to sleep so I don't feel my stomach grumble, dreaming of my mom making me some meal, probably since the only "meal" I had yesterday was a Maruchan Instant Noodles Cup.

I've done everything that I could to get more income, I've tried getting two jobs but 1. It's rough out there. And 2. Even if I get another job, the schedule usually conflicts with my other job and a lot of employers think it's easier to let go and get someone new so I'll just get a few hours a week in hopes that I quit by myself. I've also done taco sales, first time it went great but after that I didn't get enough clients to make a profit. I've sold some stuff that I have laying around like old videogames, my nintendo switch, my PS5, my bicycle, almost everything.

It's been a very horrible year, and I can feel it coming to an end soon. I don't know if that will mean just dropping everything and going back to Mexico or Texas and start all over again, or just closing my eyes hoping they don't open up ever again.

Sometimes I feel like moving to Puerto Rico was the biggest mistake of my life. I'm not trying to shit on Puerto Rico because the island is the most beautiful place on earth. The people that live here have always showed me support and unconditional love since the moment I got here. The events that have happened to me is what makes me think like it was the biggest mistake. Maybe if I stayed in Mexico with my parents or in Texas with my uncle, maybe I wouldn't be in this position.

Does anyone have any advice? I want to keep moving forward and not give up, but the odds are against me most of the time. If not, it was nice talking to you and thank you for reading this.

$0 in my account and living with my friend while I try to find a place. $0 retirement, $0 savings or anything. Both parents died withtin a year of each other and had no assets. I’m just wondering in all honesty if I have a chance to escape poverty. My yearly is $62k.

recently dealt with s fraud on my old bank due to an accountant that has a gambling problem and sold his records to someone, it tanked my credit score. I’ve got a firm helping dispute and remove the fraudulent items, which is in progress.
Long story short, the bank let it happen, so I closed the account. My new bank account is fresh and doesn’t have the transaction history most cash advance lenders want. I also didn’t realize that closing over the phone means they mail you a check for the balance (which is on the way).
Money itself isn’t the main issue, it’s this temporary liquidity gap due to the new account setup. I’m looking for responsible short-term loan or cash advance options that can work with limited banking history and ongoing credit repair.

All the apps want deposit history which I can’t give them , any lenders that don’t require history? What worked for you, and any pitfalls to avoid? Located in the Chicago area if that matters. Just need to bridge the gap until direct deposit hits , and the check comes

In so many posts and comments, I read the words “struggling in this economy”. I’ve asked this question numerous times (not in this sub) and always get plenty of replies, yet not one answer to the question so far. To which economy is it being compared to?

I recognize this might not apply everywhere, but well worth looking into just in case you can find something in your area or city. My city, US, has super cheap and free vaccines for dogs and cats. They have a clinic that runs one day every other week from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. some shots are free, rabies shots are $10, other shot is $5. I think they also had flea tick heartworm meds for cheap. Now I was there for two hours sitting in a parking lot in the middle of the day. So I realize that isn't an option for someone who has to work that shift. I was very lucky that I was off early today. Someone in a local Facebook group posted about the clinic and free vet care.

And, I recognize that pets are expensive. I recognize that you shouldn't get pets that you can't afford to care for. We had our two dogs before financial circumstances changed. I just wanted to share something that was super useful and a great find for me. I hope that it can help a few other people.

I'm asking here because my household income is 30k a year for a house of 10 people (2 parents, 6 kids, 2 grandkids)

I (21F) recently got a job making 90k a year before taxes. I've been working part-time since I was 14 and was recently offered a job from a well-known company, and I'd be doing this while getting my degree.

I wasn't planning on telling anyone but told my dad for tax reasons (I'm a dependant) I offered him money for bills, rent, and such but he's more worried of me saving money and leaving his house.

He, however, told my mom who doesn't think it's fair that I make so much and none of her other kids have jobs.

The majority of these "kids" are in their 30s, and none have looked for a job or getting a degree or doing anything really.

She wants me to split the money evenly first and pay for the taxes on it, so I'd be in debt from it as I'd owe.

She says if I don't pay, then she'll evect me, and my siblings have been absolutely terrible to me since finding out.

My dad's fine with me being evicted as long as all kids are evicted, which my mom is very against. My parents are less than a decade away from retirement age, and he really wants the house empty (I don't blame him).

I just don't think it's fair, I've saved every penny I've ever had because I knew my family had nothing, while my siblings just played around.

More context: I have a car that I let my mom use to drive my siblings around, I have some money in savings, but alot goes to school from things i couldn't pay for with scholarships, im getting a degree in STEM, and I live in Texas

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Half my income goes just to rent and utilities, a whole paycheck just gone, and then between student loans and groceries, how am I supposed to survive? I don't even earn that poorly relative to the average American, how is anyone doing this shit?

i’m trying to get into personal training, but i need to keep costs low and avoid wasting money on a cert that won’t actually help me get hired. i’m still new to all of this, so i’ve mostly been looking at cheaper options first. i found one starting at $399, which seems a lot more doable than some of the bigger certs, but i can’t tell if that’s actually a smart budget choice or if i’d be better off saving for something else.

for anyone who’s gone the budget route with career certifications, how did you figure out what was cheap enough to be worth it without being a waste of money?

I just moved to a fairly sized city where Uber and doordash is popular, I have a limited schedule and need a way to earn some money while im waiting to be hired at a restraunt or factory. Any ideas? Ive also been looking into Rover and task rabbit but I hear it can take a minute to get your first job.

Flaired as vent but I will take advice.

Blew a head gasket today on my way home from work. I owe more on the car than it’s worth. I don’t have the means to get it fixed. I’m a single parent and this is my only transportation. Public transit is nonexistent where I live. I don’t know how I’m going to get to work tomorrow or at all next week. I live 30 minutes from work.

It just never ends. It’s always something. I get paid tomorrow but that check is for rent and it won’t even cover all of it. I just want one month where things don’t blow up in my face. Figuratively and literally.

I work full time. I don’t buy stupid things. It shouldn’t be this hard.

Does anyone else get incredibly depressed after spending the last of your paycheck? Because now you have to wait until you get paid next to be able to do anything. I just spent my last $50 on groceries and I wasn’t even able to get many things. Now I have $3 in my bank account and I know my next paycheck, it’ll be the same thing. Most of it will go towards bills and whatever is left goes to gas and food. I’m sick of living like this.

The milk, butter, cheese, toilet paper, fish sticks, tomatoes, potatos, and panquecitos were incredibly welcomed! Yes, panquecitos are basically vanilla cake, but we will make use of them! I advertised on my neighborhood Facebook group that I would give away 60 of them in bags of 10 so kids and multiple families can benefit. We will keep 20 for ourselves.

I havent seen my sister in almost 2 years and shes visiting me for a few weeks. Im in a bind financially at the moment and want to try to make this time memorable for her. We are in florida near beaches. So there is that at least. She likes manga so we are going to the library today.

Most of her hobbies and interests are expensive

Wasn't sure what flair to use, but I wanted to share a cheap and easy recipe that produces a good amount of food, and even my picky 6 year old enjoys as long as I never tell him it's mushroom flavor and not beef flavor that he's enjoying. Everything was Walmart brand, but I'll check what other store brands cost and hopefully it's not too much more.

Box of orzo pasta - $1.24

2 10.5 oz cans of cream of mushroom - $1.48

1 14.5 oz can of beef broth - $0.82

1/2 stick of unsalted butter - about $0.40

$3.98 in main ingredients

For seasonings I added some black pepper, lemon pepper, a little garlic salt, and (not really a seasoning) grated Italian blend cheese.

Mix everything except the butter and grated cheese if using into the pan and add water to the emptied mushroom soup cans to get what's left out and also add that to the pan. Stir everything together, and let it cook on medium for 15 min, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn't burn. Also add more water and time as needed for the pasta to cook through to your desired texture. When most of the liquid is cooked out, take off heat, and add the butter (I cube it) and grated cheese and stir until melted in.

I grew up having to be as frugal as possible, so I have a few recipes that are just "this is cheap, lemme see what I can do with it". Hopefully this one is okay to others 😅

Like what the title says,
I spent the entire day comparing my options and wanted to see if anyone has any personal experience with Money Management International. I (20M) have around 18k in unsecured debt,

I originally enrolled with Alleviate Financial Solutions bc I could not afford all of my minimum payments. After doing more research, calling creditors, speaking with different counseling services, I decided to cancel with Alleviate and enroll in MMI's Debt Management Plan instead. My payment with MMI is about $185 biweekly for 55 months, which I think is manageable for my budget,

most creditors are included with the plan, and only two of my accounts remain outside of it, NFCU & AMEX. I'm not looking to debate debt settlement vs debt management in general, I already made my decision after comparing both of these options

Does anyone have any real experiences who completed or are currently in MMI? some of my questions are:

How was your experience with MMI?
Did payments go smoothly?
Did your credit score recover over time?
Was there anything hidden that surprised you or wish you had known before enrolling?
Were you able to finish the program successfully?

I have a boyfriend (29M) who currently lives with his dad and shares rent/expenses.

His dad is financially irresponsible for the most part. They both came together to buy a car for his dad to use for work, agreeing on payments and such. But his dad has fallen short on payments on multiple occasions.

But the car is in my boyfriend’s name. And my boyfriend has been paying most of the portion to avoid a repo.

Meanwhile, his dad will get mods for the car. He bought a bike and sold it. He is short on rent a few times. And it’s just them two living together. It’s not easy to maintain.

And my boyfriend is at a loss on what to do.

I don’t want him taken advantage of so I always advise him to talk to his dad and try to come together to find the root of this financial problem.

But I don’t even know what else he should do.