Don wrote:You'd be better of going through bankruptcy than doing this. I'm assuming your credit is already shot. Just knock it out in one fell swoop and start over again. You're young enough to recover.
What he said.
The very definition of banktupt is having negative cashflow after all your bills are paid, causing a need to borrow money to make ends meet. For some this is a temporary situation, but for most who work within the parameters of wage + hours = income, there is no way taking on additional long term debt solves anything! Any predatory lender is taking a huge risk on you, hence the high finance charges. A large portion of those to whom they lend to will not be able to service the debt and will result in them having to write off many bad debts.
If you, in fact, cannot service your existing debt, borrowing more money is just putting a temporary band-aide on a longer term problem. In a couple months you are really fucked! Then what? If you are that far under water, as Don says, you might be better off just declaring bankruptcy. There are several ways to pull out of this:
File for bankruptcy and get your payout vs. your paycheck under control. (if you habitually live beyond your means, you will be right back where you are)
Quit some bad habits that will allow more of your income toward your bills. (Smoking, Drinking, Rock Concert Tickets, lottery tickets, etc.)
See a debt management specialist. Some of them can help you negotiate lower payments.
Here is a concept: Find a way to increase your income. Get a better paying job and if you aren't presently capable of that, get training that will qualify you for a higher paying job.
Money is the root of all evil, conversely, so is the lack of it!
Good luck Everett!
PS - Many people who are truely bankrupt have been held back for years! Why? Because they can't even afford to pay the bankruptcy attorney to file their case for relief! ($1000-$1200)