Tam asked:


After I pay my “fixed expenditures”, I don’t have any $ left to pay my credit card creditors. So, I’ve decided to hide from my creditors since they don’t understand that I have no money. I don’t have a landline so they can’t contact me by phone. Their letters are not opened, just immediately thrown away. They literally have no other way to contact me. If I make only X amount of $ a month, how can I pay these creditors XX amount of $? I only have the basic necessities at home – no phone, no cable TV, no internet (I’m using a free public library computer to type this). So, do you agree that I did the right thing by hiding since the creditors have no compassion?

Here’s a list of my monthly “fixed expenditures”:

Rent – $450
Gas Heating/Hot Water/Cooking – $150
Car Insurance – $177
Car Warranty – $125
Life Insurance – $100
Health Insurance – $96
Prescriptions – (total of 3 each month equaling $260)
Electricity – $48 ($74/mo during the summer for added cooling costs – necessary due to my health/asthma)
Laundry – $24 for supplies, cost of loads, etc.
Household Goods – $20 (cleaning supplies, toilet tissue, dish/laundry detergent, etc.)
Personal Goods – $30 (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.)
Clothing – $50
Haircut – $17
Postage/Stamps – $9
Money Orders – $4.20 to $8/mo (I need to pay my bills via money order because I do not have a checking account)
Car Fuel/Gasoline – $30/wk (since gas prices are consistently increasing)
Parking/Tolls to get to work – $15/wk
Car Fluids, etc. (Brake Fluid, Power Steering Fluid, Oil, Cleaning Supplies, Windshield Wiper Fluid) – $10
Food – $100 (or $25/wk on average)

Here’s a list of my yearly, etc. “fixed expenditures”:

Car Inspection/Emissions Test – $56/year
Car Registration – $38/yr
Driver’s License Renewal – $28/every 4 yrs
AAA (Emergency Roadside Assistance) – $81/yr
H&R Block Tax Services – $234/yr
Car Oil Change – $50/every 3 mos
Doctor/Eye/Dental copays – $60 ($15/each) for every appointment – at least 2 or 3 times/yr
Car Upkeep (Tires) – $200 on average ($50 for each tire)
Car Upkeep (Belts/Hoses/Spark Plugs/Battery/Wipers) – $150/yr
I also don’t have a cell phone – can’t afford it. I don’t have any phone (inc. landline) at all.
I also need my car, despite the expenses. It’s my only way to work.

Need a Gas Card? Win Your FREE Gas Card Now!

Pam H asked:


Hello. I’m a single mom with a pretty good job. I’m going to grad school part-time to earn my masters in education. I currently live rent free with my parents and am paying off credit card debt I racked up after I got “downsized” from my last job and was unemployed for six months.

The problem is I am cash poor. After paying $600 towards my credit card bills, $800 for daycare, $200 for gas, approx. $300 for food and clothes for my child and myself, I have little to zero cash left at the end of each month.

I can’t get a part-time job with my school schedule. Should I start looking for a full-time job that pays better? Are there any ways I could free up some money each month? Thanks so much for any suggestions!!

Need a Gas Card? Win Your FREE Gas Card Now!

Stephanie ♥’s Juan asked:


I’m planning on getting my own phone line when I turn 18 in April. It’ll be $45 dollars per month. I work a weekday job that pays around $100 a week. I need to pay for gas and I usually put my extra money in the bank. I can’t pay the phone bill with cash and if I find something I like online, I’d like to be able to buy it.I was thinking of getting a free debit card from my bank and using it online and to pay my bills, while still putting money regularly in my account. I thought it’d be better then getting a credit card.I also have a side account at the credit union that holds $5,000 that I’m saving for after college. Is this a good idea?
I currently got laid off of my weekend job and I filled out applications recently for another, so I’ll have some additional cash flow from there. I’m also a senior in high school, soon to be attending college in the fall at my community college.
Thanks.
I also was going to add the debit card to paypal so I can have additional protection if I buy something online.

Need a Gas Card? Win Your FREE Gas Card Now!

MthrNatures_Son asked:


Hi, I want to move, but I don’t make a lot of money. I make 2200 bucks a month.

I was approved for a $650 a month mortgage which allows me to afford a small home in my area.

Other bills I’m thinking are the following
Utilities: 200
Cable/internet/phone: 150
Food 2 people: 500
Drs/Medicine: 100
Car Gas: 200
Car Insurance: 100

Total bills 1900
Total income 2200

That gives me just 300 breathing room and I haven’t counted anything for fun or savings or emergencies.

I have a $3000 unused credit card and $15000 in the bank.

Would you move into this situation? How tight is too tight? I don’t want to touch my savings because once its gone its gone, and I don’t want to use my credit card except to pay it off each month.

Please help. I want to move, but I’m scared that I don’t have a lot of free cash.
I have 6 months expenses in the banks and the property taxes are already figured in the mtg payment.

Need a Gas Card? Win Your FREE Gas Card Now!

Tundra21999 asked:


This guy told me to go to Tim4freegas.usgasrebates.com A couple of my friends say they are getting up to $500 free gas in gas cards and are making money selling the service. I’m not sure. looks a little hokey

Need a Gas Card? Win Your FREE Gas Card Now!

Mr. Prediction asked:


I’m not rich and I have lot’s to learn but this is what has worked for me. I’m 3 years out of college, I’ve paid back on my student loans, I worked through school whiched helped. I bought a house 2 years ago and have it 74% paid-off. I bought during the low market, I put down 35% and make double & triple payments torwards the principle. I make a moderate income and take home $3250 every two weeks. I max-out all my rewards credit-cards and have even asked to put some business expences on them and as a result I get free gas cards for my car…I haven’t paid for gas in 2 years FREE!! I also have a Cruise rewards card that will be cashed in in April 08..and a free flight there via Amex rewards (American Air-
lines). I’ve never paid a red cent in interest…I just use the credit card companies for free things and always pay in full. I currently have $840 per Month coming in on just investments & interest..pay’s my utilities and food at home.

just a few things that might help you

ques
I have several other ideas that have worked very well for me. I just find ways to make other’s pay my bills…mostly credit card companies & interest from investments…I want to retire early and enjoy life.
One other thing…ALWAYS buy your car…never finance a NEW car…it’s a HUGE waste of money. Buy the car when it’s 2 years old with low miles and pay in cash….this is HUGE when dealing with money….IMO!!
I hope this helps someone!
Good Luck

Need a Gas Card? Win Your FREE Gas Card Now!

mema asked:


I have good credit now. I worked hard to get it. My husband had none when we married. So I added him. Big mistake. He is gone now. I can not pay everything. How can I work with credit co. to pay and save my credit. It takes everything I make to pay my house payment, car payment and insurance, food and gas. I also have a 2 year old, so I have child care. He is suppose to pay child support, but has not, yet. He gets off scott free. All the cards are in my name and he is a user. So I have to pay them. I want to pay them and keep my credit good, but I can’t do it right now. Is there some way credit card co. will work with me without destroying my credit? My friends say if I don’t pay, that your credit is bad for only 7 years. Won’t my credit be good if I continue to pay my house payment and car payment?

Need a Gas Card? Win Your FREE Gas Card Now!

Letslearn asked:


I’m just a few years out of college so don’t be too tough on me.
First I take home $2,865 every two weeks, I bought a house this past summer, I paid 275 for it and put down 105K and borrowed $170K..my P.I.T.I is $1,490. I don’t have a car payment, I drive a ‘96 Toyota with 210K miles and looks and runs great. I am buying about $600 a Month in furniture (cash) because I really didn’t have any to fill my 4 bdr, 3 ba, family room home. I do have 80K in avaiable credit in credit cards all with zero balances, I use them for free gas, airline tickets and cash back and never pay a cent in interest, I save $1100per Month in savings and 650 in long term savings S/B/I. I just now got to the point where I have 6 Months of income saved like the experts say to do. Utilities are around 360 per month, food about $410 per Month. I get enough free gas cards so I never pay for gas, $275 misc expences. So spend $4885 & make
$5730.

When my furniture is done..I’ll get a new car
any suggestions?
No note…when I said “NEW” car I do mean “NEW” to me..not brand new. I would buy a used car around 12K, Honda, Toyota etc…I know cars are one of the biggest money wasters going.

Need a Gas Card? Win Your FREE Gas Card Now!

ljohnyl asked:


I got a call a couple days ago that i’ve been selected to receive a $125 dollar gas card. But there is a shipping and handling fee of $2.95. The person asked for my credit card or debit card number. But i found this to be too good to be true, so i refused to give him the card number and hang up.

Need a Gas Card? Win Your FREE Gas Card Now!

weechi asked:


Ok, I have a HUGE credit card bill…like, 15k. i have only one credit card, so this is it. i take home about 2,600. i have a home, i have been investing for 3 years in my Roth IRA and 403b.

so far i have put my car up for sale for a less expensive car, that will make my payment about 1/2. i’ve also cancelled my retirement contributions for this year (i know that’s bad but that’s my motivation…to get back on track and contributing again ASAP) and i have taken a roomate who will may about 1/3 of my mortgage and 1/2 the bills.

i’ll have about 1,100 a month after i’ve covered all my bills. but obviously i have to buy food and gas. i’ve already informed friends to NOT ask me out for dinner, etc… and i don’t need any clothes for work or anything.

i feel like i’ve done all that i can as far as freeing up my income to start attacking this bill…..yet it’s not enough!!! i’ll still be doing this for maybe 2 years…but i need to get it done THIS YEAR.
maybe…..can i get the money out of my roth? i know that goes against everything they tell you…but i was just thinking that’s the only other bit of money i have! is that even possible? and there is no reason a debt management agency would help me…i have money to pay, and my interest rate is already like 13%, i don’t miss payments…they don’t have any reason to cut me a break.
thanks for all the earnest advice…i really appreciate it. the reason for paying it off within the year is that my boyfriend and i would like to get married within the year, and i don’t want him responsible for my financial issues. i’d like for us to have the option of moving, without being tied down by debt and monthly obligations.

Need a Gas Card? Win Your FREE Gas Card Now!