Living with HIV and drowning in debt!!

[next2u]

fuck credit card companies (i don't know if this is yalls problem, but i just wanted to vent). the bitches at my cc company raised my apr after misinforming me. now im stuck in a shitty plan and i have to write a letter to some po box in the middle of bfe.

at this point id like to hire a hit man (charge it, cause they are bleeding me dry anyways), send him to wamu/providian, have him take out as many people as possible (ceo's and board members of course, we will leave the innocent grunts alone) and annihilate their computer system. why, cause those bastards are fucking vultures.

i can understand fucking myself financially, but this time those bastards lied to me then penalized me for their mistake (which was not in the fucking fine print i combed through). now i have to plead with the bitches so they can return  my apr back to 1.99 percent (they raised it 19.99%). so you can see why im utterly pissed. basically the fucking bastards (paid my first interest increased bill with my rent, i have no money for 2 weeks) told me my first auto payment would go through on a day that it didnt. i paid it 2 day later, they revoked my apr, and increased my interest rate. i just dont understand how this all happened, but i feel completely raped and am bitter.

ugggh, this is INCREASING my stress levels. and no pozguy, you are not alone. and no, i really do not wish harm on anyone, but i'd give good money (which i dont have) to see those computers break down and all of us slaves become financially free. god, i listened to an entire radio program on this shit the other day, the way these companies market, lure and break people down. from the looks of things ill be in debt until im at least 60. and i have to pay 1/2 of my medical bills with fucking credit. im sorry, a lot of shit just hit the fan, and now my financial situation has become more dire.

still, i am working on making things better, i just hate that all the shit hit the fan at once.

[mikeyleerocks]

Hey  - sorry I didn't read through all of the previous responses so you may have received some of this information already.

Look into your largest state universities - often they have studies going on for treatment that cost you nothing for a period of time and could be quite beneficial (I'm almost through my 2 years on one and it's cost me zero, paid me mileage , and WORKED to lower my numbers and stabilize my condition)  I am most grateful.

the Matthew Shephard program exists in many states to combat the need for treatment vs. the reality of getting treatment....  Look into it.

Sorry I'm late and don't have more info...but there are a ton of resources out there to help you...if you haven't found them yet let me know...I'm killer at that kind of stuff!

m

[northernguy]

I read an interesting article in a local business rag today.  It basically pointed out that we have so many sources extolling the benefits of investing, and yet none extolling the benefits of thrift.  50 years ago it was hard to get into debt, because it was hard to get credit unless it was for something major like a house,  Now you can get easy credit just to finance your lifestyle (ie. nice dinners, vacations etc).  We've become such a society of consumers that we've forgotten how to save.

[dixieman]

Damn, I did not know so many people were having such financial troubles...  I save, save, save... I have the usual living expenses but, has anyone put money aside. I moved into a historic neighborhood close to the office... instead of moving way out in east montg... called white flight but, now its more middlle, upper middle class black or white to get away from the crime... I purchased an Toyota Eco for my daily commute back in 2000 and a friend at the same time bought a Acura MDX... I could have bought one but, WHY? I have a maserati to drive for pleasure on the weekends... but, it can sit if need be... I use my credit cards but, their paid off at the end of the month... when I was younger I bought land... my dad put 10,000 in mutual funds when I was 16 instead of a new car... I did not understand then but, now I do... Anyone plan for their future... I've inherited most of my wealth but, I was always taught money was a means... not an end. I eat at home... so I learned to cook... and now I make meals for several elderly people in the neighborhood...instead of continuing my membership at the gym I bought my exercise equipment... I want to know.... How much do each one of you SAVE? and when there are good times... How much do you GIVE? Now my salary is not anywhere near 90K? less than half... but, I save 5 thousand per year... if I have a dollar I put half away... I buy my groceries when their on sale...and I stock up...  I buy my clothing when their on sale... I am frugal but, not cheap...I am generous but, I do not buy my friends or family... before aquiring hiv did anyone plan for their future?

[pozniceguy]

I have to agree with Dixieman here.....even though my family was not"rich" in anything material we always had plenty to eat and decent clothes to wear....Mom and Dad taught us to shop the sales and always save something, just like any bill , on a regular basis.... surprisingly savings can add up the same way credit card debt adds up except in your favor....I am very aware of the issues with certain credit card issuers and the terrible marketing practices they use...I have had employees who declared Bankruptcy and within weeks there were companies hawking credit cards to them with ridiculous terms attached...
I fear the "savings" mentality have long since given way to the "go shopping" mentality  even when you can't afford it.....I am especially annoyed by the pitch men ( cars, mortgages etc ) who "sell" monthly payments and not the actual amount of total commitment they are asking people to make...financing a car ( depreciates from the moment of sale) for 6 or more years is unbelievable but a frequent occurrence...

Nick

[Robert]

“The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest”

............................................................................................Albert Einstein

[ademas]

I've always been good with money and savings, thank goodness, because it certainly made my transition to SSDI and a fixed income much easier.
If I don't have the green, I don't go, or I don't buy it.  The end.
Honestly, my fear of debt is probably to the point of irrational.
I doubt I would even charge my meds in a pinch,
and I would probably sell my soul to the devil if he threw a few FICO points at the deal.
 

[Dachshund]

I have a maserati to drive for pleasure on the weekends... I've inherited most of my wealth... before aquiring hiv did anyone plan for their future?

I'm trying to but none of my wealthier relatives will die or have left me in their will.

[next2u]

I would probably sell my soul to the devil if he threw a few FICO points at the deal.
 

that is too funny. yeah, im drowning in debt myself. from school loans to other personal debt my ass is OWNED. i hate it, hate it, hate it. now that i'm a business major im cleaning up the mess. unfortunately it'll take years. my credit score is decent (690 something?) and i haven't fallen  behind on any of my bill payments. when i found out i was hiv poz i almost gave up. then i had to charge a procedure, some meds, and a car repair fee. so, there went my savings and a couple grand. anyhow, im in over my head and wish i would have been a better spender (saver?). now i watch half my paycheck go towards debt payments.

no, my parents never taught me how to shop frugally or to save. being poor & black saving wasn't an option. my parents didnt really talk about finances afterr their situation improved also. so some of the life lessons that were taught to some of you were missed by some of us. the whole means to an end thing is great, if you understand how that works or have the time, opportunity, or ability to understand it. these things are not givens.

yeah, so now i work with my brothers and sisters. we work on our financial situations and have debt reduction/elimination plans in place. i think i am the most in debt, the others are either debt free or almost there. even more important, we are actively passing on saving/investment and debt reduction knowledge to my nieces and nephews. i never want them to go through what i have gone through, healthwise or financially.