I have read hundreds of messages here and I'm very impressed with the depth of knowledge and experience this community has. I have a chance to avoid BK, but I need more specific advice than I can get by reading general Q&A. Are there any members (and/or financial or legal professionals) in this community that I can get advice from 1 on 1? (I am willing to pay a nominal & fair fee.) I need help in the following areas: Collections - Debt Settlement FICO improvement Pros & Cons of CCCS Late Pays on CR Car Lease/Loan probability Mortgage qualification Many of you can probably remember how it felt when you realized, as I did, that I've dug myself into a financial hole. I need help to keep from sinking in too deep and advice on how to climb out. Please let me know if anyone can assist me 1 on 1, or should I just try posting as many messages as it takes to get the info I need here? (I hope I haven't broken any rules with this request.) Thanks. "Never confuse data with information, information with knowledge, knowledge with wisdom." - a proud geek
I would suggest that you post your specific questions here. No matter what the situation, it is likely that someone here has gone thru the same thing and can help. Plus, you may get several different alternatives to problems by posting them here, as opposed to just one. Post away.
Thanks LKH. It is a good idea to post my questions here, so anyone can offer advice and anyone can benefit from reading the answers directed to me. But I'm still willing to reward$$ - 1, 2 and/or 3 people with extensive experience - that agree to help me with all my questions, so I'm not left with an incomplete picture. Only if this doesn't break any rules of the group. If someone is interested, like yourself, I will search thru their postings and see that they are experienced and knowledgable. We can then come to an aggreement on a nominal & fair reward (at least enough to treat you and your spouse to a nice dinner). How to make the transfer and a convenient time to do the Q&A. I'll be as flexible as needed and I hope some of you will offer to help. --Bordering Desperate "Never confuse data with information, information with knowledge, knowledge with wisdom."
Welcome to the board, jerseyboy! Glad to see another proud New Jerseyan You'll find lots of people jumping into the fray to help you, free of charge. Take a deep breath, & ask away.
I'm sure there are a ton of people that would be willing to charge you and 'help' you.. but you may also welcome some people also trying to make money. I'm sure most people here understand that you want to compensate people for people that do you well.. I am the same way.. However, you can get free advice just by posting questions here.. try and keep your questions simple and to the point because the longer the questions, the more to read for the reader.. so you can ask several topics and many here will be more than willing to help.. FOR FREE.. =) ask away..
Thanks Rina & Ender. It was my intention to use an offer of a reward to get detailed and specific answers to a series of questions. It seemed too much to expect good advice for free. If no one takes me up on my offer should I ask each question under a seperate and specific topic? I will take the needed time and compile my questions and post them in a day or so. Rina - how long did it take to improve your 3 FICOs?
We are all happy to help 1 on 1 by e-mail for free, or a donation to our pet charity.Anyone who is qualified to give technical legal advice to you is not allowed to state that he/she IS a lawyer,unless they also state they ARE NOT giving legal advice! In addition some of your questions about bankruptcy and judgments require a working knowledge of your State's laws (N.J.??) I will give you my OPINION about CCC- it is a rip-off!
jerseyboy, Last May I started at 636 on Equifax and reached 698 last December. I only had 2 negatives, 1 paid C/O that still showed a balance, and an incorrect 30-day late. I disputed the balance on the C/O, and since it was close to coming off the report anyway, Chase surprised me & deleted the account altogether. I also disputed the incorrect late pay, & since it was over 5 years ago, it was no longer on their computer system. The tradeline stayed on my report (good for the aging process), but they amended the payment history to read paid/never late. I found the following sites, among others, invaluable in taking control of my finances: The Dollar Stretcher, Crown Ministries w/ Larry Burkett, and About.com'sCredit/Debt management section. Some brief answers to your main points: Collections - Debt Settlement - See the letters section here and ask. FICO improvement - You're already at the right place! Keep looking & asking. Pros & Cons of CCCS - last resort; they generally note CCCS counseling on your CR, and that can worsen your score. Late Pays on CR - get your reports @ Equifax, WorthKnowing and Experian, and dispute incorrect entries 1 or 2 at a time to avoid being labeled "frivolous". To dispute TU entries, you have to do it from their site, not worthknowing Car Lease/Loan probability - CarBuyingTips.com has tons of great info. It's generally not a good idea to get into contracts you don't understand. Mortgage qualification - Bankrate.com will give you a good idea what you can afford.
