"Even though I have no debt, lack of funds is initially why so many
people can't pull through with their dreams, and I am not prepared to accept
that."
--Sarah Pieper, 15-year-old DebtSmart Reader (Australia)
This issue of the email newsletter contains a disturbing email from one of
our readers. She's so upset about her debt that she's actually contemplating
suicide. Her story, which she wanted to share with everyone, will make you
rethink your own feeling about debt.
Other items, in no particular order...
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FreeCycle
Sometimes when things seem too good to be true they can actually be true!
FreeCycle is an online community of people that recycle their stuff for free. If
you want something, you simply ask. If you have something you want to give away,
just let people know about it. I haven't done this yet, but, from what I've
read, it looks very good! If you freecycle or decide to start, please let me
know what happens. I will certainly be giving it a try as well. Go to
FreeCycle.org
CNNfn Interview on 7/13/04
CNN asked me back for another interview on "Your Money," hosted on
this day by Gerri Willis, to discuss debt management and credit offers. Watch
the streaming video (Requires Windows Media Player 9 and cable modem
connection) See
photos from the video
Regards,
Scott
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by Scott Bilker
As always, I need your help to make DebtSmart better. When you signed up for
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which guides me in determining what to include at DebtSmart.com and in the Email
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Debt is Deadly (My debt is the end of my days) by Scott Bilker
Scott,
My debt is the end of my days. I am 45 and had thought that by
this time I would have my own home and a nice little mortgage. But life
had other ideas. I'm married with two beautiful children....There will
probably very soon come a night when I cannot handle the pressure of
creditors...Due to a disability I am required to take many different
medications. When the night comes no one would know that the amount or the
mixture would be fatal. Only I would know. On this night I will go to
sleep, my mind will go blank, my breath will cease to move within my chest
and the constant pain in my heart will, at last, be gone. There will be a
cause of death as accidental overdose. There will be a life insurance
policy with my children named as equal benefactors.
Nancy
Note to readers:
I've thought deeply about whether I should share this email, and my
response, even though Nancy did give me permission to do so. In the end, I
felt it important for all of us to see how people feel beyond the numbers,
the money, and strategy of handling debt. How it affects ones psyche. How
it affects ones emotions. And why we all need to learn from this.
This is the first time I've ever received an email like this. This
email changed the way I think about everything. My hope is that by sharing
her story, it will change how we all think about what we DO have and what's
REALLY important in life.
Janice has finally received her driver's license! She's a happy camper!
Now it's time to get the car and go places with her friends. She's pretty
smart about money and knows that she's going to need a decent job to support
the car. She only has time to work 20 hours each week. She estimates that the
car financing will cost $300 per month, gas $25 per week, auto insurance at $600
semiannually, and repairs and maintenance at $350 per year. How much per hour
must she net just to pay for the car?
"I was shopping for a book that would help me with the credit card debt
I have accumulated. I chose this book. It has proven to be very beneficial to
me. It contains a large amount of information your banks don't want you to know.
My first night of reading the book, I got up to about page 70 and made my first
phone call, with the intent of gaining information about the account and
possibly getting a fee reversed. I ended up getting a $50 credit to the account,
relatively easily. I cannot praise this book enough! If you need to reduce your
credit card debt, this book may very well be your solution."
--Monica Rice, PA
Helping you with your debt is very important to me personally! If you've been
reading my articles, you know that I always encourage self-help as a first step.
However, being buried in debt can be very overwhelming, which is why you may
want to explore other options.
One of those options is professional, ongoing help with credit counselors.
I've started to personally check out certain companies so I can recommend the
ones that are worth considering!
If you would like to speak with a representative from a...
There's that horrifying word. The one that makes so many people cringe at
it's very utterance. It seems like they could make a very good spooky movie with
the title "You Have To BUDGET!"
Yeah, that's a little dramatic but I have been helping people with their
personal finances for almost 30 years and it's not too far off base. The word
scares the daylights out of some people.
The author(s), Press One Publishing, and DebtSmart.com shall have neither
liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or
damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly by the
information contained in this email newsletter and/or at the DebtSmart.com web
site. The information, methods and techniques described may not work for you and
no recommendation is made to follow the same course of action. Every effort has
been made to verify the accuracy of all content contained herein. However, there
may be mistakes; typographical, mathematical, or in content. This email
newsletter and the DebtSmart.com web site have been created for your
entertainment only. You must always seek the proper professional advice before
taking any financial or legal action. You have been warned.
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highly recommend it."--Gerri
Detweiler, radio host and
author of The
Ultimate Credit Handbook
