@joeyjazz wrote:
Sorry, self-pity and pity parties are not even close to what I'm doing. I am asking for help, asking what is the best thing I can do for myself. I am being proactive. Being fairly new to having to pay my own bills, I'm more inexperienced than anything. I've done some research, looked into FAFSA, I don't qualify, my mom won't help with school because apparently cell phone service is more important than a good education (my mom has priority issues) and my dad's dead so no money from there. I've called Wells Fargo (my smaller credit debt is with them) and they refused to help me. Twice. I've looked into programs for low income, but apparently people who can afford to buy "bling" can't afford food but I can't get any assistance because I'm actually trying instead of being homeless and having a bunch of unwanted kids just to get in welfare.
I know I asked you guys for advice and I seem like I'm getting mad at you guys, but I'm just frustrated with the situation. I have looked into a lot of options, and I don't qualify for most if not all. Coming here I was trying to find something I hadn't seen before.
When I was young and just married and broke like you wouldn't believe, I always hated that I couldn't get any goverment assistance because I was working and my wife was going to college. We struggled every day to pay the bills while I knew people that simply quit their jobs or worked as little as possible so that they would qualify for assistance. The thing that helped me the most was watching every dime I spent and working as many extra hours as I could. Like someone posted already...bring more money in and less money out. I don't have any answers for you, but do feel your pain...you have any friends or family you could move in with for a while? My sister and her husband moved in with me for a while so they could save on rent until they got caught up on things.
You don't look into FAFSA, you actually have to fill it out in its entirety using the information from your latest tax return.
Financial aid is a complex beast, it's dependent on a lot of variables. You WILL qualify for some combination of a Pell Grant and Stafford Loans just going by your earlier posts. If you live on your own and your parents don't claim you on their tax returns you are considered an "independent" student and qualify for MORE aid. If you are confused or don't understand, please go visit the local community college's financial aid department. They will help you fill out the FAFSA application and explain what you qualify for.
I know you are mad at the situation. It's ok. You have to start somewhere. Pick a creditor, call them, say "Look I owe you $1,000. I only can pay $20 a month right now." Very few will tell you no. I had one that would refuse to make a payment arrangement and I just started sending them $20/month for three months, called again and they now talk to me. Someone on the other end of the phone will talk to you and work with you, many of us have had to call repeatedly to get anywhere.
It gets better, but you have to listen to what is being said. There's a lot of people on these forums that have had or have situations much worse than yours and would gladly exchange places with you. None of this is easy and you will get out of it what exactly you put into it.
Current Score: TU: 674 | EQ: 722 | EX: 717 | Last Inq. 2/16/15...Locked Up in The Garden
First of all- I'm so sorry for the situation you are in. It is rough, and often even "small" debt can feel overwhelming. I remember having about $3500 worth of debt and thinking it may as well be a million because I can't even come up with that.
But- things have improved for me, and I know that they will for you also.
So- let's look at the situation. If you have applied for FAFSA and they've turned you down, I'd speak with a financial aid advisor and find out why. Most financial aid- with the exception of private corporations- goes through FAFSA. I am a single parent of 2 and make approx $35k annually, and I qualify for full financial aid. Since I'm in Grad school, most of it is loans (eww!!) but for an associates or bachelors degree there are often many grants available. Also- look outside of FAFSA. Many scholarships are available to be found online, but they require a bit of time to research and then write any essays/etc they may ask for.
I don't think you mentioned how old you are. The FAFSA asks for your parents' information and that may be why you don't qualify for certain things. However, since you are engaged and living independently, you should be listing yourself as such and therefore nnot required to list your mother's income. That may make all the difference if this is something that you're currently overlooking.
Another idea may be to look at what your employer offers. Some companies- even fast food companies- offer tuition assistance. With this there will most certainly be a period of time you'll "owe" the company after, but may be beneficial. For instance, I work for the government, and for every X amount of credit hours they pay for I "owe" them one year of service. Since I plan on retiring from this place, I'm cool with that. 
Outside of the financial aid issue, have you looked into some sort of debt consolidation? I don't know much about these programs, because all I've ever consolidated were student loans through the USDOE, but they may be worth a look. Find a FREE one, of course.
I don't know what it is you currently do for a living- of it's something where you can pick up extra shifts or what the case may be, but if that is an option I'd strongly suggest looking into that.
Are you a member of any organization? My best friend's church, for instance, paid part of her college tuition. With a combination of them and federal grants, she actually graduated with her Bachelor's degree debt free!! WOW! But these organizations- for active members- sometimes offer other sorts of financial assistance such as utility assistance and even free financial counseling. This may be something to look into.
I know that nobody wants to get on welfare, but have you talked to your local income support service about other services? Sometimes we don't qualify for food stamps but may qualify for energy assistance or a one-time emergency assistance program when things get really rough.
How about doing some yard work or babysitting or something like that for family/friends/neighbors?
Is everything on your report valid?
My take on Wells Fargo not being willing to help is- try again. If someone says no, ask to talk to their supervisor. The worst they can say is no. Be calm and explain the trouble you're in- how you're feeling very under water right now- and ask for help. Go in person and work your way through the ranks if you have to. Sometimes they're more wiling to set up a payment plan if you have a bank account with them and can set up automatic payments or something.
Do you think your mother would be willing to add you as an authorized user on her accounts to help you build your score? Do you think she'd be willing to help you pay the cards and you in-turn set up payment arrangements with her?
I don't think that getting a secured card would be the best thing for you right now, honestly. It would be too tempting to put the next large bill or grocery trip on the card, and then the debt will continue to mount.
Get started on GW letters iif the accounts are charged off, and if they are current, I'd work on contacting the creditors and hashing out a plan with them.
It's not going to be easy- but it is possible to come back from this score. Sit down with your fiance and see what you guys can cut out of your lives- any little luxury, at least temporarily. Then write down all your monthly bills and determine what your actual monthly payments are. Set a schedule and stick to it. Don't shop until all the essentials have been paid. If there is extra, it may be worth it to at least set up a savings account if you are concerned about going straight for the IRA. What I did when I was having trouble financially was set a joint bank account with my sister- who is a financial whiz- and set a requirement that the account needed both of our signatures for a withdrawal. This way- I had to justify the emergency to her if I ever wanted to pull money out. It helped me save a ton, because those "real emergencies" never came up. Perhaps this is something you could look into with your mother as the joint, for example.
I don't know your situation completely, so many of these suggestions may not work for you at all!! But, I hope at least one or two will.
Please keep us posted on how this process goes.
And most importantly, no matter how bad this may seem or how overwhelmed you may feel, don't give up!!
Where are you located geographically if you don't mind sharing?
