High Utilization

[marty56]

When I entered a DMP program all those years ago, AMEX Closed my Green card even though I always PIF and had no issues so I also agree AMEX would be high on the spooked list.

[Anonymous]

This is what i would do asap if i was in her shoes:

1. Lower my cell bill

2. Stop eating out as applicable (buy a week worth of groceries and cook at home), if you dont cook learn :-)

3. Cut cable TV and any other TV subscription (netflix, prime etc) - Just leave one

4. Yard sale

5. Sell some jewelry

6. Don't skip a car payment (even if allow) to pay for the cards, leave that option for a more drastic situation

7. DO NOT get cash advances!!

8. Try to borrow some $$ from family? She has money coming in 6 months, she can borrow an amount that would cover 6 months of minimum payments.

9. Stop using your cards

10. Start a budget so that you dont fall on this again...and FOLLOW IT, only spend what you have in your checking account

11. You could try to get a loan, but with such high UTL, i doubt you can get one.

[Anonymous]

Whatever you do, do not miss a payment on your Amex card. Barclay is a wildcard. I have heard stories are people with high util and missing payments to other issuers and Barclay reward them with a auto cli. At the same time Barclays AA churners all the time with perfect credit.

[Meanmchine]

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@Remedios wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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OP asked a specific question, not for your life philosophy.  Your answer, as always, is nothing short of snappy and full of proselytizing. 

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@Remedios Thank you jumping in

For everyone else, thankyou for all your replies. Based on your replies, I paid off my cousin's EDP card for her. That should help.  The way Barclays is holding a grudge against me, I would of thought they would have been the worst.

[Anonymous]

missing a payment is something they dont want to do gotta at least pay the minimum

[Jnbmom]

Also keep in mind if a payment is missed they report, the other creditors see this AA begins and before you know it limits are chopped aprs start going up and the hole gets deeper and deeper

[Kforce]

Remedios wrote:

OP asked a specific question, not for your life philosophy.  Your answer, as always, is nothing short of snappy and full of proselytizing.

If someone is 97% buried in sand and asking if they are going to be eaten by ants, scorpions, snakes or beetles, do you answer that question or suggest a way for them to dig themselves out? 

[UncleB]

Friendly suggestion... we need to stick to answering the question(s) posted by the OP. 

Since he's asking for a relative, any extraneous suggestions on life changes aren't likely to be helpful nor were they solicited to begin with.

--UB

[Anonymous]

One thing I didn't see mentioned yet was being sure to engage in sound communication with all of these lenders in question.  If there's a chance a payment could be missed and go 30 days, sometimes all it takes is a phone call to get an extension or buy yourself some time.  Perhaps you could even get a minimum payment reduced.  I've never tried this, but you don't know until you ask.  Maintaining solid communication will show them that you care rather than hiding from the problem and can only help.  It may not help, but I can assure you it won't hurt.

[Meanmchine]

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@Anonymous wrote:

One thing I didn't see mentioned yet was being sure to engage in sound communication with all of these lenders in question.  If there's a chance a payment could be missed and go 30 days, sometimes all it takes is a phone call to get an extension or buy yourself some time.  Perhaps you could even get a minimum payment reduced.  I've never tried this, but you don't know until you ask.  Maintaining solid communication will show them that you care rather than hiding from the problem and can only help.  It may not help, but I can assure you it won't hurt.

Ill tell her that ..... Thanks

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