Topic : Debt

Here are some money saving tips: 

  

If you have a farmers market near you, get up early (be there around 7 am) on Saturday morning.  Last Saturday, I bought fresh butter peas, early peas (english peas), brocolli (2 heads), 3 lemons, and a bag of plums.  I splurged and bought a boquet of camilias.  I spend about $15.  On other trips, I have spent about that much for tomatoes, green beans, lemons, strawberries, and flowers (I have a thing for flowers).  They also sell melons, potatoes, peanuts, squash, etc.  It's a fun thing to do and economical and healthy.  You can go later than 7 a.m., but the items get picked over. 

  

After I finished my shopping at the farmer's market, I went home to unload my produce and flowers.  Then I went garage selling.  I bought a good, namebrand blender for $5.00.  My husband bought a John Deer lawn mower for $40.   

  

Last week, I bought a Faberware waffle maker (makes 4 waffles at a time) for $5.00.  It converts into a grill.  It can be laid out flat for pancakes or eggs or folded up to make grilled sandwiches.  It looked brand new, but had a knob missing.  It was set for medium so when I want crunchier waffles, I just let it cook a little longer.  I'm trying my Osterizer blender out tonight for strawberry short cakes. 

  

Mistakes I've made this year: 

  

1.  signed up for Direct TV, high speed internet, and unlimited long distance through Bell South.  While I love the service, I am ticked, because my bill goes up every month!  I was very careful before I committed to a year of this service in that after I figured in the rebates and what I was paying for separate long distance telephone and dial up (s l o w) internet, it was suppose to cost me only $15 a month more.  I felt that was worth it because then I could get the Direct TV and watch more interesting programs.  When my contract is up in December, I will look into separate services. 

  

2.  My husband kept putting off fixing the plumbing, so I decided to do it myself while he was away traveling.  Let me tell you, I took the kitchen sink faucet apart and couldn't get the new faucet tight enough - I didn't have the right tools.  I took the toilet apart and couldn't get it back together so I decided I would fix the bathroom sink (I became obsessed!).  I could get it back together, but they no longer  make the part I needed.  I was sick of water leaking.  So when my husband came home, I had a mess.  He said call a plumber.  I did and then I got taken by the plumber - my husband was traveling again so I couldn't call him at the time, because he was in a meeting.  The plumbers found mildew from a behind the wall pipe in my bathroom, fixed that, fixed the toilet, replaced the faucet w/a new faucet in the bathroom, and put in the new faucet I bought at Lowes.  It set up back $1632!!! Ouch! mistake.  The lesson learned is that if I couldn't get my husband to fix it, I should have called a handy man (one that is popular around town) and got an estimate...this handy man gives free estimates.  The good thing that came from all of this is now when something breaks, my husband is quick to fix it himself. 

  

So you see, I may be older, but I'm still learning.  I hope I helped. 

Hi Dr Phil, I injured my back 30 years ago, I have worked in the resturant business all my life, I have since been looking for office work because its gets harder and harder to do the work I use to, in fact I am not suppose to do hardly anything(even tho I still do) and I suffer all night because of it.. 

 My problem is that I have been searching for an office job and I have not had one offer. I am getting very depressed. My doctors told me I shouldnt work, but I always have, but at the same time, they will not put me on disability. They want to do surgery, but I do not have insurance and can not afford it with out it. So my husband is working, but he doesnt make very much, and we are having a very hard time, he works for his family in there family business, and they just dont pay very much over min. wage. So my question is, If I am unable to work because of my back and my doctor wont put me on disability what am I suppose to do? I am at my wits end. I have been looking every day for months searching for work, and so far, nothing. 

Thank you in advance for any advice. 

    

 Hello-- 

   Dr. Phil did a show where he used a Debt Consolidation Counseling Organization.   

   At the end of the show he made a statement about them being reputable. Does anyone   

   remember the name of that DCC?  I am in need ASAP.    

   I can't remember how long ago that show was done, but possibly this Organization was used   

   or mentioned in other shows as well. 

   I will be glad to receive emails with the info if anyone can remember.  

   Thank you for any help received!   

    

I posted this a couple days ago, and I have not got a response, so I am wondering why do I bother? I posted this to get some help, but no one seems to care about my pain.

I agree that you need to go to the disablity board (whatever they are called).  You may be able to get information online for your state.  Every state is different.  In South Carolina, it takes 3 years to get on disablity.  Also, you should see an attorney.  They can help by giving you advice on how to file for disablity.  Most attorneys do not charge for the initial visit.  I understand that the state usually disapproves a disability at first.  Then you go through an appeal process.  I know that with an attorney you are more likely to collect back payments.  Of course you'll have to pay the attorney some cut of your disability payment.  In every state, attorney's have a list of agreed upon charges for each type of issue they work on.  Therefore, the attorney should be able to discuss his charges at the initial visit.

Hi! 

My back started to give me trouble about 4 years ago.  First it was a ruptured disc (L-4), I had insurance then, and  they would not operate.  I have been going downhill financially since my husband committed suicide, 10 years ago.  I have 2 teenagers, 15 & 16.  I never re-married.  I just had an MRI done, and have been diagnosed with degenerated disc disease.  My Doctor wrote me note saying I could not work and why.  I went to the Social Security Office and applied for an interview.  You can go online to fill the forms out at : www.sosec.gov., or look it up in your phone book. I am in the state of  Colorado, so it might be different where you are-good luck. 

Robin 

 I really do not know what to expect, and I've lost our house due to huge medical bills.  That's a trap I'd  thought I'd never fall into. In this state, if you don't make over $840.00 a month, you are eligible for So.Sec.Disability, but I hear it's tough.  I am really broke myself, but I'm working-even though it really hurts!  I don't know what else to do. 

Robin 

Hello,  

 I didn't see the show but about 10 years ago my husband and I contacted CCC (Consummer Credit Counselors) to help us pay back our large credit card debts.  They took away from us the credit cards that we had balances on, but left us with the American Express which had a 0 balance in case of emergency and also has to be repaid within 30 days.  They contacted all our creditors and requested a 0% interest in order for them to receive what we owed them.  Most did with the exception of one who lowered it to 7%.  CCC worked out a budget that we could manage and pay back everything we owed in a timely manner.  We gave them a monthly check and they paid the creditors from their office.  Within 2 and 1/2 years we paid everything off.  I highly recommend it.   

I am on Social Security disability. I'd like to offer some ideas from personal experience.    

   

First of all, the attorneys that handle SS disability are legally limited to how much they charge, and then they can only charge if they win your case. Most won't charge anything up front.   

   

Find a good attorney by going to the National Organization of
Social Security Claimants’ Representatives  http://NOSSCR.org   

   

You might as well use the best, since they all must charge the same fees.    

   

There are some new rules and regulations on disability, you might want to visit this website:   

http://www.ssa.gov/disability-new-approach/  You can even access the Federal Codes from this website.   

   

It's important to file right away, because even if you get turned down they go back to your date of filing the claim, and you receive back pay from the date you filed. When you file,  keep in mind 2 or more appeals are common, and don't take it personally. It's government procedure. The attorney gets a percentage of your award back pay, but again, the amount he can charge is limited by law.   

   

If you have children, they will receive an income also, so will get back pay as well.    

   

If you are able to receive state disability, Social Security subtracts that from your back pay award. You should check in your state to see how to apply for state disability, in some states simply a form from the doctor saying you are temporarily disabled (some doctors are more comfortable with temporary disability, rather than labeling you as permanently disabled.   

   

Take each step one at a time.    

   

   

are there any steps to getting out of debt?  if there is can you please share thank you?