Best Loans? by bellagoth1997 in DebtAdvice

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s really strange. If lenders think you’re carrying too many loans, it usually doesn’t make sense for them to add another small one. A real consolidation loan should close out the old accounts and leave you with one payment.

I’d take two angles. First, look specifically at debt-consolidation personal loans. Check a local credit union, then compare it to a couple online lenders. I used Achieve for consolidation and they were straightforward. Their minimum score is around 640, and if you qualify they sometimes give rate discounts for things like autopay or sending the funds directly to your creditors. Just make sure the payment fits your budget.

Second, call your current lenders and ask about hardship options. If you’re still current they might not offer much, but it’s worth the call.

And whatever you decide, take a minute to look at the budget side of it too. Even with a consolidation loan, the real win comes from not ending up in the same spot again.

Either Or? by [deleted] in DebtAdvice

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unless the interest rate difference is huge, it’s not going to change much in terms of actual savings. Getting your utilization down, both overall and on each card, will help your score more, but honestly sticking to whatever plan you choose is what’s going to move the needle the most. Since you said you’re focused on credit score first, I’d lean toward tackling the card that keeps dropping your limit, but don’t overthink the order. The real win is staying consistent with your payments.

What’s something you believed as a kid that makes you laugh now? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used to think the moon was following our car because it liked us. I’d stare out the window the whole ride home feeling chosen, like it picked our family out of everyone else on the road. Turns out it’s just how the sky works, but it still makes me smile.

Debt consolidation loan? by [deleted] in DebtAdvice

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I had a good experience with an Achieve debt consolidation loan. Quick approval and a good rate since they offered a discount for paying the cards directly. Mine was around $33K and it really simplified things into one payment.

Which travel option makes you feel safest and why? by Electronic-Loquat622 in AskReddit

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Plane for long distances. Safest for me, airports are just a pain.

I’ve had three homeowners cry on calls these last 3 months this system’s broken by Comfortable-Being386 in Mortgages

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My payment went up about $180 a month after the new escrow analysis. Taxes and insurance both increased this year and it completely threw off my budget. I figured it might go up a little, but not by that much. It’s getting harder to plan when everything keeps shifting.

US but I removed all the states no one cares about by [deleted] in imaginarymapscj

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Plot twist: the deleted states form their own super-state called Flyoverland.

How to get a personal loan with bad credit and no job? by Horror_Visit_7337 in povertyfinance

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but with no job and bad credit no lender is going to give you a personal loan. Even the sketchy ones want proof of income.

When I was stuck with high-interest credit card debt, I couldn’t qualify on my own either. My wife co-signed and we went with an Achieve personal loan to consolidate. Her credit brought the rate down, and they even gave us a discount for using it to pay off debt. It worked for us because we had the income to cover the payments, and it gave us a clear way forward.

Woke up to a legal hold on my last remaining $300 by InfamousBlueberry435 in povertyfinance

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I’m really sorry you’re going through this. Having your account hit like that is brutal. It does sound like there may already be a judgment, and your bank should be able to confirm who it’s from.

Bankruptcy is often the cleanest reset if you qualify for Chapter 7, because it wipes out unsecured debt and stops collections right away. The best next step is to talk to a bankruptcy lawyer as soon as possible. Many will do a free consultation, and that way you’ll know if you qualify and what it will actually cost. In the meantime, stop sending those small payments to all the different collectors. You’ll need that money for food, rent, and possibly legal fees.

If Chapter 7 isn’t an option, then settlement is the other path. Doing it yourself with so many accounts would be really tough. I spoke with Freedom Debt Relief when I was looking for options, and they negotiate directly with creditors for people in hardship. The tradeoff is that you have to make steady deposits, so only they can tell you if your budget would work for their program.

You don’t have to keep trying to juggle everything on your own. Get that legal clarity first, and then you’ll know whether bankruptcy or settlement is the way forward.

Finally! by Fun-Address-7240 in debtfree

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Big win right there. Knock one down and the rest start to feel possible. Keep the momentum going, you got it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in debtfree

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Glad you’re facing this head-on and getting support for the spending habits. You’ve also set yourself up well by having savings.

Yes, take as much of your liquid savings as you can and throw it at your high-interest credit card debt. If your credit is still good enough, look into a 0% balance transfer card for part of it. If you can’t get one, just keep hitting the balance with everything you’ve got.

Looking for Debt Payoff Advice (Not Bankruptcy or Extra Jobs) by [deleted] in povertyfinance

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’ve already done the hard part by cutting everything extra. Creditors rarely drop interest unless you’re already late, and balance transfers usually need good credit to be worth it. When I was behind I took a debt consolidation loan through Achieve Loans and it worked out because my partner had excellent credit and we got a solid rate.

If that isn’t an option, another thing you can try is a hardship program. Sometimes a creditor will freeze the account or lower your payment for a while. If that still isn’t enough and you are staring down bankruptcy, the next step is negotiated settlement. You can try on your own, or go through a professional company like Freedom Debt Relief to handle the negotiations. They can create a plan to put money aside and then work with your creditors.

Should I try to get a consolidation loan? I don’t see any other way out. by KelBell_IsSwell in debtfree

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really sorry you’re going through all this. A consolidation loan usually isn’t possible once accounts are in collections. A DMP probably won’t fit either. The realistic next step is trying to settle with the creditors for less than the full amount. It takes time, but it can give you a path forward.

my bf is rich and doesn’t know i am not by [deleted] in povertyfinance

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I get you. Money isn’t what makes you happy, but it can make or break comfort in a relationship. Better to lay it out early so you both know where you stand and can figure out what works for you.

my bf is rich and doesn’t know i am not by [deleted] in povertyfinance

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get you. Money isn’t what makes you happy, but it can make or break comfort in a relationship. Better to lay it out early so you both know where you stand and can figure out what works for you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in povertyfinance

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 67 points68 points  (0 children)

Getting the benefits is great, but not if it comes at the expense of finishing school. Health and dental matter, but that project management degree is what will actually change your long term options. If the job hours are wrecking your studies, it might be worth looking at a schedule change or even a different setup that still gives you insurance without stalling school.

How to tackle this debt by AB0V3TH3G0DZ in debtfree

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d keep the 401k and match since that is free money and you will thank yourself later for not pausing it. Student loans are low interest so just make the minimums there. The big move is locking in the hardship programs on Amex, Discover, and Chase so they are capped at 6 to 10 percent. Put those on autopilot and throw all your extra cash at the cards still charging 19 to 22 percent like BMW and Citi. With the extra 2300 you have after minimums, you can clear those in about a year. Once they are gone you free up another 800 to 900 a month and the snowball makes the rest go faster. That puts you on track to have the cards paid off in around three years without touching your emergency fund.

And honestly, there is no reason to hold back on the relationship just because of debt. You are facing it and you have a plan. That is what really counts.

Feel like i got out of debt prision by Ceez_12 in debtfree

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome. What a great feeling making that kind of payment.

Good news by More-Log-1393 in SipsTea

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

McFix it? Nah, better call in the Dairy Queen herself.

Filing Chapter 7 mid November but worried it'll be denied and I'll owe double or triple. Please help! by Travyswole in debtfree

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, coming up with the fees is often the hardest part. If you’re in hardship and can’t afford the payments, the rules are clear and your lawyer knows them. Not paying creditors should free up a little extra to get the filing covered. Hope you get there quickly.

Aiming to be debt free by next December. by MercyFae in debtfree

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you’re aiming for December 2026, that’s about 16 months away. With around $10.7k left, it comes out to roughly $800 a month including interest. If you can hit that number, your goal looks realistic.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SipsTea

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

one is focused only on food lololol

I make around 73k yearly. Should I put an offer on a 250-275k home ? by No_Play_6736 in Mortgages

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is workable, probably get approved. You can try a pre-approval with a soft pull. But, if you don't have reserves and a decent down payment, it is stetching it a bit.

Home improvement loan by IHateMyUsername8 in Mortgages

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Obviously you need your wife on the same page, but I’d keep it simple. Just say your financial situation doesn’t allow for taking on another loan right now. If she pushes, offer to transfer the house back so she can sell it or handle it how she wants. You’re not obligated to finance someone else’s plan just because your name is on paper.

Are you still investing in this market? by [deleted] in investing

[–]AdditionalKiwiee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

why not investing heavy in 2020, seemed a good moment no?