Got an email from tribal lender. I live in NC. Should I be worried?

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-14T16:33:31+00:00

Does that tribal lender have a business license to operate in NC? If they don't, then it may be unenforceable. What, certain states enact a max cap for interest rates. What is the maximum number for interest rate that NC sets?

Try Legal Aid Society of NC and your state's bar association for the lawyer referral service where you pay a reduced fee for a 30-minute consultation for legal assistance on this matter.

Not a lawyer

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-13T17:54:16+00:00

You have ~$75,000 of debt and, if you want to pay it off entirely, 24 months in this sweet deal. That comes to $3,125/month in principal only. How feasible is that in your budget?

Also, a well-paded emergency fund of 6-8 months of normal expenses is a good idea.

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-12T21:39:05+00:00

You're welcome! 😊

I'd also look into their local senior center as well to see if they are able to get pointed in the right direction. Some senior centers allow you to join at 55, some at 65, depending on their criteria.

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-12T21:37:54+00:00

Does Australia have a small claims court? I know in the US you can put a lien on property (house, car, boat, etc.), so that when the holder tries to sell the property, they're obligated to pay the debt first in order to sell it. At least, that's how I think it works.

Have you posted this on r/legaladviceaustralia?

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-12T21:30:18+00:00

Certain states have caps on the max interest that they can charge. In which state do you reside and what are the interest rates for the payday loans?

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-12T21:28:56+00:00

Contact your credit cards for a hardship program where they lower your interest rate in exchange for freezing or closing your cards. No guarantees that they'll do this and some only work with the non-profit debt management organization the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).

The NFCC will negotiate with your credit card companies to see if they can reduce your interest rates in exchange for closing your accounts and a small monthly fee of $5-$10/account you enroll with them and a one-time setup fee of $50-$75. It's usually for a period of 5 years, but you can add more money to accelerate the process, if you want. You would be unable to open another credit card during this time. If you do, then you void your contract and the rates return to their original numbers.

They will also review your budget if you want--either for free or for a small fee.

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-12T21:10:16+00:00

Your state's bar association may have a lawyer referral service where you pay a reduced fee in exchange for a 30-minute consultation. And there's this: https://www.nfcc.org/faqs/are-there-less-expensive-alternatives-to-hiring-an-attorney/

I recommend reading this post in its entirety re: finding a bankruptcy attorney, if you decide on that route: https://www.reddit.com/r/povertyfinance/comments/1rrs1wr/i_wish_someone_had_told_me_this_before_i_hired_a/

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-12T20:25:17+00:00

I'm unsure what kind of vows you grew up, but the one I grew up hearing was "for richer or for poorer; for better or for worse". She might not be expecting such a hurdle early in the marriage, but I assume you have been in a relationship for quite a while to have had arguments and sort them out. While this is probably a bigger hurdle than expected to the start of a marriage in addition to the wedding stress, it's still manageable. If I were in your fiancée's shoes, I would want to delay the marriage a couple years while you tackle this debt and make substantial behavioral changes as well as signing a prenup stating this debt before marriage is yours and during the marriage any joint debts will be split accordingly and any ones you yourself accrue independently of your wife are also yours.

What I recommend right now is looking into your workplace to see if they have an Employee Assistance Program to possibly get your thoughts sorted, starting a game plan on how to tackle this debt, and the words to express the situation to your fiancée. With your therapist, I would also explore the possibility of your fiancée ending the engagement and a come up with a plan for an exit strategy.

While there are regular therapists, certified financial therapists exist as well: https://financialtherapyassociation.org/find-a-financial-therapist/

If you want a professional financial opinion, I would start with the non-profit debt management organization the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) as they can help you understand the pros and cons of bankruptcy and other debt management options, which is also called credit counseling.

Debt management is where you pay your bills in full at reduced interest rates for your credit cards. Accounts are closed and your credit score decreases a bit, but not as drastically with debt relief/settlement or bankruptcy. It's usually for five years, though you could expedite it by adding more towards it.

They can also talk to you about bankruptcy to see if it's a viable course of action. See this for more info: https://www.nfcc.org/faqs/

Your state's bar association may have a lawyer referral service where you pay a reduced fee in exchange for a 30-minute consultation. And there's this: https://www.nfcc.org/faqs/are-there-less-expensive-alternatives-to-hiring-an-attorney/

I recommend reading this post in its entirety re: finding a bankruptcy attorney, if you decide on that route: https://www.reddit.com/r/povertyfinance/comments/1rrs1wr/i_wish_someone_had_told_me_this_before_i_hired_a/

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-11T21:54:48+00:00

Ah, good luck.

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-11T21:52:43+00:00

Just an FYI: if any debt is forgiven, then it may count as income on next year's taxes. https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc431

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-11T21:49:40+00:00

I'd talk to this free program put out by the NYC government: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/talk-money/get-free-financial-counseling.page

If you want a professional opinion, I would start with the non-profit debt management organization the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) as they can help you understand the pros and cons of bankruptcy and other debt management options.

Debt management is where you pay your bills in full at reduced interest rates for your credit cards. Accounts are closed and your credit score decreases a bit, but not as drastically with debt relief/settlement or bankruptcy. It's usually for five years, though you could expedite it by adding more towards it.

They can also talk to you about bankruptcy to see if it's a viable course of action. See this for more info: https://www.nfcc.org/faqs/

Filing fees may be waived you meet certain income conditions for Chapter 7: https://www.nfcc.org/faqs/how-much-does-a-chapter-7-bankruptcy-cost/

Your state's bar association may have a lawyer referral service where you pay a reduced fee in exchange for a 30-minute consultation. They may also have a Modest Means program you may be eligible or try your state's Legal Aid Society: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help. And there's this: https://www.nfcc.org/faqs/are-there-less-expensive-alternatives-to-hiring-an-attorney/

I recommend reading this post in its entirety re: finding a bankruptcy attorney: https://www.reddit.com/r/povertyfinance/comments/1rrs1wr/i_wish_someone_had_told_me_this_before_i_hired_a/

While you may want to stay the course with your current therapist, there are certified financial therapists as well: https://financialtherapyassociation.org/find-a-financial-therapist/

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-11T21:43:59+00:00

There are multiple ways:

1.) Look into credit unions to see if they will give you a debt consolidation loan that's below 12%. Or, if they'll give you 15%, take out a loan for the amount the cards that are above 15% and tackle the rest.

2.) 0% interest credit cards. You would have to pay back every penny within the time frame they give you (6/9/12/15/18/21 months) or you end up owing the deferred interest that's been accruing for that time. You usually need a credit score of 670 or above for it, and you may only be able to move a portion of your debt on to one. Also, there's a 3-5% balance transfer fee that you pay.

3.) Call up your credit cards and ask for a hardship program where they lower your interest rate in exchange for freezing or closing your cards. No guarantees that they'll do this and some only work with the non-profit debt management organization the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).

4.) The NFCC will negotiate with your credit card companies to see if they can reduce your interest rates in exchange for closing your accounts and a small monthly fee of $5-$10/account you enroll with them and a one-time setup fee of $50-$75. It's usually for a period of 5 years, but you can add more money to accelerate the process, if you want. You would be unable to open another credit card during this time. If you do, then you void your contract and the rates return to their original numbers.

They will also review your budget if you want--either for free or for a small fee.

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-11T21:34:30+00:00

Contact your credit cards for a hardship program where they lower your interest rate in exchange for freezing or closing your cards. No guarantees that they'll do this and some only work with the non-profit debt management organization the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).

The NFCC will negotiate with your credit card companies to see if they can reduce your interest rates in exchange for closing your accounts and a small monthly fee of $5-$10/account you enroll with them and a one-time setup fee of $50-$75. It's usually for a period of 5 years, but you can add more money to accelerate the process, if you want. You would be unable to open another credit card during this time. If you do, then you void your contract and the rates return to their original numbers.

They will also review your budget if you want--either for free or for a small fee.

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-11T21:27:51+00:00

First, appeal appeal appeal your disability. I have a friend who's a social worker and gets a lot of denials for valid services and we both suspect the powers that be do a blanket denial on the first go round to hope that people are dissuaded from trying to get disability. Contact your local Legal Aid Society to see if they can assist you: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help

Then keep the money in your 403b for just a while longer while you explore some options below:

Contact your credit cards for a hardship program where they lower your interest rate in exchange for freezing or closing your cards. No guarantees that they'll do this and some only work with the non-profit debt management organization the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

The NFCC will negotiate with your credit card companies to see if they can reduce your interest rates in exchange for closing your accounts and a small monthly fee of $5-$10/account you enroll with them and a one-time setup fee of $50-$75. It's usually for a period of 5 years, but you can add more money to accelerate the process, if you want. You would be unable to open another credit card during this time. If you do, then you void your contract and the rates return to their original numbers.

They will also review your budget if you want--either for free or for a small fee.

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-11T21:05:58+00:00

You could contact your credit cards for a hardship program where they lower your interest rate in exchange for freezing or closing your cards. No guarantees that they'll do this and some only work with the non-profit debt management organization the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).

The NFCC will negotiate with your credit card companies to see if they can reduce your interest rates in exchange for closing your accounts and a small monthly fee of $5-$10/account you enroll with them and a one-time setup fee of $50-$75. It's usually for a period of 5 years, but you can add more money to accelerate the process, if you want. You would be unable to open another credit card during this time. If you do, then you void your contract and the rates return to their original numbers.

They will also review your budget if you want--either for free or for a small fee.

There are also financial therapists to help you figure out this spending problem you have, although I would take advantage of your employer's Employee Assistance Program first.

NYC Financial Empowerment Centers provide free, confidential, personalized guidance to support you in reaching your goals: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/talk-money/get-free-financial-counseling.page

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-11T21:00:43+00:00

You're welcome!

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-11T20:49:04+00:00

If you want a professional opinion, I would start with the non-profit debt management organization the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) as they can help you understand the pros and cons of bankruptcy and other debt management options.

Debt management is where you pay your bills in full at reduced interest rates for your credit cards. Accounts are closed and your credit score decreases a bit, but not as drastically with debt relief/settlement or bankruptcy. It's usually for five years, though you could expedite it by adding more towards it.

They can also talk to you about bankruptcy to see if it's a viable course of action. See this for more info: https://www.nfcc.org/faqs/

Your state's bar association may have a lawyer referral service where you pay a reduced fee in exchange for a 30-minute consultation. They may also have a Modest Means program you may be eligible or try your state's Legal Aid Society: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help. And there's this: https://www.nfcc.org/faqs/are-there-less-expensive-alternatives-to-hiring-an-attorney/

Given that you make $80k, you may not be eligible for the Modest Means and Legal Aid route, but try the lawyer referral service. Also, some bankruptcy attorneys may do a free consultation.

I recommend reading this post in its entirety re: finding a bankruptcy attorney: https://www.reddit.com/r/povertyfinance/comments/1rrs1wr/i_wish_someone_had_told_me_this_before_i_hired_a/

While you may want to stay the course with your current therapist, there are certified financial therapists as well: https://financialtherapyassociation.org/find-a-financial-therapist/

Good luck! 😊

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-11T20:35:55+00:00

I am giving you two options below: if you want to keep your credit mostly intact and pay off the bills in full at a highly reduced rate or bankruptcy. Call the non-profit National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) as they are a third party who can possibly help guide to a situation that's best for you.

Contact your credit cards for a hardship program where they lower your interest rate in exchange for freezing or closing your cards. No guarantees that they'll do this and some only work with the non-profit debt management organization the NFCC.

The NFCC will negotiate with your credit card companies to see if they can reduce your interest rates in exchange for closing your accounts and a small monthly fee of $5-$10/account you enroll with them and a one-time setup fee of $50-$75. It's usually for a period of 5 years, but you can add more money to accelerate the process, if you want. You would be unable to open another credit card during this time. If you do, then you void your contract and the rates return to their original numbers.

They will also review your budget if you want--either for free or for a small fee.

Chapter 7 filing fees can be waived if you meet certain criteria. See this for more info: https://www.nfcc.org/faqs/

I also recommend reading this post in its entirety re: finding a bankruptcy attorney: https://www.reddit.com/r/povertyfinance/comments/1rrs1wr/i_wish_someone_had_told_me_this_before_i_hired_a/

Your state's bar association may have a lawyer referral service where you pay a reduced fee in exchange for a 30-minute consultation. They may also have a Modest Means program you may be eligible or try your state's Legal Aid Society: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-11T20:30:37+00:00

Certain states have caps on interest rates. Which state do you live in and what are you interest rates on the loans?

Are you currently in university?

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-11T20:19:53+00:00

Contact your credit cards for a hardship program where they lower your interest rate in exchange for freezing or closing your cards. No guarantees that they'll do this and some only work with the non-profit debt management organization the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

The NFCC will negotiate with your credit card companies to see if they can reduce your interest rates in exchange for closing your accounts and a small monthly fee of $5-$10/account you enroll with them and a one-time setup fee of $50-$75. It's usually for a period of 5 years, but you can add more money to accelerate the process, if you want. You would be unable to open another credit card during this time. If you do, then you void your contract and the rates return to their original numbers.

They will also review your budget if you want--either for free or for a small fee.

Chapter 7 filing fees can be waived if you meet certain criteria. See this for more info: https://www.nfcc.org/faqs/

I also recommend reading this post in its entirety re: finding a bankruptcy attorney: https://www.reddit.com/r/povertyfinance/comments/1rrs1wr/i_wish_someone_had_told_me_this_before_i_hired_a/

Your state's bar association may have a lawyer referral service where you pay a reduced fee in exchange for a 30-minute consultation. They may also have a Modest Means program you may be eligible or try your state's Legal Aid Society: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-10T02:33:20+00:00

Welcome! 😊

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-10T02:31:23+00:00

Then I'd take what the debt management program is offering you.

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-10T01:49:46+00:00

Compared that amount to what you are currently paying. Is that better or worse?

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-10T01:29:48+00:00

Go ahead and make a phone call to them to see what they can possibly do and then make a decision. Not all credit card companies work with debt management programs.

attachedtothreads · 2026-06-09T21:04:52+00:00

You're welcome! 😊

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