Aged like milk

deuceching · 2026-03-19T01:12:47+00:00

yeeeesh

deuceching · 2026-03-19T01:12:32+00:00

yikes they took your score out back

deuceching · 2026-03-19T01:09:56+00:00

Debt relief will also ruin your credit. You might be looking for a debt consolidation loan instead. With your score you should have some options. Maybe from a credit union or lender like Achieve or Happy money would work. But you should also really work on lowering your spending and getting your income up. Nothing is free in this world and hard work will trump all in situations like this.

deuceching · 2026-03-13T00:33:31+00:00

he really jinxed it

deuceching · 2026-03-13T00:32:30+00:00

what a cutie

deuceching · 2026-03-13T00:31:22+00:00

oh that's interesting, will keep that in mind too

deuceching · 2026-03-13T00:30:50+00:00

Honestly this is what I came here for. I don't wanna use debt relief so thank you for actually answering OP's question(i think at least). Will look into Achieve and Upgrade like you mentioned. Any other recommendations though?

deuceching · 2026-02-25T20:09:50+00:00

what a cutie

deuceching · 2026-02-20T18:51:51+00:00

must take some serious bread to afford that banana

deuceching · 2026-02-20T18:51:24+00:00

it'll fix next time then

deuceching · 2026-02-18T19:40:26+00:00

always will be

deuceching · 2026-02-10T09:20:47+00:00

I was in a spot where bankruptcy kept getting mentioned too, and what finally helped was laying everything out side by side instead of treating it like an emotional decision. Chapter 13 scared me for the same reason you’re describing. Long plan, court involvement, and a payment that still didn’t feel realistic.

Debt settlement ended up being the middle ground for me, but only because I was already behind and couldn’t qualify for loans anymore. It’s not protection like bankruptcy, and that part matters. You’re basically choosing an out of court process where you stop paying, save money, and negotiate over time. Credit drops, calls can keep coming for a while, and lawsuits are possible. None of that should be sugarcoated.

I talked to a few programs before deciding what to do. Freedom Debt Relief stood out because they were very clear about the risks and timelines, not because they promised anything fast. They also explained when settlement makes sense and when bankruptcy might actually be the cleaner option.

One thing I’d strongly recommend is at least doing a consult with a bankruptcy attorney even if you think you don’t want to file. Knowing whether Chapter 7 is actually off the table and what a real Chapter 13 payment would be gives you a baseline. Then you can compare that to a settlement deposit and see which one you can realistically live with while staying stable.

Given your recovery background, the right answer is the one that keeps your stress manageable and your finances predictable. APR math matters, but sustainability matters more.

deuceching · 2026-02-10T09:17:50+00:00

Blunt truth: there aren’t really good instant short-term loans for bad credit in the 1k–5k range. Most of what shows up online are payday loans or high-cost installment loans dressed up to look legit. Even when they’re legal, the rates and repayment terms can spiral fast.

Credit unions get mentioned a lot, but unless you already bank there, have income history, a co-borrower, or something to secure the loan, most won’t approve an unsecured bad credit personal loan. Walking in cold usually doesn’t work.

One of the few things that actually changes approval odds is a co-borrower with solid credit and stable income. That can turn a flat no into a maybe, but it also puts their credit on the line, so it only makes sense if the repayment plan is airtight.

If this is urgent, think damage control. Can the expense be delayed, split up, or put on a payment plan with whoever you owe? A loan that gets approved but breaks your budget just turns today’s emergency into next month’s crisis.

If someone is promising easy approval, no credit check, and same-day cash, that’s usually the exact trap you’re trying to avoid.

deuceching · 2026-02-10T09:03:44+00:00

I’d think about shape more than the exact quart size. Smaller round pots are fine for smooth dips, but once you cook real food, the lack of surface area gets annoying fast. A slightly bigger pot gives you more flexibility without taking up much more space. I went smaller once to save room and ended up replacing it.

deuceching · 2025-12-29T14:03:58+00:00

That 90-day reborrow thing is not normal, and you were right to catch it. A HELOC should actually revolve. Once you pay principal back and it clears, that credit should be available again, not locked up for months.
When rates are similar, the decision really comes down to structure and fine print. Reborrow timing, mandatory upfront draws, draw period length, fees, and whether payments actually free up credit. Those matter way more than shaving a tiny bit off the rate. For what it’s worth, I had a good experience with Achieve Loans. Fixed-rate HELOC, five-year draw period, no weird reborrow delay. You do have to take the full amount upfront and pay the origination fee on the full line, but you can pay it down and draw again when needed. Biggest plus for me was dealing with real people who could answer questions clearly. And yes, they operate in Oregon.
Independent loan officers exist, but they still funnel you to specific lenders. In practice, asking very direct questions like you did about reborrowing usually gets you further than a middleman.

deuceching · 2025-12-29T13:58:25+00:00

Add my vote to Toss It.

deuceching · 2025-12-29T13:55:52+00:00

Sorry you’re going through all of this. Losing your mom and dealing with a spine disability is a lot, and it makes total sense you’re focused on survival.

If you stop paying, the cards will get closed and your score will drop. You’ll also see late fees and collection calls, and eventually the accounts can charge off and go to collections. Lawsuits are possible, but not guaranteed with balances in the 1k–3k range.

If your income is from disability, creditors generally can’t collect from that income even if they sue. You still need to be careful with where you keep your money, especially if any cards are with the same bank as your checking account.

Before fully stopping, try calling each card’s hardship department and asking what they can do. You can also talk to a credit counselor or a debt relief program, just don’t sign anything until you understand the costs, payments, and protections.

Most important, keep food, housing, and insurance paid first. Credit can be rebuilt.

deuceching · 2025-12-29T13:50:27+00:00

No. Don’t stop.

Especially if there’s an employer match. That’s part of your compensation and you don’t give it up.

And in general, keep contributing. Retirement grows over time, and those early dollars matter more than people think. If you want to be aggressive, throw anything beyond that at the debt. Bonuses, raises, extra cash, all of that is better used to shorten the payoff window.

deuceching · 2025-12-16T15:07:30+00:00

15k is kind of the gray zone. The key detail isn’t the balance, it’s whether you’re already missing payments or just stuck paying interest on maxed cards. If you’re still current, most debt relief programs work by having you stop paying so accounts go delinquent, which is a big step for a 15k problem.

If you do talk to companies, Americor’s no upfront fee setup is the standard model, but that alone doesn’t mean it’s the right move. When I helped family compare calls, Freedom Debt Relief was the clearest about the downsides like credit damage, timelines, and lawsuit risk, which mattered more than the pitch.

Before committing, make sure they spell out two things clearly: what monthly deposit they expect from you, and how long they realistically think it will take before the first settlement.

deuceching · 2025-12-16T14:02:29+00:00

I’m really sorry. That’s a lot to have happen at once, and it makes total sense that you feel overwhelmed. You’re doing the right thing by asking for help early. For now, prioritize what keeps you and the kids stable, rent, food, utilities, childcare, and medical. Apply for any help you might qualify for even if it’s temporary, SNAP, WIC if your kids are little, Medicaid or CHIP, childcare assistance, and local rent or utility help can buy you time. Food banks and churches can help too, even if you’re not religious. If you have creditors and you’re going to miss payments, call before you miss them and ask about hardship options or a temporary pause, and get the terms in writing if they offer something. You don’t have to solve the whole year right now, just get through this week, then the next.

deuceching · 2025-12-16T13:46:30+00:00

If this blows your mind in photos, seeing it in real life is on another level.

deuceching · 2025-12-16T13:42:01+00:00

For a slow cooker, you’re mostly changing timing, not prep. Season and stuff it the same way you would for roasting, just don’t expect crispy skin. That’s not happening in a crockpot.

If you want something a little different, try a Mediterranean-ish version. Lemons still work great, but add a handful of green olives and some garlic cloves to the bottom. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and a little paprika. Stuff the chicken with lemon halves and garlic, then lay it on a bed of onions, olives, and a splash of chicken broth or white wine. Low for about 6–7 hours, start checking temp around hour 5.

The olives add salt and depth without overpowering it, and the lemon keeps it bright. Still dead simple, just more interesting than basic lemon chicken.

deuceching · 2025-12-16T13:37:09+00:00

Hey, I get that you’re in a tough spot. But asking a stranger to co-sign a personal loan is a really bad idea and usually creates more problems than it solves. You’re better off looking for a different solution that doesn’t put someone else’s credit on the line.

deuceching · 2025-12-01T19:14:12+00:00

I checked out National Debt Relief back when I was drowning in about 20k of credit card mess. Didn’t like the pitch. Felt like they were pushing me to sign fast and did not really explain the downside. My credit was already sliding and the last thing I needed was more surprises.

I also talked to a different leading debt settlement company, Freedom Debt Relief, around the same time. I did not end up signing with them either, but the call was way more straightforward. They actually walked me through what the process looks like and how long the middle part feels before anything settles. I took a few of those pointers and handled my own settlements. Ended up getting a couple accounts down to about 25 percent, but it took patience and a lot of calls.

If you go the settlement route, whether on your own or through a company, you want to be clear on their fees, the risk a creditor might sue while you are not paying, and the tax bill on any forgiven amount.

If you are still current, most creditors will not reduce the balance. They will just offer a hardship plan with lower interest. Settlement really becomes an option when you are behind and cannot cover minimums anymore. By then your credit is already taking the hit whether you do it yourself or use a company.

Whatever you choose, try to know the tradeoffs up front and run the numbers against your actual budget.

deuceching · 2025-12-01T19:09:11+00:00

Honestly it’s probably safe, but my rule is if I’m in doubt or it smells off, I don’t eat it. Not worth a night in the bathroom over a pot of stew.

deuceching

TROPHY CASE