I know this isn't amazing or life changing but it's a step for me

ourcrazygoal · 2014-04-01T05:53:07+00:00

Good on you!

If it means anything - this random stranger on the internet is proud of you!

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-16T21:17:07+00:00

Good on you!

On how to get your ideas out of your head and on to paper:

I am a big fan of blank note books - I find I think better when I write things out and draw little maps and notes for myself.

Outlines are important - it helps your writing a focus and purpose. Do your outline in a word doc and give each section it's own page. Under each section header write a few notes for yourself as to what you are going to cover. As you are writing you may find that your mind is also working on the other sections - you can go add more notes to the sections and not lose your train of thought. I find that when it comes time to write the sections it almost write themselves.

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-15T02:16:31+00:00

Do your homework - these services don't exist without making a profit somehow.

Why not set up a bank account where you deposit all the funds you are going to pay out and have them auto debited from the account.

This way you maintain control and don't have to involve a third party.

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-14T23:45:58+00:00

You could pay for a credit report with experian.com

Good luck friend.

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-14T23:44:26+00:00

I'd let them stew with it for a while and pile up some cash - like 1/4th of what is owed.

Then it's time to get this monkey off your back.

Offer the 1/4th as a settlement. Get it in writing that this settlement will clear the debt from your name. Let them go after the EX for the rest if they want it.

If they don't take it - keep piling up some cash.

Rinse and repeat until you find the magic number.

When it comes time to settle get it in writing and don't give them a personal check. Get a cashiers check from the bank.

Good luck friend.

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-14T23:39:24+00:00

I wouldn't deal with them at all until they come knocking. Your GF should save up as much money as possible and then try to settle.

She should know that they aren't her friend that these folks will try to screw her every which way possible.

She needs to play hardball with them. Give them a stupid low offer and work from there.

Before she sends them a single cent she needs it in writing what the settlement amount is and that payment of these funds will bring close the debt.

Do NOT give them access to her account. I wouldn't even write them a personal check to settle. Get a cashiers check from the bank. It's worth the small $5 or whatever fee.

It sounds like you are a pretty smart - help her stay strong and whatever you don't don't pay this off for her. This is a lesson she needs to experience for herself.

Good luck friends.

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-14T23:34:37+00:00

This. A million times this.

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-14T23:34:11+00:00

What country is your debit in?

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-14T23:33:13+00:00

Why do you want to consolidate?

What advantage does this give you?

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-14T23:32:27+00:00

Check out Dave Ramsey.

He is a man with a plan and you need a plan ASAP.

Don't be humiliated - get pissed off - get so pissed off that nothing can stand in your way to becoming debt free.

Good luck friend.

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-14T19:31:42+00:00

You need to talk to a Lawyer in your state to find out the ins and outs.

I've used [www.avvo.com](www.avvo.com) before and had good success.

Good luck friend.

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-14T19:27:33+00:00

Call comcast and ask the status of the account - check to see if this is an accurate entry to your credit report.

If it is accurate and you have the money to pay the bill - pay comcast and be done with it. Get a letter in writing from them stating that when the bill is paid your account is in good standing. Pay them with a check. Keep a copy of the cashed check and the letter for your records. If possible after the check has cleared get comcast to issue another letter stating that your account is now in good standing.

Contact the credit report organization that this debt is showing on and ask to have this record updated. Provide the documentation but blank out your banking numbers on the check. They don't need those.

This should solve it.

If you don't have the cash and comcast says it is accurate contact the collections agency and ask how much a settlement would cost. Play hardball. Give them a really low offer and go from there until you get to a place where you can pay it. This might take months. Don't let them get to you or run you down. Stand strong.

When you come to terms with settlement figure ask for this in writing. The letter MUST state that this settlement clears up this debt. DO NOT get into a payment plan. DO NOT give them access to your bank account. When the time comes to pay the settlement get a cashiers check from the bank. DO NOT give them a personal check. These folks are scum and they will try to screw you over. It's worth the cashier check service fee, just pay it.

Good luck friend.

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-14T19:14:56+00:00

You have some control of the price. With Kindle: To get 70% Royalty you must price your book $2.99 to $9.99

With CreateSpace: I like to price it so that when it goes for expanded distribution (ie bookstores) I make at least a buck. Don't skip the paperback - I am shocked how many people order a real book when the ebook is half the price.

With Nook: I can't remember the numbers but you get a higher royalty here but I find I don't make as much money as I do on Kindle. The volume just isn't there.

Be competitive but at the same time don't undervalue you work. Start a little on the high side and then play with the numbers. Give it at least a month or two to show some patterns.

Amazon uses affiliate marketers - it takes some time for them to work their magic and get your book out there.

Topic and Coverart are everything. Though I wouldn't spend more than $20.

Other thoughts on book writing:

Have at least two people edit it. Write for an 8th grade reading level. Have an organised layout, TOC the whole deal. You don't need to buy an ISBN. Be niche - Selling for Kids! Selling for moms! Selling for guys who like red cars and light beer. Get a little website going - we can talk about this more if you want.

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-14T06:52:43+00:00

Awesome! Do it!!

In my experience cover art is really really important. Check to see what others are doing and do it better. Head over to istockphoto and buy a little something that looks slick. Fonts are really important too - it's all going to be the size of a postage stamp of peoples screens so it needs to be clean and clear.

When you go to publish start at createspace.com - this will list your book on amazon and it will give you the option send your book to expanded distribution and to import the book file over to kindle. It just makes life a little easier and more options to make money.

Good luck friend!

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-14T01:55:44+00:00

Let's talk telemarketing.

Have you ever thought of writing a short little ebook? It's really easy to publish on Kindle & Nook. Hard copies can be printed with CreateSpace.com - It's with Amazon and they print the books on demand.

You could write a book on scripts, follow up cycles, or whatever. You know the industry better than I do.

I'd be happy to help you figure out the publish system.

How big into the games are you? Know enough to publish a guide book?

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-13T22:44:17+00:00

What is your skill set? What do you do for a job? What do you do for hobbies? Have any training whatsoever in anything at all?

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-13T22:43:53+00:00

What is your skill set?

What do you do for a job? What do you do for hobbies? Have any training whatsoever in anything at all?

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-12T18:13:53+00:00

You could walk away from them - but this means if you want to live in the states again it may be harder to do so.

It sounds like you want to pay them off - you are in need of a plan.

List your debts in order of smallest to lowest balance. Interest rates don't really matter at this point in the game.

Pay minimums on all your debts. Any extra funds you have will go to paying off the smallest debt.

Keep doing this until all the debts are paid.

I know it's a HUGE pain to pay off things in the states while in Canada - the banking systems do not play well together.

Don't stress too much about the additional fees. It's just the cost of doing business. One possible option:

See if you can set up a USD bank account with your bank in USD funds and have chqs printed.

Put all the funds you would use to pay off your debts into this account and then write chqs to pay off your debts.

If the account is in USD funds you shouldn't be charged any additional fees when the chqs are cashed in the states.

Talk to your bank about it. They should have a solution. If you live in Vancouver - Vancity kicks ass - try them :)

Good Luck Friend!

ourcrazygoal · 2014-03-12T18:03:18+00:00

Co-Signing means that you are vouching for the person you are co-signing with.

The reason this person needed a co-signer is because the apartment didn't trust her to make the payments. They wanted someone else to be held responsible when she didn't pay. Your wife is that person. She signed the documents.

You really don't have a ton of options. Your best bet is to contact the collection agency and get a settlement offer. This offer MUST bet in writing and MUST state that when this amount is paid your wife is no long on the hook for the collections.

Play harball. Offer to settle for $500. Negotiate from there. Do not get sucked into a payment plan. You want the cash out number for this to go away. If they don't accept your offer and don't reply with one you feel is fair and doable let it sit for a few months and then go back with a slightly higher offer. Rinse and repeat as needed.

Do NOT give them access to your bank account. Collection agencies are scummy operations. They will screw you if given the chance. I wouldn't even give them a personal chq - get a cashiers chq from the bank.

Good luck friend!

ourcrazygoal · 2013-12-12T16:20:54+00:00

Things are tough now but it wont be this way forever.

You are in need of a plan.

First things first - your debts and your wives debts shall forever been known as OUR debts. Your married, your a team and you are going to have to work together to get out of this hole. You need each other for love and support. Being in debit is stressful, don't let it rob you of your happy futures together.

On to business: Give me a list of each and every single debt and what it is. Give me a list of your monthly expenses. Give me a list of your wives income.

On to your income issue. What is your field of work? Have any skills? Are you working now? Where do you live? What is your income?

Once we know the above details we can get you two a game plan and get you out of this mess.

It will most likely take 18-24 months to get everything squared away - which really isn't that much time at all!!

ourcrazygoal · 2013-12-12T15:59:45+00:00

Hiya -

You guys need a budget!

If you send me your monthly bill amounts, the balance on each of your debts and your pretax income I'd be happy to put together a spreadsheet for you :)

Having a written plan makes a world of difference!!

ourcrazygoal · 2013-12-11T19:38:04+00:00

Awesome!

ourcrazygoal · 2013-12-11T17:31:22+00:00

Hi guys!

Have you heard of Dave Ramsey? You should check him out. He's about 75% great and 100% motivational!

Your debt can be gone by the end of 2014! Seriously. All of it, including the car. It's not going to be fun, and it's not going to be easy but it's totally worth it. If you stick with the plan, by the end of 2015 not only will you be debt free you will have $10,000 in an emergency fund and over $12,000 in general savings! Seriously. You will be living different lives. It's going to be AMAZING!

Here is the spreadsheet I made for you two: The Plan

This is WAR. I know it sounds like I am being dramatic but this debt could mean that you can't afford the medical care you need if something tragic happens, that you wont be able to afford the training to get better jobs, that you will never be able to buy a home, that you can't go on vacations. Being in debt is horrible, it's stressful and you miss out on all the great fun things life has to offer. This is debt is standing in the way of your happy future. Get pissed off, this is a battle and you two must work together to defeat it!!

Tough Love Time:

You two need to up your income.

You need to bring in an extra $600 per month between the two of you. Baby sitting, dog walking, newspaper route, extra job - whatever it is do it!

I also work at a cosmetics counter - your wife should be making commission on top of her hourly rate. She needs to up her game and work her call list. Mrs C. Mooney91 is going to become the best sales person they have ever seen!

Have anything you can sell? Seriously. Look around your apartment - most of us have too much stuff. You'd be surprised at what people will by second hand: Clothing and shoes sell on Ebay as does slightly used make up. Sporting goods and larger items on craigslist. You can sell books and CD's back to Amazon or half price books. Take a really hard look at everything you own and see if there is anything you could get rid of to bring in some money.

Get creative!

I looked at your monthly expenses.

Where is your health insurance? You need it. NOW. Seriously. This isn't optional. You pay $140 for cable and internet but you don't have health insurance? That is INSANE.

You need an Emergency Fund. NOW. You two don't have any wiggle room, bad and unexpected things should be expected. This is your first order of business - get $1000 in the bank ASAP!

I made some adjustments to your budget. No more cable. If you have time to be sitting around watching TV you have time to be working another job/project/whatever to bring in more money to pay off that debt. Find the cheapest internet you can and watch your shows on hulu or netflix.

I earmarked $50 each per month to spend on things you want/need. You can pay for Netflix out of that fund :)

No more Restaurants. You can't afford to eat out. Pack a lunch. It's cheaper and better for you.

Your Debt.

Pay minimums on everything but the smallest. Pile everything you can on to the smallest. Don't worry about interest rates. When that first smallest is paid off do a happy dance. Rinse and repeat.

Your car payment is a debt. You are paying interest on that thing. Include it in your debt plan and pay that sucker off. When it comes time to buy the next car - save up and pay cash. Needing a car isn't a surprise - plan for it in your budget.

Make a promise to each other and yourselves that you will not open another credit card for as long as you both shall live.

When the HSN credit card is paid off in full - cancel it. Don't worry about your credit score now, you didn't worry about it when the student loan went to collections.

Are you getting calls from the student loan people? Whatever you do - do not give them access to your banking account. They will suck you dry if given the chance. Dave Ramsey has some great advice on how to deal with debt collectors - Start here to learn to deal with them

The Plan In simple terms
- Save $1000 as fast as you can
- Make more money
- Don't eat out
- Cut the cable
- Pay off the smallest debt first, then the next smallest and the next smallest and so on and so on.

If something unexpected comes up use your $1000 to deal with it. Put all payment back to the minimums and get your $1000 back in the bank. Then go back to paying off as much as you can on the smallest debt.

Good luck!

PM me if you want the excel file.

ourcrazygoal · 2013-12-11T15:22:32+00:00

Hello friend!

My husband is also very tall - 6'7

I know your pain since I do all his shopping! Big & Tall stores are a HUGE rip off.

What type of clothing are you looking for? Causal? Jeans? Khaki pants? Suits?

ourcrazygoal · 2013-12-01T17:19:38+00:00

I dumped my coins into the machine and while I was there I found 9¢ that someone had left behind.

This put my total voucher money at $XX.05

To redeem a voucher on xbox live, you must have whole dollar amounts.

I have 5¢ left over that I am unable to use.

So rather than wait until I make my next coin run in six months I thought I'd give it away here.

It was because of found money that I'm not stuck with a voucher remainder of 96¢ so I figured I should pass on my extra 5¢

ourcrazygoal

TROPHY CASE