Negotiate a Debt Settlement

I live in upstate NY and have a lot of debt. Where can I find information on debt consolidation?

I've made some progress with it but am tired from 70 hour work weeks and two jobs making the progress. I only pay on 3 of 5 debts and live in constant fear that one in particular of the 5 will start hounding me for payment - I can't work anymore than I already do and I can't pay it. I'd like to try the proactive approach of debt consolidation, but with all the bad press on shady lenders, I'm almost terrified I'll wind up worse off than where I started. One debt is approximately $4500, which I successfully reached a payment schedule agreement which will have it paid off in October of this year. What kind of ramifications will consolidation have on it? Another is around $8000 (negotiated for them to stop interest charges), $4000, $6000 and $2400 (no helpful negotiations reached, I'm afraid of the $6000 one though that I'm not paying). Any insight is welcome...

Public Comments

1. Please do yourself a favor and check out www.creditinfocenter.com. It's a great website, they also have forums so that you can ask questions of others that have gone through the same thing! It has helped me get my life back together, but don't lose hope, it is a long road to rebuild credit! I wouldn't recommend any company to you, everything that they do, you can do yourself. It's pointless. SO take a look at the website, start reading and ASK questions! The Debt Zapper program from the Bank Card Holders of America, 524 Branch Drive, Salem, VA, 24153, prepares a personalized pay-off schedule to help pay off credit cards in the fastest, least expensive way possible. Cost is $15
2. Most debt consolidation / debt negotiation companies don't work, they take your money but don't do very much to "negotiate" your debt. What is worse, most credit card companies won't deal with these types of companies, only attorneys. I would suggest you hire an attorney who handles consumer litigation / debt negotiation. You can usually get a referral from your local county bar association.