I had to go back to work after a divorce and death of our son. (I was a paraprofessional at an elementary school). I had enough resources from the divorce settlement to buy a mobile home on 3 acres, which cost me 59,000.00. This depleted my financial security, but did put a roof over my head. I was out of work for about 2 years, and then finally found a job as a school secretary, which only pays 19,000.00 a year. During this time, I relied on a credit card to pay my bills, and buy food. With a credit card to pay each month, and not a lot of income each month, I decided to go to a local bank and get a mortgage on my home to pay off the credit card balance. The loan after interest was 25,000.00. This was fine, but I still had to maintain the home, buy gas, etc. The loan payment was almost 500.00 a month which I have never missed a payment. This included the annual insurance premium. I did find another insurance that was cheaper, and now the loan payment is under 400.00 a month. I now still find myself using the credit card for gas, cloths, food, making a bill payment, etc. I now again owe the credit card roughly 18,000.00, and I have not missed a payment to them. However, here I am, with yet another credit card debt and paying off a mortgage loan that I got to pay off the first credit card balance. How do I get myself out of this mess? Would the bank give me another loan adding to the loan I now have with them to pay off another credit card balance? I do make more now than I did when I first started working, which I feel I can handle if I consolidate the two monthly bills and it will end the high interest rate the credit card has. The interest I am paying for the bank loan is 9%, which is a lot, but it is a small local bank. The interest I pay on the credit card is 14%.
I live alone and this is my only income. My take home pay each month is 1200.00. Like I said, I am divorced, 58 years old, and did not further my education, so my question is this: Is there light at the end of this tunnel?
Your challenge is to take charge of your situation and create a plan of action. I think you need a plan for spending, a plan for increasing your income, and a plan to deal with your debt. I think you realize you spend too much based on your present income. Stop using your credit cards. Pay cash for everything to get an idea of where you are spending your money. Analyze every purchase. Obviously, I do not know your spending habits concentrate on saving factor.
Given your annual income, carrying $18,000 in credit card debt is a tremendous burden. You may not find a lender willing to refinance the mortgage on your mobile home. Even if you do, that may not be a good idea if you
1) don't change your spending habits, or
2) increase your income.
Few more points are more important in this aspect mentioned below in this context.-
1)Spending under control.
2)Developing a plan for boosting your income.
3)Removing your debt load are more important priorities than your FICO score.
4)Learn more about Debt Negotiation.
5)Learn about Settlement Advice and Free Debt Help Services .