I too seek advice - I did something really bad.

[Denninmi]

Spent a small fortune in the past few months. With wild abandon, justified in my mind due to extenuating circumstances. I thought it was literally the end of me, so I said "why not"?

I went into 2012 with credit card debt of something like 100 % of net income. In 6-7 months had it down to 2/3rds of NI.

Now it's about 200% of NI. Yikes!

There is no real justification of it. Some went to medical bills, car repair, but most to non-necessities. Well,honestly, it was one method of keeping myself from totally losing it.

So, I cashed out bonds to pay it down to just a little less than NI.

I have two choices with the rest:

1) just ride it out, pay interest or balance transfer fees, pay it off as I can.

2) grovel to the family for a bailout. They could literally afford to loan me the amount about a hundred times over, and I could repay at dirt cheap bank rates. Problem is, they are weird about money, and would lord this over me, too, since I am already the family black sheep who never succeeded in life to their standards.

So, which bullet to bite.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Denninmi!

I would ride it out per your choice #1. Why give your family any reason to lord it over you?

Good luck, whichever bullet you choose!

[datasuspect]

2. get the bailout

and head to vegas

[MiddleFingerMom]

9. !!!

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I mean...
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... you fucking HUSH!!!!!
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[HappyMe]

3. I would go for the

no family option. Having the family hold this against you is no way to live. From your posts, it seems to me you are feeling better. No need to jeopardize that.

I have to tell you though, I'm no financial wizard.

[HereSince1628]

4. Are there credit counselors who could help you find more alternatives

so that you can have choices you feel better about?

[siligut]

5. Get out of the credit card debt.

Credit card debt is just stupid percentage wise. Don't borrow money from family though. BTW, I understand completely, something made me spend like mad these past two months.

[dawg]

6. Balance transfers to lower rates, but remember to consider transfer fees as well as rates.

Minimum monthly payments on everything *except* the one with the highest APR.

And, lastly, don't forget the first law of holes.

[Xyzse]

7. I can forward you an Excel sheet I made to keep track of finances if you want.

Basically, you can input all your debt in to something, and show how much to pay each month.
From there you can try to figure out where and when to transfer debt to a lower APR.

I am not really happy with debt consolidation companies. Some people, it works, but for some it doesn't, Besides, a lot of the times if you do those things, it kills your credit score.

I would hate to have to grovel and ask for help from the family.

[Panasonic]

8. Go into debt settlement.

I did. Haven't regretted it.

Balance is now at under 2/3 of NI.

[Taverner]

11. Ouch. Don't know what to say.

[RebelOne]

12. I had to declare bankruptcy twice because of credit card debt.

Once was in 1989 when I filed a Chapter 7 that wiped out all my debts. Then in 2006, I got into trouble again and had to file a Chapter 13 where I made monthly payments through the court to all my creditors. I am finally free and clear of all debt and I have vowed to never have another credit card. If I cannot afford to pay cash, I just don't buy it.

Fortunately, I am now retired, own my mobile home and my car free and clear. The only costs I have are the usual utilities, food and home and car insurance. I do have a cushion of some money in the bank for emergencies. I am living solely on Social Security.