Wisdom teeth or education loans...

[Earth_First]

As one of the millions of Americans who must make the choice between paying out of pocket health care costs and prioritize bill payments, I just received a telephone call with a DOE creditor. I cannot believe how downright rude this individual was on how I am "dead-beating" "refusing to make payment" how "I must be a REAL provider to my family" She then had the audacity to ask if I could borrow the money to make full payment, when I responded that I do not have individuals who can loan hundreds of dollars out at the holidays, I asked if she did, when she responded, "I have several." I was then read a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo and hung up on.

I hope that if there is a SINGLE policy maker that lurks on democraticunderground, reads this post, and loses sleep at night knowing Americans have to prioritize bills in order to cover out of pocket health care costs.

FU*KIN' PIGS!

[stellanoir]

1. if there are any dental schools nearby,

you may want to consider checking out one of their clinics.

Extractions are rarely complicated (except for the possibility of developing a "dry socket") and all procedures are supervised by real Oral Surgeons. Generally, they cost about 30% of conventional dental charges but they can often take three times the amount of time.

I had a lot of really good luck going to one of these clinics years ago. I had been a dental derelict and needed tons of work done. I even found my true hero, an ambidextrous periodontist. He cut the time in the chair in half ! I was very sad when he finished the program and moved away.

As for those awful bill collectors. Pay the minimum and don't take any of that condecending grief. Good luck.

[Earth_First]

2. Thank you for the advice...

The problem is, bills do sometimes keep me up at night, and sometimes the condescension stings a bit...

[stellanoir]

3. I empathize totally.

As you well know, sleep deprivation rarely pays the bills. A possible antidote for that sort of anxiety might just be to close your eyes and imagine what it would feel like to feel the debt diminishing, dissapating, and eventually disappearing.

In as much as this culture touts the importance of "values," if you step back and look at what we reward and virtually idolize. . .it's money, regardless of whether or not it's often acquired through "ill gotten" means. I think it's really sad.

I know it's easier said than done, but try not to let indebtedness paralyze you, or have it interfer with your self worth or well being.
Though it can be overwhelming, try to see it as a transitory condition, not a permanent one.

Some of the wealthiest folks that I know lose sleep over who's trying to rip them off and suffer from horribly debilitating imposter complexes.

You've got to know that you're hardly alone with debt in this horrendous economy and that these awful creditors just prey on people's insecurities.

Advising you to borrow money from friends or family to pay off a creditor makes far less sense than the old adage of "borrowing from Peter to pay Paul" because not only would it fail to be anything more than a temporary fix but it's very rare that loans don't have an adverse relationship on friendships. Next time they guilt you, just say, "with the outrageous interest you charge isn't my delayed payment ultimately beneficial for your company?" That sometimes shuts them up.

Again, Good luck !

[uncle ray]

4. don't let the collectors bully you

take care of your teeth. the pain of your teeth will never go away on it's own, the pain of the harrasment of the debt collectors can be forgotten about. they have nothing on you but the stigma of debt. a few years ago, when my life hit rock bottom, i basically told all my creditors to get fucked, they'll get theirs when they get it. i still owe thousands of dollars but i hardly know it. i just spent about 3 grand on dental care that was put off for a long time, and NEVER have debt collectors calling. make it clear that if they are rude, then you will NOT cooperate with them! it will work, they "read" what works with a particular debtor and adjust their collection methods. if i'ts not a very large amount and they really feel they are getting nowhere with you, they will quit bothering you, if they feel they are making progress, they will bug you more and more.

though your student laons will be with you forever, i'm not necessarily saying NEVER pay them, pay when it's convienient for you.

get over the fact that you have debt and you will live happier, i have a checking account but only use that for bills, etc. i use cash for 90% of my spending, when i'm out of money that's it. but i never have a growing credit card balance to worry about. it sure feels good to be able to go buy those big ticket items that most people finance, by using one or two paychecks and paying cash, and simply not worrying about monthly payments.