It only gets worse...help

[toomuch]

I haven't been on board in a while. Lots going on. My first visit to this forum was Christmas Day 2006.

Hubby and I are over 120K in unsecured cc debt. I took a gamble on my new business....thinking I would be so successful. Then I started having health issues, couldn't keep dependable employees and long story short.....got deep in debt and now no hope of ever paying it back.

We haven't used our cc since last September. I have seen a couple of attorneys over the past year about BK but just waiting to file 2 years of income taxes, get them back, buy a used vehicle and then file BK.

Then, in January, my Mom was dx with a rare brain cancer. So I have been back and forth to my hometown to help my sister take care of her.

My (grown) children's father (my ex and good friend) had a stroke in April and passed on. We are still reeling from that.

I finally let my Highlander go back so now we are down to one vehicle. I have learned to live on a budget and all I want is to keep my house.

So, 4 weeks ago, I had surgery and dx with cancer. I have a supplemental cancer policy, THANK GOD, that will help pay for expenses. The cancer was incorrectly staged, so now I'm going for a second opinion at a cancer center in another state. All travel expenses, lodging, insurance co-pays have to be paid up front.

Which brings me to this thread. I still have 2005, 2006 and soon 2007 taxes to file. I know I'm getting refunds and planned on buying a dependable used car with the money and also fix ongoing plumbing problems in our house.

So, I can't see filing BK for a long time. Mainly because I'll be getting checks for cancer treatment and I don't want to hand that over to the trustee. I realize I made the debts, and regret it more than anyone probably. I will want to wait at least 6 months after radiation to think about filing.

Okay, my problem is I need a secured credit card. No, I'm not nuts. I have to have one in my name for flights, lodging and car rentals for a minimum of 6 weeks while getting treatment. I will definitely pay the cc balance in full each month.

Can someone help me out here? Do you see the big picture?? I do
not need reprimanding. I am scared to death now for my life, literally and it just keeps getting worse.

Any help on where I can get a reputable secured card?

I'll start other thread for more questions. Just need some help now.

Thanks in advance,

TOO MUCH

[B12]

Yes, it is too much for one person to handle, but you will get through as long as you take care of yourself first.

[guzzie]

will be praying for you....

[lrprn]

TooMuch, I'm so sorry for all your losses. And now a cancer diagnosis....sometimes I wonder how one person can be expected to handle so much sadness and stress in such a short time .

Okay, my problem is I need a secured credit card. No, I'm not nuts. I have to have one in my name for flights, lodging and car rentals for a minimum of 6 weeks while getting treatment. I will definitely pay the cc balance in full each month.

What are your current credit scores? If they are very low, are you still getting the "bottom feeder" credit card offers in the mail? If you are, apply for the ones with the higher limits and no annual fees. As long as you pay them off in full every month, there's no penalty from a ridiculously high APR.

If I were you, I'd start here. Good luck - our thoughts and prayers are with you. Remember you have friends here - come back to vent whenever you need to, and please keep us posted on what happens as your treatment progresses, ok? Here's a virtual <hug> for now....hang in there! You can make it!

[toomuch]

Guzzie, thanks for the prayers. I believe in them and need them, for me and my Mom.

lrpn, no, we don't get the offers anymore. I looked online at secured credit cards and can find Orchard and another one.

I have been using a prepaid card from AAA.....a travel card. It doesn't have my name on it though, which is required by most car rental companies and some hotels. That's mainly what I need a secured one for.

[Lindsay]

((((((((HUGS)))))))))

Would a debit card work? I have one from Paypal and also one attached with my checking account with a mastercard logo on it.

I will keep you in my prayers.

[CindyLou]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss and also about your health situation.

In regards to the travel I think you can accomplish the same thing with a debit card these days. Yes, they will hold out more money on the car rental when you use a debit card, but then if you have a secured credit card you will have already had to send in money so it will even out anyway. You will need to check out car rental places ahead of time to be sure of the policies at EACH location. Usually only airport locations will allow debit card rentals and only if you are holding a round trip ticket. Then instead of holding say 350 they will hold 500. For hotels and car rentals a debit card works just like a credit card. Good luck and I will pray for you.

[Adchick]

Any help on where I can get a reputable secured card?

TOO MUCH

My goodness you have been through a lot. I will remember you and your family in my prayers.

Maybe look into Bank of America for the secured card. They seem to have one of the better interest rates out there and are a reputable bank. As opposed to something like Orchard (Household Bank - yuck).

Best of luck to you.

[Bandit]

Okay, my problem is I need a secured credit card. No, I'm not nuts. I have to have one in my name for flights, lodging and car rentals for a minimum of 6 weeks while getting treatment. I will definitely pay the cc balance in full each month.(

Credit One Bank? It used to be First National Bank of Marin. That was one of my first cards as a young adult and started out as a secured card.

[toomuch]

Credit One Bank? It used to be First National Bank of Marin. That was one of my first cards as a young adult and started out as a secured card.

Thanks, Bandit. I googled it and found this. I hope it's okay to post a link like this. I'm kind of hesitant to apply.

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/credit-one-bank-c10587.html

Toomuch

[toomuch]

My goodness you have been through a lot. I will remember you and your family in my prayers.

Maybe look into Bank of America for the secured card. They seem to have one of the better interest rates out there and are a reputable bank. As opposed to something like Orchard (Household Bank - yuck).

Best of luck to you.

Thank you for the prayers. We need them. As for BOA, they wouldn't give me a free ink pen. I am on their noooo way list.

Too Much

[Bandit]

Thanks, Bandit. I googled it and found this. I hope it's okay to post a link like this. I'm kind of hesitant to apply.

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/credit-one-bank-c10587.html

Toomuch

ewww. I would be hesitant as well.
I have not used that card since Credit One took it over. I never had any problems when it was Bank of Marin. That is the only secured card I have ever had & then one day Marin just gave me back the money in a check and started upping the limits. Now that I think of it, it was kind of odd because it was right after they gave me the secured deposit back, this Credit One took them over.

[JRScott]

Sorry to hear about your trouble. I hope things turn out good for you

I"m not sure about secured cards

[whatamess]

I have no idea what to say, except I'm sending you a huge cyber hug and offer my prayers for your health. Also, my Visa Debit (through credit union)is used like a CC in most if not all ways.
HUGS to Too Much..
WAM

[freshstart06]

Oh my Goodness, I will keep you in my prayers but I know you will get better. Please don't worry about anything but getting better and try to reduce the stress, stress is one of the causes of cancer. Take care.