Re: Where do I go?

Posted by Linda on November 23, 2001 at 21:19:47:

In Reply to: Re: Where do I go? posted by Depaul on November 22, 2001 at 20:29:44:

Good intent is worthless. You will be making trouble for yourself. These debts have long ago been written off by the original creditor, and you would be paying collection agencies who purchase bad debts simply to make a profit.

Paying them should'nt keep them on your credit report, but it most certainly will keep them on your credit report. In cases like yours, as JJ said, I usually advocate clearing your conscience by giving an equivalent amount to a charity, where it will do someone some good.

In the event you do still wish to pay these collection agencies, you will need some help finding them and negotiating with them. They are tricky and they will lie to you and make promises that they do not intend to keep. If that's still your plan, let us know and we'll try to get you some help. Do not do it yourself!!!! Trust me.

But give it some thought before you decide. You can do someone some good, if you feel a need to ease your feelings of guilt, make your charitable gift anonymously. That is a very humbling experience, to give away your money and not tell anyone, and not get any praise for it.

You could start by finding someone who isn't going to have a Christmas, maybe someone elderly and sick or alone, or a family with kids and no money, and arrange for them to have some goodies. They will begin to believe in Santa. ;) Or you could even make good on your debt by giving your time. I know they featured a local VA hospital on TV here, and one of the WW II vets in the spinal cord injury unit said he would give anything to have someone to watch football with on the weekends. The Salvation Army is hurting this year because giving is down. The Food Bank is running short of food, because so many folks are unemployed. There a lots of good ways to pay your debt without giving the money to collection agencies when it will just hurt you.

It's a shame we have a system that penalizes people for doing the right thing, but that's the way it is. We can fight for changes, but until it does, find a way to deal with it without letting it be the veg-o-matic and you the veggie. ;)

Linda

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