Why it is imperative that you speak to debt collectors about settling your debt..

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Receiving phone calls from a debt collector can make you sick to your stomach. It's an incessant reminder of how deep you are into debt. These debt collectors call multiple times per day, leave messages, and are sometimes rude to you. It is enough to make you want to put that debt collector's number on a call block app and just be done with it.

Problem is, you will not be done with it, and you will be making the problem exponentially worse. Sweeping your debt under the rug does not help you. It puts you, and your future, at risk. Nowadays, when you go to look for certain jobs, employers look at your credit rating. If you have a poor credit rating, you will not get hired. If you go to lease an apartment or a car, if you have poor credit, you will not be approved. If you are severely defaulting on your student loans, and are desperately wanting to go back to school, you will not be able to. Federal Student Loans are not given out to folks who are severely defaulted on their previous loans. So, if you are looking to finish that degree, you are out of luck.
One other thing I would like to add, if you are defaulting on your student loans, your interest rate goes up, and they are able to garnish your wages. You don't have to owe money to the IRS to have your wages taken away from you. Student loans can do that to you too!

My Story:
I made A TON of financial mistakes when I was in my 20s. I was extremely careless with credit cards. In my late 20s, I was doing pretty well with paying back that debt. When I hurt my back and could not work anymore, I defaulted on my credit card payments and student loans. I was in a pretty bad spot. I was getting hounded by several debt collectors, and I ended up getting a call block app so I didn't have to deal with the incessant calls and abuse from the "blood-sucking" debt collectors.
I hit rock bottom when I received a phone call from a debt collector working with my student loans. They told me that I am in a position where I cannot qualify for student loans. I was thinking about going back to school and finishing my degree. I figured, while I was recuperating from surgery, I could finish my psychology degree online and then go to grad school. Those plans quickly went out the window.
I decided that I needed to face the mess that I was in. I called this debt collector back and the gentleman was very nice and he was more than willing to work with me. I enrolled into a program where I can make minimum payments. As long as I make 9 consecutive payments, my student loans will get back into good standing and the student loan blemish on my credit rating will disappear. Not only that, I will be able to enroll in school and finish my degree. I just have to wait 9 months and pay small minimum payments first.
As far as my other debts are concerned, I am paying minimum payments to them as well. I worked out deals with half of them and am currently working out deals with the other half. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to know that these debt collectors are willing to work with me. I did half the work by answering the phone call and telling them that I want to work with them.

Moral of the story:
Folks, I know that some of you are in debt. These are scary times and many of us are in holes that are too big to dig out of. I know that these debt collectors are relentless. They are not the enemy. They don't want to spend their day calling the same number, only to be cursed out and hung up on. Also, they know what you're going through. They want you to make a change that will save your financial future.

While it may take me many years to be debt free, I know that I am on the right path. If you are in debt, work it out with your debt collector. If they are rude to you, speak to their supervisor. Explain to these people your situation, and they will be happy to work something out with you. I will never apply for a credit card again, even after I am debt free. Credit cards are trouble. You should never spend more than you have, which is why I love debit cards. They keep you in check.

If you're young, do not do what I did. Make good choices about money. My advice to you is, DO NOT GET CREDIT CARDS! If you do get a credit card, get one with a small credit line, like $300. Save it for emergencies (a death in the family, a family member becomes ill or injured and you need to book a last-minute flight, etc). Also, if you're going to school, make sure you pay your loans when you graduate. You will be saving yourself so much grief in the long run.

Quote of the day for 9/23/2014

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“You always pass failure on the way to success.”
-Mickey Rooney

We all want to be successful, but when it comes to the "road to success," not all of us reach the end. Whenever one reaches a 'bump in the road,' doubt tends to take over and you question whether or not you should finish the journey. We complain that it's too hard. We wonder if it is even worth it to continue on the road to success.

Let me tell you something: enduring failure and hardships is a part of the journey. It's the 'bump in the road' that builds the character needed in order to be ready for success. If we aren't ready to experience a little failure along the way, then we aren't ready for the end result. Nothing in life is ever easy. I know that better than anyone. I've been fighting and and surviving one thing or another since the day I was born. It's all I know. I haven't reached success yet. I'm still on my journey.
Success to me means finding inner peace and happiness. It is being truly content with who you are and never doubting that you are loved. It is putting others' first and taking care of yourself so you CAN take care of your loved ones when they need you.
People tell me that I'm a success. I disagree with them. I'm becoming a success. I'm not there yet. I still have to work through life's failures in order to reach my destination. The one thing that keeps me going is the faith that I will make it there someday.

Failure and success go hand-in-hand. While they are polar opposites, failure is what builds character and strength in order to achieve and appreciate success. Keep that in mind when you see yourself at a little 'bump in the road.'

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day **Trigger Warning**

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Today, September 10th, is World Suicide Prevention Day. 

At least 3,000 people around the world commit suicide on a daily basis. In a year, that equals to around 1 million people.
That number is just mind-boggling.

"Oh, they are just doing it for attention!"

That above statement is said by those who don't truly know what it means to be depressed enough to contemplate suicide. Those people don't take the time to understand what the other person is going through.
The world of a depressed person is dark and lonely. Life becomes a prison, a death sentence. Everyday is a nightmare that you cannot escape. You feel as if everyone would be better off if you were gone. You look at yourself in the mirror and all you feel is hate. You feel worthless, ugly, hopeless, and a burden on your loved ones. You feel as if no one cares whether you live or die.

See, these feelings are not felt by individuals "looking for attention." These feelings are painful and real. These individuals who are that depressed feel that there is no way out.

Thoughts of suicide are influenced by many triggers. Folks who are born with the genetic marker for depression are at a much higher risk for suicide.
Thoughts of suicide can also be caused by environmental, psycho-social, and cultural factors (in the depression and bipolar communities, we call these 'triggers').

World Suicide Prevention Day started in 2003 and it is run by IASP (the WHO also co-sponsors the event).
The goal of World Suicide Prevention Day is to:

• Raise awareness about suicide prevention
• Improve the public's knowledge about depression and suicide
• Have this awareness spread across the globe
• Attempt to eliminate the stigma that goes along with depression and suicide

My story:
I was born with the genetic marker for depression. Both my parents struggle with mental illness, so, of course, I was going to inherit some of those genes.
I have been clinically depressed since I was 7. I didn't have an ideal upbringing and I went through a lot of scary moments. Before I turned 8, I was hospitalized (in a psychiatric hospital) for scratching my arms until they bled. That was my first experience with cutting. I hated who I was, and those feelings increased as I got older. 
When I hit my teen years, my mental health was at its lowest point. I was diagnosed with severe Depression, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Schizo-affective Disorder (Schizo-affective Disorder is MUCH different from Schizophrenia). I was in and out of psychiatric hospitals for 10 years (from ages 7 to 17). During this time, I was cutting with knives and I was suicidal. I tried choking myself in hopes of permanently passing out. I overdosed many many times (I once overdosed while I was in school). I tried slitting my own throat. I had some close calls. I didn't think I would make it to my 18th birthday (not many people did). My last suicide attempt happened around my 18th birthday. I was rushed to the hospital and treated.
I genuinely wanted to die. I was disliked by my peers, I put my dad through hell, and I felt like the most disgusting being on earth. I felt like my existence was a cruel joke. Boys wouldn't even talk to me because of my weight and I was bullied relentlessly.

I'm going to be 32 in December, and I'm in a much better place than I was back then. I haven't attempted suicide since before my 18th birthday. I haven't cut or burned myself since 2010. Do I still have thoughts about hurting myself? Yes. I just don't act on those thoughts. I've overcome a lot since then, but I still have my struggles, especially during tough times. In 2009, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Panic Disorder. I take my meds every day and use coping techniques to help myself out of my depressive mood swings. I actually know when my thoughts are manic or depressive. When my Bipolar starts cycling, I have to remember to breathe and acknowledge that something is wrong. I take a step back, tell myself that these thoughts are due to my illness, and I problem-solve ways to overcome these thoughts. This method can take days, weeks, and even months, but I know that I'm in a good place, because I know what is happening and I refuse to give in to my disorder.

Conclusion:
Suicide is 100% preventable. If you are having thoughts of suicide, please talk to someone. There are people out there that DO understand. I know all too well about these thoughts. I'm always available to talk to you if you need someone to vent to or cry to. I didn't have anyone that I could talk to, and I spent a lot of time in my 20s wanting to be THAT PERSON who could be there for someone who is going through what I went through.
I know how real your feelings are, and I know how real your desire is to end your life. Please don't do it. There is hope. I'm walking proof that things can turn around. I'm glad to be alive. I'm glad that I didn't succeed in my attempts all those years ago. You just have to take it one day at a time. If that is too long, take things one minute or one hour at a time.

You CAN be a success story too. Please don't give up on yourself. We are much stronger than we realize. You may not believe that you can be a success, but just read my story and understand that things CAN change for you too.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a number I have called (a family member was contemplating suicide and I called to get them help), and the people on the other line are caring, wonderful people. They are available 24/7/365.
Please call them if you need someone to talk to. Their number is: 1-800-273-TALK.
Also, if you want to chat with me, you can email me at: shausil82@gmail.com

Friends in need

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 Being a web writer has some great perks: You can work from home, wear PJs, listen to your favorite music instead of boring music that is played in an office, and much more.

But, there are also some downfalls to being a web writer. While the money can be great, it can also be unpredictable. You may have a fantastic month or week, and then have nothing come in the next month. Also, if you're a web writer, you have to worry about the sites you contribute to shutting down.
When income suddenly stops coming in, you are left in an extremely tight spot. You struggle to pay your bills, you struggle to buy food, and you struggle to keep a roof over your head.

Two of my writer friends are in a serious bind: my friends Lyn and Briana.

Lyn is my web writer mentor and she is a great friend. Last month, she lost her job at Yahoo Contributor when the site decided to close down. Now that her money-making job is gone, she is struggling financially. In fact, the problem is so severe that she is losing her home in less than 3 weeks. She has four kids and two dogs. It breaks my heart to know that someone so amazing and talented is going to be on the streets, unless something miraculous happens. Lyn has set up a GoFundMe account and is trying to raise money to help her family move into a new home.
She is grateful for anything that people can contribute. You can read more about her story and donate here: http://www.gofundme.com/helplynmove. To read her work, visit: http://www.writewavemedia.com/

My friend Briana is also in a bind. Briana is an incredible writer and an amazing artist. Her roommate just moved out and Briana and her husband cannot afford a place of their own. They are extremely hard-working people, but they too will be homeless unless they raise the money they need to get their own place. Briana and Eric are grateful to anyone who can donate. No amount is too small since every little bit helps. To read more about Briana and Eric's situation and to donate, visit: http://www.gofundme.com/dhleos. To see Briana and Eric's amazing work, visit: http://bluedragoncreations.com/wordpress/

Please, please help these two families out! They are good people who just need a chance.

Quote of the day (9/7/2014)

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Today's quote of the day is about growing and being out of our comfort zone.

“If we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone.” - John Maxwell

 Life is all about growth. There is job growth, family growth, spiritual growth, emotional growth, etc. We never stop growing, and we shouldn't even try to escape the process. We need to grow. How do we better ourselves if we don't continue to grow?

A lot of people try to stay the way they are because they are afraid to leave their comfort zone. They are afraid of the unknown.

It is okay to be afraid. Heck, I am afraid of the unknown, but I never doubt that I am strong enough to handle what ever comes my way.
Through a tough upbringing to bad experiences in my love life, to health issues, to poverty, and to a serious back surgery, I knew that I could handle what ever comes my way. While I continue to battle recovering from a serious back surgery, I know that I can get through it. It's helping me to grow emotionally (and somewhat physically). The past year and a half, I've been way out of my comfort zone. My life before was easier to manage. Everything now depends on whether or not I'm having a bad pain day. I work around my pain.
In some aspects, life is slowly getting easier. In other aspects, I am still struggling. I constantly remind myself that I'm growing, I'm strong, and despite being out of my comfort zone, I will overcome this.

We underestimate how strong we really are. We need to realize our strength, accept the process, continue to grow, and understand that being out of our comfort zone is actually a GOOD thing.