Life Debt and living with it as a 21 year old?

Question

I attended a online college (westwood college online) and relized it wasnt for me. Well...I am paying for my mistake 25,000 in debt. The school keeps on calling and calling and one of my loans has gone to collections. The other i put in forebarance. I live in an apartment ($515 a month) plus life expenses.

Would you say that Im screwed or am I in a position that many americans are?

I have a respectable job, but times are really tough. My girlfriend has perfect credit because she has Mommny and Daddy to help her, but i was raised way differently. I feel bad about my situation.

Do you think with that debt, me and my girlfriend could lead a happy life with a nice (middle class home)?

Please help.

Answer 1

You aren't the only young person who has made some bad decisions and now have to dig out from under them.  It isn't hopeless.

Answer 2

wow, you paid a ton for an online school!  man, instate tuition at the Univ of WA costs about 5 grand a year, max!  

You definitiely screwed up.  s******g up and being in a position that many Americans are in is not mutually exclusive--many Americans are s***w-ups themselves.  In fact, most Americans don't really think for themselves...that is, to any great extent (i.e. why most Americans couldn't tell you the difference between the Sunnis and Shiites; why Americans think drilling for oil now will reduce gas prices; etc.)

I get out of your debt as quick as possible.  Maybe you should just declare bankruptcy now (possibly a good option) because with your interest rates, you'll never pay it off.  Or...or joint the Army for 3 years and get a 30k bonus and stick it all towards your debt (a good option).  Then you'll most likely get deployed (which is doable) and all your income will be tax free.  

Then get out and you'll have college paid for by the Army with the new GI bill that just passed.  Great deal to get your life on track by the time you're 25.  If you don't, you'll be screwed up for the rest of your entire life.

Answer 3

get a 2nd job and start paying off the loan - it's not going to go away

Answer 4

Yes you would be able to get out of debts. If you are not able to manage your debts by your own you can contact a debt consolidation company which offers a student loan consolidation program. Following are the benefits of a student loan consolidation program:

1) Consolidating student loans can reduce monthly payments by up to 50%.

2) You typically have 10 years to repay student loans, but, depending on the amount you're consolidating, you can extend your repayment plan all the way up to 30 years.

3) There are no preypayment penalties, so you can always choose to pay off the loan early.

Thus with this you would be able to pay your debts. This may not seem as a immediate solution to you but this may help you in future.

Here is the source of a debt consolidation company named http://ezconsolidation.com for your reference.

Answer 5

Living with that kind of debt is not unusual at all, but it is serious business.  Several years ago, I worked for a processing agency for defaulted student loans.  I couldn't believe how many people went into default. There's really no way of getting out of your student loans--you have to pay those back.  You need to talk to your creditors and negotiate a payment plan/interest rate that you can afford to pay off your debts. There are non-profit companies that you can find to help you with that.  

With one loan in collections, your credit looks really bad and reputable lenders won't lend to you.  If you don't fix your credit, you'll not be able to get a loan for a car, much less a nice middle class home.  

Speaking from experience, I cannot imagine that your girlfriend is at all pleased about your poor credit. Money difficult is one of the major reasons that couples break up.  It is so stressful having to worry whether or not you will be able to pay the bills each month.  

Fixing your problem for you and your girlfriend, may mean reevaluating your priorities. Try looking at what you spend your money on over an entire month.  That will give you a good idea where your money is going and where you might be able to cut back to make sure that you are meeting all of your obligations.  It may be painful to have to reduce your budget in areas like entertainment, but it's worth it!  You will reduce the amount of stress and strain on your relationships and proud of your accomplishments!

Answer 6

You question isn't clear. Do you owe the school $25K? Or do you owe a student loan company? What is your income? What are your expenses other than rent? Do you have other debt? What is your budgetary amount for monthly debt service? Do you have a budget?

Answer 7

you need to take charge of the debt, call the collections agency and start up a payment plan.

are you asking can you marry your girlfriend and live together even though you have this debt?  sure, if she's also committed to the relationship.  some women marry and they're in it together, willing to make some sacrifices.  some women want you to be like their daddy and make sure they live in a really nice house and have a really nice car and you buy them whatever they want and they never struggle.

but really, 25k?  that's the debt most people go into for a new car.  it's definitely payable.  you just have to cut corners here and there.  don't buy a new car, keep the smaller one bedroom apt, etc and pay it down monthly and on time.

Answer 8

Maybe you should check out Dave Ramsey at http://www.daveramsey.com/

he has really helped me

Answer 9

Uh, you might want to reprioritize your life goals here, the debt is important, but you want to marry a girl, and are justifying it by her credit rating? I have 160000 in debt and I am no doctor. I am a temp and I am making it, so I think you can find a way. I don't have a diploma because I still owe my school 13000 for the last semester. I hate debt, but I try not to worry too much about it. good Luck.

Answer 10

sure. you  can only live as happy a life as you make up your mind to lead. However, many americans are WAY over their heads in debt. I used to be a loan officer, and I've seen people who made about 80k a year be about 65k in credit card debt, and STILL bought new homes.  So, 25k ain't that bad, but u need to contact that school and come up with some sort of payment plan so that it doesn't get too out of control.

Answer 11

If it is that bad you can always consolidate your debt. You might be able to cut your payments in half.

Answer 12

99% of America is in debt. I'm in debt too. Not that much but still, I have about 10K in medical bills. Just work out a payment plan. If you can afford 10 dollars a month (which I'm SURE you can) then pay that. Don't stop paying all together because that makes you look like you don't care. But as long as you at least pay something, they will leave you alone. Set up arrangements with your lendor, they know times are tough too and they will be willing to work with you if you're up front

with them. Your credit is IMPORTANT don't just treat it like it means nothing.

EDIT: FOR SURE CHECK OUT DAVE!!!! Get the book called "Your Total Money Makeover" He puts it in plain English and it's a very simple plan that anyone could follow, it has helped me get my marriage back and take control over my debt.

Answer 13

NRB,

There's a good article at eHow on steps to take to begin tackling your debt.  Take a look at it:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2326032_avoid-es...

How to Stop Escalating Debt

You can also look here for tips on earning some extra cash online:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2254361_money-in...

How to make money on the internet, scam-free

Lastly, here's an interesting alternative to conventional lending...getting a "social networking" loan from Virgin Money (from the same folks who run Virgin Airlines):

http://www.ehow.com/how_2310995_student-...

Social Loans from Virgin Money

Hope these help.