Cash/Check/Credit/Debit

[Aliantha]

It has been said that those who choose to study psychology/psychiatry are in need of the most help themselves. If we assume this is a fact, then it forms the same conclusion as people with bad credit history being able to give good advice.

I think the first thing they'd say is, "Pay your bills on time idiot". lol

[ZenGum]

... or, live within your means.


If you are bleeding, look for a man with scars.

[Shawnee123]

lumberjim, I'm glad you chimed in because I have a question for you.

I have my eye on a car, and went so far as to fill out the online credit application for the dealership. Having had financial problems in the past, I hoped that my current income would play into it. I've heard nothing back from them. Another dealership, for which I did NOT fill out a credit application, emails me all the time.

I wonder if it's just slackage on the part of the first dealer, or if there is a problem. Do they tend to even look at those things as more than a way to start contacting you, if it's your first contact?

What do you suggest I do? They want to sell a car, right? The car is well within my price range, and payments would be no problem, but if they won't finance me I don't know what other options I have.

Any help would, um, help.

[monster]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

... or, live within your means.


If you are bleeding, look for a man with scars.

Absolutely. But not one who's still bleeding or has crusty pus-filled scabs

----------------

yay shawnee, you bring the thread some purpose!

[Shawnee123]

Absolutely. But not one who's still bleeding or has crusty pus-filled scabs

I'll take the doctor who was not sick, but who healed the man with all the scars.

[Stormieweather]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

It has been said that those who choose to study psychology/psychiatry are in need of the most help themselves. If we assume this is a fact, then it forms the same conclusion as people with bad credit history being able to give good advice.

I think the first thing they'd say is, "Pay your bills on time idiot". lol

And definately don't be an idiot and get a divorce or laid off, or god forbid, both within a short time of each other. You may as well just go catch the short bus.

[Shawnee123]

True, Stormie...life throws you that kind of crap sometimes, can't we be more than just numbers?

I just thought of a new industry that should take off: Psychology Lending. They'll look at your credit ratings, sure, but they'll also sit down and talk to you and ask you things like "Now, WHY would you just sign the house over in the divorce because it was easier on you emotionally?" and gauge your current situation and ability to have your shit together.

I say this jokingly but it's not a bad idea.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Stormieweather

And definitely don't be an idiot and get a divorce or laid off, or god forbid, both within a short time of each other. You may as well just go catch the short bus.

Eh proof of that one! The divorce hurt a lot, not only emotionally, but also financially when you find all that your ex was hiding from you. OH, and that she is still trying to get loans and such in your name. That'll hurt your credit rating - A LOT.
But letting the creditors know what happened and making regular payments can help improve your score.

Then after a couple year you can talk to your buddy and he'll find you the car of your dreams AND tell you the best way to get the loan.... People like that make a big difference in MY world. They are overwhelmingly outnumbered by assholes who are just out to make a buck.
(Thanks again Jim, I still love my car)

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by monster

Absolutely. But not one who's still bleeding or has crusty pus-filled scabs

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

I'll take the doctor who was not sick, but who healed the man with all the scars.

Depends. What if he went to the doctor with mild dandruff?

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Depends. What if he went to the doctor with mild dandruff?

There, again, you're supposed to be smart enough to avoid the scalpel-wielding doctor with the crazed look in his eyes and the maniacal laugh. But that's just me (no, the scalpel-wielding doctor is not me.)

[Pie]

60% of bankruptcies are tied to medical bills. It seems unfair to blame people for their lack of 'living within their means' when the evidence points to a much larger issue.

[monster]

Fair point there.

Perhaps they should just die within their means? (joke )

[lumberjim]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

lumberjim, I'm glad you chimed in because I have a question for you.

I have my eye on a car, and went so far as to fill out the online credit application for the dealership. Having had financial problems in the past, I hoped that my current income would play into it. I've heard nothing back from them. Another dealership, for which I did NOT fill out a credit application, emails me all the time.

I wonder if it's just slackage on the part of the first dealer, or if there is a problem. Do they tend to even look at those things as more than a way to start contacting you, if it's your first contact?

What do you suggest I do? They want to sell a car, right? The car is well within my price range, and payments would be no problem, but if they won't finance me I don't know what other options I have.

Any help would, um, help.

PMing you

[classicman]

from Pie's link:

"92 percent of these medical debtors had medical debts over $5,000, or 10 percent of pretax family income," the researchers wrote.

that means their GROSS annual income was $50,000 or LESS. That is not a large number.
Many of them were virtually treating them as ATM's. Many were taking out home equity loans and living off the increase in their home's value. That ride ended rather abruptly. Living beyond their means created the situation, their unfortunate medical expenses just pushed them over the edge.
Also, most of them already had insurance. Therefore, insuring additional people who don't have any currently is not going to change this specific issue.

“The traditional reasons for bankruptcy — illness, divorce and job loss — haven’t gone away,” said Deborah K. Thorne, an assistant professor of sociology at Ohio University whose expertise is in consumer debt and bankruptcy. “With houses no longer A.T.M.’s for paying bills, that escape route is gone.”

It is a three pronged problem.
Illness is a part of it, it always has been, but job loss and divorce rates are at all time highs. They are the real culprits in my opinion, not the health insurance situation. Too many lived for too long on credit and now its time to pay for it - they are. The medical situation is more of an excuse for poor money management than anything else.

[Shawnee123]

Thanks jim!