have you ever looked at living without credit at all? I started but did not stick with Debtors Anonymous....it tells no unsecured debt/credit is a bad thing we never need to do again...CC are unsecured debts...it is available by telephone or internet if no meeting where you live....hope you find that it is better not to have credit than to scream that they are fu(*ing you.....

I agree with Bill - why do you even want these lines of credit? they do nothing positive for your life in the long run......only drag you down. Close them all out and live without them....

We are paying off our charge cards too and do not use them any longer. We got hit with the similar thing as you have. The credit card companies are lowering down our limits and we look like we're maxed out. Then at the same time we get info from the 'other' credit card companies with zero % balance transfers for a year at least. We've taken advantage of that. So we should be paid down and off in a few short years. Yay...! Can't wait...!

{{{hugs}}}

I have learned a few things about credit reports, first of all don't close a bunch of accounts at once because it will bring down your credit score and also balance transfers can also look bad on your credit report, meaning lower your score. I would like to not have to use credit but when I was working the small businesses wouldn't pay much and now that I'm on disability I even less. Because I have some money in the bank, I don't qualify for some assistance programs. Suicide is not a option though I feel like they are killing me slowly. I can't pay them all off since I would then be broke and have no where to live.

I stopped using credit cards along time ago. Had to.
I rather pay as I go or don't have it.
But, I find it difficult to be without them as well at times. The thing is, my credit was ruined after a divorce in 2000 anyways. Never went back to them. I have to say, I don't like the grade card system of others...to me this is like playing with gangsters as friends.

I don't have nothing now....so...maybe I'm wrong. I haven't had a job since the recession hit. I keep applying so I can get my credit back up....kinda hard to do. I'm not gifted with this area, I think because I've been so intimidated by so many in the past.

I would like to learn more about building credit and all without credit cards....because without them its hard to save now for that car or down payment on an apartment....which is what I have to do. Cash only policy I operate from....but limits me from much in my situation towards climbing.

So, my point is...I'm not sure if its good to be without them or with them....because one can get a divorce or loose job and then you have them hitting ya in the face with all those fees....like everyone is having here.
But then there is my end, no cards...and difficult to build credit to have anything...and have to rely, like I said, on job with alot of cash to have anything.
shruggs...I hope to learn a great deal from you all in these groups....
I'm needing a lot of help in knowing how to climb....if there are any money gurus here....that is...that would be willing to share....I'm half blind...so reading is difficult for me at times. So...

Just letting you know, I know how ya feel....been there and done that...my mother right now with her credit card fees...and my son with BofA....all those fees....he is consolidating and getting out of cards too. then hopes to get just one later on to keep for emergencies.

Beware of doing business with BofA, I have not only had trouble with them but have heard other people complaining. My mom told me years ago they are no good. Also beware of debt consolidation programs, they may also charge fees on top of the money you owe. You need to keep up your credit because that's what companies look at when deciding whether to do business with you. People that only pay with cash have no credit and that's the same as bad credit to businesses. If you have limited income then it's hard to live without credit cards. Just make your payments on time and if you can't pay more then the minimum, let your creditors know that you do want to pay your account down.

I would take to them about either a forebearance plan or zero credit loan. I think that is what iit is; I heard fiancial advisors on TV talking about them

they are doing this in the uk as well, its called rate jacking and as long as they give 30 days notice they can charge what they like, evidently its because so many people going bankrupt they are losing money so having to make up the shortfall

Believe it or not...they did you a favor. I started out with 35 credit cards by the age of 30 and now I'm down to 12 (im 44). When they cut me off...i take it as the man upstairs doing me a favor. I view credit cards as superman would kryptonite.

I've had bad credit for quite some time. For over 10 years, I have been basically relying on cash and debit. No credit cards and I'm breathing a sigh of relief! If I want something--especially something big, I'll budget and leave a little extra from my paychecks for that purchase, or product, or what have you.

If your income is not enough to live on then you need credit cards. I guess the lesson is to not get too many and to not use them too often. It seems that the newest torment they are bringing down on us is annual fees. BofA is staring in May this year. As long as they notify you first, it seems that credit card companies can do whatever they want and if you don't like it you can close your account but you still have to pay what you owe.

I have no credit cards..bad credit..now became disabled lots of medical debts..low income..no help idk wat to do

Oh I do have a debit card witch I withdrawls frm even account is negative and checkbooks on hand that I also pay bills with like rent n sitters and other bills to .... it seems im always negativeand cnt catch up with the account and bills... :(