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Zach & Kathy, I am not Suze (Suze Orman does not provide advice on this site), but I would advise you to read the fine print of your Sears credit card contract and call back to speak with a supervisor. It sounds like there may have been a promotional rate of 5.99% for a certain period of time, say one year or 18-months, to entice you to use Sears credit to buy a new stove or washer/dryer. Then, after the promotional period, the interest rate went up to its usual rate.

You may not have any recourse but to pay off your Sears debt as quickly as possible at the higher interest rate, but talk with a supervisor at Sears credit first to see if your good standing will allow you to hold on to the 5.99 for a little while longer.

-- Contributed by: TK2

I have a sears credit card with 6,000. it was at 5.99%. It's now at 24.99%. I was not late. I callaed and the woman said the rates went up for everyone. What can I do?

-- Contributed by: zachkathy@hotmail.com

Hi Kandice - just a couple of thoughts.

-Are you paying for school with student loans? If so, you should have a deferment period before having to repay the loans, usually six months from graduation. This will probably apply to your grad school as well. So you should still be able to cover your school expenses if you continue working at Starbucks for 25 hours a week.

-Perhaps there's a TA position available at your college? This might add to your income.

-Talk with your dentist about payment plans. Many of them have some sort of structure that you can arrange up front. Or perhaps the needed work can be done in increments over a period of a year-18 months. Expect to pay at least 8-10 percent of the bill monthly for a period of time.

-- Contributed by: TK2

Hi,

I am a 32 year old, single, recent college graduate who has been working at Starbucks for the last 2 years (to get me through school).

I went to the dentist today for the 1st time in a couple years only to learn that to keep the smile that I have will cost me almost 1500 dollars. I want to go back to school in the next year and get my Masters. I am currently getting approximately 25 hours a week at work (I only need to work 20 hours to keep my benefits), but am having a hard time figuring out whether I can persue a masters prior to paying off my medical bills.

I realize that there are many things that could be far worse, but don't want to make a mistake that would cost me much more.

Sincerely, Kandice

-- Contributed by: Kandice

Hi Jeffrey - I'm sorry to hear of your and your mother's ill health, and hope that both of you can continue to improve. Unfortunately, this article does not directly link you to Suze Orman. However, many of the resources listed in this article will be helpful to you.

Please consider seeing credit counselor in your area. The blue link above - Debt Management - will give you a site that will help you find qualified counselors in your area. They will help you find ways to manage your medical debt more effectively, which may provide peace of mind.

And if your mother is unable to work, she may be eligible for health insurance/care assistance in your state. The credit counselor will be able to provide resources for you in that area as well. Good luck.

-- Contributed by: TK2

As of the last 3 years I have uninsured , managed to rack up over 25,000 in medical bills over half in collestions because of financial constraints with my mother having breast cancer and me myself having a major heart problem. I make about 3200 dollars a month working 70 hours a week as a hair dresser in tulsa oklahoma im at the end if my rope the only asset I have are my work tools and my car that I owe 10,000 on (had to buy a new car to transport mom 120 miles twice a week to chemo...any advice is good advice..tell suze me and my mom love her show thank you so jeffrey cook

-- Contributed by: jeffrey

Hi Suzanne, again, this article does not link you directly to Suze Orman. Might I suggest you talk with your banker or finacial advisor about what to do with your various loans. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: TK2

suze, i have a mortage for $163,000, equity loan $72,000, credit card of $8,000, fixed loan 27,000, second home $43,000, and car 25,000. intrest rate on my mortgage is 4.5%. should i refi or leave alone. the second home is for sale and i have 7 year left on mortgage. estimates value of home$400,000. th

-- Contributed by: suzanne chambera

Hi Lillian - unfortunately, this is not Suze Orman's site and thus, she will not get your message. Her official site is http://www.suzeorman.com/ but I wouldn't expect a personal reply. You will, however, find many, many helpful resources on her site so you can accomplish your goals.

However, I can assure you that contacting consumer credit counseling is a fantastic first step. There are a number of places in Birmingham that can help you, including:

Debt Relief Counseling Service 8038 Rugby Ave Birmingham, AL 35206-3926 Phone: (205) 833-7292

Consumer Counseling Center 2806 Ruffner Rd Ste 230 Birmingham, AL 35210 Phone: (205) 833-1141

Consumer Credit Counseling 2000 1st Ave N Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 592-0300 (205) 591-2032 (205) 592-3134

Consumer Credit Counseling 1401 20th St Birmingham, AL 35218 (205) 786-7184

Good luck!

-- Contributed by: TK2

Hy Susie, i love watching your show. I need your help with information about paying off my debt of $15,000dollars(about). I want to contact the consumer credit counceling services company in the alabama area birmingham alabama but i dont think that they have a branch here so what will you sugest for me to do. i need to take care of this immediately. i am a self employed single women who is 54 years old and dont evenhave savings cause all i do is work and try to pay off my debt and if i save anything something always comes up and then i use this emergency money . I am not sure how to go about doing this , i need your advice promptly. Please please help me out whith this. I am an infant care provider and and work nights and people i work for sometimes just cancel me and i get stuck without workand get behind in paying my bills and its very upsetting because i always try to pay a little more then minimum payments on my cards and will never be able to pay it all up.

Please get back with a reply as soon as possible.

                                              thanks again,. Lillian

-- Contributed by: Lillian Naggar
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