Avoidance

[Never]

The following post is asking for advice or thoughts. While I won't argue with comments such as 'You're a Dump Fuck." or "Get yourself a shovel, you're in some deep shit." They aren't particularly helpful.

Ooops, I made a boo-boo. Several really. Seems I misplaced last month's car insurance bill. Not to worry, I knew my account number and being the cleaver lady I am stuck it on a sticky note with the $207 check for my insurance and sent it in. No problem, at least that's what I thought until a couple days ago when I received a notice stating that my insurance and registration had been canceled due to breach of contract - that I owed the company $415 and that I have until 9-5-00 to be insured by a different company or I'd be unable to drive. (We have compulsory insurance laws in my state).
At this point, I'll interject that when I opened up the notice the first thoughts in my head were, "Oh shit. Oh dear."

Well, I have $420 in my account now. Of course, my car payment is due on the 24th and that's for 110 and my mother told me she wanted it in her hand tomorrow. Yes, Never's a bit bad with the bill paying it seems, procrastination seems to be one of my worst features. That's why my mother's boyfriend isn't going to be too pleased with me. Who's he? Oh, just the guy who cosigned for my car and insurance. The one with the triple 'A' credit who hasn't had a late payment in twenty-five years. You know, the one who'll be applying for a couple ten-thousand dollar loan from the bank soon so he can by another house. Not that the bank ever turns him down on a loan, he's got triple 'A' credit - incidentally, one late payment knocks you down to 'A' credit.

Let me see. In a few weeks I won't be able to drive, my credit will be shot, I'll be unable to get to my jobs and none of that will matter because he's going to hunt me down and kill me.

Gee, writing this has put everything into perspective. I'm sorry about taking so much time and space but.. does anyone have any ideas on what I should do?

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Stupid.. stupid.. stupid.. stupid..

 

[ShyGuy68]

Never

I don't know how strict the insurance companies are in the states, but maybe you could call them, and tell them that you did indeed pay the insurance and all. Just tell them about the check and the post it note you put on it with the account #.

Oh by the way, did they cash in the check at all??

 

[Never]

Nope. They didn't cash it, that was the first thing I checked when I got my notice.
I could beg a bit but they've already canceled the insurance. The only reason they're giving me until the 5th is that the state requires them to. Besides, I don't have the money, I do have to pay my car bill as well.

 

[Weird Harold]

Nope. They didn't cash it, that was the first thing I checked when I got my notice.

If they didn't cash it, then you've got an additional $207, (minus the stop payment fee.) Won't that give you enough to pay both bills?

A suggestion about lost bills: Take the payment to your insurance broker, and make sure you get a receipt showing you paid. (Same thing for car payments, etc. Take them to the lender, and pay in person so you have a receipt for the payment.

Learn a lesson from this experience. Keep your bills in one special place so you can find them when they're due. Every payday, check for any bills that need to be paid before you do anything else.

Fiscal responsibility is a hard thing to learn, but budgeting and paying bills on time is cheaper and easier in the long run. Late fees, reconnection fees, and larger deposits because of bad credit history just make it harder for the ends to meet.

 

[Cheyenne]

Okay, I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that you also aren't very good about recording your checks in a register and tracking how much money you have in your account- you're one of those people in the world who just calls the bank to find out what the account balance is, or waits until a statement shows up once a month. Am I right? That would explain why you don't have the money from the check that the ins. company didn't cash- you already spent that $207 elsewhere. Or you were counting on it as part of your balance that you have to pay your car payment, thinking that the $207 had already been taken from your account by now.

In addition to the previous suggestions made to you, start doing a check register and track every single check you write. It isn't as hard as you'd think.

And in the meantime, go to your mother's boyfriend and explain exactly what happened. Say you are sorry, describe what you are going to do to prevent it from happening again (the register!!) and ask for forgiveness and help. He has motivation to help you- his credit record. And when he does help you, don't let him down again. Do what you promise to do.

Does that help?

 

[Bliss]

Nevah,

Take these other posts to heart, they know whereof they speak. Organization is the key.

Since you obviously have a computer, find out if your bank has online banking, possibly a combination of checking software and access to downloadable info. This is less tedious, less time consuming and more accurate than a hand written ledger.

Now, for the other part. Not assuming anything, but going on the statements in your post. If you need extra cash and don't want to get it by going to Miami International and holding a sign that reads "Will Launder Drug Cartel Money for Food!", check out some freelance telecommuting sites like http://www.freetimejobs.com

Best Wishes,
Paynie

 

[Patryn]

Is there one of those "Check and Go" places where you live? They cost a fortune, I know, but to bail you out of this, it may be worth it. Do you have any credit cards you can take a cash advance on? Neither of those are really the best maneuver, but hey....you're screwed otherwise, but I"m sure you realize that.

Is there anyone at all you can borrow even part of the money from? I'm sure you've thought of that as well.

I don't really know what else to say but good luck.

 

[morgainefairy]

when you come up short on money for something so crucial, as long as you don't need a lot, there are a few things you can do. they are not fun nor preferential, but will get you out of a bind.
1)have a yard sale
2)sell or consign clothes, cd's movies, books, etc
3)donate plasma. not only is it a great thing to do even w/o getting money back, but in my city you can earn $85 for donating twice w/in 7 days as a new donor. you are eligible to be a new donor every lapse in visits of 6 months or more.


maybe after having a needle in your arm twice at an hour a pop, you will be motivated to take all the excellent advice everyone has given!!!

 

[Bonnie Wee Lassie]

I know how you feel I always forget to pay my bills. I ahve been in your boat many of times. I hate it but I will never change. I forget everything sometimes my own name LOL

 

[Skitten]

Never I have been in your shoes before and have learned from them. Pay your bill as soon as they come in and always record them. I have duplicate checks so I can refer back to them easily and know when they cleared from the bank.

As for your insurance I usually pay almost all my bills in person so I have receits and don't have to wait for clearing usually in cash too. The only ones I don;t are the car payment because it is out of state.

I would talk to your boyfriend so he knows though good luck clearing it up. But I would pay it immediately just so you have the piece of mind.

 

[Never]

I would talk to your boyfriend so he knows though good luck clearing it up. [/B]

I have a boyfriend now? You think he could lend me the money?

Seriously though people, you've all be quite helpful. Monday is coming soon and if I can grovel a bit maybe they'll reinstate me at a higher monthy fee or something nice like that.
First I need to borrow one hundred from someplace. Hmmm, I don't have any credit cards.. I wonder if mom has some loose cash.

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[April]

My only advice is to go into the office tomorrow and tell them what happened. Assuming there is a local office. Maybe there is something they can do to help you. You paid the bill, after all. The worst that will happen is they tell you there's nothing that can be done. If they can't help you, tell your mom, endure the lecture on irresponsibility, and ask her to help you. I wish there were more that I could do.

Good luck.

 

[Mortto56]

"Money,Money,Money"

Hi Never!...I know what your going threw.For a long time I was really bad about managing my money.I was spending alot of money in late fees,reconnection fees,reinstatment fees,bla,bla,bla....I remember one time about 10 years ago,I was layed off and got behind on my truck payment,and they pulled up infront of my house with 2 tow trucks,and took my truck AND my car,and that was payed for.Well I bitched till hell wouldn't have it.I ended up borrowing $500 from a friend to pay them,so I could get my shit back....Well I made up my mind then that was never going to happen to me again.When I got back to work I signed up for direct deposite.Half my check goes to the savings,the other half goes to the checking account.I only write checks for bills & and the checkbook never leaves the house.It took me 10 long hard years,but now my credit is in really good shape.I can get a loan now with no problem,but hey,we all can't be Merrell Linches...Good Luck!

 

[Never]

WHOOHOO!
For those that give a rip.
The End of my Problem:
I looked into a new insurance company; they wanted all the money - up front. Oh shit, oh dear.
I finally told the 'Man' what happened. He exploded, as I knew he would, but not on me. He told me he'd be willing to pay the entire cost of my old insurance company and informed me that they wouldn't say no to that; that's saying 'no' to a thousand and a half - not something most companies do.
Then he got on the phone and started yelling at my Insurance Agent, his supervisor, and finally the woman in charge of that branch office. At one point, a downstairs neighbor knocked on our door and asked us to 'tone it down'.
The result? The company happily took my 415 as payment and promised to search diligently for my lost check. They even gave me this cool Safety Insurance coffee mug when I came in to pay and pick up a receipt; they said it was because they were 'Happy to have me as a customer.'
No, I didn't have any problems paying. I was gloomy all this week and The Beast (boss lady) tried to cheer me up by introducing me to her fav addiction: scratch tickets. Just to show my general contempt for money at that moment I acquiesced and picked the book she had just finished with - I won $500!
Oh, I start my new job this Saturday; I have been training since last Monday so I hope it will do well when I get my first 'live' call.
Ohhhhh, and the 'Man' said that if I make a diligent effort to pay him back the 42 thousand I owe him (meaning, as much as I can give him per month after my 'expenses') that when this spring or next fall when I start college it will all be paid for by 'The First National Bank of the Man'.

Hey, and I bought a book of erotic pictures today at Barnes and Noble. I even had a woman check the price before I purchased; not only was she nice but she also told me she often had considered buying it herself but had never found the nerve to. Being the Never I am I blushed until my face burnt, looked mortified, nodded, stuffed it in my backpack while muttering an 'Ah-huh' and nervously skittered outside.
Oh yeah, I'm a smooooooooothie operator. Smooooooooooooothie Operator.

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Before I forget, to everyone that gave me advice, THANK YOU! *hugs and kisses*

 

[morgainefairy]

Good! I am glad it worked out well for you.
In my house I am the designated bitch on the phone. I think most companies actually screen for my calls. Anyway, I most always get what I want, sometimes more.
Only thing I don't devulge in is lawsuits. Too bad, bec I've had some whoppers for complaints and could have made a pretty penny.
Yeah, I'm babbling....
Hey, I give more than a lousy mug to keep my customers "doing business" w/ me.

 

[Cheyenne]

Ohhhhh, and the 'Man' said that if I make a diligent effort to pay him back the 42 thousand I owe him (meaning, as much as I can give him per month after my 'expenses') that when this spring or next fall when I start college it will all be paid for by 'The First National Bank of the Man'.

Pardon me for being nosy, but did you say $42,000 that you owe this guy? That is a huge chunk of change for someone so young. Basic budgeting suggestions from previous answers to the thread will help you, but you really have long term financial discipline issues to be able to pay back that kind of cash. I'd suggest a budget where paying back part of that loan is INCLUDED in your expense budget each month, not an afterthought. There never will be anything left that is "extra".

Good luck- glad it worked out for you.

 

[Never]

Really? So, you have paid back your parents already?
How much do you think a deposit on a car costs anyway?
Not to mention a new computer, an eye examine and glasses and contacts and a root canal on two teeth?
Personally, I think he's slipping a bit of the money mom owes him onto me because he know he's never going to see that.
As for long term, he'll forget about it in two years, his hobby is buying and selling houses for Christ sakes. I know the 42 blows my mind as well but the obscene part is it's like nothing to him.

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[KillerMuffin]

Fiscally, I'm about as helpful as an abscess. We find ourselves living well within our means, I'm making seven piddly bucks an hour and he's bringing in 20. Until he quits. Are we smart enough to cut back? Of course not! Not that it would have helped. Ah well, no one ever claimed we were smart. Anyway. The only thing holding him to his current job is the threat of divorce. He quits, I'm gone. Period, I don't care what the hell they do to him.

Paynie, I love you. I kiss you. I adore you. I have been looking for something like this since the last time I could handle a potential employer looking at me like I had four head upon finding out I have epilepsy. SMOoooochchch. I'm getting carried away, I don't care. The Koreans don't pay very much at all either.

 

[Cheyenne]

Really? So, you have paid back your parents already?
How much do you think a deposit on a car costs anyway?
Not to mention a new computer, an eye examine and glasses and contacts and a root canal on two teeth?
Personally, I think he's slipping a bit of the money mom owes him onto me because he know he's never going to see that.
As for long term, he'll forget about it in two years, his hobby is buying and selling houses for Christ sakes. I know the 42 blows my mind as well but the obscene part is it's like nothing to him.

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?? If that was for me, the answers are I've not borrowed from my parents, so I don't have to pay anything back. In fact, I LENT them money towards buying their current house when they moved from the old neighborhood. I have no debts myself. If I can't afford to buy it, I don't.

Now, as to my guess for the cost of the items on your list. I think you should be able to get the whole car, not just the deposit, a new computer, an eye examine and glasses and contacts and a root canal on two teeth and STILL have a pretty large hunk of change left over from $42,000.

My point was that you originally asked for fiscal advice help on this thread. Forgive me, but my financial training made the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I saw your post about the $42,000 and how you planned to pay it back. I recognize the signs of financial trouble and I only tried to recommend a more responsible approach. I didn't realize you planned to not pay the $42,000 back at all in the long term, in which case any advice to you as to how to pay it back doesn't matter. On the other hand, you may run into a bank or someone else someday who expects you to actually pay money back if you borrow it. In that case, I'd still recommend my original approach of paying off the debt as part of your regular expenses, not as a left over item.

 

[Cheyenne]

Nostalgia

I'm in a mood of remembering old friends tonight. This was my first real encounter with Never, a very long time ago. It has become kind of a running theme between us, Never and her checkbook skills.

I miss Never, too. I wish she had more time to post these days.

 

[Svedish_Chef]

HEY, bad chey, you made me think that Never was back

I miss her

 

[Cheyenne]

I miss her, too.

Maybe this will work like when Miles posts anything about p_p_man and he instantly shows up in the thread. Maybe Never will stop in to say "hi."

 

[Svedish_Chef]

I want her to see my av and smile.

 

[Cheyenne]

It worked.

And it shows what Never REALLY said to me way back in the beginning...