I am repeatedly contacted by consumers whose wages are being garnished by debt collectors.  They received collection letters, right to cure letters, were served a lawsuit, defaulted on the lawsuit and now they are seeking help because their wages are being garnished for a debt they did not owe.  Unfortunately, options are now severely limited. 

Even worse, many of these consumers had obvious defenses to the collection lawsuit resulting in judgment and garnishment of their wages.  Others have missed opportunities to settle the debt for a fraction of the judgment amount.

Dealing with debt requires a plan.  And it would help if the plan you come up with doesn't include wasting limited resources paying a crooked debt settlement company or paying off time barred debt.  Remember, there are always more options earlier in the process than there are later on. 

Get competent help as soon as possible when dealing with debt.    

Sometimes debt issues cause life issues such as health, marital or family problems.  Other times life issues cause the debt issues.  I am frequently contacted by clients  experiencing stress, anxiety, depression or feelings of being overwhelmed and totally helpless.  My undergraduate degree is in social work.  The education and experience comes in handy in a consumer law practice.

When you are overwhelmed, it can be helpful to get a plan.  You need to see a way out of your situation.  For debt issues, prioritize bills and come up with a workable solution.  Consult with somebody who can help you and who knows what they are talking about.  It is pretty rare when there is no solution at all to a client's debt problems.  For example, don't let abusive debt collectors determine your family budget or prioritize your bills.  It has been my experience the most abusive collectors should nearly always be a low or no priority for payment, yet consumers repeatedly send 25% of their income or more to these squeaky wheels.  

Making lists can help with being overwhelmed.  You cannot do everything at once.  You will become depressed thinking you have to.  Break big tasks down into smaller parts.  Put these tasks on your list.  Cross off the tasks as you do them.  Delegate what you can and cross it off.  Cross off what really doesn't need to be done.  If you just can't get yourself motivated to do anything, try to do at least one of the small tasks on your list and cross it off.  Reward yourself in some small way for making progress.  You will soon feel a sense of accomplishment and feel like you are actually getting things done.  As you see more and more things crossed off, you will feel less and less overwhelmed.

Put exercise on your list.  You want to be healthy and feel good about yourself.  Exercise relieves stress.  Find something you enjoy doing or you will not stick to it.  Get friends to exercise with you.  You have no friends?  Make some new ones while you exercise.  Don't have time?  Of course you do--you're reading this blog aren't you?  Exercise is a higher priority than reading this blog. 

Put learning something on your list.  Learn something every day that will make your life easier and more productive or that will make you a better person. 

I talk to hundreds of consumers every year with a wide range of problems.  Ironically, the ones with the biggest problems are not always the most stressed.  It is not unusual for clients who have the easiest problems to deal with to be suffering the most emotionally. 

Get help if you need it.  Get a plan.  Make lists.  Attack your list one small step at a time.  You will soon feel better about yourself and will be less overwhelmed.