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Debt busters!

Collecting cans and loose change, launching a get-out-of-debt fundraiser and taking on four part-time jobs are some of the creative strategies these six people have used to tackle their debt.

Started a get-out-of-debt fundraiser

Started a get-out-of-debt fundraiser
  • Name: Amir Warab
  • Age: 29
  • Hometown: New York, N.Y.

I had been laid off from my job just as I had a whole bunch of bills that needed to be paid. This was my first job coming out of college so I had minimal savings and I knew that if I didn't meet my immediate expenses it would really damage my credit rating. Or even worse, if I couldn't come up with the cash, I would have been evicted.

I began raising money by doing odd jobs. I would knock at the houses around my area and ask if they needed any services. I made a little from jobs, such as gardening and cleaning windows. [It was] not what I had expected coming out of college.

Despite this, I still desperately needed $500 to cover bills, my rent and living costs. (I had already skipped a month of rent, and if I didn't pay what was outstanding I would have been evicted.)

Thankfully, I managed to secure a new job. However, my first paycheck wouldn't come until another few weeks. I needed to find a way to raise this $500 quick.

I heard about crowdfunding and decided to launch a fundraiser [called "Fundraising My Debt Problems"] on GoGetFunding.com. Once I shared the fundraiser on my social networks, I was amazed and humbled to see loads of friends, family and even strangers pitch in and donate amounts from $1 to $75. I reached my $500 target in just a few days. In total, I had 58 backers.

Getting that money made my life so much easier and I was able to pay off all immediate debts right away. No more having to worry about what I'd do if I was evicted.

  @blakeellis3 - Last updated August 01 2012 10:37 AM ET

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