I have student loans in default and I've tried to make amends, but the company will not put an agreement in writing. So without proof that they're not going to start charging me whatever they want once I begin paying, I'm not about to start giving them money.
I couldn't pay my student loans when I graduated college because I only had an internship, which didn't even pay enough to cover living expenses. Then I got a few other jobs, but got laid off from all of them because the companies went under. So what started out as a little $25,000 student loan turned into a $55,000 debt because of all the interest and fees.
Plus, I owe my family at least $1,500 for helping me out with bills and stuff, and I have $1,000 in credit card debt. I also had to get a laptop for the new job I got in May [which pays $13 an hour], so I have a $500 debt for that.
My boyfriend is paying $300 to send me to nursing school at a community college, because I figure I'm going to need new skills and more qualifications to get a job that actually pays well.
I've never been married, I don't have any kids, but I'm dragging debt from years and years ago and I just don't know how to get out from underneath it.
Last fall, CNNMoney profiled people who found creative ways to tackle their debt -- from selling belongings to going on spending fasts. Here's how they're doing now.
