conversation: User (JimmyNeutronShit): "I'd like to explain my situation. Basically, I'm an electrical engineering undergraduate with just one more semester left to go. My GPA is a 2.9, with no job lined up. I'm searching for a job as I type this. I live and study in the New York metro area in New Jersey. I live in a rental with my mom and brother ($1045 a month). Mom makes $29k a year and the work fluctuates because it is seasonal(2100 per month [unemployment included]) and brother is unemployed. He graduated this semester. My mom has no savings, and neither do I or my brother. My mom, due to two major hardships (broken cars), has accumulated debt of about $12804.15. We cannot afford to pay off the debt, we are just making the minimum payment and although we aren't using the credit cards any longer, the amount owed keeps growing every month due to interest. at this rate, the debt is only rising even if we making the monthly payment. This is the amount for two credit cards, one which is active (not closed) and the other which is closed. we closed the second card and as a result, couldn't open up a balance transfer debt card, and now we are stuck with accumulating debt. we are now in an agreement with National Debt Relief which we are free to terminate at any time, but I have the feeling that this organization might be a disaster for my family, like they might destroy our lives completely. i was told that my mom will be unable to rent apartments due to her bad credit for at least 7 years after this National Debt Relief affair is over...help.. need guidance. thank you"
  Self: "You may find these links helpful:\n\n- [What's the best way to pay down my debt?](http://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/debt#wiki_what.27s_the_best_way_to_pay_down_my_debt.3F)\n- [Dealing with collections](http://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/collections)\n- [Credit Repair](http://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/credit_building#wiki_i_have_bad_credit.2C_and_i_am_looking_to_repair_it.)\n\n*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/personalfinance) if you have any questions or concerns.*"
  