The Solution

So CCC (Consumer Credit Counseling) dissapointed me. I thought they were my messiah in this situation... I even had a few nightw when I slept all right. It also helped that now instead of sending more than 10 checks to differnet creditors, I just had to send CCC one amount. Unfortunately, CCC was telling me that they paid all my creditors, some of my creditors on the other hand kept calling me and trying to extort money from me. And, no, they did not get a proposal from CCC, nor a check.

This is just way too much stress for me. I'm too young to die of a heart attack or a stroke... So I did the next step. I came clean in front of two or my friends.... (most people know me as this successful business owner, so I really try not to show that I'm beyond broke -- you just can't attract clients if rummor starts going around that I'm a broke ass failure, right?).

No, opening up did not relieve any stress, but one of them had a great suggestion: take out an equity loan. How about that??? So I called around about 2 dozen companies and finally I settled with City bank, who had a little higher interest than some others, but at least I know City and trust them. So I got a loan, where I do not pay closing costs, nor other fees that ussually come with such loans. I got $70,000 @ 9.95% fixed APR for the term of the loan. Yes, it's a bit high, but I needed it urgently and they provided it that way.

I paid off all my wifes accounts (I spent all that money, so don't feel bad for me -- she trusted me 100%, and I violated that trust; not willingly, since I thought I'd start making money at any moment and I will pay off the cards, but still I used up those cards, so I thought it'd be nice to pay hers off first). So now I only have 4 cards of my own and I'll keep those with Consumer Credit Counseling, since this way my interest rates stay low, my late fees and financial charges were erased, and all those would come back if I got off the program. (all of the banks finally got the payments, but some got the check somewhat late -- it was just the innitial hassle with the proposals being sent out and waiting to get accepted, etc. I trust these guys - they were not in business for 30 years for nothing, right?)

So, the bottom line? After the loan and paying off my wife's cards (and one of mine), now I have $1000 less in expenses. I also pulled myself together and got a side job, where I make up to $80.00 per hour. I work only 4 to 6 hours a day, but that brings in enough to pay the bills; meanwhile I keep on working hard on my business...

And HURRAY!!! A reporter was at one of my presentations and has written a two full- page article on me and my seminar, complete with pictures and caricatures. How about that? This could be a turning point. I'll really capitalize on this article and promote myself more heavily...

I'll also spend every second day, "full time" on finishing my book. Everyone says that once my book will be out, my consulting business will take off.

And, Lo-and-behold I even sold some stuff on the internet. Two times $850 in sales ($300 each time in profit) and a few smaller sales. I need to promote my site a bit more forcefully so more companies and people can find me. In fact, let me go and increase my pay-per-click "expense" - I capped it at $5.00 per week on www.google.com and I already got these orders out of it. I'll double it, see if I get more orders and I'll open an account at www.yahoo.com with a $5.00 cap.

See you later... I feel much better (just my body still hurts - I feel soooo heavy, but trully feel better day by day)