text: for more info you can go to www.ftc.gov/credit\nif you haven't already get your credit reports from the consumer reporting agencies: www.equifax.com, www.transunion.com, and www. experian.com\n\nlook over all of them check for any inaccuracies or incomplete information, if there is you can send a letter to the agency the inaccuracy is on and dispute. The agency must investigate.\n\nConsumer agencies must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverified information.\n\nYou can also limit "prescreened" offers of credit and insurance you get based on info in your credit report. \n\nOnce you have checked your reports call the companies you owe find out what the minimum they will accept. DO NOT go into negotiations w/ them at that point they will try if it gets out of hand hang up. Look at your paychecks and figure what is the most you can pull out for your debt. Whether it be 10, 20, or 30 dollars for each pay period. If you can only take out 20 per month then do that. If the least they will accept is 40 dollars pay them every other month. 20 dollars from the first month and 20 from the next month.  They may  give you a consideration for even trying to pay. However, you still might get nasty letters about what you owe. Don't let them get to you. Do what you can w/o starving yourself. \n\nIf you have a bank account see how much it takes to open a savings account and have a bi-weekly deposit from your checking into the savings. That will help you save for emergencies. \n\nI know it seems like the impossible but you'll have to have patience and persistance to get out the hole. Take it one step at a time. Its not going to be the next 2-3 yrs before your free, money is tight trust me I know how you feel.  If it helps take a look at this book for your spare time "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. Its a pretty decent read and it will make you think about what more you can do to help yourself out.