Question
Why do people automatically think you're a deadbeat if you can't pay your bills?
Due to the economy, I've been unable to pay some of my creditors. I simply do not have the money. With wages going down & the cost of living rising, I've had to separate my expenses into "Must Pay" & "Non-Essential". Bills in my "Must Pay" pile include: rent, food, transportation (car insurance, fuel, parking, tolls, upkeep/tires/oil changes, AAA, driver's license fee, inspection, registration, etc. - this is my only way to work so I can't get rid of the car), doctor, dentist & vision appointments (+ the cost of dental work, eyeglasses & prescriptions), heating, electricity, retirement deductions, taxes, personal goods and household goods - well, you get the idea. Now, for the "Non-Essentials" - mostly credit cards. I no longer have a land line because I opted instead for a prepaid cell phone (less money + need it in case of an emergency) & I no longer have cable TV (didn't watch it anyway), so I've saved some $ there - but still not enough to be able to pay off my credit cards. I used to have creditors calling me, but now they can't because I no longer have a land line. A few people know my financial situation, yet they judge me as a deadbeat. I think this is unfair. Everyone's circumstances are different - in short, life happens. You have an unexpected emergency, you need to feed your family, etc. Why can't people - include creditors - understand this? Especially with the way the economy is, you'd think they understand this completely.
7 months ago - 8 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
People who make purchases with no intention of ever paying fit the term deadbeat. People who make purchases with every intention of paying but suddenly find themselves unable to pay are not deadbeats. I guess some people think that if they have a savings account and health/death insurance that they will be fine. Savings can only be stretched so far and health/death insurance can leave them high and dry, if the insurance company finds a loophole and won't pay or if the deductible is far more than a person can afford. Original creditors term for those who pay in full is deadbeats, oh the irony lol. I hope you get back on your feet soon.
Source(s)
Judge not lest you be judged.
by echo
7 months ago
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Other Answers
I don't think creditors care if you're a deadbeat or not. They just want what you owe them, that's all.
by GeorgiaM- 7 months ago
What do you suppose a deadbeat is? If you buy something on credit you can't afford and don't pay for, it matters not that you had an emergency or that you are cutting back.
by L1t1g8r- 7 months ago
Your not a deadbeat, but maybe a little irresponsible. It is good that you opted to pay the essential, but the items that you listed like dentist and doctor visits aren't every month so don't count those like every month payments. If you are really concerned about your health I would apply for State assistance, since you don't have money to pay for them. For your credit card issues i would start up a payment plan with a credit consolidators, they helped me manage 3 of my credit card into one single payment. Really helpful by the way. Creditors don't understand your situation, they just wanna be payed. you have to look on their side too, they did lend you all that money its obvious they want it back!
by erival02- 7 months ago
people who live above their means and don't pay their bills are deadbeats
by mar c- 7 months ago
You had me until you expected creditors to just *understand* that you cannot pay. What are they supposed to do with the debt you rang up over the years? Just understand and forget it, because times are hard? You borrowed the money, and I certainly can understand that life can throw a curve ball that can make us pick and choose who we pay, but to expect credit cards to just take it like a man and not think you are a deadbeat is wrong. People and creditors do not understand this because by you not paying your bill you are taking money out of someone else's mouth.
by †Ask Me Anything†- 7 months ago
I am in the same situation. We could pay our bills and had no problem doing so. Had money in the bank, IRA, owned our business in construction (now all gone) then the real estate crash that put a whole lot of people in financial trouble and unable to make payments they once could. Yes we are labeled deadbeats, but that is just a label by people who are afraid themselves that they may be in the same situation. If they label and judge others then the worry is taken off of them and onto someone else. Creditors want their money and rightfully so. And no amount of name calling will change the financial situation many of us are in. If someone could tell me how to make payments with no money coming in then please tell me. We had to file BK because of house foreclosure and the inability to pay our debt. This decision was not easy to make and it will haunt me for the rest of my life I am sure. But this is what I had to do. We worked long and hard at our business and we are not lazy people. The greed of some people put an awful lot of people into financial crisis. So let them think what they want, You know what type of person you are and you still can hold you head up with dignity even though there are people who are intentionally trying to bring you down. These type of people are morally bankrupt and I have no time for them. There is a whole lot of name calling, but no one offering solid solutions to the problem. Telling people to pay their bills and go get a job when there aren't any available is not worthwhile. Believe me if I have a job offer I would take it. Good luck to you.
by MKD- 7 months ago
I really do not mean to sound harsh but why are you trying to sell yourself as the victim? YOU are the one who chose to live off money that did not exist. I think you're perspective may be tainted by those ads you see on tv for credit card payment help and auto manufacturers who will make payments for you if you lose you're job, because they "understand". You should understand that using credit cards is not a way to subsist and it also a good faith contract with the issuer to repay what you have spent, and they are entitled to their money. Listen, I was in a position similar to yours many years ago when there was no economic meltdown. But in good times or bad I am responsible for my own actions just as you are now. I altered my lifestyle dramtically and it made all the difference. I finance nothing and pay only cash for everything. But that's a future goal, for now if you cannot pay them back you may need to consider bankruptcy. Forget what other people think, you are not a deadbeat, but you have like so many others, myself included, made some really poor choices.
by douglas l- 7 months ago