by Lisa Fagan

Created on: August 31, 2008   Last Updated: November 28, 2009

Over the years, I have been in a lot of debt because of periodic unemployment and working at at a series of part-time, low-paying, and temporary jobs; most of them without health benefits, and yes; my bills have fallen behind to the point that they've ended up being sent over to collection agencies.

When these bill collectors call, believe me, I am no angel. They will constantly call you and call you and call you. I remember getting calls from this one agency that kept telling me that it was "essential" that I get back to them. I would then leave an after-hours message on their voice mail, screaming at the top of my lungs, and letting them know that I don't consider this matter to be "essential". In fact, I remember talking with a supervisor from this one agency about this practice, and then she said that "all bills are essential, ma'am."

Another time, I received a call from another collection agency telling me that it was "absoultely imperative" that I get back to them. Again, I left an after-hours message on their answering machine and boy was I furious! Again, what was "essential" to them was not necessarily essential to me.

The bills that I consider essential are my rent, home phone bill, cellphone bill, electric bill, medical insurance, my student loan, food, and transportation. Everybody else that I owe money to is just simply going to have to wait. Even now, when I receive a call from a bill collector, I will tell them that they will get their money when I'm able to get to them.

I can remember when my rent fell behind, I had court notices tacked outside of my apartment door, but at least I was able to settle out of court. Except this one incident when I had this one court hearing, I didn't show up, and I had a $600 judgment against me which my uncle paid. I was very upset and I still wanted very much to stay in my apartment, but the landlord wanted the rent paid in full and on time, and I just couldn't do it. At that time, I was working at market research job paying $6.00 an hour, and I just couldn't afford it, so therefore, I had to move out of my apartment and stay with my parents for the entire summer.

It always worries me when I can't pay my bills. I'm afraid that I'll either get another court notice or a utility shut-off notice. One Friday night, when I came home from work, and my home phone was shut off; even though I had set up a payment agreement with Verizon. I managed to pay the basic charges, which was only $12, just to get the basic service

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