Work with your creditors for help

You need to pick up the phone and call each and every creditor that you need help paying. Then, consolidate your bills.

Ask your creditors how much you need to pay them to resolve the bill. Calmly explain to them the reason you are behind on your bills, and any hardships you are facing. Tell them how much you can pay now, and how much you can offer to pay going forward each month, and in the future. Be prepared to tell them what your other financial obligations are, such as rent, food, etc.

Many credit card creditors, medical providers, and other creditors are very willing to work with you, give you a payoff amount, and probably also stop charging interest. It is not in their interest to see someone go bankrupt or completely fail to pay as then they will receive nothing. However, you need to call early, before the bill gets out of hand or before you go without payment for too long. Creditors also like that you are proactively calling them in order to ask for help paying bills and they are more often than not willing to help you with trying to get your bill paid. However, do be advised that not all creditors are going to be as helpful as others, but most are willing to work with you.