I had a friend who planned on maxing out his cards in college, then declaring bankruptcy at 22, which means he would be cleared by the time he was in his 30's. I have no idea if this actually happened.

Sophia, have you done the debt consolidation thing?

I had a friend who planned on maxing out his cards in college

What's worth maxing them out on at that point? I don't think there was anything worth that I wanted then, and even if it was worth bankruptcy, I doubt I'd have been able to afford it on the credit I could have gotten.

However, I did kinda abuse them once I started working in the US, because I was living above my budget, and couldn't work out how to stop.

Sophia, are you a member of The Costumer's Manifesto yahoogroup list? There are many professional and amateur theater costumers on that list and I'm sure they'd be happy to be a sounding board for some of the decisions you're trying to make (in addition to the Buffistas who are eager to be sounding boards).

I've never been bad with credit cards, (I'm way too paranoid to use them crazily) but my student loans got me in trouble when I was a starving artist.

I am blessed in that I never had student loans (McGill was about $600CDN/semester when I started there, and my parents were perfectly willing to cover that and room and board). Given my budgeting once I got out of Canada, it's for the best.

Sophia, have you done the debt consolidation thing?

No, because I am ascared! I am normally a big ostrich/head in the sand sort of person, so I am surprised I am even dealing with this car thing now!

Also, I didn't know there was a Costumers Manifesto list! I use the Costumer's Manifesto all the time-- I even make my students read it! Thanks Spidra!

No sweat. The subscription info should be on the site. If it's not, I can send it to you later when I get home.

I don't think there is anything to be ascared of. If nothing else, a call couldn't hurt just to see what they are all about. Worst case, they are not right for you and everything stays the same. Best case, they can help lower your monthly payments. worrying about money all the time is exhausting.

When I asked that "new car" question a few days ago, some people said "Don't count brakes, maintenance, and the like as 'extra' costs when balancing against new car payments."

I guess part of the heart of my question was about "the like." I need to replace my catalytic converter. Now, there's no reason for them to last forever, even if they aren't as predictably scheduled as brakes. Other than that, the big deal had to do with the coolant system. Some was covered under warranty, and I have a suspicion the whole thing was tied to my accident a few years ago anyway.

It's the converter-type repairs that I don't want to have to bankroll...so if they're expected around now (this 2000 Jetta is doing way better than my Accord was at this age, and Accords were supposed to be reliable), then I'm looking more seriously at a new car. If they're not expected, I have to then set myself a tolerance threshold.