I am a 62 year old, African American female who has always taken care of herself. I am well educated, have held most executive-type positions, been an entreprenuer, always owned a home - car - well dressed and spoken, community minded and had adequate savings - investments - and retirements monies.
Five years ago I moved to a small town after being selected to Pastor a fledgling church in Illinois. The Church has never been able to pay me adequately but I had savings, etc. and believed I was supposed to help this white, graying, dying congregation grow into a diverse, vibrant haven in the community.
During this time of working with the congregation, I supplemented what they paid me by cashing in stocks, withdrawing from mutual funds, selling properties, buying and renting properties, using savings. I have always made sure that I lived "below" my means as I pretty frugal. I continued to travel, donate monies to help others, (eventhough more was going out that coming in; my income was not steady - but I believed I was doing the right thing and plus I had given my word that I would be with them at least 5 years).
Now th at I have left that church as Pastor with them owing me over $30,000, I am behind in all my bills. During this same time, I had a friend in Georgia to become critically ill and she had no one to tend to her. I was named as her power of attorney and felt it my duty to keep helping her. This drained my monies as well.
I am interviewing for positions, I am getting information how to become a Licensed Pastoral Counselor and set up a practice, I have the opportunity to purchase 1-2, 4 unit apartment buildings and begin a transportation service. I currently have a motivational talk show, I continue to counsel people who come to me (they see me and think I have it all together). PROBLEM....
I have no income. I am married but my husband can't pay all the bills. I am two months behind in my mortgage (trying to do a quick sale on my home); one month behind on my car note (bank has been very understanding); at least three months behind on most of my credit cards. All of these bills were up to date when I had income.
I brought some rental property two years ago with two other females. We used my credit since it was excellent. They failed to honor their part of the deal (keep utilities up to date, pay taxes, screen tenants); now my credit is poor. I have sold all three of those properties. I had rental properties while living in Georgia and did very well.
I NEED HELP!! I don't know what to do. I don't want to lose my home to foreclosure; I don't want my car repossessed - I want to pay my creditors. I am open to any and all suggestions.
