Beware: 'Tis the season of debt

To the editor:

The holidays are just around the corner, and there are a lot of people desperate to seek ways of getting extra money. This is to alert people to use their brains when looking for extra cash. I learned the hard way while seeking to make a car payment with money I didn't have.

I went to a loan company that could give me a loan with bad credit or no credit. They are actually out to get their money's worth on a loan. Why would somebody want to pay back in interest three-fourths of what is borrowed? These places like to eat people's money. They get you so broke paycheck to paycheck that eventually your bank account is negative.

Tell your family if you don't have money. If you have children, go to the Salvation Army. It may seem embarrassing, but do you want to crawl out of debt? Letting family know that you're thinking about them is enough to let them know you care.

Also, don't get credit cards unless you can afford them. When they are maxed, you wind up paying interest plus late fees plus annual fees. Credit-card companies make major bucks off of consumers' unwise decisions like mine. Gifts don't have to be expensive nor fancy. It is the season of giving, and giving thoughts are what count.

CASSANDRA DOVER, Cape Girardeau