Debt

Don't Let Your Debt Eat You Alive.

Got debt? Of course you do! Most of us do, to some extent. But some are more extended than others. In fact, some are over-extended. This can be very unfamiliar territory for some, but not for those who visit the Debt Diner. Just listen to the friendly advice that our favorite waitress, Fran, has to offer about debtanddebt elimination.

Fran's Debt Advice

Fran has been a waitress at the Debt Diner for many, many years, and she's seen it all. A multitude of people (mostly travelers) have blown through the diner on their way to bigger and better things. She's seen families, truck drivers, businesspeople, etc. You name it.

Once upon a time, a man who appeared to be experiencing hard times entered the Debt Diner. He had an old, beat-up car, and his clothes were pretty worn out as well. Fran waited on the man. "What can I get you today?" she asked.

"Just a cup of coffee please," the man replied humbly.

When Fran returned to his table, she had a plate of food. "You know, the darndest thing just happened. A man in a business suit ordered this huge breakfast, then he got a call on his cell phone, slapped his money down on the table and left before I could bring his plate to him. It seems a shame to waste all this food." She set the plate down in front of the man, but he didn't say anything. He just gave her a quick nod. Fran didn't want to injure the man's pride, so she left. When she returned, the man was gone, but he left money for the coffee. He had also eaten every bit of food on the plate.

The man returned every day for a month, and a similar scene would play out. She eventually developed a kind rapport with the man, but she wanted to know his story. So one day on her break, she went to his table. "Mind if I have a seat?" she asked. "Go ahead," the man said.

"I can't help but notice that you seem to have fallen on hard times," she said.

"I'm sorry if I've taken advantage--," he said, but Fran interrupted. "No, no, no. It's fine! But I think I can help. I consider myself a pretty good judge of people, and I'd say that you've seen better days--financially speaking. I don't want to get too personal, but have you become a victim of debt?"

"Why, yes. Yes I have. But I don't know how you think you can help."

"Well, for starters, we could use a hand around here, that's for sure. But besides that, I have some advice. I fell prey to debt myself once, but before I let it get the best of me, I asked one of those fancy-looking business people who come in here a lot if there was anything I could do. The man referred me to a debt management company he knew of. He said they offer programs like debt consolidation and debt settlement and other programs like that. All of these programs are designed to help people get rid of their debt. They can even help if you have bad credit! Not that you do--it's none of my business."

"My debt problems started with credit card debt, and then I lost my job. Since my unemployment ran out, it's all I can do to pay my rent on time anymore. I've been selling my possessions, and even considering selling my car. But it's not worth much, and I need a way to get to work--assuming I can find a job. Are you sure this debt reduction you're talking about really works?"

"It worked for me! Now instead of suffering from debt, I'm living in the land of debt recovery." Fran said. "And they also throw in a side of debt counseling so that once you're out of debt, you can stay out."

"But I don't have a job," the man said.

"Honey, I already told you I can fix that! I'll be right back."

When Fran returned, she had $100 and a uniform for the man. "Take this money as an advance. It's from your new boss, Vern. Go get some debt management help, then come back Monday. You got a problem with working the counter?"

"Not at all," the man said, happy to finally be getting debt help. And that debt relief was exactly what he needed.

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