Poll of the Day > Adults of PotD, please help. I have a couple questions.

(+) Yeah! (+)

two questions

I just checked my credit score for the first time in four years (<_<) and I guess its decent, but I have 3-4 derogatory marks. Im hoping I can pay these off and get them removed, but the marks are from a couple years ago. How can I get the information of who Im supposed to contact to settle this account?

Second, I used to get anxiety and bipolar meds through my schools health center, but Im no longer a student and Im going to run out of medicine soon. I dont have insurance. Is there a cheap way to see a doctor just so I can be prescribed some medicine?

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First of all, if you have anything in collections ask them to send you an itemized document of what they say you owe. If they can't provide that to you then you can petition to have it removed from your credit report because they have no proof you owe them anything. I just learned about this from some credit specialists.

Companies buy debt and start making calls a lot of times without even obtaining proof of debt because they know so many people will just pay.


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You'll probably need to get health insurance in order to get your meds refilled at a reasonable price. If your income is low you likely qualify for cheap or free medical assistance programs, though the specifics will depend how your state does things.

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Also, how does one begin investing? Ive heard of Robinhood, but only in a negative light. Do you give your money to a place that invests for you? Can you do it yourself? What are average returns or losses if you play it safe? What does that even mean.

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MrMelodramatic posted...

Also, how does one begin investing? Ive heard of Robinhood, but only in a negative light. Do you give your money to a place that invests for you? Can you do it yourself? What are average returns or losses if you play it safe? What does that even mean.

If you don't have money for a doctor I don't recommend even worrying about investing.

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Jen0125 posted...

First of all, if you have anything in collections ask them to send you an itemized document of what they say you owe. If they can't provide that to you then you can petition to have it removed from your credit report because they have no proof you owe them anything. I just learned about this from some credit specialists.

Companies buy debt and start making calls a lot of times without even obtaining proof of debt because they know so many people will just pay.

Ask who, though? Thats my question. I used credit karma to check my score, but I dont see a way to call, write, or email the company who I owe money to. btw two at apartment complexes I lived in during undergrad, and the third is from a hospital visit I couldnt pay. dunno if that matters.

funkyfritter posted...

You'll probably need to get health insurance in order to get your meds refilled at a reasonable price. If your income is low you likely qualify for cheap or free medical assistance programs, though the specifics will depend how your state does things.

The medication itself is pretty cheap (like $7 at Walmart), but I dont know how to get a doctor to write me a prescription without paying hundreds or thousands of dollars. Guess Ill just go crazy

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1. No help here, I've been in America for 16 years and have no idea on how the whole credit thing works. If you manage to stay on top of your bills, you get points or something
2. Jump onto your state Obamacare, in my experience the program will direct you to the cheapest doctor in your area.. just dont expect much

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Jen0125 posted...

If you don't have money for a doctor I don't recommend even worrying about investing.

Nah Im not lmao. I just feel like I missed the day when we all learned about this.

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MrMelodramatic posted...

Ask who, though? Thats my question. I used credit karma to check my score, but I dont see a way to call, write, or email the company who I owe money to. btw two at apartment complexes I lived in during undergrad, and the third is from a hospital visit I couldnt pay. dunno if that matters.

Contact the people you incurred the debt with and go from there. Google the names of the companies listed in credit karma as to who is making a claim against you that's affecting your credit score.


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Jen0125 posted...

Contact the people you incurred the debt with and go from there. Google the names of the companies listed in credit karma as to who is making a claim against you that's affecting your credit score.

Thanks!

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What state do you live in? Most have programs for people making less then around $1400 a month or so, often offering free medical coverage (or very cheap).

You can also go to free clinics etc and get perscriptions that way (again search in your local area for that). I forget the exact name but it's basically between a normal doctor visit and going to the ER. They can write perscriptons for you.

Meanwhile if you have a perscription I believe you an buy from Canada etc, which is often WAY cheaper then purchasing perscriptions here without insurance. I actually think the UK is the cheapest though (just Canada is cheaper then the US and nearby).

Sadly it's almost cheaper to buy perscription drugs from another country if that is all you need medical coverage for, than it is to pay for health insurance here.

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Import depression meds from Brazil

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1. The Derogatory Marks should state who/where you owe Money too...if not, then like Jen says appeal to get them off your report. And why exactly are you trying to Fix your Credit?
2. You an apply for Medicaid if you like...if not, try getting some Over the Counter Alternatives
3. As far as investing, start by getting a Stable Bank ACCount at a Major Bank or Credit Union...then, if you like you an CheCk out plaCes like you mentioned, Robinhood, also Stash and if youre looking for something 'Safe', try a High Yield Savings or Mutual ACCount

Jen0125 posted...

Import depression meds from Brazil

I get my dental work done in Mexico. Might as well see if they know a doc who will write me a script <.<

pionear posted...

1. The Derogatory Marks should state who/where you owe Money too...if not, then like Jen says appeal to get them off your report. And why exactly are you trying to Fied your redit?
2.

3. As far as investing, start by getting a Stable Bank ACCount at a Major Bank or Credit Union...then, if you like you an CheCk out plaCes like you mentioned, Robinhood, also Stash and if youre looking for something 'Safe', try a High Yield Savings or Mutual ACCount

I dont understand what youre asking me in your first point, but thanks for the help

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MrMelodramatic posted...

I dont understand what youre asking me in your first point, but thanks for the help

I Fixed it...bad typo errors

pionear posted...

1. And why exactly are you trying to Fix your Credit?

Well, why wouldnt I? The last time I tried to sign a lease I had to go through a bunch of hurdles because I had bad credit. And I had to give a 50% down payment on my car for the same reasons. Id like to not have to deal with that next time. Or at least have it matter less.

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MrMelodramatic posted...

Also, how does one begin investing? Ive heard of Robinhood, but only in a negative light. Do you give your money to a place that invests for you? Can you do it yourself? What are average returns or losses if you play it safe? What does that even mean.

If you earn income you can contribute to a Roth IRA allocated into something like total stock market index fund or target date retirement fund by Vanguard, contribute max of $500/mo or $6000/yr

Ideally though you will become employed and receive both health insurance and an employer sponsored retirement plan which you would max any match level before you put towards a Roth IRA

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Pay any outstanding debts, don't carry a balance on your credit cards from month to month, pay future bills on time, and don't frequently do things that cause credit inquiries...

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Doctors have different rates for uninsured clients who pay out of pocket, also if they want to do blood tests or something of that effect, you can ask them why, and also decline (though prescriptions are often conditional on test results).

This really depends on the doctor you go to. I know in my city there are places that operate on a sliding scale, and can network you to get on medicaid or a marketplace plan (based on your income). Doctor's offices that are affiliated with state universities all have infrastructure for this, the American healthcare system is so fucked up their is jobs specifically to help people navigate it.

Really just talk to whomever writes your prescriptions, they are doctors who deal with people from every background.

In terms of prescriptions, GoodRx is a start until you figure out insurance, I think it's like $30/year, but Walmart is already pretty cheap and some pharmacies don't take it, or some prescriptions it doesn't affect.

In terms of investing...

Obviously you should pay your debts and prioritize your health.

That being said, invest what you can not what you have. Also, don't day trade or short unless you are a pro. Invest for the long term in projects and companies you research and believe in, don't even think about meme stocks like what happened with Gamestop, and if you can't afford to burn that money in a trashcan...don't invest it.

I was not impressed by Robinhood or Webull, but they seemed accessible enough for stock trading, I would go with Webull. I do a lot of crypto trading though, and those platforms are kind of specialized. I believe you can probably get BTC and ETH on Webull though.

MrMelodramatic posted...

Also, how does one begin investing? Ive heard of Robinhood, but only in a negative light. Do you give your money to a place that invests for you? Can you do it yourself? What are average returns or losses if you play it safe? What does that even mean.

My advice: Don't bother.

Your first 'goal' should be to save 1 year of salary (whatever you are doing now). This may take a few years. Once you get to that point, you can evaluate where you are and think about investing.

If you are worried about short-term bills, it doesn't really make sense to start investing right away. Get yourself into a comfortable position and then you can start worrying about shoving money into investments and retirement funds. Investments don't pay off immediately; they are long term (see 20-30 year) investments that you want to leave alone.

Some general advice for this type of thinking/saving would be: if I can't afford to buy two of something, don't buy it.