Hi Sars.

Dear A,

Thanks for the tip; other readers also suggested a short-term bank (or credit union) loan, or line of credit.

Other suggestions appear below, and as always, if I got it more than once, it’s asterisked.

“Cascade” or “snowball” plan — pay as much as you can on the card with the highest interest rate; pay the minimum (plus $10) on the others; when the first card is done, move on to the next *
Call the credit card companies and get your APRs reduced (say you’re thinking of closing the account) *
See if the companies have any “programs” that can help you *
Beware of for-profit/non-certified debt-consolidation places; they can ruin your credit, or stay on your credit for seven years (check at nfcc.org) *
Get a home equity loan *
Transfer your balance(s) to a new card that offers a fixed rate for balance transfers; then cancel one of the old cards (don’t use the new one for purchases) *
Use any extra money — tax refunds, birthday money, you name it — to drive down the debt
Get a second job for a while, just to gain some ground *
Cut back on all expenses that aren’t strictly necessary for a fixed period — booze, movies, cable, anything you don’t need to live *
Consult a financial planner, CPA, or debt counselor *
Put everything into a spreadsheet and establish a schedule for the next year, three years, five years, whatever; stick to your budget *
Don’t cancel your cards outright; if your willpower is weak, give your cards to your mom or freeze them in ice or something *
Hold off on contributing to savings accounts or IRAs until the credit card debt is more manageable — use your savings to get the cards paid down *
Avoid missed/late payments at all costs — it gives the companies carte blanche to toy with your interest rate *
File for personal bankruptcy
Stop using the cards *
Be patient — it takes time, don’t give up
Take a loan from your 401K
Save out $20 (or whatever) for yourself so you don’t overcorrect and splurge

Dave Ramsey, The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness (and the accompanying workbook) *
www.creditcards.com *
Oprah’s “debt diet” on oprah.com
Suze Orman — her show, her books, or suzeorman.com *
The Motley Fool, www.fool.com *
The Money section of MSN.com
www.bankrate.com
www.consumercredit.com
Get a copy of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp *
David Bach’s books
creditboards.com *
Consumer Credit Counseling Services *
MMI/Ameridebt *
Take Charge America *
debtfixers.org
ncua.gov to find a local credit union
www.getrichslowly.org/blog/
American Debt Solutions
Prosper.com *

Hi Sars,

Dear Cazh,

Re: the RSVP — I would err on the side of caution and try to track down a phone number or email, just to let someone know that you got the invitation and you plan to attend. I mean, you don’t have to hire a PI or anything, but if you do have some contact info for either half of the couple, you might as well drop them a line. If you don’t have that info, well, clearly they don’t care that much about a head count, so don’t worry about it.

Re: the registry info — it’s my understanding that even mentioning the registry on the invitation is Not Done, and that includes “there isn’t one” or “please: no gifts.” My advice is to check weddingchannel.com or The Knot for the couple’s last names; see if you can find a registry or registries that way. Failing that, I’d still get a gift, but nothing too schmancy — you can probably just wing it with a picture frame or a gift certificate to Crate & Barrel or something.

Sars,

Dear Easy,

Wear an outfit you really like, one you know you look good in — in other words, one that won’t wear you. You don’t want to spend the reunion tugging at straps or worrying about showing too much cleavage, so wear something cute but low-maintenance.

“Business casual” or something near it is probably the way to go, reunion-wise, but if your go-to outfit is a dress, or dressy jeans and a nice top, go for it — it’s one night. Better you look confident and comfortable than itchy and squirmy.

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