Wierd Anxiety

These debt collectors call people all day, get excuses as to why they can't pay, get hung up on and called names.

You're going to call them, give them money, say thank you and hang up.

You'll probably be one of the best calls they have all day! Be happy that you can make a bill collector's day!

(On a side note, I think it's just embarrassment that is making you nervous. You have no reason to be embarrassed. You've told us about not having paid your bills...and we don't hear about this everyday...whereas the bill collectors do.)

Look at it this way.... you are calling someone who sits and answers phones (or calls people about their bills) who makes minimum wage probably and is just doing his/her job. The person you're calling probably doesn't really care much about your situation. They'll take your information and your money and that will be it. They'll move on to the next call. You are just one small call in their day.

Don't let people like that have power over you. You don't owe them personally any money. They are just doing a job.

I don't know why you're feeling anxiety, but wanted to send a big "Woot-Woot" for paying off that debt!

Don't you hate that Nike ad that says "Just do it!"

They will be happy to get the money and you will have the burden off.
I would call asap and get it over with.

When you get debt free, it is worth it. Don't quit if like us, you run up more medical bills. Just keep making payments.

I spent ten years paying off my student loans and doing without. I got a lot of teasing from others who made fun of my flinstone car(there was a 12 inch hole in the floor, dents, rust, etc..). I lost friends because we didn't want to spend money and quit giving gifts except to kids in our immediate family. Now I am making new friends, many are debt free and have no problem with us "eating in" instead of out.

Look at it this way: If you don't pay them, you'll end up in collections, credit ruined, and you'll probably get sued. I think it's easier to just call them and set up payment arrangements now as opposed to having to face those other consequences. I would definitely journal each call: date, time, who you spoke with, and what the payment arrangement is. Time will fly by and before you know it, these debts will be paid off.