Wow Rick.....what an excellent list of suggestions/guidelines. I especially enjoyed the bullet point concerning a "gift." It is amazing what giving something in an unselfish way can do to grow new relationships. It keeps you fresh in the mind of a new contact and you can guarantee that they will speak of you in a positive way to others

Right now I am struggling with the overwhelming credit card debt that my family is now finding themselves in due to the horrible mortgage and housing crisis. So far I have managed to get everything paid on time, but I continually live in fear of that first late payment. It is constantly at the forefront of my mind. That coupled with my actual mortgage payment are keeping my in this kind of "panic" state. I don't know much about bankruptcy other than the fact that I have tried to avoid "needing" to know about it. As I sit here writing this I am actually getting a lump in my throat and a sense of dread. Any advice...anyone....