I have 2 App loans 36000 and 140000 + 2 credit card outstanding 95000 and 187000 (Both principal amount). I have bounced my all 4 EMI's since last 3 months due to job loss and my salary is peanuts. How can I survive with house chorus and paying EMI's. Please help
Ans: It is painful and stressful. But please know this — you are not alone, and you can come out of this. Let’s take this step-by-step.
You are facing:
2 App loans: Rs. 36,000 + Rs. 1,40,000
2 Credit card dues: Rs. 95,000 + Rs. 1,87,000
3 months EMIs already bounced
Low or no income due to job loss
Home responsibilities ongoing
This is serious, but manageable with the right action.
First, Understand What Will Not Work
Please avoid:
Taking new loans to pay old loans
Using other credit cards to pay EMIs
Borrowing from illegal or unknown lenders
Ignoring lenders and collection calls
Hoping the problem will disappear on its own
These will make your problem worse.
Step 1: Protect Yourself from Legal Pressure
You have already defaulted. That may lead to:
Legal notices from credit card companies
Harassment from collection agents
Credit score falling below 600
So you need to act fast.
Call each of the lenders yourself. Do not wait for them to call you.
Tell them honestly:
You lost your job
You are facing cash crisis
You want to settle and not escape
Ask for temporary EMI pause (moratorium) or restructuring
Lenders prefer talking to honest borrowers.
You may get:
Waiver of late fees
Reduction in interest
EMI holiday for few months
Option to convert dues into longer EMIs
Write an email also to them. Keep written proof.
This shows you are serious.
Step 2: Focus on Survival, Not Full Repayment Now
You must survive this phase first. Do only the must-do expenses:
Food and kitchen
Electricity and gas
Child or parents’ basic needs
Rent or basic housing
Cut all others:
OTT, Swiggy, Zomato, shopping
Eating out, subscriptions
Cab rides, mobile upgrades
Any premium items
Every saved rupee will count now.
Make a list of all expenses, and cut it to bare minimum.
Your mental peace comes before EMI.
Step 3: List Your Dues in Priority Order
Here is a breakdown:
App Loan 1 – Rs. 36,000
App Loan 2 – Rs. 1,40,000
Credit Card 1 – Rs. 95,000
Credit Card 2 – Rs. 1,87,000
App loans and credit cards have very high interest. Usually 24–40% per year.
But credit cards will affect your CIBIL score more if unpaid.
So give this order of priority:
Try to settle credit card 1 (Rs. 95,000) first
Then negotiate with credit card 2 (Rs. 1.87L)
After that, settle App Loan 1
Then App Loan 2
Why this order?
Credit card interest is high
Card dues snowball fast
App loans may negotiate faster than banks
Step 4: Ask for One-Time Settlement (OTS)
Once you show that you have zero income, some banks may agree to:
Close your loan at reduced principal
Stop interest from increasing further
Give you 3–6 months to pay off in parts
Ask for a written One-Time Settlement (OTS) letter.
Do not pay without it.
Once you settle, your CIBIL score will take time to recover. But that’s okay. Life first. Score later.
Step 5: Find Any Cash You Can
Please think deeply about the following:
Can you sell a scooter, old phone, gadgets?
Can any relative or friend help temporarily?
Do you have gold you can pledge (not sell)?
Any unused subscriptions or refund available?
Can you do part-time work for Rs. 300–500/day?
Every Rs. 500 helps your mental health now.
Avoid taking loans again. Instead, look for non-loan help.
Step 6: Get a Job, Any Job for Now
Even if it is not in your field, take any income work:
Delivery partner
Data entry
Freelance teaching
Typing work
Shop help
Online task jobs
Voice process
Focus is not on salary. Focus is to:
Keep cash flow coming
Feel responsible again
Stop going deeper into debt
Update resume. Ask friends. Join job groups. Apply daily.
Even Rs. 15,000/month will bring confidence.
You are not alone. Many professionals have started over.
Step 7: Emotionally Stay Strong
You may feel:
Guilt
Shame
Panic
Anger
Frustration
It is normal.
Please:
Talk to family or trusted friend
Keep one hour daily for walks, exercise or prayer
Sleep properly
Eat simple food, but on time
Avoid alcohol or substance use
This phase will pass.
Stay focused.
Final Insights
You are not a failure. This is a temporary financial emergency.
With calm steps, you can rebuild. Slowly, but surely.
Do this immediately:
Contact all lenders and ask for restructuring
Stop all luxury or non-essential expenses
Prioritise credit cards
Consider OTS if needed
Start small income work
Protect your mental strength
Once your income starts again:
Restart savings, even small
Use Certified Financial Planner later to rebuild
Learn how to stay debt-free in future
Take one step at a time.
You will come out stronger.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment