Frequently Asked Questions

Solvency List is a registered meeting of Debtors Anonymous, even though a regular meeting format does not work here. We follow the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of DA, as patterned after those of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Please note that in this document, the word Solvency when capitalized refers to the email list only, not the condition of being solvent.

2. What are the list's guidelines for posting?

To post messages to the list, simply send mail to

< solvency@lists.solvency.org >

Your mail will be copied and resent to all members of the list, including yourself.

When posting, we ask that members:

Provide clear and specific subject headings when posting.

Change subject headings when topics change.

Make clear when a message is for an individual.

When responding to a message previously posted, we ask that members quote only as much of a previous message as is needed for clarity in response. Including entire messages takes bandwidth that some cannot afford, and takes additional time to scroll through.

Members sometimes prefer that brief messages to individuals--directions to a meeting, for example--go directly to the individual, and that messages sent to the whole group be experience, strength, and hope.

By group conscience this group does not allow advertising. We ask that you refrain from mentioning books, products or services in which you have a personal financial interest. Group members are welcome to recommend books, products and services that have been helpful to them but are encouraged to explicitly state that these items are not a part of the DA program.

3. What do the acronyms used by some list members mean?

12x12 the AA text Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions

BB 'Big Book,' the nickname for the text Alcoholics Anonymous

BTW by the way

ESH experience, strength, and hope

F2F face to face

<G> or *G* grin; same idea as <S> or *S* 'smile'

GSO General Service Office

GSR General Service Representative

HP higher power

IMHO in my humble (or honest) opinion; variations occur on this

IRC Internet Relay Chat

LOL laughing out loud (variations occur, such as ROFL 'rolling on the floor laughing')

ODAT one day at a time

PRG pressure relief group

PRM pressure relief meeting

(((((name))))) cyber hug (the more parentheses, the bigger the hug)

4. Are regular DA "CHAT" MEETINGS available?

Yes. Times are posted at Prosperity Cyber Chat Online DA

5. How do I join the Prosperity Cyber Chat group?

The simplest way is to use the link at www.solvency.org that automatically puts you in the correct room.

The "old" chat room is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and is available for use by Pressure Relief Meetings.

II. DA Basics

1. How do I know I'm a compulsive debtor?

If you think you may be one of us but aren't sure, we suggest you attend at least six face to face DA meetings in a two-week period before making up your mind.

Other helpful resources are Signs of Compulsive Debting and 15 Questions .

DA has groups all over the United States and in several foreign countries. The official DA web site maintains a list of cities with phone numbers for local contacts; we suggest you check here first for information on DA members near you. If you can't find a nearby city on the DA web site, then consult Solvency for members close to you.

2. What must I do to join Debtors Anonymous?

Nothing except have the desire to avoid unsecured debt. According to our Third Tradition, "The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop incurring unsecured debt." If you believe you are one of us, we welcome you.

3. How much does it cost to join DA?

There are no dues or fees for members, in accordance with our Third Tradition, which states, "The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop incurring unsecured debt."

Our Seventh Tradition states, "Every DA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions." DA groups pass the basket to collect whatever monies group members wish to give. Similarly, Solvency's treasurer posts messages that are the equivalent of "passing the basket."

If you wish to contribute, simply follow the directions in the treasurer's message:

Info for 7th tradition donations for this list:

Cash, money orders or checks (made payable in US dollars to Isabela Romero)

may be sent to:

Debtors Anonymous Box

C/O Isabela Romero

PO Box 113

Stokes, NC 27884

USA

Individual contributions to D.A. World Service Office in Needham can be sent

payable to DA-GSO at:

DA-GSO

P.O. Box 920888

Needham, MA 02492-0009

4. What is debt?

There are two kinds of debt: unsecured debt and secured debt.

In DA we refrain from incurring new unsecured debt one day at a time.

What is unsecured debt?

Debt occurs when we have a legal obligation to pay someone some money. Unsecured debt is any debt that is not backed up by some form of collateral, such as a car, house, etc. Our primary purpose is to avoid unsecured debt ourselves and to carry the message to other debtors that recovery from debt is possible through the DA Steps and Tools. No matter what type of debt we have incurred in the past, in DA all are welcome who wish to avoid new unsecured debt.

Unsecured debt takes forms such as:

Using credit cards

Bouncing checks

Getting student loans

Borrowing money from friends

Paying utility bills late

Paying rent late

Paying taxes late

Deferring payment for professional services, such as medical care,

at the time of service

In DA we abstain from incurring these and other forms of unsecured debt. We may have incurred unsecured debt for many reasons, but regardless of our reasons, we have found that the Steps and Tools of DA offer recovery. "Recovery" means not incurring any additional unsecured debt and cleaning up the wreckage caused by our past debts.

What is secured debt and why is it permitted in DA?

Secured debt is debt that is backed up by a form of property, called collateral, with a legally binding contract in which the creditor may take that property if the debt is not paid, even if the debtor does not want it taken. Secured debt is permitted in DA in order to allow debtors to make major purchases such as cars and homes. We have found that recovering debtors can use secured debt responsibly when they use the Steps and Tools.

Examples of secured debt include:

Mortgages on real estate, including homes

Most automobile loans in which a creditor holds a lien on the

title of the car

Loans in which the seller maintains a "security interest" in the

goods purchased

Business loans secured by the assets of a business

Share secured loans secured by funds in a bank account

Margin loans secured by financial securities

Loans secured by the cash value of a whole or universal life

insurance policy

Loans from pawnbrokers secured by the property that is pawned

5. What is abstinence?

In DA abstinence is the action of refraining from incurring unsecured debt.

For examples and a definition of unsecured debt, see "What is Debt?"

6. What are the "tools" I keep hearing about?

The Tools of Debtors Anonymous

Recovery from compulsive debting begins when we stop incurring new, unsecured debt, one day at a time. (Unsecured debt is any debt that is not backed up by some form of collateral, such as a house or other asset.) We attain a daily reprieve from compulsive debting by practicing the Twelve Steps and by using the following tools.

Meetings

We attend meetings at which we share our experience, strength and hope with one another. Unless we give to newcomers what we have received from D.A., we cannot keep it ourselves.

Record Maintenance

We maintain records of our daily income and expenses, of our savings, and of the retirement of any portions of our outstanding debts.

Sponsorship

We have found it essential to our recovery to have a sponsor and to be a sponsor. A sponsor is a recovering debtor who guides us through the Twelve Steps and shares his or her own experience, strength, and recovery.

Pressure Relief Groups and Pressure Relief Meetings

After we have gained some familiarity with the D.A. program, we organize Pressure Relief Groups consisting of ourselves and two other recovering debtors who have not incurred unsecured debt for at least 90 days and who usually have more experience in the program. The group meets in a series of Pressure Relief Meetings to review our financial situation. These meetings typically result in the formulation of a spending plan and an action plan.

Spending Plan

The spending plan puts our needs first and gives us clarity and balance in our spending. It includes categories for income, spending, debt payment and savings (to help us build cash reserves, however humble). The income plan helps us focus on increasing our income. The debt payment category guides us in making realistic payment arrangements without depriving ourselves. Savings can include prudent reserve, retirement and special purchases.

Action Plan

With the help of our Pressure Relief Group, we develop a list of specific actions for resolving our debts, improving our financial situation, and achieving our goals without incurring unsecured debt.

The Telephone and the Internet

We maintain frequent contact with other D.A. members by using the telephone, e-mail, and other forms of communication. We make a point of talking to other D.A. members before and after taking difficult steps in our recovery.

D.A. and A.A. Literature

We study the literature of Debtors Anonymous and of Alcoholics Anonymous to strengthen our understanding of compulsive disease and of recovery from compulsive debting. In A.A. literature we can identify with many of the situations described by substituting the words "compulsive debt" for "alcohol."

Awareness

We maintain awareness of the danger of compulsive debt by taking note of bank, loan company and credit card advertising and their effects on us. We also remain aware of our personal finances in order to avoid vagueness, which can lead to compulsive debting or spending.

Business Meetings

We attend business meetings that are held monthly. Many of us have long harbored feelings that "business" was not a part of our lives but for others more qualified. Yet participation in running our own program teaches us how our organization operates, and also helps us to become responsible for our own recovery.

Service

We perform service at every level: personal, meeting, Intergroup, and World Service. Service is vital to our recovery. Only through service can we give to others what so generously has been given to us.

Anonymity

We practice anonymity, which allows us freedom of expression by assuring us that what we say at meetings or to other DA members at any time will not be repeated.

7. What is a pressure relief group?

Pressure relief groups (PRGs) and pressure relief meetings (PRMs) are fully described in the DA pamphlet "Pressure Groups and Pressure Meetings." Also listed are the suggested requirements for pressure relief group members.

The goal of a PRG is to help an individual develop both a spending plan, for meeting expenses and debt repayment, and an action plan, for taking steps toward achieving solvency.

8. Can I get a sponsor or pressure relief group here?

Many list members have found both sponsors and PRGs among Solvency's members. Currently, a roster is being maintained of members willing to participate in online PRGs.

Send an e-mail to: SolvencyPRG@yahoo.com

9. What literature does DA offer?

DA publishes pamphlets on topics of interest to recovering compulsive debtors. These are available from the General Service Office. We strongly urge you to purchase the two Starter Kits and A Currency of Hope by getting the order form at Order Forms .

DA also suggests we study the literature of Alcoholics Anonymous to improve our understanding of addictive disease. Two AA texts are especially helpful: Alcoholics Anonymous and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. These are available at AA intergroup or group offices as well as many bookstores, or they may be purchased from AA World Services.

When reading AA literature, we substitute the words "compulsive debt" and "compulsive debtor" for the words "alcohol" and "alcoholic."

10. Should I participate in the business meetings?

Attending business meetings is a tool of our DA program. As our literature states, "We attend business meetings which are held monthly. Many of us have long harbored feelings that 'business' was not a part of our lives, but for 'others' more qualified. Yet participation in running our own program teaches us how our organization operates, and helps us become responsible for our own recovery." Solvency's business meetings are managed via posts to the list.

11. How are Solvency's business meetings conducted?

Motions may be brought up by any DA member during the first three days of each month. Posts concerning business should be labeled "DA Business: (Subject)" and should be posted to the list as a whole rather than to an individual.

Once a motion is brought before the group and seconded, it is open for discussion for the remainder of the week. The motion can be amended during this time as well.

After the first week the motion is put up for vote. The discussion and subsequent vote is the group conscience, achieved by the group members through the sharing of full information, individual points of view, and the practice of DA principles.

In the event of an emergency motion, the business chair will be allowed to shorten the voting period and votes will be counted during the announced time period.

You may vote either privately by sending your vote directly to the business chair, or publicly by posting your vote to the list. Members not voting are considered to be abstaining from voting.

III. Really Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I use a consumer credit organization to get out of debt?

Debtors Anonymous has no opinion on the use of services such as these.

2. Can DA help me declare bankruptcy?

DA has no opinion on bankruptcy and considers it an outside issue.

3. Are templates available for recordkeeping and creditor letters?

DA does not offer items such as templates or form letters. However, some list members are willing to share what has worked for them in the past. Pressure relief group members can be helpful as well.

IV. Housekeeping

1. How do I contact the DA General Service Office?

Debtors Anonymous
General Service Office
PO Box 920888
Needham, MA 02492-0009
781-453-2743
781-453-2745 (FAX)
w ebmaster@debtorsanonymous.org

2. Why was I suddenly unsubscribed?

Please see to it that your mailbox can receive messages. If the list owner receives very many 'mailbox full' messages from you, you will be removed from the mailing list without notice, and you will need to resubscribe.

3. How do I get Solvency in a more manageable format?

Question: I signed up with this list serve a few days ago, and have been bombarded with messages! Isn't there a way to have the ability to check into the site & read the posts without having all the emails sent to my address?

Many people on the list opt for "nomail" and then access the list through the archives. Archives are updated as each post is received by "mailman." There is a potential problem with this, as we need to know those members that choose that option. We usually have "mailman" set to change a member's status to "nomail" after a certain number of "bounces" rather than to have "mailman" delete them from the list. This will result in a number of "dead" email addresses accumulating on the list. We purge those e-mail addresses on a regular basis by changing list members from "nomail" status and then setting mailman to delete bouncing addresses from the list. Those contacting the list administrator that they would like to remain on "nomail" status will not be changed from that status.

4. How do I change my Solvency List subscription?

If you ever want to unsubscribe, change your options or change your password; visit your subscription page at:

Solvency Info

5. How do I get the commands used by mailman?

Send mail to solvency-request@lists.solvency.org with a subject or body containing just the word "help" (without the quotes). You will receive an automated reply giving you further directions.

6. How do I get the welcome message again?

Click on Welcome Message for original welcome message.

General information about the mailing list is at:

Solvency Info Page