Question 1: Ben, today's column tackles a pretty tough subject-money and death.

Answer 1: This was unquestionably one of the most difficult columns I've ever written, and it does tackle two of the hardest subjects for consumers to openly discuss-money problems and death.

Question 2: I thought you did a good job of putting your cards on the table for your readers; you've talked many times about the personal financial challenges you experienced in the 1980s-and you even considered suicide?

Answer 2: Sorry to say it, but yes. Like Deborah Woolverton, I felt incredibly overwhelmed and helpless and came close to putting a permanent halt to the barrage of threatening phone calls I was getting pounded with from debt collectors. Apparently the Woolvertons were carrying some pretty steep credit card balances, had some tax problems and their home had been foreclosed on the week before she decided to tragically take matters into her own hands.

Question 3: We're all glad that you didn't take that fatal step, but what's great for consumers who are facing some harsh realities is that you not only survived tough financial times, you've turned it around and empower consumers with information and battle-tested strategies for getting through money-related troubles.

Answer 3: You're right and it's no secret that I've literally written the book when it comes to firing third-party debt collectors. I've got a checklist for the financially-challenged:

Go Underground! Why make it easy for the debt collectors to shoot at you? The telephone technology of today makes it much easier for consumers to insulate themselves during difficult financial times.

Services like Caller ID and Privacy Manager allow embattled debtors to see who's calling-of course you can't let curiosity get the best of you and pick-up the phone if it says it's "Anonymous" or "Out of Area".

Another low-profile tele-tool? Personalized Ring: I realize that money's tight, but this could be the smartest $2.95 month you can invest in your sanity. What it does is allow you to have up to three different phone numbers on your existing telephone line, each with a distinctive ring. This means that the debt collectors that are calling you get to continue to call your current phone number (you'll let those calls roll to voicemail), and you get a new phone or two to give to family or friends, or hopefully a new employer.

Bottom line: If you get a new phone number, make sure you tell your friends or family to NOT give out the new number to anyone with any story over the phone. You're the only person authorized to give out the new number. Period.

Fire The Debt Collectors: The law I mentioned earlier-the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act empowers consumers with the ability to fire third-party debt collectors. Remember: A third-party collector is defined as someone other than the original collector trying to collect an overdue debt. I've gotta free copy of the letter, commonly-referred to as a Cease & Desist Letter, posted on my website. Take the irritation-in this case the debt collector-out of the picture by firing them, sending them the Cease & Desist Letter via Certified Mail, and then deal with the original creditor, which is who you owe the money to, anyway.

Explore All Exit Strategies: It's not popular with alotta people, but over 1.6 million Americans took bankruptcies last year. Is it right or wrong? That's not my position to tell someone-nor is it yours. Unless you're gonna write me a check to cover me while I work out of this mess, mind your own business.

I'm already hearing stories about "compassionate" employers that waited until after the holidays to fire employees-so did they really do them a favor by waiting? You tell me as they begin opening their credit card bills that are now showing up in the mailbox.

A bankruptcy might make the most sense and then again, it might not. Everybody's situation is different, but the good news is that Texas and Florida are the two best states to have financial troubles, because of our abilities to hang on to our homes and not have wages garnished.

Keep The Faith: Tough times don't last-tough people do. It's only money folks. Someday when you get back on your feet financially, you'll get another credit card. It's not the end of the world, and believe me, there's NO money-related problem worth ending your life over. Ever.

Question 4: You've got a bunch of information posted on your website, don't you?

Answer 4: I've got hundreds of pages of information, including the Cease & Desist Letter, all posted on the site for free. Also up there: The truth about non-profit credit counseling or debt renegotiation companies, how to find/hire an attorney...I've even got three full chapters of my "how to" fire the debt collectors book, all posted for free up on the site.