You might want to consider two options. Talk to your banker (loan officer) to see if you could get a personal loan with fixed rates and pay it off as fast as you can, and keep the CC for emergency only use or ask him/her about closing the CC account, freezing the rate and get another one, but personally I think that would not be good as CC interest rates are over 20% even with those with excellent credit. If you do get a loan, be sure you do not have a pre payment penalty clause in it. Your rate should be alot lower.

I'm so sorry your time in Daytona was not so wonderful because of the weather. I'm really grateful for the 34 hrs non-stop rain we've had here so far on Mon and Tues because we need it so bad, but it isn't so great when it ruins plans. I would suggest Before disputing the nonrefundable charge with the credit card bank you may want to make sure to read the terms and conditions of reserving rooms in that particular hotel. Most hotels have a stated policy that they will not refund for early departures; weather related being one of the most declined refund reasons: Especially this time of year when the weather is just beginning the rainy season here in Florida. They are specific that you have to pay if you book the room for a time limit and then try to renege on the time. There is an acceptable time limit usually for a cancellation of a reservation 48 -72 hrs is most often the norm. It is a matter of they turn down other bookings because you have said you are going to be using the room for so much time. With the economy in the crapper losing money because of weather related early departure is definitely not on. You can dispute the charges with your credit card bank and probably get the money back. Credit card banks are being most agreeable if there is no specific contract. Unfortunately just filing a dispute will of course put your name and credit card # on lists of flagged cards. These lists are maintained and used by many places and companies that accept credit cards for many things from Dr. offices, Spa and salon establishments to ordering on-line or by telephone. Once on this list it is virtually impossible to get off the list. It does not hurt your credit in anyway except the companies you try to buy from see you as a risk and will not always accept your card. This is not against the law or any kind of prejudice. It is just a way to make sure the people who have accepted your card and word you are making a good faith transaction get the money you have agreed to pay. When you dispute a charge that has been legally made it makes you a risk for the next transaction and many companies just plain don't want the hassle. Even when the charge is not refunded the seller has to spend time and money on researching the incident and that is not compensated. CT

I doubt you would get a contractor to sign such a contract. The only contracts that generally have clauses based upon finances or temporal clauses (finish early bonuses/finish late penalties, for example) are multistage commercial projects. That said, the unemployment rate is not 30%, it hasn't reached 10% as a national average across the board, so unless you are in a high-risk industry for layoff you are overestimating the possibility. However, I would not embark on such a project unless I was almost absolutely sure I could finish it. There is one way that you could go, and that is a time and materials contract. These are Always more expensive in my experience, because you are paying an hourly rate so there is not a huge impetus to push it time wise. BUT that way you are only paying them for the time they work and their upcharge for materials they use to any given point in the project. Because of the nature of a project I am doing at home, the contractor is on time and materials. (70/hr.) I have spent $1000 estimating, specifying and Talking About putting in a window. No window, just kinda sorta getting ready to Maybe put in a window.

WOW!!! Your story is terrible. The first thing that comes to my mind is the two commedy movies out there, one I think is Mama's Boy, and I think the name of the other is Stepbrothers. In my situation we have a problem with my husands 2 adult daughters stating that they have been neglected and left out, etc (we invite them to everything, they often don't come because my kids and me are there, they want Daddy to themselves). My SDs do not live with us, they are in college and graduate school fulltime, so our problem with them is not like yours. Your SS is a physical drain as well as financial drain. My SDs are mostly an emotional drain on us. The movies might bring laughter to you. I doubt that your wife would watch them with you. She'd probably storm out of the room after a few minutes. They are pretty funny though. My DH and I rented them, and laughed until we almost wet our pants. It sounds almost exactly like the situation that you describe. I agree with other posters who say that the main problem is with you wife. She does not respect you when she is making these decisions without consulting you. The foundation of your marriage is wrong. The most important person in her life should be you, and pleasing you. The most important person in your life should be her and pleasing her. Major decisions like these should be agreed upon together. It sounds like she has taken leadership of the home, and tells you how things are going to be. You are expected to go along with her demands. She missed the whole concept of marriage. I give you much credit for all of your hard work on this matter. I do not understand why a woman would choose her adult son's desires over the desires of her husband. I cannot relate to this. I hope you saved the torn contract. The three of you need to go to counselling together. Take the contract with you. I have a son who is 17, turns 18 in 2 weeks. I could totally see my son following in the footsteps of your stepson. I have tried and tried to get him to stand up and be a man. Funny thing, he is joining the Marine Corps, and ships out in October. I know that will take care of the next 4 years. But I can totally see him trying to move back home and mooch after then. My husband wouldn't allow it, neither would I. The best thing I can do for my son is push him out of the nest and make him stand up for himself. Some mothers have a hard time letting go. They think that if they do more, give more, that this will help the child. But it only makes the child more dependent and stunts their development as you put it. My hat goes off to you for all your hard work. Stand your ground.