[pearlieq]

Luckliy I never got too far into debt. I think I peaked out at about 4k in CC debt in college. I got into debt because I was spending indiscriminantly on things I didn't need (clothes, meals out, entertainment) and because I had a lousy car that I bought without really researching or thinking through the purchase.

Luckily I was able to tread water until things got better. DH and I got engaged and moved in, I finished school and got a "real" job. I think I paid off the last of my balances in late 2001 or early 2002. I know we used our wedding gifts to take out most of one of our CCs--best wedding gift I ever got!

The mess DH had gotten himself into is what inspired me to get serious about managing our money. I began meticulously tracking everything, budgeting, and getting agressive about paying off our debts.