My plea for help (long)

[deca]

If your library doesn't have the book, mosty libraries offer inter-library loan as a free service. You go to the reference desk and fill out a request, then they call you in a week or so to pick it up. I've gotten lots of books this way, not just books on finances but also some fairly obscure titles on health or parenting topics. I love the library, not just for saving money but also -- how often do you really re-read books you've bought? All that money and you read it one time, then it's hanging around your house for a few years until you donate it or maybe sell it for pennies on the dollar.

[Snodog]

I agree that its important to keep a spending log. We went from just barley getting by each month to saving $1500/ month just by keeping track of every penny we spent. Somehow keeping track makes you spend less.

You may want to bookmark Dave Ramsey Real Debt Help - Get out of debt with Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover Plan. he gives good advice for getting out of debt. Best of luck to you. You can do this!

[myself]

...
This guy is well aware of his health problems (DH falls into the "but you don't LOOK sick" category which is difficult for people to understand. He's got celiac disease, bleeding ulcers, and the one that interferes with work is CVS... it's hard to find an employer who doesn't get frustrated...)
...

Everyone else gave great advice already.
We have a nephew that has Celiac disease as well. He's gotten much better since he's started eating better. In this case, he has to avoid Gluten and Wheat based products. Meats are one of the biggest on his list, but there are plenty of gluten free and wheat free items.
Luckily our nephew never got to the point of bleeding ulcers. Although for several years before they diagnosed him with Celiac disease, he complained about his stomach hurting. That doesn't happen anymore (unless he eats too much ).

[debtfreecb]

Good job getting here and coming to terms with your debt. I have a lot of debt too and I took the advice of Dave Ramsey's snowball reduction plan. It takes time and diligence but you can do it. Start with the small debts. I just paid off 2 credit cards and it feels good. I still have $67,000 in home equity and credit card debt. I've been working on my plan for 6 months now and it feels good to make progess..

I recommend that you sell one car and use that $ to pay off debt. I agree with others that you're rent on the duplex sounds too low.

Start small and take it one day at time. Good luck and keep returning for strength and motivation!

[minnie1928]

You've gotten some first class advice so far! One thing I'd like to add is to somehow chart/track your progress. I started to follow Dave Ramsey about 2 years ago. On the days that I feel like we're not getting anywhere I pull up Quicken and graph our debt from 2 years ago to now. It's amazing how much psychological boost you can get from a simple little graph. I also get a charge out of seeing how much my interest expense has dropped from then to now.

Best of luck!

[threebeansalad]

You might not have time for a "real" second job, but I bet you can find various odd jobs. This is a great way to earn income on YOUR schedule because you can take or refuse jobs as needed, I'm a few years older than you, but also married, no kids. I've had great luck babysitting, housesitting/ dog sitting, (see my blog entry on the subject here. Let people know you are looking for additional income, you'll be amazed what might turn up. I 've been offered $20 / hour to rake leaves!!

Also, start purging your house of stuff you're not using and sell it a Craig's List, ebay, half.com etc.

Lastly, start tracking everything you earn/ spend. Your computer might already have MS money. Otherwise, just use Excel or a pen and pencil. It will really open your eyes up to where your money is going.

Good luck!

[anonymous_saver]

Another good book to get from the library is by Suze Orman "Young Fabulous and Broke". Like another poster says her way of looking at things is different than Dave Ramsey. Dave Ramsey "method" is paying of smallest debts first, and gets more of a psychological benefit. Suze's "method" is paying off highest interest debt first, and is the better mathematical plan and pays off the debt sooner.

Are you both contributing up to your employers' match into your retirement plans?

Don't cancel any cards unless they have annual fees. Otherwise just cut them all up and hide one card in your house somewhere so that in an EXTREME emergency you could use it.