You have to budget.I've done it for years, write down every dollar you spend.Also write down the interest you pay on those CC.
I had 37k debt from divorce last year, now it's 16k with low interest rate.You have to stop spending now or it will be harder and will cost you more.
What are you all buying? I've cut out all shopping.If you look in your closet, you probably have everything you need.
No CA, fix the car and pay down the highest interest balance.He needs a card for emergencies? Give him one that's reaching the limit.
Once again...what are you buying?The stuff is not going anywhere, they constantly make more of it.I do have a feeling that the shopping bug is partly to blame.
Cutting out all the extra spending/shopping will take time, so start now.
I remember buying $70 dress I didn't wear 'til 4 years later while having near 40k credit card debt.WTH
Good luck, you can do it, start tracking your spending.

Skip Michelle Singletary. She's a nitwit.

+1. Is she still talking about her grandmother? Singeltary sounds like a loon, and so far out of touch.

You're not alone. I'm in the same boat - $16K in debt and am getting a personal loan to pay off the credit card. We get ourselves into this same mess every year. So frustrating. We are our own worst enemies....

Thanks for the quick replies. I am a stay at home Mom. I've started looking for work in my field. I never use the credit card but DH does. I've asked him to hand it over but he wants to keep it for emergencies. We spend the most money on food (groceries and eating out). We've stopped eating out and I've started sticking to a strict grocery budget. Beyond that we're on a spending freeze. But DH is going to CA, for him it's a non-negotiable. We could consider canceling our gym membership but my health and sanity greatly depend on my gym and their awesome childcare. For both of us, we are mindless spenders on the little things. Trips to Target are the worst. For DH he is always buying food while at work. The little things add up.

Anonymous wrote:do you have a budget?
do you have a weekly time (1 hour on a weeknight or weekend) that you can discuss the budget/bills together until you both feel you are on track?

For cheap/easy reads, read Dave Ramsey, Suzie Orman, and Michelle Singletary. Also there are tons of great personal finance blogs out there.

Cut up the credit card-both of you. Or put it in the freezer. You are over the limit and overspending.

You need to start automatically saving in a place where it's hard to get at the money or it is not linked to your checking account. Look at HSBC or ING= direct or something--set aside a set amount a month and don't touch it.

Skip Michelle Singletary. She's a nitwit.

Anonymous wrote:Best financial blogs:
http://www.kiplinger.com/article/saving/T065-C011-S001-10-personal-finance-blogs-worth-reading.html

If I had $13k in credit card debt and only $300 in savings, I would NOT be going to California. And I would be using the $8k for car repairs and an emergency savings fund.

Live on cash in jars for a month, and write down everything you spend. eye-opener.

I completely agree with this. Don't go to California--tell your friends you are heartbroken about not going to be able to go. If you cannot tell the truth (you are flat broke, which you are, if you only have $300 in savings and $13K in debt), make up some work/family obligation.

If you are spending more than you make then clearly you need to be militant about spending-- and yes you should pay down that credit card bill because the interest on it is likely awful.

Some people lately have recommended "you need a budget" Here's a review that discusses it--

http://wealthpilgrim.com/you-need-a-budget-ynab-review/

Best financial blogs:
http://www.kiplinger.com/article/saving/T065-C011-S001-10-personal-finance-blogs-worth-reading.html

If I had $13k in credit card debt and only $300 in savings, I would NOT be going to California. And I would be using the $8k for car repairs and an emergency savings fund.

Live on cash in jars for a month, and write down everything you spend. eye-opener.

At that income I'd budget, budget, budget. Have a small emergency fund, skip the wedding, attack the debt. I'd put 2k into savings and 6k to the credit card.

Look at your spending with a magnifying glass. Pay cash. STOP SPENDING.

It's really really hard. I've done it. Well, almost there.

What are your spending triggers?

if you do need a professional after doing everything above, go to napfa.org and get a fee-based financial planner for a flat fee.

do dave ramsey's babysteps.

Also do what Michelle singletary says, and have at least 3 month (more like 6-8 months) living expenses, and then a "life happens" fund of like $2k for car repairs, appliance break downs, etc. THEN double up on credit card debt.

It just means both of you cutting back. Can't be flying to California for a wedding right now.

do you have a budget?
do you have a weekly time (1 hour on a weeknight or weekend) that you can discuss the budget/bills together until you both feel you are on track?

For cheap/easy reads, read Dave Ramsey, Suzie Orman, and Michelle Singletary. Also there are tons of great personal finance blogs out there.

Cut up the credit card-both of you. Or put it in the freezer. You are over the limit and overspending.

You need to start automatically saving in a place where it's hard to get at the money or it is not linked to your checking account. Look at HSBC or ING= direct or something--set aside a set amount a month and don't touch it.

We bring in about $5200/month

What is your HHI?

It can get better, but it sucks at first.

My husband and I are terrible at managing finances. DH doesn't want to consult a professional so I'm hoping we can get advice here.

We have $13,000 in credit card debt and are $200 over our limit. We are spending more than we make so that every few weeks we have to transfer money from savings to checking. Our savings are down to $300! We are expecting $8000 for our tax return. DH wants to spend the money on car repairs (which we need), and a trip to San Diego for a friends wedding. He thinks we should pay down the credit card $2000 and put the rest in savings which would be about 2K.

I think we should put a huge chunk toward the credit card bill and be militant about spending. Eg, DH goes to his pals wedding alone so he can split a hotel room with a friend.

Looking for some advice here. Please help!