<prompt> Human: My husband and I have been working to get a better grip on our finances, and have made it our mission this year to pay off and stay out of debt. Weve chosen to do a less intense Dave Ramsey method, and have 1500 saved as an emergency fund. We have started a debt snowball, starting with a 0 interest card and working our way up to the highest balance. Cap. One: 0 till June, 1400 balance, paying 290month until paid off in June.Care Credit: 225 balance, 0 interest until April, paying 75mo until paid off in April.Kohls: 1900 balance, paying minimum of 96mo until Cap. One paid off, then adding in 290 for a potential payoff date in October.Wells Fargo, 8800 balance, paying minimum of 193mo until Kohls is paid off, and then adding in the 385 for a potential payoff date in November 2018.This is the plan, for now, but it just seems like life keeps happening. I know thats what an emergency fund is for, and its ok to use it, but I feel like were always stopping to replenish the E-fund and barely making progress. For example, we have some work that needs to be done in the basement, 400. Comes out of the e-fund, because its necessary work to prevent the wall bowing further, but then we have to replenish. Just as we get replenished and back on track, we have a medical bill that needs paying, and theres another 200 gone. We have a high deductible health plan, 3,000 for our family of 3, and I have mental health needs that require a psychiatrist visit once monthly, and theyd like me to see a therapist too. All of this comes out of OUR pocket until 3k, then its 20 until 7k. We have an HSA, and my husbands employer contributes 300 to it, and we put in 1500 over the course of the year through paycheck deductions. I feel bad going to the doctor, because I know its going to be a bill of at least 200. I had to take my kid to the urgent care the other night because he woke up screaming that his ear hurt, after being sick for 3 days with a fever. Turned out to be nothing, but still, its another bill...but what can you do when your kid is in pain and sick?My husband makes 72,000 gross per year, I work part time during the school year, for a school, because we have a 5 year old. Ive applied for a few other part time jobs that I can do at night, and am waiting for a call back on a cleaning company, to help earn a little extra money to either throw at debt or put in the e-fund. Weve cut all unnecessary extras, like cable TV, we use straight talk for my phone plan, I shop at Aldi and the Mexican grocery store, we have cut out a lot of extras like coffee, lunches out for my husband, to add money to our account every month. Ive taken on dogsitting for a family from church, Ive sold stuff on e-bay and craigslist to bring in ...but I just feel like its not enough. Im getting discouraged because I just see an endless cycle, and the debt is always going to be there because it feels like we will never pay it off.Assistant: In order to provide sound advice we really need a full budget here. We might tell you what you can cut out. I have included some general advice below.Set a budget and track ALL spending either in Mint or similar software or a spreadsheet. Keep yourself accountable. Often times people dont realize where they money goes, that is why it is critical to track your spending.Pay down your debt from highest to lowest interest rate. This will save you the most in interest. Possibly look at consolidating your debt at a lower rate. I would be paying extra on the cards incurring interest now. On 72k a year you should be able to pay this all down before it incurs interest if you go on an aggressive savings plan assuming non-high fixed costs. I would look at your annual healthcare spending, it may be advisable to get off of an HDHP if it isnt meeting your needs. You can compare premiums and out of pocket costs under the alternatives. Personally, I like HSAs, but they arent for everyone. Stay upbeat and attack your debt. I do not personally like Dave Ramsey, I think he is too commercialized and some of his advice I think is outright wrong. I suggest reading the entire sidebar instead. Human: INCOMEHusband:2150 10752Bonus2000 Wife: 596 2982TOTAL INCOME: 4646EXPENSESMortgage:962Water: 160 quarterlyGas and Electric: 300Food: 300Internet: 65Savings: 200Ejuice: 80 husbands viceGas:240EVE:15 husbands online gameWife Phone: 45 straight talk unlimitedGymnastics: 54 sons sportPet Food: 40Cat Litter:12Sling, Hulu, Netflix: 85Quicksilver Card: 290Kohls: 96Wells Fargo: 193Care Credit: 75Wife ROTH: 200TOTAL3162We have a difference between income and expenses of 988. I have security issues with 0 balance budgeting...I know we could be putting more towards debt, or putting it in the e-fund.  <response>: You really need to find where that 988 is going.If you dont like 0 balance budgeting go with 100 balance budgeting. That still gives you 588 a month to throw at debt. Not shabby at all. 