<prompt> Human: I was working on paying my debts down before i was forced to take a paycut, now I am in more debt than ever. Was making 70k and had maybe 15k in credit card debt. Now Im making 40k and have about 30k in debt. A lot of my debt comes with the paycut and price tag of raising 2 kids. My credit cards are maxed out and i can barely make my minimum payments. I also have student loans that are currently deferred for another year. I dont see any solution other than filing bankruptcy. As a homeowner, I am scared that by doing this I will lose my home. My husband also has debt as well, but is a little better off than me. We do not have any joint accounts other than our mortgage Any experiences that any redditors can share or advice would be appreciated. Im drowning here.  <response>: As others have said, you need to know where your money is going. Here is a partial list of categories: rent food -- in two parts: groceries for home, food out restaurants, coffee shops tips at restaurants child care Internet Netflix and similar entertainment subscriptions household items Scotch tape, thumbtacks, etc laundry expenses whether at home, or at laundromat eyeglasses if you wear them look at zennioptical.com for inexpensive glasses cable phone landline, cell car repair car insurance renter insurance life or medical insurance parking gym membership pet expenses haircuts fuel for the month driver license vehicle registration clothing replacement laundry andor dry cleaning incidental purchases the coffee at the convenience store etc etc etc.Some of these are annual expenses driver license, for example that you should break down to monthly.You say that you and your husband dont have combined finances. If you spend your money on these things, what does he spend his money on? 