Debt grew with the family
When Eric and I married in 2000 we had a combined income of $110,000 a year. We purchased a home and put money into a retirement account. In 2003, we had a baby and I decided to work part-time. The next year, Eric and two partners opened their own physical therapy clinic; he invested $28,000. In 2005, we had another baby. Now our family of four was looking at life on $75,000 a year. All our monthly bills (mortgage, home equity loan, SUV payment, student loans and the credit cards) that were so manageable when we both worked full-time became overwhelming and as our credit card balances grew tension mounted. After a failed attempt at debt consolidation, we enrolled in a credit card debt settlement program. Our finances are not yet perfect but are certainly looking much better.
