America's Money: Debt crush

Office manager, 33, San Antonio, Texas

We are a middle class family of four and for the last year and a half we have felt the effects of the economy. We fight everyday to make ends meet.

Our daycare costs, medical bills, high grocery bills and soaring gas prices have us in a financial bind with no breathing room...and no end in sight.

My husband and I have had to make many changes to keep our way of life. We have had to change daycares, start carpooling, take on a part time job and reduce our grocery bills.

Our credit card debt is actually minimal but we still find it difficult to make those payments. At times it is tempting to go to a Consumer Credit Counseling Service or to even file for bankruptcy. But then reasoning takes over and we don't want to make matters worse by damaging our credit.

We tried placing our house on the market to pay off our debt and to have a little more breathing room but it's not a seller's market, therefore [there would be] minimal profit. So we feel stuck with no end in sight.

NEXT: Marty Adams: From loan to loan