Is anyone out there actually debt free and if you are, how did you do it? If not

I'm hoping either my husband goes back to work or I get something soon. I clear out a bunch of debt, have a worry free summer, and now this. IT's crazy!

Glad you're doing well. I've gone through all but $200 worth of my savings/investments.

I am so sorry. Just know you are not alone. This doesn't help pay your bills but so many people are out of work and in the same situation.

Thank you for the words of encouragement! I think all these weeks of not working are too much of a break as it is. My brother will be bringing home an application for me and a friend of mine found another lead for me. I'm working on a rummage sale. I won't make over 300 dollars, but I will make some so I won't have to put soooo much on my credit card. Maybe if I make 1/2, my husband can do the other half. Then I won't have to use my credit card. Mylot is making it so I will have 16$ toward my animal vet credit card. $15 payment and $1 left in the bank. Your birthday is coming! Don't swet that age. I'm amazed at how many people who have turned 60 lately don't look their are and/or are cute. Take care.

Well, I met the break spiritually more than work wise. I think finding work is like a job itself. I was down at the Job Service every few days and online constantly looking locally for work. I was lucky to have run across a workshop and wasn't even going to go but found I was available and in the area so I did. I was asked to take a typing test and didn't feel I did very well because I was alittle nervous. I got the job and was there for five years before getting the early retirement and I have a lifetime small pension. I am pretty lucky. There were more recent workers that were walked out of the building and not even given notice. I think age can be a deterant but I think you will find work if you want it.

I think you need to give yourself a break, use the credit card and be thankful you have it. You have to do what you have to do. Early retirement sure rings a nice bell. I got early retirement in 2004. Just out of the blue they offered it to me. I am so thankful. What a delight that was. I think you are doing very well. I will be 59(Shh!)in November. It is a struggle but keep your eyes on the prize.

I had a 20 thousand dollar emergency fund. It's at $200 now. 1998 left a job and it's been over 10 years now. Every year, I get behind on bills and have to tap into it. I also got married in 2000 and paid for my own wedding. Wish I had done just justice of the peace. I would have had $ now. But I don't know if I would still make it the 2 1/2 years to get to retirement. It's been over 3 weeks since I've had work and my employer is still in the hospital. My husband is on unemployment so 1/2 his pay. I'm short for the taxes and unless there is some kind of miracle, I will have to use my credit cards to pay the house tax.

Thanks for "best response." I do hope things get better for you! It's tough all across the country right now, but there are jobs to be had here and there. Have you ever thought about writing on the internet? Most people don't make much, but every little bit helps. You're able to express yourself well, so if you haven't done so, think about it.

Well, d'uh. You write for Helium, I knew that. :) Expand! There are other sites that may have different writing opportunities, too.

Oh I know! My husband had $500 ahead. Then his truck broke, my car broke and his truck broke again! There went the "ahead" money and part of his next unemployment check. My advice, get to a library and read any of the three or all of the three Tidwad Gazette Books. We're in the country, so we don't have water or sewer (unless the well needs drilling or the septic backs up). Tash is only $39 a month. Sometimes the electric company will come in and do an energy audit. Then give you some free stuff to cut down on your bill. I got $10 worth of stuff for free. My electric bill went down about $10 a month. I called the phone company and they cut out phone bill $5 a month. I called the garbage company and they cut that $5 a month. We bundled out tv and computer (I wanted to do away with the tv entirely) and that cut us a couple of dollars per month. $17 dollars later, a little less we have to come up with. My husband now walks more instead of driving his truck all the time. That cuts down in gas money. I have a window sill garden that I can get a salad out of every once in a while. Onions, radishes, leaf lettuce, and many herbs can be grown on a windowsill. If you have any country friends or relatives, they may be harvesting and have too much of something. This year was too many apples here, last year was too many squash. At pot lucks, people will often give me enough food to take home for another meal. So keep trying. I thought I'd never get the house and car paid off, they got paid off this summer. Keep checking the frugal discussions here. Research online how to make your own stuff like soap, shampoo, etc. You can spend pennies on the dollar. A gallon of vinegar will clean most things and the harder stuff with just some baking soda added. More macaroni and cheese dinners, more dried beans made into a meal (use the soak overnight method), more peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches for lunch, eggs or oatmeal, the big round boxes and add your own cinnamon into quick or old fashioned for breakfast. You can do it! Keep trying! Check out youtube for tips on reducing,reusing and recycing as well as your own homemade alternative power. My cousin let people know she loved candles, they bought her candles as gifts and she had one night a week with no electric lights. IT took her electric bill down. I have a friend who made his own windmill and ran one electric light with it (lots of ideas for that on youtube). Every little bit helps!

What in the world is that comment all about?

Congrats and how did you do it?

Too many teachers were laid off. They go ahead of me on the subbing list. Obamah and Congress were too late with their school bail out. School started the following week. So I'm sure someone is getting subbing, just not me. Glad you're doing OK. 9 years is scary in this economy. I hope you both continue to do well. Thanks and take care.

Well that's great, I'm not trying to use my credit cards,I'm trying to pay them down. If I don't get income soon, I'll have to use a credit card to pay my taxes.

Well, you're doing better than lots of college students, many are in debt before they leave college. So enjoy it while you can.