how do you do it?

Looking at something hopefully being paid off soon and the weight of the burden has had a moment of being lifted off my shoulders. But I know it wont be til its paid off. But just having a brief moment of holly crap! Its almost gone! Feels great. :) I am so happy for this moment.

How do you handle the financial burden of these hard times?
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I cut back on every thing going out to eat, driving around , you name it I have done it work extra hours

Alcohol and lots of it =)

Beer it is cheaper

Live below your means. Then you will always have enough to do what you want.
I am not saying deny yourself any luxuries.
But if your debt load cannot be paid off with your salary in 4 years then you are too far in debt.
Divide your debt by 4 if it is greater than your household income you may be overextended.
I myself pay cash and if I use a credit card it is paid in full the next month.
I have not financed a car in 25 years. I can take the money I would pay in interest and invest it or buy CDs. Shalom

Budget.

Give up some luxuries like eating out, going to the cinema, splurging on new clothes, etc.

Get the basics, and save what you have left over.

Same goes for my horse. Yes I'd LOVE to buy him a western saddle and pad.. but it's not happening lol. He's borrowing one atm and doing fine so I can work on saving up for important things or emergency vet moolah.

I do not buy things I want, but do not need, so that my children can have what they want. Horses are an exception, b/c I need them to maintain mental well being...so its a "need", not just a "want"....just saying for the sake of credibility.

I also always consider the manufacture/transport cost of an item. I refuse to buy anything I feel is marked up hundreds of percents. That's insane. And, I never buy anything for myself that does not have a needed and valuable utilitarian application. And, I check the barcode of items at a brick and mortar via the phone for on line prices.

And, at the risk of sounding "silly"... I do not drink soda b/c I don't like it. I see people buy tons of that poison. It probably adds up to $700-800 a year. Little unnecessary and unhealthy stuff like that can add up! And, bottled water? Oh please!! But, I think everyone should be able to buy a big gulp, if they like. :)

And, we rarely eat out b/c I have zero idea what ingredients they use, who made it, what country its from, or how clean their kitchen is...and it saves you a lot of money, too.

And gambling

Life is enough of a gamble for me without throwing away money.

Budgeting is key. I don't eat out, I color my own hair and have it cut at the local beauty college, have only basic TV service, shop for things on sale, and buy all my clothing at Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

My truck is a new-to-me 2008, and my horse trailer is a 1994 Adam. I have no plans to replace either one anytime soon.

Instead of pricey 'horse' items, I read the ingredients and buy the generic equivalent. Generic powdered Metamucil is MUCH cheaper than Sand Clear, bleach diluted with water costs nowhere near what Vetricin does, and iodized salt mixed with bicarbonate of soda is a much less expensive alternative to pricey electrolytes.

Disposable generic baby diapers and duct tape are also a heck of a lot cheaper than expensive wound care bandages, ethnic hair polishers work just as well as Show Sheen, and mineral oil has a variety of health and beauty uses.

I live alone; having horses and NOT budgeting isn't an option.

Dont eat out or impulse buy !