I got divorced at the beginning of this year and was left with about $13,000 in debt when all was said and done.

I came to find out that he lied about our financial situation because he was having an affair and had a baby on the way, but there's not a lot I can do about that now because I signed the divorce papers. Basically, he got everything including the house and I got half the credit card debt, which was incurred making improvements in the house. Again, not the point, but can you tell I'm a little upset that I'm paying for his deck and patio furniture?

I had great credit and had planned to pay this off in 2-3 years, but this year has been awful. I've had one emergency after another come up and I've had everything from an accident where I wasn't at fault (but the other driver wasn't insured, so I had to pay my deductible) to an emergency surgery (where even though I pay heavily for health insurance, my deductibles have still left me owing thousands).

Now, I'm $20,000 in debt. I still have great credit and my accounts are still current. I have never missed a payment on anything. However, I am just one more emergency away from disaster. I have over $3000/mo in bills, and I bring home about $3200 after taxes, health insurance, disability insurance, and 401K are deducted.

I wanted to get a debt consolidation loan so that I have a fixed monthly payment and better interest than credit cards, but, despite my very good credit, nobody wants to give an unsecured loan for more than $15,000... and everyone seems to want unsecured personal loans paid back in 3 years.

I already work 2 jobs and can't find any ways to save any more money, except for not eating, and I can't do that. Thanks to the deception of my wonderful ex-husband, I have absolutely no assets for a secured loan, and my 401K doesn't have enough money in it to use yet. I'm only 28 and I'm scared to death. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do?

:( And there it is... Thanks to outsourcing to other countries, I was just forced to take another drastic pay cut today. I guess I can officially kiss my good credit goodbye.

Before you tell me to switch jobs, I can't. I now have a pre-existing condition with regard to my health and cannot get health insurance if I switch jobs. The bill for my hospitalization was close to 6 figures, so I cannot risk going without health insurance. The deductibles alone are bad enough.

Would like a little more information on health condition. Don't have to give details, but basic.

I don't know the details of your "health problems" that exceeded 6 digits in debt. Must be something pretty major but... have you talked to an attorney about Social Security/Disability? I worked at an attorneys office and we handled those kinds of cases. I can remember several client's getting anywhere from (approx) $2000.00 to $4,000.00 a month in disability payments. This process can very lengthy. Like... a year of better! But worth looking into. Also, look into filing bankruptcy. I only encourage bankruptcy when it has to do with excessive medical bills or "unexpected" tragedies not excessive spending on luxuries like vehicles and houses. I think you fit into the category of medical debt and "unexpected" tragedies.

Hope this helps!

My health problem is, as far as I know, taken care of, so I am perfectly able to work. I highly doubt I would qualify for any disability. I had to have an emergency surgery and spent an extended stay in the hospital. I pay $200/mo for my health insurance, but my out-of-pocket deductible is $7500, which I didn't have and had to put on a credit card.

Does anyone know if it is better to just file bankruptcy or if I should wait and try to tough it out, maybe pick up a 3rd job, and wait to file until I start missing payments?

I wish there was a way to go after my ex for alimony since I was deceived in the divorce. He's living comfortably with his new girlfriend and I'm struggling with "our" debt on top of the medical bill. I guess that's why they always say hindsight is 20/20.