[hinckley buzzard]

Yep. Cut spending. Don't think you can? Do it anyway. Work with Cambridge credit counseling service to reduce interest rates on installment debt. Take another job, part time, under the table, whatever, pay off highest interest debt first.

Not rocket science and it works, if you have the guts to stick it out.

The government is a criminal enterprise, so have no compunction about playing outside their rules. Their rules weren't written for you any way, so do what you have to do.

[Texas resident]

Yep saw this crap coming in December ‘07.
Cut all spending in half.
Wife went to work.
I took on second job.
Went Dave Ramsey on speed.
Took on counteracting goals: stockpile cash and pay off cards. Called the card issuers and told them to reduce our rates by half or else we would pay them off immediately. They complied. Now we are in a “safe” place. Still have a job and continuing to pile up cash for when the SHTF.
Kids are taking jobs this summer working odd jobs and working for themselves learning how to work for themselves.

Screw DC we will make it no matter what.