Dave, although we aren't quite debt free yet, I wanted you to know what happened when my husband finally agreed to the program.

The first step was to calculate the budget. We accounted for every penny and implemented the envelope system for future needs items such as clothing, repairs, etc. The budget also included "mad money" for each of us.

Then, the most amazing thing happened. We stopped fighting about money and started to realize that our indiscriminate spending was really costing us. We were also quick to realize that living within the budget wasn't going to be easy - not because we couldn't afford it, but because we were changing our spending habits. My husband used to complain that we were always broke. I didn't agree since it seemed we were always accumulating stuff.

But NOW I UNDERSTAND - we were broke. We didn't have any savings and were probably only a paycheck or two away from bankruptcy if anything happened to either one of us.

Well, I'm happy to report that after one month we managed to save $1,000 - plus stash cash in envelopes for emergencies. We feel hopeful and excited about the prospect of being debt free. Based on our budget and current debt load, we anticipate being debt free (with the exception of our mortgage) in 16 months.

Our combined income last year was $180,000, and sadly, nothing to show for it but debt. All that is changing now!

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