OP, good luck paying down your student loans! You can do it! I was very happy when I finished paying mine.
Sit down and write out an honest spending guide and include your student loan payments. You have to be realistic and honest even though it may be scary. Work with your husband on it. Be determined to work as a team together on getting through the pay down period and develop sense of humor about it. It is sad to hear of couples breaking up over money issues, it really can bring you closer together when you work towards a common goal.
The cost of everything has gone up but incomes have not, generally speaking, so most of us feel the squeeze.
You can come up with some good ideas on how to be thrifty/green and it will be a good example for the children too. There is no shame in it. Sometimes difficult decisions need to be made. Be up front with people (friends, family). Once you can be honest with others about your decision to be "thrifty", it is easier.
Do you have enough income to pay your monthly bills and basic needs? If not, you may have to get a job. Sometimes fretting over this is worse that actually doing it. (been there)
You can cut back on utilities and apply the savings to your monthly student loan payment or other bills.
It is such a pain to change your ways (I know, trust me) but it is easier with a change in attitude. Instead of viewing it as a sacrifice, consider it a challenge. Even my teens are into saving on our utilities.
We have power stripped electrical items that use electricity even when they are off. TV's, printers, game consoles, stereos etc ... the power strips are shut off every night. We unplug kitchen small appliances between uses. I don't need the coffee maker clock to run 24/7 or the toaster to be lit up.
Get everyone to use one room in the house after dinner. One room worth of lights cost less than several.
Hang laundry to dry. Some items come out better in the dryer but some can be hung with no difference, or partially dry them on the line and then toss them in the dryer for a short cycle to complete the process.
Save on groceries. Skip the processed foods. Make treats yourself. Get the children used to drinking water and a few servings of milk. No child needs fruit juice, sugary beverages, soda.
Use a programable thermostat. Warm the house up for times when needed, first thing in AM, bath time, etc, and lower it each night.
I am one of a small population of people, it seems, that understand that people mess up financially. I have made every financial mistake possible, some more than once, but life is wonderful and it goes on.
Hugs to all of you that are struggling with payments of any kind. You aren't alone and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
For pete sake don't divorce or commit suicide over it. People need to help each other through tough times, its the human thing to do.
