I feel for you, Moose. I am in the same boat. A lot of debt (bad debt,) and now we need a new place to live (scary.) And getting hounded by creditors is not fun.

One thing I've learned is that the attourney general is there to help you. Basically, there are laws that creditors have to follow. And any time one of them steps over that line of "harrassment" I report them. I've actually spoken to the attourney general in my state via e-mail. She has told me that you should never, ever speak to creditors over the phone. It should always be corrispondance done in writing. So don't even answer the incessant phone calls (I know that's hard, but it is possible.) The ones that really harrass you are the ones that use the phone the most.

As for bankruptcy, I have to say I would love to do that myself. Yes, it marks your credit for 7 yers. But right now, my credit is already marked for 7+ years. Also, it relieves the stress of "am I going to be sued?" I've been sued once (over a $170 bill from many years ago, that just cropped up this year! It was almost at statute of limitations.) It appears creditors are suing more than they used to. Same month I got sued, so did my work-friend.... also for something almost to statute of limitations. And if you get sued 3 times, your job can fire you.

So bankruptcy is a better option if there is no way you can ever pay that debt off.

Finances are a struggle. And people who are able to make it month to month with extra are actually lucky. They may think they are smart or whatever, but they are lucky. I was taught how to save and do my finances. However, the best laid plans, as they say... don't always work out. This is a hard life and money is the devil.