Every time a fixed-expense item is paid off, reallocate that former payment against another debt. Combined with Mrs. Brown's employment as a nurse in 2002, you will be able to stop the interest clock from ticking forever.

Going into debt is never easy and, in your case, going deeper into debt is a necessary evil.

The emerging market dollar denominated debt market is going away, and at the same time there are a lot of invested assets chasing the little yield that is left. More and more of the focus is on which bond will be bought back next.

Considering the sacrifices both of you are making to obtain Sean's advanced degree, you are to be commended for really living on a shoestring budget.

My initial advice is to hunker down.

It's almost too late to sell now.