So here is the deal about money, debt, and happiness.
Ultimately you have to decide what makes you happy first. Forget about debt/expectations/responsibilities for a moment. You have to pinpoint what is making you unhappy if you are. I have been trying to explain this to some people, but unfortunately most do not get it and just focus everything on money. BTW this is coming from someone who no kids, but can be adjusted depending on your living situation.
Happiness
Obviously this depends on the person. The first thing you should do is count all the things you have to do on a daily basis from the very basics, check all 7 days.
The typical work week:
Wake up, shower, get dressed, go to work, go home, shower, free time, sleep - That outline is probably 95% of the population right there outside of having to account for time driving your kids to work or some other arrangement.
Off Days:
Laundry, going out with friends/family/gf/whatever, Video Games, Music, side job or whatever else you do.
There are several constants...things you cannot change.
Sleep and Work account for 15-16+ hours of the 24 hours of the day
Shower, getting ready probably takes you about an hour in total
Cooking/Eating probably takes up another hour
That is about 18 hours of your day automatically washed and there is almost nothing you can do to change it unless you come from great wealth. You have to prioritize these things and I usually do it in terms of time consumed.
Work (Hard to reduce, need to pay bills, eats up the most of your hours awake almost guaranteed)
Shower/Getting Ready (Don't be dirty, unavoidable)
Cooking/Eating (Can be reduced in half if you order out/drive through)
So what is the most ideal thing to cut or fix? Work, it takes up about half of your time awake and if you hate your job...well chances are you are going to get off work and STILL think about your job. So what is your excuse for staying at your job? Is it money? I will post about money later if someone is interested.
