I don't know if it is because I am turning 60 this year or what the reasons may be, but I find myself struggling to get my life in order. I have some medical conditions that I am getting treated through the VA and have a lot of test scheduled in the coming weeks. I've been taking thyroid medication for a few years, and now they have discovered nodes on my thyroid glands. I am not going to worry about this, not just yet anyway.

What I am concerned about is my finances. While my goal has been to reduce my overall debt, it seems I am adding to my debt a few thousand dollars every year. This started with the expenses related to Tod's hospitalization before he died* and then some of his funeral expenses, and has just spiraled out from there. I tried to refinance in December, but I wasn't eligible under various programs for different reasons. It seems I am not eligible unless I am unable to pay my bills. My income is sufficient to pay all of my bills every month, but there is nothing left over for extras or for emergencies. That is how/why my oversall debt continues to climb. The only way I can qualify for refinancing my mortgage is to not pay it for a few months and use that money to pay off some of my other debts. Florida is one of the states that is still under a mortgage foreclosure moratorium. I am strongly considering this tactic just to get my finances back under control.

What I would really like to do is sell my house but I can't sell it in today's market without bringing thousands of dollars to the table. I cannot short-sell.... unless I am in a financial bind and at risk of a foreclosure! It is that viscous circle again.

Where would I go? I'd stay with my sister in Virginia for a while and visit my sisters in Indianapolis. My sister in VA does not expect me to pay rent as she wants help with her two girls. She has asked me more than once to move in with her. A few months of rent-free living would pay off a lot of debt! This is scary, but I have to get my life back under control.

* He was in a detox center/hospital.