As of today, I've paid off one card. It was the one with the lowest balance, $120, but I'm proud. Baby steps. It's also a victory because, since Razac and I split, I've been in a funk.

Lori’s determination continues to impress me. I was prepared to launch my effort on increasing her freelance income and during our discussion this week she tells me of not one, but two job interviews she has scheduled during these next two weeks. Good work, Lori!

Monday this week I got two phone calls – one was to schedule my interview with the University for my Masters Program, and the other was to schedule a job interview. On Tuesday I got another phone call for a job interview with a different organization. If all goes well, I could be stepping into full-time work AND my master program at the same time!

I had around a three-hour face to face meeting with Leah and Eric on Saturday. As their adviser, the scariest part of the current situation is that they don’t find it as distressing as I do: Leah is USED to debt and it doesn't bother her. She openly shared that they are in denial.

The meeting was different than what we expected. We focused more on familial upbringing than dealing with the current issues. I am sure that Karen has an agenda that will work for us positively, but as of right now I’m not seeing a bigger picture.

Every Tuesday, we’ll report exactly how much our three families have in their checking accounts -- and what they’re planning to do with it.

Who has $4?

Who has $184.37 and is feeling great?

Who’s caught up and still has $368.70 in pocket?

Click Read More to find out!

Communication with Natasha has pretty much been nonexistent for the last couple of weeks. I've emailed and called, but she often doesn't respond to messages, and we haven't spoken directly or seen each other since our first meeting more than a month ago. I want to help -- but unless we talk, I don't think I can.

I have been thinking of what to focus on with Lori while we wait for a response on her school application. The obvious choice is finding a job. I believe she is already working all the traditional channels, but I am fairly sure Lori would jump at a full time job that was more challenging than the reception/administrative type work she has been doing.

And while Lori has not said this, I do think it is really hard to put yourself 100% behind a job search when you are also pursuing an alternative that might make that effort less valuable, or at least unfocused.

So instead, Lori and I will discuss a plan for doing more social-professional networking & marketing for her freelance business.

Today’s the day. I finished the draft of my writing sample for the master’s program application yesterday and will be polishing it up today and dropping it in the mail. In some ways it feels like a small thing, and in others, it feels like a huge leap. Working on it has confirmed that I’m really looking forward to going to school again, and I really believe it’s the right step for me to take.