"My friends are under the impression that we are better off than we are and I can't shatter that image."

My first thought upon reading that was "pride cometh before a fall."

It's hard to admit when things aren't going well, particularly if you have been cultivating a lifestyle that you cannot really afford.

But in the end, appearances matter way less than screwing up your finances.

As for who you can turn to, I'm not really sure what kinds of problems that you need help with. They have financial counseling services. If you have a financial advisor you could turn to them for help as well. Heck you can send a letter to Savvy Sugar and ask her for advice!

There are also a lot of great books about finances out there (Your Money or Your Life is one that I can think of off the top of my head.)

Good luck - I hope you can pull through.

you caN get free financial advice through consumer credit counseling which is a non profit company. they help you for free to work with your creditors, come up with a payment plan etc. they will be listed in the blue or yellow pages of your phone book. don't pay a "financial advisor" when you can this this service for free.

The first thing you need to do is get over yourself. Millions of Americans live beyond their means - at least they did until recently - so realize that you are no different. Keeping up a facade of being well off when you can't afford it is a sure way to bankruptcy.

Sit down with your boyfriend, get all your current bills, figure out what you owe and start paying on them. It's scary as hell doing that, but trust me, you'll sleep a lot better at night knowing what's going on.

You can get all kinds of free advice online. Oprah has a great pie chart showing what each thing in your life should cost. For example, housing and bills should be no more than 30% of your income. If you're living in a place that costs more than that, MOVE. Cars and insurance should be 15% of your income. If you're paying more than that, sell your car and get something in your budget. Quit using your credit cards, suck up your pride and call to companies to negotiate lower interest rates. Whatever your situation, there's a solution. You just have to be willing to ask for it.

Your bank should offer financial consultants. Talk to them about consolidating your loans and they can give you some great advice. Take advantage of the things around you before you drown yourself in debt.

Also, if you plan on staying with your man, I suggest talking to HIM about your financial situation. He should know what hes getting in to and he's supposed to be your partner.

Good luck

You can't 'shatter that image' lol.. then honey they are not your true friends.. if you are more worried about appearances and the way they 'perceive' you to be rather than who you really are and what you really go through, then you're not a good friend either!!! My true friends know the good, the bad, and the ugly about me and we talk about EVERYTHING.. They know when I'm really well and know when times are tough.. you're human, times will be good but they'll be equally bad.. You need to open up to a person you consider a real friend to have an outlet to turn to every now and again.

That's all. : )