For most family budgets, housing expenses combined with rising food and fuel prices is enough to break the bank. The 2008 mortgage and credit crisis, rising food and fuel costs are causing people with good incomes to seek help paying their debt.

In "Greater Atlanta" a survey of more than 5,500 families seeking budget assistance and credit counseling during the summer months, the average person counseled spent $638 for food and fuel, which is 20% higher than the amount people were spending in January, just eight months earlier. The survey noted that while the price for fuel was lower in August, food prices are substantially higher.

Family budgets are being stretched as higher interest rates kick monthly mortgage and home equity loan and line of credit payments skyward. The survey noted that homeowners seeking credit counseling reported monthly housing costs of $1,423, or a cost that is 25% higher than those seeking credit counseling a year earlier.

in fact, more people with a higher annual income are seeking assistance with reformulating their family budgets.
The typical family being counseled had an average household income of over $49,300, or $4,100 per month. That's 18% higher than a year ago. The obvious is that middle income households are finding it more and more difficult to meet their financial obligations.

The 2008 credit crunch has certainly squeezed American wallets. Rising interest rates translate into higher monthly debt payments. Rising food and fuel prices are adding to the pain.

Many families budgets are maxed out, the possible thought of losing a job or incurring an extra expense can create more financial problems. Missing payments means you've dinged your credit history and lowered your "FICO Credit Score", making it harder to refinance in an era when high credit scores are prized.

Who or What can help? If your budget is so tight that there isn't even a nickel left over at the end of the month, you've got two choices: Find a way to squeeze your family budget or figure out a way to bring in more income.

Trade babysitting nights. Take public transportation, coordinate a drive to work ride-sharing program. Can you ride your bike? Can you brown bag your lunch and can you cut back on junk food and sodas at the grocery store?

Can you take a 2nd or 3rd job during the weekend? Can your teenager work part-time or babysit on the weekends to help out with at least their own expenses?

Refinance your mortgage if your interest rate is above 7%. Even if your credit isn't perfect, you may still qualify for an FHA loan, backed by the Federal Housing Administration. An FHA loan can help you move from a variable (ARM) expensive mortgage to a mortgage with a lower fixed-rate home loan.