By STEVE BUCCI, bankrate.com

Dear Debt Adviser,

My husband and I have $80,000 in credit card debt in addition to a mortgage of $136,000. We are paying our bills on time but I do not see a way out of this if we continue making the minimum payments. He makes $80,000 and I make $20,000. He refuses to make a budget because he knows we won't stick to it.

Dear Debt Adviser,

With this financial crisis, what should credit cardholders with credit card debt expect to happen to their existing finance charges? Will it have a direct negative impact on finance charges (e.g., raise the charges)? Finally, if the finance charges are sure to rise, is there any way to tell by how much? -- Jeff

Dear Debt Adviser,

Dear Debt Adviser,

I have a mortgage of $213,000 on a home valued at $276,000. My credit score is 713. I'm wondering if I would be better off to max out all my credit cards -- the combined limit total is approximately $70,000 -- and pay down my mortgage? Can you advise? -- Joyce

Dear Joyce,

Dear Debt Adviser,

I have been badly used by a credit-card company. A credit-card debt consolidator told me to stop paying for now and to save money in an account that can be used toward paying off the credit card later. Eventually, I'll be able to settle down the road for 40 cents to 60 cents on the dollar.

Dear Debt Adviser,

If my credit card is under the limit, and the periodic-rate finance charges put me over my limit, can the credit card company tack on an additional over-the-limit fee? I don't see how that is legal if it's not an actual purchase. -- Michelle

Dear Michelle,

Dear Debt Adviser,

How are judgments against a debtor enforced? Can an unsecured creditor take my pension? Can that unsecured creditor take my house? -- Tony

Dear Tony,

Judgments! The term is so ... judgmental.

Dear Debt Adviser,

I'm trying to get some of my debt paid off but my wife and I have a difference of opinion on what should be paid off first.

Dear Debt Adviser,

I used my credit card company's online bill-paying feature to schedule a payment to them while I was on vacation. The payment was never processed and they have no record of my scheduled payment. I am new at this and did not know enough to get a confirmation number.

Dear Debt Adviser,

I had a bank credit card and the company is currently garnishing money from my bank account. Yes, the debt is mine, but I am wondering why money is being garnished when I never signed a summons for court.

Dear Debt Adviser,

How does one go about financial re-education? A dear friend is in over his head. He thinks American Express is the answer to everything. His new laptop, Wii and digital camera are clear evidence of this.