Based on your financial expertise, provide your response or viewpoint on the given financial question or topic. The response format is open.

What to do with an expensive, upside-down car loan?
If you can't sell it, refinance the bugger.  Even if you can knock the interest rate down to 8% and take out a 3-year loan, you'll save about $100 per month.  Or really kill the payment (but pay more interest) by taking out another 6-year.  A 6-year at 9% on $12k is only $215/month. My credit union routinely advertises specials on car loans.  It shouldn't be difficult to get out of the usurious loan you have now. As for others' advice about getting another job, having been a PhD student I hesiate to suggest that you get another one, because your job is probably your life right now.  But can your wife (or even you) start a blog on a subject that interests you?  A few posts a week add up over time, and pretty soon you have a real asset that can be another basket to put your eggs in.