She thought living and paying bills through her credit card was normal.
"I thought most people must do, people on a medium income. I just presumed most people must have that debt. I was never too concerned about it because the bank would always be sending me letters telling me I could up my credit card limits if I required.
"There was never fear of not being able to feed the children but I didn't think of the long-term affects of it."
It got to the point where the family couldn't pay off the debt and sought the help of Tauranga Budget Advice.
"Over three years, our income hasn't changed but we have been able to pay off the credit card debt, been on holidays, had enough money for Christmases and live again."
They were able to break down their income with the help of the agency and put away money each week for power, petrol, groceries, car maintenance, holidays and pocket money, she said.
She would never use a credit card again, she said.
"If we started this years ago, we would be in such a better position now.
If they weren't referred to them they would "still have a huge credit card debt and still be arguing about money," she said. "But now I know I have money sitting there to pay for my warrant, I know I have money sitting there if we need clothes or for whatever else.
Once it started we struggled to get out of it.
"It's nothing to do with how much you earn or don't earn. Its all to do with how you manage it.
"The first couple of months of putting it away was quite tough but when the money is sitting there waiting for you for the bills, it's so good."