Emily's list: Scary debt edition

Nothing is scarier than a huge burden of debt. Zombies and great white sharks are terrifying, but my husband's gigantic law school student loans are more frightening to me this Halloween than the boogeyman. For other people, credit card debt or car payments may also induce terror.

My husband finishes law school in May. We've already been paying the debt down faster than is required, some months even going far over the minimum payment. But come May, it's time for him to find a job (fingers crossed) and for us to start the real repayment attack. We'll need to get focused, cut expenses and throw every extra penny at the beast. Some people string it along and just pay the minimum for decades, but our plan is to hunker down and kill it as soon as possible. Then we can focus more on saving and living.

Do you have debt haunting you this Halloween? I wish you the best in killing it off! Keep on reading for my 10 favorite personal finance blog posts from the past week.

1. Money Crashers reveals how your student loans can affect your credit score and how to reduce or eliminate your payments.

2. Smart Money Focus came into some family money and explores the various options we have when dealing with a windfall.

3. The Debt Myth offers advice on whether you should save money while you're also trying to pay off debt.

4. Club Thrifty shares tips on how to be more savvy with your credit.

5. 20$ Finances lists some important topics to discuss with your spouse or partner, including how to handle debt together.

6. Narrow Bridge Finance discusses how to manage your financial priorities and make sure all of your needs are met, from saving for emergencies to paying your bills and debt.

7. One Money Design explains the importance of having a good credit score and details the ramifications of having a low score.

8. MoneySmartLife lists several life events that can result in debt and tells readers how to avoid those situations.

9. Married (with Debt) shares how to plan for keeping your finances in check once you have finished paying off your debt.

10. Krant Cents argues against bucket lists and explains why you need to save and plan to reach your goals now, not in the vague future.