She found it, landing a lucrative job for an Internet startup after college. Her husband, Barry — then her boyfriend — left Hawai'i to join her in 1996 and got a job in the information technology field working for Barclays Global Investors.

They were an up-and-coming Generation-X couple with a bright future.

About three years ago, hearing word of the coming dot-com bust and wanting to rear a family in Hawai'i, the Hursts moved back home. They both found jobs in middle management, and Jennifer started a jewelry business on the side. From these three sources, they pull in more than $100,000 a year.

The Hursts live well: They own a 2,800-square-foot executive-level home in the Carriages community of 'Ewa Beach that has appreciated 30 percent, and they drive a $45,000 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer edition.

So why can't they seem to pay off $10,000 in student loans and credit card debt?

"We have what others might think is an enviable lifestyle — attractive home and car, solid jobs, the whole nine yards," Jennifer said. "Yet we are cash-poor and have little savings. We've wanted to go to a financial planner but have never made the time. We need help!"

They turned to Roberta Lee-Driscoll, a Honolulu-based certified financial planner, to whip their wallets into shape.

"They have to decide what's more important — paying off the debt or buying more stuff," Lee-Driscoll said. "They make enough money. If they want to do it, they can do it. But they have to really want to do it. Talk is cheap."

Before they can talk about investing for retirement and their two kids' college educations, they have to whittle down their debt, she said.

Jennifer admits she's a big spender, while her husband lives more simply. He didn't even have a credit card until he was in his late-20s.

Most of their credit-card debt came from her college costs and living expenses before she landed her first well-paying job. But buying furnishings for their house and a penchant for "nice things" sabotage their efforts to minimize their debts.

Jennifer doesn't blink at paying $200 for a new suit every month. The couple's Expedition was a splurge that's running them $750 a month in car payments. Their 7-year-old daughter goes to a private school, which means $550 in monthly tuition, plus other school expenses. The couple's 2-year-old, being cared for by Barry's mother, will soon go to daycare. Count on $400 to $500 a month for that.

Jennifer, the self-appointed family bill payer, also admits to forking over "thousands" in overdue fees simply because she's tied up with other things and doesn't always remember to pay on time. She has been late a few times paying the mortgage and was fined hundreds of dollars — a revelation to her husband during the meeting with the financial planner.

"I always prioritize work and family. My finances always became my third thing," she explained.

Jennifer says she squirrels away $1,000 a month in a bank account, withdrawing money only if needed. However, the financial planner pointed out that they couldn't have been keeping that much, since their bank balances are low. They must be pulling out more than they thought. By going through the motions of saving, they make themselves feel better. But they're really fooling themselves, she said.

The Hursts do have one leg up: They don't use credit cards and so can't rack up more debt. "That's the best thing they have going for them," the financial planner said.

Their priority should be to cut spending and pay off their debt as quickly as possible.

They should track their expenditures with Quicken money management software to find out where they can cut back, Lee-Driscoll said.

Also, they should give themselves allowances for shopping, dining out and other treats. Put the money in separate envelopes for each category. When the money's gone, they can't spend any more on those indulgences.

The Hursts also should set up automatic payment for as many bills as possible so they won't be late. Consolidate several bank accounts into two: one for personal, another for the jewelry business. By simplifying, it's easier to track money flows.

Since Barry is less of a spender and better at paying bills promptly, he should take over the finances until they get back on track, Lee-Driscoll said. The financial planner gave them a Jan. 15 deadline for the switchover — no excuses and no matter what state their bookkeeping is in.

The Hursts said their long working hours, their busy life with two children and the daily drive home to 'Ewa make them less than enthusiastic about tackling bills or organizing their finances after work.

"I work 13-hour days," Barry said. "When I get home, I don't want to do it."

His wife deals with stress her own way: "When I'm having a really bad day, I spend money. I go shopping."

How do they get out of their rut? By changing the way they look at money.

Lee-Driscoll wrote $5,000 on a piece of paper and labeled it student loan. She put down $5,000 and called it credit card debt. Then she covered the labels and asked the Hursts: "If this were your mortgage, would you miss a payment?"

No. They would make sure it got paid.

It's also easier to cut spending than the Hursts might think.

"If your boss came to you and cut your pay by 10 percent, would you quit?"

Indeed, the Hursts said they had to scale down when they moved to Hawai'i from the Bay Area, where they were making more money. So the issue isn't being unable to do it, but whether they have the will to push through.

"I really want to be financially free," Jennifer declared.

Maybe this time, they'll finally do what it takes.