The Total Money Makeover changed our lives. While we loosely follow it now, we really followed every word of it in the beginning. Before we started 6 years ago, my fiancé (now husband) owed 3 years of back taxes to the IRS, we had $24k worth of credit card debt between us, he had numerous things in collections (totaling $2-3k), we had nothing in savings, we had two car payments, and were renting. About 1 year after starting, we had paid off the back taxes and stuff in collections and had our $1k emergency fund. After 2 years, our credit card debt was paid off. After 3 years, we paid off both cars and had a 6 month emergency fund. After 4 years, we bought our first house with a 20% down payment. Now, we own 2 rental properties, 3 paid off vehicles, and a paid off used camper. The first house we bought will be paid off within the next 2-3 years.
When we first started, we made about $60k between the two of us (he was a real estate agent struggling during the housing market crash and I was a paralegal). Let me tell you, that first year or two was rough! We had one date night a week where we got a Little Caesar's pizza and a Redbox movie. Other than that, we watched every single penny. His Dad owns a DJ business (that's what my husband grew up doing) so he started working DJ gigs at night when he wasn't doing real estate stuff. I picked up legal transcription work (that paid next to nothing) and would work into the wee hours of the night to make a few bucks. We were both tired, but more tired of the weight that hung over us from the debt.
Now, he makes a lot more money in real estate with the market coming back around, but also he's able to be more productive without the pressure and stress of the bills weighing on him every day. Because of he makes good money now and our lack of bills, it has afforded me the ability to go to school full time to become an RN and to pay cash for the school.
If you stick with it and follow it, it will work. You both just have to be very dedicated and keep your eyes on the prize. The freedom that comes from financial stability and security cannot be put into words. But you know what's funny? We both look fondly back at those first two years. Our date nights were cheap, but they are some of the best memories we have. If one of us hadn't been dedicated, though, it never would have worked. There were days where he or I would say "Come on, let's just spend $30 and go to the movies" and the other one had to be strong enough to say "No". It can all change, and rather quickly, if you work your butts off and dedicate (and watch) every penny.
Ok, enough of my novel! Good luck to you! You can do it! Live like no one else so that you can live like no one else!
ETA: We did pay off the higher interest rate stuff first. I can see the "small victory" feeling with paying the small balances first, but seeing $100-200 a month in interest on a credit card was killing me.