Some lenders require documentation of any financial or medical hardship you are experiencing before agreeing to a short sale. If you get no offers for your house or the lender won't approve a short sale, you can walk away from your house. Call the lender and ask if it will accept your deed in lieu of foreclosing. This means that you no longer own the house. My utility bill was huge because of a very cold winter.
Many utility companies offer customers an amortization program.
This means that if your bills are higher in certain months than others, the company averages your yearly bills so you can spread out the large bills. Also, if you are elderly, disabled or low income, you may be eligible for reduced rates. Ask your utility company. I'm swamped with student loans and can't afford my payments. First, know that you're right to do all you can to avoid default, rather than ignoring your loans and hoping they'll just go away.