Lwfh.
1. Quote {being prudent hasn,t really got us anywhere}
Stop knocking yourselves you are unfair to yourselves
Havn,t you successfully avoided being trapped in a big negative equity mortgage?
Havn,t you successfully got this far with children without big debts?
I think you have done ok.
Suggest do a list of things you must get done .
See are they achievable.
Then do a wish list . See are they achievable.
If you can cover must do,s ,you have the glass more than half full.
Having watched (qualified) people , I reckon your own counsel ain,t a bad starting point?
As Creemeg says , put your queries into ABU as you get great commnts here.
Goo Luck.