I have a full-time job, i live at home with mom and still can't get out of debt.  I don't spend money foolishly, except for going out to the bars.  So obviously I know you'll say to stop doing that.  But I would like some input on how else I can slash my debt.
217138
Living your current life has, presumably, put you into debt. I don't think anyone can promise you a method to get you out of debt without your making changes.\n\nThings that you can do include:\n- spending less, even if you still go out\n- making more than minimum payments on credit cards; pay more than you've charged for the month plus the interest due\n- negotiate for lower interest rates on credit cards\n- don't charge things on credit cards\n- start saving money so that you have resources should the unexpected occur\n\nYour public library should have books that help you gain control of your finances. In addition, I'm sure there are several online sites.\n\nDon't expect things to be easy, or a quick fix. But with a little planning, you can start gaining your financial independence.
122801
Do you have a job? You never said if you even have one. If not, get one. If you have a job, get a second job. A lot of people have to do that now days. Also what are you spending your money on? Take a look at how you are spending your money and if you are buying over the amount you make, cut out buying things you do not absolutely have to have. Do not go to one of those payday loan places. They charge really high interests and you usually end up worse off. Some places charge like 100% to 300%. If you borrowed $100, and they charged only the 100% you would owe them $200 when you try to pay it off. Those are rip off places. They are on the news reports all the time about how they charge you extreme amounts. They are like loan sharks.
303285
I have had the same situation. BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET.. You will need to bring in more money from somewhere, part time job. cutting back..something.The best way to watch your money is to write down every penney you spend in a two week period, then go back and eliminate all unnessary expenditures. This method really shows how your money was spent Concentrate on paying off one debt at a time.. put as much money on one bill as you can and make minumum payments to the others until its there turn to be paid off. But remember to try and save a little all along..Even $5.00 bucks a week can start you off.
326919
Your story breaks my heart, and the sad thing is, so many people across the country have a similar story. People today have not been properly taught to manage money. It's also pretty difficult since cost of living increases have risen exponentially and pay at most jobs has increased minimally if at all.\n\nCredit cards are a very dangerous thing. My best advice is to cut spending to a minimal. Cut out the things you don't need. Make out a monthly budget for you and your family and stick to it as best you can. Allow for emergency and a little for entertainment, but be careful about spending more than you need to.\n\nIt's OK to rely on family and friends for help. Ask people to babysit for you when you need them to. Have them help you look for a new, better job.\n\nIt's going to be an uphill battle, but you can do it. You have to for yourself and for your kids. Good luck. :-)
239581
First, cancel your debt consolidation contract (if you can).  Many of these companies will simply let your accounts lapse just so they can try to settle the debt.  \n\nSecond, get out of debt yourself.  Otherwise, you've never changed your behavior which got you in debt in the first place.\n\nFinally, go buy a book called 'Total Money Makeover'.  This book will teach you how to eliminate your debt.  You can also consider a class (taught by the same person that wrote the book) called 'Financial Peace University' (see www.daveramsey.com).  My wife and I took this class in 2004 and are now debt free (except our house).  The average family taking this 13 course pays off $5,800 and savings $1,200.  \n\nContact me if you want specific help.  My wife and I now teach this class and have seen many people eliminate a ton of debt.  \n\nScott.....
595332
Being in debt is not a good position to be in. \n\n1. Sit down and figure out a budget. And trim out any "fat" in that budget that you dont need.  If you are deep in debt do you really need cable tv, etc.?\n\n2.  Pay off your highest interest rate credit cards first - or try to transfer balances to a card with no transfer fees and no interest.\n\n3.  Save money by being frugal, dont eat out, use coupons, buy groceries in bulk, etc. \n\nGo to MSN Money section\nhttp://moneycentral.msn.com/Editorial/Index/homedept.asp?c=6&a=6&d=33014#ManageDebt\n\nVery good information on this site about saving money and debt management.\n\nGood Luck.
290068
Live under your means.  This means you might be driving a car a lot longer than you might choose to, but if you own it outright, that is saving you car payments.  Don't eat out as much.  Be smart about debt.  Pay off as much as you can toward your credit card each month.  This really hurts in the short term--you have to cut using the card AND make bigger payments.\n\nIt took me a long time to get in front of the 8-ball myself.  I am not rich, but I don't owe anyone any money except for my mortgage.  My mortgage is low and I am making accelerated payments toward principal with the goal of owning the house outright in 3 years.  My car is 13 years old and isn't exactly pretty anymore, but I haven't had a car payment in 10 years.  I can take months off at a time without working because I have such low debt.  That in itself is a huge security.  Living paycheck to paycheck sucks, you never feel in control of your life.  Start taking control, every dollar you can save can go toward your debt and get you on that road to being debt free all that much sooner.\n\nGood luck!
93153
You need to budget your money and get a mind-set to allow yourself only so much per account. \nExample: $250 net income/week\n         $100 car\n         $100 food, gas, laundry, etc \n          $50 spending money\nBudget will be tight, but very satisfying when you make your goal. Also, try not to loan out money you may not get back, or will be slow being repaid. Another thing that can make money disappear quickly is taking others out to eat as "your treat"\n\nGood luck!!
173268
I have been a stay-at-home mom for over a year, and we are doing better financially than when I was working. Granted, every family would like a "little extra," but she needs to not only look at their expenses now, but the expenses she would accrue going to work, i.e. DAYCARE, gas (especially with the current pricing), changes in auto insurance (going from personal use), food and clothing allowances for work, and a few others. If she wants to sit down and add all of their current expenses and compare to those extras, she might just consider cutting back. If she needs solutions on cutting back, have her e-mail me. I have done it!
454780
The best tip is to stop spending. Once you get on top of your debt you will be much better off.
13820
OK first of all, calm down.  It's sad, but many Americans are in the same position as you are.  \n\nNow, one thing you need to learn is that you never, ever take a cash advance!  The interest is way, way too high!  I dont know all of your expenses, so it's a little hard to answer your question.  You need to put yourself on a budget.  No extravagent items - just the necessities.  Yea, maybe it isn't all that much fun but do you want to get out of debt?  \n\nYou mentioned that you know how to save, so I'm wondering if you have any money saved now.  If you do, put it toward the payment with the highest interest (probably one of your cash advances).  Do some investigating with your two credit card companies.  If you haven't been late on making payments, call them and simply ask if they will give you a lower interest rate (this does actually work - besides you have nothing to lose by trying - you can only come out better).  Also ask about balance transfers.  They may be able to give you a low rate (be sure to ask about & factor in the "transfer fees" - sometimes they will charge a %age of the amount you are transferring).  Basically, you want to try consolidating as much of this as possible and getting the lowest rates you can.  I'm not sure, but you may be able to get your cash advances transferred - be sure to ask lots of questions on this first though - you need to know how much interest you will be paying!  \n\nIf this is a possibility, ask your parents for some help.  I don't know what kind of situation or relationship you have, but I'm sure they don't want you to suffer.  I would have to think that if you approach them with a plan they would be willing to help.  Ask them to pay off something and come to them with a plan to show how you will repay them.  maybe they wouldn't even want repaid, but you need to bring it to the table and fully intend to pay them!  \n\nAnother alternative may be to go to a bank (witha co-signer) and get a loan to consolidate everything.\n\nOne final alternative, check the internet to find a credit card that offers zero percent for the first 6, 12, 18 months, whatever.  open that and transfer as much as you can.  then cut up the other cards.  \n\nBasically, make a budget & stick to it.  I can help you if you need it.  You have $1800 coming in each month, now list what you have going out.  \n\nGood luck, email me if you need help
340219
considering you are not at home asking this question and at work...take this time to look for part time jobs in the evening.  If you are cleaning an apartment every few weeks, why not try to do your own little side gig and do more houses or apartments.  If you have family that is willing to help watch the children while you earn extra $$ that is your answer.  If you are unable to pay your bills off you can consider filing for bankruptcy - it screws your credit for 7 years, but if you're not getting anywhere on the bills, then it's an option.  My mom raised 3 children, went without eating and things for herself so that we could have clothes and such.  We shopped at good will and i didn't know any better, i thought it was the greatest thing goin.  As much hoopla as people put on presents, it's about being with your family and making the most of the time together.  I would consider asking family to help watch the kids while you work a second part time job to earn more money, when you work hard for your family and prove that, people are more willing to help out.  Good luck and god bless!
572227
If you have credit cards, cut them up and throw them out.  Withdraw all the money from your checking account.  When you get paid, put your money in envelopes labeled for what that much money is going toward....we have rent, vet, groceries, gas, electric, etc.  SEAL THEM, and don't open them until you have to pay the bill.  Get a money order instead.  It's less than $1 at the post office, if the order is under $1,000 I think.\nPut whatever money you have after bills into a SAVINGS account, so you can't write a check or charge to debit.\nIf you don't have the will power to do that, then every time you go somewhere and buy unnecessary CRAP (mostly clothes), take them home and put them in your closet with the tags ON.  Then when the weekend rolls around, you can go back and embarass yourself returning everything you've bought that week, and when they ask if it was defective, you simply say, "No, I can't really afford it, but I have a shopping problem."  After you've humbled yourself a few times, you might break that nasty habit.\nIf you have someone you trust (probably not wise), you can always hand your money over to be delegated to you where it's needed.  But I only say that because I make sure I have $500 IN HAND before my other half goes back to work every Tuesday.  He's worse than you could EVER be, believe me.
329779
Just have moderation in everything you do. Don't eat out, forgo movies and other entertainment you have to pay for, have a yard sale of your unwanted things, I knew a lady once who made $500 on a yard sale.  You'll have to get creative to save money on entertainment, but many communites have free concerts, or you can go for a walk in the part.  If it's possible, you and your partner can get a second, part-time job.  Or go to a temp agency and take some extra jobs that way.  Good Luck. \n\nP.S.- I know you want a house, just don't get in over your head and start of your new life back in debt.
326102
figure out how much money you make in a given period of time (a month, a week, whatever). now, subtract essential things. rent, gas money, electricity bill, etc. \nnow, figure out how much is left. THAT number is how much you've been wasting. lol. so, you need to change it. cut back things that arent necesary. how much do you need to spend to have fun? figure out what's a fair figure to spend on yourself, and set that as a limit. but the majority of your extra cash should go in the bank. and make sure you're paying off the cards as aggressively as you can. dont just pay the minimums, see how much extra you can throw at it.
672439
There's research you need to do on your finances before you can answer that question.\n\nFirst, you need to track every penny you, your wife and kids spend.  And I mean EVERY penny.  Track everything you buy, every bill you pay, everytime you run through the drive-thru for food or stop to get a coffee and newspaper.  Do this for at least one month.\n\nAt the end of that month, sit down and look at how you are spending your money and what you are spending it on.  Categorize your spending for month specifically.  For example, instead of listing all food purchases into one category, break it down into "groceries," "eating out at restaurants," eating out at drive-thrus," "snacks throughout the day" (especially if you or your wife stop and pick up donuts, bagels or other small items on a regular basis).  Only through specifically categorizing will you find out why you are spending all of the money you are paid.\n\nYou will be surprised to find out how much money you end up spending on relatively "small" items that add up throughout the month.\n\nAlso, are you paying for everything in cash every month or racking up credit card debt which you then payout large amounts of interest every month?  This can take a financial toll.\n\nI know this sounds labor intensive but it is the only way to get a true and honest hold on where your money is going.  If you don't how it's being spent, you will not be able to ever control it.
420490
Your options:\n\n1) Get a job and quit spending so much money.  If you can't afford it, make it so you can afford it.  \n2) Delay it.  If you can consolidate your loans and roll them forward with another loan, then that's an option to delay the payments.  However, this is dangerous.  Your past history of getting into trouble is indicative that the same thing will happen when the bigger loan comes due.  If your parents can afford to bail you out, it's best to eat crow and see if you can get a loan from them.  If that's the case, then tell them you screwed up, you learned your lesson, you have a plan to get out of debt (e.g. job, a budget that you've already started and are sticking to). \n3) Default.  You can default on your loans, but this is very, very bad.  Student loans (and taxes) are the two things that don't go away - ever - even with bankruptcy.  You will still owe the money and you sabotage your credit permanently. If you want to ensure that you can't buy a car, never qualify to buy a house, get rejected on apartment rentals, get screwed on credit card interest rates.