<prompt> Human: I graduated from college roughly a year and a half ago. When I finished my studies I got offered a good corporate job right here in the university town where I studied. I kept the party lifestyle going that I developed during my studies and I have now found myself in quite a deep hole financially. When I did the math recently I realized that the situation is much worse than I always thought and serious action is required from my part. Since Im from South Africa all figures are in ZAR. Current mid-market rates are roughly 1 USD 13.18 ZAR.The debt:In total I have accumulated about R188700 worth of debt excluding my vehicle finance. R91700 of this is on credit cards. R72000 is from a personal loan with a friend that I started accumulating in college already. R25000 is for study fees I have to pay my company back after botching my part-time post grad studies.The credit card debt costs me R4000month in minimum payments That always end up being spent again afterwards. So the cards end up staying maxed out For the other debt there isnt currently a payment arrangement in place so it just looms quietly in the background. Car:The outstanding balance on my car finance is roughly R250k incl. interest over the next 5 years. If I want to settle with the bank now it would cost me R188k. Problem is, dealers are only offering me around R100k - R120k for the car. If I sell it privately I may be able to push for R140k Im guesstimating.The car costs me about R4000month in installments and another R3000month in fuel if I drive close to as little as I need to commuting to work and leaving town once a month. Rent:For the location my rent at R5700month is pretty low and theres not much scope for trying to find something cheaper. Moving in with my parents is also not even nearly an option. Other expenses:My insurance policy home contents, vehicle, cellphone, etc. costs me around R1260month. My home internet account costs me around R800month and my cellphone account around R600month. Both of these are on 24 month contracts.Each month I earn R24k after tax and deductions, which in South Africa is actually really good for my experience level. So simply finding another local job isnt much of a solution. Budgeting R2000month towards settling those other two informal debts over the next 5 years, I am left with R2200month for food, clothing, and other expenses.Possible solutions:Option A Start living a drastically reduced lifestyle, well below the quality of life me and my friends are used to. Which will most likely alienate me from a lot of them and cause a lot of psychological issues along the way as I practically wont be able to spend any money on enjoying life for the next 5 years.Option B Find a work-away job for a few years on a mine oil rig middle-eastern country where I can earn a considerably larger income and where expenses like accommodation are covered. This is the option I would most prefer by far, but finding such a job with my limited and niche experience is easier said than done. Option C The reason for the post. A friend recommended posting here. Any advice or other viewpoints on the matter would be greatly appreciated.  <response>: You put yourself in this situation. Be responsible and take care of the debt. Cut back drastically. Not your responsibility to give other people the lifestyle of partying. You shouldve been very appreciative of the fact that you were given a great job after you graduated at a university. Many students wouldve loved to have that opportunity. I suggest you continue working getting a second or third job at nights and weekends if necessary and change your friends. If you dont do this you put yourself on a path for your entire life of this kind of lifestyle. struggling a few years will prevent you from ever doing it again 