<prompt> Human: Hello redditors on PF, long-time poster on various other subs but due to the embarrassment I have regarding my finances Ive created an alternate account to protect my identity. . Im not sure if anyone here cares for the backstory on how I amassed so much debt and for me its painful to tell it. In short I was involved in an abrupt bitter break-up a few years ago which forced me out of his apartment and left me homeless with nothing to my name except for some credit cards, clothes and a few hundred dollars. I was desperate to get on my feet again so I had to couch surf for awhile until I found employment to where I could afford my own place. During this my cash funds were dwindling down, and I had to start using credit cards but thankfully I was able to find a job that paid pretty well. I decided to take out a personal loan for 5500 which allowed me to do three things: set aside some money for an emergency, use the money to pay for security depositfirst monthlast month rent, and also purchase a used car. Maybe I made a mistake in doing this, but I couldnt think of any alternatives to get cash as soon as possible. . So once I got the apartment, I had to buy a bed and a microwave. I was able to get a TV and an old computer donated to me from a friend. The other things Ive had to purchase was a toothbrush, cleaning supplies, work clothes, bed sheets, trash can, a vacuum and of course food. I havent spent any money on anything thats not essential. . But reviewing my debts I am terrified I have ruined myself for the next 5 years if not longer. Redditors I am in desperate need of your expertise and advice. Ive gone through the section on the site on how to handle but I cant even hit step 1 yet with building an emergency fund. Saving and putting money in a 401kretirement is obviously out of the question for now. Here is the list of debts I have. . Credit Card 1: 3,473.39 Credit Line: 4,000 15.05 APR - Mininum Payment 83.00 Credit Card 2: 1,629.25 Credit Line: 1,800 20.15 APR - Mininum Payment 35.00 Credit Card 3: 1,780.33 Credit Line: 2,000 23.24 APR - Mininum Payment 25.00 Credit Card 4: 6,585.66 Credit Line: 6,900 21.24 APR - Mininum Payment 137.00 Credit Card 5: 1,675.70 Credit Line: 1,676 19.99 APR - Mininum Payment 40.00 Credit Card 6: 4,003.01 Credit Line: 4,800 26.24 APR - Mininum Payment 55.00 Credit Card 7: 906.00 Credit Line: 1,000 Deferred 16.4 APR until 021717 - Mininum Payment 20.00 Credit Card 8: 806.60 Credit Line: 1,000 25.49 APR - Mininum Payment 25 Credit Card 9: 1,533.87 Deferred 25.99 APR until 080216 - No Mininum Payment Personal Loan: 4,789.03 10.99 APR - Mininum Payment 120 Student Loan: 7,568.26 6.55 APR - Mininum Payment 127 TOTAL DEBT MINUS STUDENT LOANS: 27,182.84 TOTAL DEBT: 34,751.10 . I currently have 1408.33 in cash. . Here is my budget I have worked out so far: . Rent - 495 Cable Internet - 80 Had to bundle both to save money Cell Phone - 99 20 for the phone itself, 249.96 left to pay off phone Electric and Gas - 70 Car and Rental insurance - 91 Student Loan - 127 Personal Loan - 120 All Credit Cards - 420 if I paid just the mininum payment for all Car Gas - 35 I get a monthly pass that comes out of my paycheck to commute to work. . TOTAL BILLS PER MONTH: 1,537. . TOTAL PAYCHECKS PER MONTH: 2,400. . I get two extra checks in July and December since Im paid bi-weekly 26 checks for the year. . I know in the budget I didnt include food costs, since its only me and I dont eat out, Ill have to start tracking how much I spend. Per week so far its been about 100, if thats too much Ill see if I can trim that. . Thanks to all that are able to give me some helpful advice and direction on how I can eliminate this debt quickly.Assistant: You need to be honest and realistic with yourself here: you are on the edge and could very easily spiral downwards from here. If youre able to consolidate the CC debt into a new CC at a 0 introductory rate that would be ideal but I doubt youll be able to.You have at least 500month you could put to the debt but the first thing you need to do is make a budget and account for every last dollar with no excuses of I didnt include food because it is only me. Also cut some of your expenses; Ive no idea why you have to spend 80 on cableinternet.Human: The 80 cableinternet is the cheapest in my area. I only have two options Comcast and Verizon, and Verizon had the best price move in offer of 69.99, but it comes out more than that with taxes and fees. The food thing is the only question mark in my budget, everything else has been accounted for. Because the high balances on the credit cards has lowered my credit score, theres no way Im getting a new CC with a large enough credit limit to cover all of the debt.Assistant: I think you misunderstood me. I was questioning why you have to have this expense at all.Human: So drop cableinternet completely? Nearly all the time I spend outside of work is using the internet. Its my main source of enjoyment from work and allows me to relieve stress, so removing that isnt wise. I can see about dropping the cell phone plan to something cheaper.Assistant: You asked for advice. The hard part is applying it.Human: my sister has this same mind-set. shes now overwhelmed by credit card debt and filing for bankruptcy, but dammit shes got her HBO NOW subscription!Assistant: So are people not to enjoy themselves in any way? They should completely serve the debt god? Just crazy stuff. Now I understand if someone is frivolously spending their money and needs to stop, that isnt my issue though. There are people who are in a good situation and make poor financial choices, it happens, but all I read here is you must suffer because of your debt and have zero joy in life.Human: quite the hyperbole youve got there. you just need to find something different to enjoy. long distance running is free. internet at the library is free. sketching in a park is free.but you do what makes you happy. good luck, i hope it works out.Assistant: Theres no hyperbole, if you knew me in real life I spend nearly all my time online. Its the only thing I find enjoyable right now, and Ive looked at these other free hobbies before, they dont interest me and Ive already done them to some degree in the past.  <response>: I am terrified I have ruined myself for the next 5 years if not longer. Redditors I am in desperate 