<prompt> Human: I figure many other recent college grads are in the same boat:My situation Just graduated in May, new job pays 55kyear but will only total around 45 this year due to 6 months half and 6 months full-time Moved from Missouri to Arkansas, both have State income tax, neither have city tax, and both are reasonably similar rates. Married, 5 members in household 6 by end of year Previous years averaging 30kyear did not have much income tax if any due huge refunds - thanks Obama ; 65k in personal student debt, 15k in Spouse student debt 20k in personal consumer debt, 7k in spouse consumer debt 4,000 left on a car note, worth about 4,300 - needing new car by December 6 passenger I know the debt is outrageous - 10 years of bad decisions will do that - this is not about debt, it is about major life-changing events - debt being ONE of them - please keep the debt criticism to a minimum - preaching to a choir.My BudgetBills Charity: 10 500mo Rent: 850 for 3 bedroom house Utilities: Gas, Water, Electric, etc 200-250 AC running most of the day here Food: 400mo Car Payment: 225mo wont spend more if we re-fi in December Car Fuel: 150mo Kids: 100mo clothes, diapers, toys, etc Cell: 160 - on contract I-Net: 65 - for Cable - we do 100 streaming - no cable video Household: 150mo toiletries, laundry, small repair, etc Debt: 1000 - minimum Debt Payoff: 500 goal after first few getting settled months for 1500 totalMy questions: How much do I need to worry about income tax now that Im making 55 vs 35k, married with 4 kids? - Will I still ride free or am I going to pay the piper? Is there a major risk of out of state and Schedule-NR stuff? - I moved permanantly Should I use the Federal consolidation deal that expires on the 30th of June? - the 75k is about 60k in Federal half sub, have unsub Company match is 3 for my 6 - with such high debt, should I still do the match on 401k? I plan to get out of consumer debt by 2015, student loan by 2020 and have downpayment for a 200-250k home by 2020 - am I being reasonable?Thank you all for your advice - again, I hope it helps more than just me. Anonymous for privacy, but plan to replyfollow-up as I can.  <response>: Unless charity means a 529 plan for your kids, you are doing it wrong. the church isnt going to put your kids through college. Over 18 years, 500 a month is 27,000 per child tax free without considering return on investment or the staggered age of your children. 