<prompt> Human: Recently graduated from a masters program; I make 80k a year gross in a low cost of living area flyover state. Will receive a pay bump to 95k gross in 3 months, with semi-yearly opportunities for future bumps based on performance. Im constantly looking around for new work opportunities, and am usually interviewing with at least one firm at any given time. I could make a higher salary in a higher cost of living market, but the COL increase usually eats up a good portion of the salary increase and quality of life goes down.My wife and I currently live with my parents rent-free, and have the option to do so for some time. If we were to get our own apartment which we may do to keep our sanity intact, it would be between 500-700mo.Finally, I should mention: Im 30 years old. I feel like my life is passing me by.Any advice? What should I do?Here are my debts:Debt Interest Rate Monthly Payment Principal------------CC1 20.74 418.00 15.950.92CC2 26.49 25.00 938.18Personal Loan 1 14.49 243.33 9,421.55Personal Loan 2 9.75 340.19 12,110.68Car Loan 7.79 167.24 5,099.91Student Loan 7.79 Grace Period thru November 187,383.00Total 8.01 avg 1,193.76 230,904.14Assistant: 1. You need to talk to your wife about this debt. Its a lot of debt. Theres no dancing around it. With an income of 80-95k, its manageable but just barely. With an income of 150k, its way more tolerable and will allow you to live a normal modest lifestyle. Without a second income or a major increase in your income, you should stay with your parents for at least 1 year.2. As others have said, kill the high interest debts first and try to consolidatetransfer the to lower interest accounts as much as you can. Your interest rates are on the high side. I will say I have some concerns about your general PF. 16k on a CC and 7.79 on a car loan indicate to me that you have bad PF practices. I get you were a poor grad student and needed to fund your life somehow, but credit cards and bad loans are bad practices. You should be concerned about this habit because if tomorrow a once in a life time opportunity pops up, are you going to pull out a CC and just finance it?3. Going back to income, you need to be aggressive with trying to make as much as you can while keeping expenses low. If this new job doesnt give you the 15k bump in 3 months, you need to shop around ASAP. You have the type of debt that a lot of law students and med students graduate with. When you have this kind of debt, you need to make money. While 80k is a nice income for the majority of people, in your circumstance, thats almost the minimum you can make.Human: This is great advice; points 1 and 3 are particularly salient. And youre right about poor PF practices; Ive been a little too fast and loose with CCs in the past.Regarding point 3: this is a great way to look at it, and an apt comparison. My boss has been very open about wanting to keep me for the long haul; the regular salary bumps are a big part of that. I am going to keep interviewing and be in-process for other opportunities just to make sure I dont end up screwed over.  <response>: Minor tangent here: Im going entirely off of what you said about your current boss, but dont underestimate histhe companys value as a solid constant - i.e. no uncertainties and a virtually guaranteed paycheck. Perhaps you could consider being with them at least a year - the stability will look good on your resume and if your wife picks up a job your financial plans from all the other good folk commenting will be within reach as well. 