<prompt> Human: DISCLAIMER My financial situation is a complete hot mess filled with stupid choices that will make you question your decision to continue to live on this planet. I need help because I have not been able to do this on my own. If I was a financial expert I would not be seeking advice. I have seen some toxic replies to other threads and if you feel triggered by this post, please drink some tea and take a walk to calm down. If you think you can offer me help to change my situation, please continue. Background: I have been working as a TA for the past two years making around 17k before taxes in one of the largest cities in the US. I recently took a job where I will be making 51k before taxes and I have a side job that pays 7.5k per year before taxes. My current Debts are:- A repossessed car that I have ignored for two years. The last letter I got said that after the car was sold and applied to my balance, I still owed 11,000. I have not heard from or followed up with it since. I have been too afraid to lose what little money I was making.- I owe the IRS about 1800 in tax money- I owe my old bank somewhere between 1,000-2,000 because I had my IRS refund check 1100 deposited into the account and for some reason, it got returned after I spent the money and the bank said I owed them the amount of the check and I was overwhelmed by the idea of confronting this issue and trying to get the IRS to issue me another check to cover the rescinded deposit.The 1800 I mentioned above is a combination of 1000 in taxes I owe from a few years ago and an audit I received this year after I got my refund saying I actually owe them 800- I financed my cell phone through Sprint and I still owe 600 on that.Thats all the debt I have.My current Bills:- Rent 400 all included staying with a friend for as long as I need- Groceries Supplies 250- LyftMetro 150- Eating out 260- Phone 70 for the plan 30month for the device- Medical Monthly expenses 70- All bills listed are monthlyThis is a projected budget based on what I have wanted my finances to look like for the past few years. This does not reflect actual dollars spent, more of how I wish I was spending.Can you help me with the following goals?- Steps to establish an Emergency Fund- Smartest way to Pay off Debt- Lay the ground work to ultimately buy a house - Buy a car as soon as possible for new job with no financing, something cheap and not flashyOne last thing. The new job I have is a 16-month contract. I anticipate being able to transition to a permanent position but it is by no means a guarantee. I want to use this dramatic increase in finances to set myself up to really work towards these goals.Edit: A dollar sign and bolding a sentence.  <response>: Its great that you addressing this now. Your housing situation is lucky. Stay there as long as you pay off this debt. That low rent will be key to making progress.First build a small emergency fund. You might have a problem like losing your transport card, a trip to urgent care, a need for professional clothes, replacing an electronic device, etc. And you may need money when this contract ends.Your debt is interesting in that its not CC and student loan. I am also not sure of the priority of these debts, but the IRS can do some unpleasant stuff. When you are prepared with a payment for them get this together soon, call them. I just experienced an audit and contrary to public perception they are helpful and informative, especially for those who want to cooperate.You can pay off Sprint quickly. Do that soon so its less to think about. Deal with the bank after the IRS so you are clear how much is owed. It sounds like your income could get Sprint and the bank sorted out within 3 months while also dealing with the IRS.Tackle the car repo after the others, or after you have a set solution for the IRS. Get your credit report when you start. It wont be pretty, and that sucks but thats ok because its not permanent and its not a reflection on you as a person, just a mathematical calculation of how you handled money until now. Be inspired by how much its in your power to change. Then get your score again at the end and see what else you can do.Stay away from credit cards. Period. Theyll just make it worse.PF recommends that people save best when they pay themselves first, i.e. they set that money aside before they ever see it. I recommend you pay your debt first each month, same idea.Best of luck! Come back go us in 16 months with an update! 