<prompt> Human: Im sure everyones heard this story before. Im. 26 yr old who was a stupid teenager with credit cards. I have been trying for years to get out from underneath of it but with approximately 10k in debt over two cards along with other bills its been like hitting my heard against a wall to get out from under it. Especially since the one with the higher balance...about 7500...has a lovely 31 interest rate.To compound problems I recently got engaged and am planning a wedding that Ill probably be footing most of the bill for next October. Also, my two bedroom townhouse like apartment is getting smaller by the day for my fiancé and I and our three children. So in the future we obviously would like to purchase a home instead of dumping more money into renting.Im able to pay all of my bills monthly, but have little to show for it afterwards. Paying what I can to my cards never seems to make a dent. I have looked into debt consolidation but have already been turned down by my local bank for a loan because my debt to income ratio is too high. My fiancé had to file bankruptcy a few years back so a lot of lines of credit we opened were done in my name. Ive also looked into credit counseling agencies but there are so many and a lot have tons of bad reviews by people whose situation only got worse by using them. I can use any advice or ideas to help get me in the right direction. I hate that my past poor financial decisions are now ruining not only my future but that of my fiancé and children. Please help reddit!Assistant: First of all let me clarify some of the personal questions.- When we met she already had two children. We have since had an unplanned child despite the use of birth control.- As far as why I accepted the interest rate there are two things...one as Ive said I was a stupid kid at the time that didnt pay attention to such things as interest rates. Also I was paying off my cards every month when I opened the account. My interest rate has NOTHING to do with latemissing payments. - All of the additional lines of credit opened since weve been together were essentials. With two kids and another on the way we needed a bigger car. The car we bought is in both of our names. We also have two interest free payments for furniture and things of that nature for our place. We pay plenty towards these two in order to pay them off before the interest free period is done. Outside of those three there have been nothing else opened.- The house is a pipe dream at this point, we know that. However, we do need a larger space because of our situation...which is a little more then 5 people in a two bedroom place. Renting a larger place only brings about probably higher rent and additional expenses we probably can not afford at this point. So we arent exactly running to a realtor or mortgage broker at this point.- Ive tried to look into credit transfers, consolidation loans, etc but banks will not give me alot of open credit to transfer my debt. - My fiance filed bankruptcy for different reasons then you all have thought. Without alot of unnecessary details lets just say she was in an abusive relationship where her boyfriend at the time took all of her money and she was unable to pay her bills. The situation got bad enough that she had to file bankruptcy. - At this point I can afford my bills. The problem is no wiggle room, no emergency fund, and no relief. I appreciate the ideas so far. As far as why I did things in the past, they dont really matter at this point. Ive told you about my present and am looking for help in improving my future. Thanks for all the comments!PS - an incomeexpense breakdown to come.  <response>: I think youre trying to justify these things when you did not need to go the route you did for them. Okay, new car, I get it. Did you sell the old one? Did you finance a new one? Why didnt you find one that was reliable on Craigslist for less and work up to the nice one? Also, financing furniture? With three kids, youve got to know that it was going to get trashed. I have a solid wood dining room table from craigslist that was 175. At retailers, it would have sold for 400. You should have definitely shopped around for it a lot more rather than buying it and seeing oh, its only xx per month!I know I sound like a total jerk here, but bear with me, please. I started my marriage off with 7000 in credit card debt, a 15k car loan at 11 interest I wish I was kidding, and this was AFTER my husband had paid off the 4k in credit card debt I had before we got married. We were struggling hardcore when we first got married, and we dont have kids. So heres what Ive got for you, as you have not posted your monthly income and other expenses like everyone has asked:It seems that you cannot lower your payments or anything like that. This is time for this. I think Im the only person to recommend this on this subreddit, but it worked for me a few years ago. Call all of your credit card companies and ask about hardship programs. I had a Chase credit card at a 29 interest rate, and they closed the card and dropped it to 12 while I pay it off. It has made it much easier. They usually just require you to set up automatic payments for a year or something like that. And yes, they will close the card. But I dont think you need it anyways if its at 31; youd be better off selling your fingers for things.And it seems that its going to be easier for you to either make some serious cutbacks or work more. And I mean serious cutbacks. Think rFrugal style: no dining out, no cable, no 150month phone plans, no gym memberships, and all of that goodstuff, until you are out of debt. Its what Dave Ramsey would call gazelle intense. And make sure your fiance is on the same page with you. From here on out, there needs to be a were not buying it unless its in cash rule. And consider every purchase you make at 31 until you get that card paid off. Because every single dollar you can throw at that debt will make your life so much easier when its gone.Go to your local library its free! and get Dave Ramseys Total Money Makeover. It helps you wrap your head around things a little better, and if you ever need someone to talk to, come chat with us at rmoneymakeover. Its not going to happen overnight, but youll get there. Good luck!Sorry that was so freaking long. 