<prompt> Human: Hello, Redditors!Heres my situation - Im trying to get out of 20k in debt, but my boyfriend has been laid off and without work for about eight months. Im covering all of the expenses for two adults on 1600 a month, and about a third of my monthly income is going toward the minimum payments on my debts. Money is very, very tight, so much so that I actually make about 200 less a month than I need to in order to break even with bills. Ive been pretty much limping from paycheck to paycheck, doing what I can to make sure things are paid on time and selling books and games for extra cash when I can. Im also decluttering right now, so that helps!As a result, weve been relying on one of my credit cards for gas and grocery money, doctor bills etc. I gave it to him to cover whatever he needs while Im at work, since he has no income but still has bills. Its a new card when Costco got rid of Amex they switched my balance to a Citi card and I didnt actually get a statement for a few months. Well, I did get a statement, and found that we went over the credit limit by...a lot. My minimum payment to get it below the limit is 1200. At the same time, I also got audited by the IRS for a tax mistake two years ago and found I owe 900 in back taxes. I got the latter sorted out, other than a 120 admin fee the tax payment is 50 a month so thats not catastrophic as it could be. I dont know what to do about my Citi card and that ridiculous payment, though. Of course I intend to pay it back, I spent the money after all and its my fault for not paying better attention. But... how am I supposed to come up with a thousand dollars out of nowhere? I cant, which leaves calling them and asking for patience and mercy. Which brings me to the actual question; what is the best way to phrase this to the creditor? Im very introverted and not good at talking to people over the phone. Id like to see if I can do minimum payments of 120 until I get the balance back within the credit limit - Thats still more than I can afford, but its an amount that seems fair to me. What do you guys think?I can already hear you telling me to cut my spending and make bigger payments - I would love to but really cant, sorry. Our food and gas budget for two people is 50 a week, we dont drink soda, I make my coffee at home or get free at work, my internet is only 40 a month, we dont have TV service, my phone bill isnt going to get any cheaper until I pay off my phone, I take public transit because my job will reimburse part of the cost...and yes, Ive already spoken to all of my creditors and asked for a better interest rate. Moving to a cheaper apartment is not really an option right now, either. I have 300 in my emergency fund, but I dont want to use that toward debt because I know its only a matter of time before I come up short for rent.Bonus question: Any ideas on how to make extra income when Im already working full time? I would love to work overtime at my job, but its only available when someone calls in sick. Im really struggling to get my feet under me so I can fight this debt, and its hard not to get discouraged. I know my SO is doing everything he can to find work and nagging him to do more will only hurt our relationship, which in my eyes means that I need to find ways to close that gap while we wait. Any ideas are greatly appreciated, Ive gone over this in my head so often that I feel stuck in a loop, and I think some outside perspective would be helpful. Sorry for the novel!Tl;dr: How to ask creditors for a smaller minimum payment when youve gone over your limit? And how to make extra income when Im working full time?  <response>: but my boyfriend has been laid off and without work for about eight monthsThis is your problem, plain and simple, he needs to get a job. You are looking for ways to not nag too much and for you to make the extra income instead, its not FAIR to YOU. There has got to be places hiring in the area, even if its mcdonalds, uber or pizza hut, its something! 