<prompt> Human: Ok, so Im not even sure where to start. Ive been reading this sub for about a month now and seen the miracle stories from people getting help with this sub. Ive got student loan debt, medical debt, credit card debt, probably about 20k in all. Im a bartender making good money about 100-200 a night 4 nights a week. I also owe the IRS money. I have about 900 saved away. My credit is shot 590 last time I checked. Where do I start? I am sick of renting and want to be able to buy a house some day. Any recommendations, especially from people who have risen from the ashes of financial ruin?  <response>: - Make a budget keep it reasonable - Stick to it - Pay the IRS first and foremost ask about a payment plan - Start an Emergency Fund and have at least 1000 in this account before doing the following: - Once thats done pay the highest interest debt usually credit cards second while still making minimum payments on your other debt - Then your car loan assuming lower interest rate than credit cards and keep making minimum payments on your student loans - Then your student loans assuming lower interest rate than car loan - If you have been paying your medical debt monthly keep paying the minimum and ask if you can pay more to get rid of it sooner And then youre debt free!! For your credit - as you keep paying your bills ON TIME in a few years your score should go up hopefully substantially. Once all your debts are paid off start saving for a 20 down payment on a house. Make sure your Emergency Fund has enough for 3-6 months of expenses. If you need to find a second job I recommend to get ahead faster. Good luck! 