<prompt> Human: Hi everyone, I am 23 years old, recently graduated from college May 2012 earning roughly 37k a year before taxes at my 9-5 job. I also work on the weekends earning a little extra cash with a second job. My constant income though would be roughly 2100 every 4 weeks 1050 biweekly after taxes. I went to school out of state and borrowed a combination of federal and private loans for all of it. I started paying the loans when the grace period ended Jan 2013, and it has just completely sapped my monthly income. I know its a serious amount of debt and Im well aware of what I have to pay back. I guess what Im wondering is if consolidation would be worth it right nowwhat the process is for that. Would the better choice be to simply keep paying these as much as I can right nowI live at home with my parents? Chase Private, Balance: 36,485.79 Interest Rate: 5.75 Monthly payment: 231.89Stafford LoanSallieMae, Balance: 3412.59 IR: 6.8 Payment: 40.96Stafford LoanSallieMae, Balance: 4653.44 IR: 6.8 Payment: 55.86Sallie Mae Private Loan, Balance: 23283.09 IR: 9.25 variable, Payment: 451.53Sallie Mae PLUS Loan, Balance: 28422.45 IR: 8.5, Payment: 202.46Stafford Great Lakes, Balance: 14739.64 IR: 3.4-6.8 Payment: 163.90Stafford Great Lakes, Balance: 8733.14 IR: 6.8, Payment: 105.71Discover Private Loan Great Lakes Balance: 27763.99 IR: 9.5 Payment: 294.35Total monthly payment: 1546.66, Total Balance: 147494.13Any constructive thoughts are appreciated.  <response>: earning roughly 37k a yearTotal Balance: 147494.13O_oYou need to take a hard look at either increasing your income dramatically, or getting on income based repayment. IBR isnt going to do anything for your private loans, but for your Federal loans it might be a clearer path. 