<prompt> Human: So basically Im 26 and just graduated college in May. I started graduate school in August where I was taking home about 600 bi-weekly and basically living off whatever my parents helped me with and further racking up CC debt. I started job hunting because I couldnt survive much longer like this and got a job as an engineer making 60k base with paid overtime at the point where I can finally start working overtime. I just started working last month and now most of my cards are 2-3 months behind.My rent is 750 a month split an apartment with my girlfriend, utilitiescell phone about 250month, food is about 300month and maybe 300 a month goes to other expenses. Classes are now being paid for by my employer. My take home pay now is 1700 biweekly after taxes, insurance and 401k contributions. Heres the debt:Cap1-6200Chase-1600Citi-700Amex-500Barclay-100So monthly Im bringing in about 3400 and spending about 1700. Im feeling trapped and have no idea what to do. Whats the best way to tackle this? I cant qualify for any cardsloans due to my credit being in the toilet 520.Also well need to move in 3 months and I feel terrified no one will lease us an apartment. My girlfriend has very good credit and makes about 45k. Will it be possible for our combined income to outweigh my crappy credit. If it helps my job and company are extremely stable.Edit:I forgot to add I own my own vehicle outright, my parents want to pay my car insurance until next January, or until Im more financially stable. I have 30k in student loan debt which is in deferment because Im still a student. I may have underestimated my monthly expenses, mainly my own spending, my rent and utilities are accurate. My next step is learning how to create a budget. Ideally Id like to be able to put away 200 a month to start saving for an engagement ring too. Assistant: You have 9100 in debt. Based on your numbers, you have 1700 you can spend every month to pay down your debts. You should be able to pay off your debts by the end of summer 6 months. You can pay them off sooner if you stick to a tighter budget.Why do you feel trapped?As for the engagement ring, talk to your girlfriend and ask her what her expectations are. Ask her if she needs a diamond, or if she is fine with a synthetic stone e.g. moissanite. Synthetics are much cheaper.Human: That is true, I guess I havent really felt like I had extra money because of paying off backlogged stuff each paycheck rent and clothes needed for work. I feel trapped because having almost 10k in debt feels pretty large. I personally want to go for a diamond. She kept me afloat with a lot expenses that were crucial from August until now. Its more expensive, but I feel like I owe her that at least. At one point she paid 80 of my expenses for about 4 months when I wasnt working in between graduation and graduate school.  <response>: Off topic but please TALK to her before you buy the ring! She is going to wear it for the rest of her life so she should have a hand in what it is 