<prompt> Human: My parents have been in debt for years now and have been trying to figure out how to fix it, but have failed. Any advice?Edit: Hey guys thanks for all the help, but Ive noticed a lot of you getting angry at my parents. I realize that it may sound bad that theyre leaving me in charge of the budget, but theyre just frustrated and grasping at straws now. So please dont be rude to my parents theyre not here its just me asking for help to make a budget not to hear opinions on how irresponsible my parents are.Edit Id like to thank you guys for all your help I really hope that itll work and that well be out of debt sooner than later, but I have to go to bed if anybody else has something to say Ill respond to it tomorrow. Good night.Assistant: Step 1: Dont add any new credit card debt.Do they recognize that this is likely a huge problem? How did the problem start? How has it grown? What have they tried so far?What are the balances and interest rates? What are their other debts? Whatre their incomes and monthly expenses?Human: Yes they realize that its a problem, but they seem to just keep spending. So theyre leaving me in charge of fixing it but Im 16 and have no idea what Im doing. Its grown from them using their credit cards to pay off bills and buy stuff off the internet. Im not sure what theyve tried but I do know my mom tried a budget one time but wouldnt stick to it and went back to spending money. What do you mean by balances and interests rates? This is the only debt that I know of. And their income together is about 4,400 a month. Expenses around 1,500 a month.Assistant: Short answer take the credit cards away. Pay off smallest amt first then roll into next smallest an so on. Dont really think will help them end the end. Will probably build more debt an then say its your fault. I hope Im wrong. This shouldnt be something they put in your hands. Theyve reversed the role of parent and child. Sorry just had to say it. Edit: read Dave ramsey, suzy orman Human: I doubt theyll let me take their cards away but Ill see what I can do. And its cool at least you werent rude like some of the other commenters.  <response>: Without their cards you wont be in control. In the very least your gonna come out of this with a wealth of information. At the very most you watch the breakdown of your family. I hope you never experience that. Your seem to be a very mature 16 yr old and handling this will be an eye opener. Good luck! 