<prompt> Human: Im almost 30 and I have about 30k in credit card debt spread across 3 credit cards interest ranges from 6 on my AMEX, to 15 on another and 19 on my last. I guess Ill start by saying that I know Im an idiot. Ive made some terrible financial decisions and am at that point where Im getting tired of paying 2k a month in just credit card bills paying more than minimum - and to be frank, it gets overwhelming at times - especially when there is an emergency flat tire, dental work that isnt 100 covered, etc. When an emergency does occur, I usually have to fall back onto a credit card to help pay whatever additional bills pop up, which ultimately sets me back a few months of my own repayment plan that I created in my head. For about a year I was unemployed and had to rely on my savings credit cards to get through it. Also did not help that I was an impulse buyer Ive curbed that shitty habit for a while now though. I now make about 100k a year bonus, and have almost no liquid savings. I pay rent, bills, put away towards retirement and have about 1-2k left over. This needs to cover all of the basics gas, groceries, insurance, etc. Im really interested in getting some kind of debt consolidation loan. Im not looking to do any debt negotiation or settlements - because I can pay off the credit cards and Im not trying to screw a company for my poor decisions. The end result Id like is to be able to take all of my credit card debt, pay it off with some kind of personal loan and then pay between 1-1.5k a month to that one loan. While at the same time, be able to put away a little extra into an emergency savings fund so Im not entirely dependent on credit cards.The problem is that I cant get a personal loan for that much from a bank my credit debt is much higher than 30 of my over all credit.... What other options are there? Are there any reputable companies that might be able to help?Or if you have any other suggestions - Im all ears. Thanks for reading.tl;dr- I have 30k in credit card debt. Want to find some way to consolidate into one personal loan but cant seem to get a loan from a traditional bank. Any other ideas?Assistant: Breakdown of bills. I make about 5200ish a month after taxes, 401k, insurance. Credit cards bills:500 500 300 1300 a month, more than minimum but not enough over minimum.Rent 927 a month, I live with a roommate, but I live in an expensive area not by choice, the cities around the area I work are all approximately this price - more if I lived in a 1 bedroom by myself. Utilities approximately 100Cell approximately 100 I have a family plan and my sister cell only is on this planCar 485 a month I recently had to purchase a new car - probably not the smartest decision - but it happenedMedical pills 100 a month after insuranceGroceries 400 a month this includes hygiene productsI help my parents 500 a monthI attempt to put away 500 a month which ultimately gets used up after a few months due to unforeseen circumstances - I have shitty luckGas 200 a monthI smoke approximately 75 a monthLeaves about 6-700 for whatever. I know it might seem extravagant to some... but I cant find anywhere to reduce. This takes care of lunch, and random small expenses - like insurance payments, birthday gifts, etcI pull my credit report yearly, in JanFeb. My credit score has gone down significantly for the following:1 Debt vs credit ratio2 I have a ding - long story short, I was late on a payment because an auto debit was done incorrectly creditors fault. Ive tried to fight this for over a year but I kept getting rejected - basically a he said she said scenario and I lost. My credit score is almost in the gutter and is wavering around 650. I think thats most of the background - rereading it. Fuck, what is wrong with me. Im just like... I make all this money... even after taxes I should be more than comfortable. I wish I had not fucked myself so hard. I know I have no one to blame except for myself and I am definitely not looking for hand outs or anything like that. I just wish I had been more responsible when I was a little younger. I have attempted the pay minimum and save route. But quite frankly, the minimum I owe is not that much less than what I am paying now in credit card bills. I dont know... sometimes it just feels so overwhelming. But I know so many people have it a lot worse.. and I shouldnt complain... yet I dont know. I fucked up, I should take responsibility which Im trying to.. but man. Its rough. Especially when you get a raise and it ends up being almost nothing because you are now in the next tax bracket.. etc. I dont know.. Im just rambling now. Sorry.  <response>: Quit smoking. Realistically, youll probably want to use the 75 bucks your spending now on cessation aids instead, and then stop those when youre able. Alternatively, you could keep smoking and not have to worry about retirement.Start bringing lunch to work. I assume the lunch you mentioned in the 6-700 part is eating out.Buy cheaper birthday presents. Expensive meaningful. I never spend more than ten bucks on a present, including the card.Also, tighten up that whatever gap in your budget. Insurance is not an unexpected item. Are there any other things in there that ought to be properly counted in your budget?EDIT: ymmv, but how much did you spend on the car, and how much is it worth now? It could be worth looking into selling the car and getting a cheaper, used one. Youll lose money on the car for sure, but it could free up a good chunk of change to use on the credit cards, and give you the head start you need.EDIT 2: Fuck, what is wrong with me.You made some poor choices, whatever. LOTS of people have. But you can also make good decisions too, starting now. Besides, this has nothing to do with your inherent value as a human being. There is nothing wrong with you, you are not a bad person. Id bet that youre a pretty good person, given that youre helping out your family, even when youre so stressed out with money yourself.Itll be OK, man. Its a tough situation, but not impossible by any stretch : 