<prompt> Human: Although I received a very small monthly stipend throughout Grad school, my husband and I accumulated about 9,500 in credit card debt by the time I finished. A lot of the spending was due to the fact that he was unemployed for the first 6 months an art degree in 2009 didnt really do much for a job market in Portland, Or so a lot of expenses went to utilities and things like that. Admittedly, some was just irresponsible stress spending on pizza and beer. Two years after finishing school and a string of horrible jobs and terribly unstable finances I have a masters in sociology, Im self employed as an urban farmer and also work for an amazing small business thats growing and inspiring my own business development. My husband is supporting his side of finances as an independent artist and his career is really taking off. However, while we can pay bills we absolutely cannot pay more than the minimum payments on the card which is little more than the interest for that month, about 325. Together, we make an average of 1500- 2000 a month, and pay 800 in rent. Its unlikely that or incomes will change substantially over the next couple years and we are fine with that; weve gotten good at making ends meet, were proud of what we do, and are working hard to make rewarding careers for ourselves. But the reality of the debt being fairly unchangeable really makes me anxious. Mostly I feel like there must be a better way to handle it than just making payments like that. I want to be responsible and pay back our debt but right now Im just tredding water. Id really appreciate some advice the bank just suggested I keep up the minimum payments. Thank you!  <response>: You need to make more than 750month each. You can make that in a week waiting tables with no degree. Id take a more practical view toward life and work. 