How can I catch up on my bills and get out of debt?

Question

I'm a 24 year old college graduate. I had some rough patches with work this year. Got a new job in January, then took what I thought would be a better job, totally got screwed over, my previous job took me back part-time. I finally got a full-time position and a promotion with a raise after my 3-month evaluation period is up.

I've already filed for forbearance on some of my student loans, but I'm supposed to start paying those back soon. I have about $2,000 or so in credit cards which happened to be maxed out. Most of the charges on those were to help me pay bills, not on toys. My car payment is a month behind. My cell phone bill is a couple of months behind. Car insurance has just taken my bank account negative.

I've tried cutting out all the expenses I can. Every week I'm selling stuff on craigslist to help me with money. I'm running out of stuff to sell...

I don't know what to do... I want to try to get out of debt and back on track. I can't cut anything else out unless I want to not eat or not put gas in my car which I need to get to work.

My job is about as good as they come in this area (which unfortunately isn't very much). I'm trying to save up so I can move to a bigger city and make more money, but I'll never save up any money at this rate. My parents are in no financial situation to help me out either. I feel like I'm going to be a poor pathetic person for the rest of my life. I make slightly too much money to get any help from the government as well...

Any suggestions on how I can get my bills under control and start getting out of the red and into the black?

Answer 1

You need a second job.  work night and weekends till you have everything up to date and a couple extra bucks in the bank.  Cleaning houses is not demeaning but a great way to pick up cash.  

Answer 2

Get a second job, then read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeoever.  Go to http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums .  The people on there are great and a guy on there with the user name Greebo can look at your bills and how much you make and set up a debt repayment plan for you.

Answer 3

First of all take a breath.  Write down everything you owe.  For 1 week write down every penny you spend, so you can see what happens to your money and I mean everything including the .50 you put in the chip machine.  No eating out, take lunch to work, try to cut down on gas if possible, if friends offer to feed you, always say yes.  Talk to your creditors see if you can negotiate lower interests rates or have finance charges removed.  Do you need your cellphone, if not turn it off or make sure you have the cheapest plan.  When paying your credit card bill always pay minimun plus the interest charge otherwise you will never pay if off.  Set a time table to pay off everything, say 2 years.  It will be tough but you are young and you can do it.  If possible get a second job and put all that money towards a specific bill untill it is paid.

Answer 4

Your situation are typical for a lot of people,so,be patient and calm down,check the resource i found useful.http://carinsurance.expertsupport.info/a...