Echoing what most have said already, but honestly, if I were in your shoes, I would drop all but the necessary expenses to put as much into paying the CCs down as soon as possible. Live like a hermit for a few months. Not doing so or shifting the debt around will only make things more difficult and expensive.

Most people don't realize how much money they waste on unnecessary crap. People have already given good advice, but drop cable, netflix, etc. cook for yourself (from scratch, not frozen stuff), consider how much you drive, carpool if possible (it amazes me how many people jump into a car to go two blocks), raise the AC. Sell stuff you don't use regularly.

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Posted by hungryone

river parishes

Member since Sep 2010

11987 posts

Posted on 6/4/18 at 2:13 pm to tduecen

quote:
I could cut a lot of that out and pay off things quicker but damn that just wouldn't be fun.

I'm simply encouraging people to expand their ideas of "fun". Fun doesn't have to solely be eating out, drinking in bars, attending paid events....there is plenty of fun to be had, entertaining at home (or cooperatively with friends at their homes), doing less expensive (or gasp, Free!) stuff with people you enjoy, and living a very full life of awesome experiences.

Your quality of life & level of enjoyment should not be determined by your spending level. Having fun without spending lots of money does not equal staying home.

Debt at credit card rates is insane. Sit down and do the math on how many hours of your life will be devoted to paying it off. The faster you pay it off, the better your quality of life will be.

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Posted by tduecen

Member since Nov 2006

161244 posts

Posted on 6/4/18 at 2:21 pm to hungryone

quote:
.there is plenty of fun to be had, entertaining at home (or cooperatively with friends at their homes)

We do this, just not at our home because of how far out we live. I also prefer to go out because well friends have kids and kids make a less enjoyable experience for me. I don't have them, want them, and like to hang out with friends away from kids.

quote:
and living a very full life of awesome experiences.

Plenty of that to do, which is why I budget travel expenses every month as well

quote:
Your quality of life & level of enjoyment should not be determined by your spending level

Travel, going out, theater, museums, sporting events all cost money and all things I enjoy. Might not be for everyone but it is for me.

quote:
Having fun without spending lots of money does not equal staying home.

Nope, but it is usually the case. No matter what you are still looking at paying for gas, beverages, etc. While not as much as say going to the Chimes and sitting out having a few beers, it still does cost something.

quote:
Sit down and do the math on how many hours of your life will be devoted to paying it off. The faster you pay it off, the better your quality of life will be.

I already have, I can pay it off earlier if I decide to cut back. I can also pay it off at my current rate relatively soon as well.

I'm not advocating the stay at home, live like a hermit approach, that some are. I think a person can pay off debt without changing the things they enjoy as long as they're smart about their choices.

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Posted by shel311

McKinney, Texas

Member since Aug 2004

110774 posts

Posted on 6/5/18 at 9:32 am to jp90

quote:
Love my job/company and already have side hustle.

quote:
Single/ late 20’s

You haven't replied since the OP, but you need to give more details for anyone to truly give good advice.

I imagine there's more to it but on the surface, if you're young/single and have a good job and side job, you should easily have enough extra money to start paying that debt down quickly. But again, I imagine there's more to it that we're missing.

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