Almost 6k in credit card debt… any advice?

Seeking Advice
1

Life is tough right now. I’m 27, living with my sister, and each of us pays $800 for rent every month. My credit card debt is close to $6,000, and even though I’ve cut back a lot, it’s still overwhelming. I earn $18 an hour, but raises aren’t easy to come by here, and I’m only two months into this job, even though I’ve been in this field for years. My workload is about to increase because a coworker is retiring, and I’m taking over their responsibilities. My boss pays me $200 a month to manage social media, but I had originally asked for $300.

On top of that, I have a $238 car payment and student loans, which I couldn’t pay last month. My savings are shrinking because I contribute $100 to retirement each month. Then there are groceries, and now Christmas expenses too. I’ve had to turn down friends when they invite me out and instead suggest things like walking trails or splitting a pizza at my place.

I’ve been looking for a bartending job, but it’s hard since I get off at 5:30, and no one wants to hire me. Honestly, I get why people say to stay at home longer, but my sister needed a place, and I missed having my own space. I’m determined to make it work, but does anyone have tips for saving or paying off this credit card debt? I budget groceries by comparing prices on store apps and ordering ahead so I’m not tempted to overspend. I also pay more than the minimum on my credit card, but I don’t want to dig myself into a bigger hole.

I took this job for my mental health because my last one, which paid $21 hourly (take-home was $18), was miserable, and I wasn’t learning anything. My current job started at $14 hourly, but I asked for $18. Looking back, I probably should have asked for $21, but I didn’t. Financially, I’m struggling, but I’m way less stressed at work. To make extra cash, I’ve started doing delivery gigs on weekends or holidays, but it takes a lot of time to see any real earnings. Any advice would be great.

2

I’ve been there, and it’s not easy. Instead of just taking jobs, I decided to pursue nursing, even though it meant struggling for a while. It opened doors for me and came with a much better salary. My first nursing job paid $80k a year, and now, ten years later, I’m making around $150k.

3

@Pierce
That’s amazing! I wish I had the interest or skills for nursing. Most of the things I’m passionate about don’t pay well, except for social media management, which is tough to break into. I’ve been trying to grow my side business but haven’t had much luck yet. I’m really happy things worked out for you though!

4

@Pierce
That’s really inspiring. Making those sacrifices must’ve been tough, but it clearly paid off for you!

5

Have you tried asking for the $300 again for social media work? It’s worth negotiating. For groceries, we look at weekly ads and plan meals based on the deals. Grocery pickup also helps avoid impulse buying. We use Google Sheets to track expenses, due dates, and autopay. You might want to pause retirement savings for now and focus on your debt. If your student loans go into collections, there’s usually a way to rehabilitate them and bring them out. You could also contact creditors for hardship programs or look into debt counseling services to lower interest rates.

6

Cut up the credit card until it’s paid off. Once you’re out of debt, you can request a new one.

7

I’d stop retirement savings for now and put every extra dollar toward your credit card. What’s your credit score?

8

Lorin said:
I’d stop retirement savings for now and put every extra dollar toward your credit card. What’s your credit score?

I’m considering calling my bank to lower my retirement contributions for a bit. Maybe I’ll even pause it for six months.

9

Have you looked into balance transfer credit cards with 0% interest for a promotional period? It might help you manage the debt without adding more interest. Also, don’t shy away from negotiating for better pay or hours. Every bit helps.

10

@Davi
I don’t really know how those work. My hours are set since I’m technically salaried. My boss isn’t exactly flexible; he even snapped at my coworker for leaving early even though she’s retiring soon. It’s a small family business, so it’s tricky.

11

Which credit card company gave you the card?

12

Lex said:
Which credit card company gave you the card?

It’s through a credit union.

13

You spent the money, so now you’ve got to pay it back. Lesson learned.

14

You know the decisions weren’t great, and now you’re stuck. Doesn’t seem like you’re trying to change either. Not sure what to say :man_shrugging:

15

Cortland said:
You know the decisions weren’t great, and now you’re stuck. Doesn’t seem like you’re trying to change either. Not sure what to say :man_shrugging:

I never said I didn’t want to change, and where did I mention bad decisions? I’m in my 20s, went to college, worked a paid internship, and even held two jobs at once. Did I treat myself here and there? Sure. But I’ve always worked hard. I’m here asking for advice, and comments like this make it harder to reach out. Have a good day or night.