[JazmenFlowers]

I had to grow up fast too when I was 16 and my parents made me get a job. Then I had to start paying for almost everything myself. They still helped with cars and things here and there. By the time I went to college, I was completely on my own and managed to have an apartment, a nice vehicle and go to 3 or so Stevie concerts on $100 a week. Looking back now, I'm glad it all happened the way it did. I, like most Americans, am in debt, but not nearly as much as the average American. To some degree, we all can't be "debt free" and so I look at the debt I have and the majority of it are things I really had to have. Fixing up the house, buying a good TV and furniture and having a computer. My Express and Gap cards are almost paid off and I hope to have my credit card and other charge cards paid off in a year to 2 years. I look at where I am today, 26, and I'm so proud of myself to own a home and a nice vehicle and go pretty much as I please. I'm very comfortable and true, I could focus harder on getting out of debt sooner, but I am working towards that. I live for the day when I have all the extra money I send to creditors and seeing it in the near future is pure bliss.

So, that's not really advice, but what I would do is sit down and make a list - lists always help me...put it on paper what you have, what you need and how you will progress from here. I love Suze but sometimes her methods are over my head, but she is a great source for getting your own ideas of how to manage your finances. I would say start NOW and you'll feel better once you've taken stock of what's what and have a gameplan. I'll be glad to help you as much as I can.

P.S. It's very "grown-up" of you to share this and to look for solutions.