I just got a position working at a University as an Academic Advisor for MBA students. making around 52...but before that I was making 36 a year in a small town in WA..rent was literally $495 for a NICE place..you could get a NICE 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apt for 995. the cost of living was cheap, so that 36 was treating me right..
But the thing is, I(my girl as well) have ridiculous discipline..my mom practically raised me and my siblings(6 kids total) on credit and I saw all the s--t she went through, so I learned from that and vowed to always be responsible when it came to my finances.. My girl came from a family where they had money. Her pops was high ranking in the Military and saved out the anus..they own 4 homes across America. Luckily, she was a penny pincher as well and she works hard.
You just have to make your debt a priority. I bet there are some things you can cut out or reduce in your life. I didnt have cable for the past 2 years. I could afford it, but just didnt need it. It was different at first because I have always had cable, but I got used to it. It also encouraged me to get out of the house, so I devoted most of that time to working out and getting in shape. You gotta budget and be patient. it takes time and money to get out of debt. But the sooner you start, the better.