Any chance at considering raising your salary by looking for a better job. i don't recall if I have posted on this topic before but throughout my career, I gained significant advantage over my peers by being willing to relocate with both current firm as well as always looked for opportunities in good locations that I would be willing to live. This brought me from the West Coast, to the East Coast, Mid West (Chicago) and finally now in the Pacific North West. Each move came with a salary boost, paid move through corporate Cendant Mobility, and a singing bonus every time between 10K (Lowest) and 30K, Highest. Not sure what you do but before counting yourself out, explore on linkedin jobs in your area of interest in cities you would be willing to live. I first began as a single person, then with a DW, then 2 kids. We have settled down but we did get this process nailed down, timed for the start of school, etc. It is a way out, a way to explore, learn, grow big time, and experience different locations. Not sure how custody would work in that scenario. Even exploring across Chicago for a higher salary can yield a signing bonus, added perks, etc. I loved what i did before I began this journey across the country and back but I have always been driven to be fiscally accountable and knew that I would never truly get ahead until I simply went for more. I never listened to any of my friends or family that said "you can't do that, you will never find a better job that pays more than...or you can't jump from Finance, to Marketing," and so on. You can find a way out if you set your mind to it but I would say with debt like this, time is of the essence because of your interest rates. I would also try and stand alone vs borrowing from your dad. It's just better that way in the long run - you telling you that you are serious. Also, you may need to examine how you got into such debt int he first place. It's easy to slide back under stress or other circumstances w/out understanding root cause. Best of Luck.