One thing you can try is to hit up credit card companies #2 and 3 (start with the one that has the highest balance) and tell them that you were offered a lower rate with a competitor (keep one of those junk mail ads from the CC companies). Ask them for a lower rate, or let them know that you will be transferring that balance and that they will no longer be collecting money from you. Do it in the nicest tone possible…make small talk even the first time (honey goes further than vinegar). If they say no, ask to speak to their manager. The credit card company would rather give you a lower rate and keep collecting your money than worry about you leaving them.

Eh…just re-read…keep this in mind for the future though means your highest balance has the lowest rate. That will surely change though.

Food is an easy one, although you have to swallow some pride…grab the circulars from the newspapers and clip some coupons. Even if you don't do that, they'll usually adverttise a sale of some sorts, like 5 for $5 or something…whatever the product is. At the very least, it may keep your number closer to the $100 mark. Cook things up in larger quantities too for leftovers. I make a huge pot of sauce that can last a few weeks in the freezer with two $0.89 cent cans of tomatoes (can be cheaper if you're willing to peel and crush yourself), an onion, some garlic and some herbs that just about anyone has already. All told, the whole pot may cost about $5 for at least 5 meals, maybe 10.

As for the timeshare…I have no idea where or what it is, but can you rent it out to friends and family? Not 100% sure about how they operate, but there has to be a way to make some money back on that one.

Transportation…are you taking mass transit? Take advantage of any frequent traveler programs they have, like a metro-pass or something.

Cable…you can usually talk to a provider and fabricate a problem. If you're nice enough, they will give you 6 months free of a premium channel to keep you as a customer. I've done it before and it works, though I can't comment on the legality/ethical concepts of it.

Utility companies almost always offer payment plans that can help lessen your burden.

Buy something like a Wawa gift card. Wawa is a large convenience store chain where I'm from, and I usually pick up a $50 gift card. It's $50 I don't withdraw from an ATM, because I will surely spend it on something assinine. At east with the gift card, your buying is focused and not just on a whim.

First, reassess your expenses. You didn't account for all of what you spend on if you find yourself short at the end of the month. Are you buying coffee at Starbucks? Going clubbing? Buying movie tickets? Where is the money going that isn't accounted for?

Pay off totally those 22% credit card debts. The interest you are paying on these accounts can be put to much better use.

Set up an automatic transaction each month to a savings account that pays high interest. Pay yourself first! The money you make is yours to keep. I suggest you look at emigrantdirect.com and ingdirect.com. These financial institutions pay some of the highest interest in the nation, with no fees or minimum balances. Surely you can put away at least $25 a month, cant you?

Finally, look at marketing the timeshare directly yourself. Depending on where it is, I'd put a free ad to sell it on multiple craigslist cities. If it is in Florida, for example, you might have luck in selling it yourself on a local craigslist site in Michigan or some other cold state.

Hope this helps you.

Since you're young and have never had any sizeable debt let me give you some advice. Credit card companies and other lenders do not like "occassional payments". They like regular payments. They will go ballistic if you start missing on them. Please consider that before you start borrowing money.

Good luck, I truly hope you can live your dream to travel. I think it's noble, and I really believe that. I hope you can travel some, get a short-term job, and move on once you have a little more money. Try to do the whole thing on cash because as soon as you get behind on debt, your dream can become a nightmare.

Go for it and have a nice trip. You will be glad you did, it is well worth it.