I'm inclined to agree with this comment. Saying "The IRS wants all my after-tax income" is a very different statement from "The IRS gave me a payment plan that allows me to pay an expensive rent and basic living expenses while also paying off my debt in five years". Living frugally and paying down debt might be uncomfortable, but it's not unusual and is fairly well understood. If you can move to a different area, you can allot more money for your living expenses.