I’m so sorry for your predicament. You seem to be prioritizing things well now. Creating a budget that you can live with and is realistic regarding your current resources should be your top priority, followed by paying off your two creditors as expeditiously as possible. You should tell them that you fucked up, apologize, propose a realistic pay-off schedule and stick to it. Advising them of your situation proactively will foster realistic expectations with them and hopefully avoid future misunderstandings if they might otherwise feel that you are being evasive. Saving and investing are the bedrock of financial security and the American dream but not the way that you were doing it. Several on this thread have made solid recommendations about how to invest. It’s not a crap shoot but with a trustable fiduciary (yes, there are plenty out there) helping you construct a diversified investment plan, you should do fine long term. Kudos to you for asking for help and reaching out. Good luck.