Struggling with debt? Ask a stepchange debt adviser a question

Bug_Incantation

Hi all. First post here.

I'm looking for some advice on the best strategy to tackle my current debt. I feel worried about not being able to save for important future goals (marriage, children) and constantly slipping further into my overdraft, even though I'm managing all my payments fine. I'd like to get ahead of this before it becomes a bigger problem.

Here is my current situation:

The Debts

Credit Card: Just over £3,000  which i payback 80 quid a month 

Halifax Loan: Approximately £5,300 which I pay £219 a month.

Payment to a Friend: Just under £1,000. I want to pay this back as quickly as possible.

Total Debt: Roughly £9,300.

I'm considering two options and would appreciate your input:

Strict Budget & Pay-Off: Stick with my current payments but aggressively overpay the debt with the highest interest rate (Avalanche method).

Consolidation: Look for a 0% Balance Transfer Card or a new Loan to combine the credit card and the Halifax loan.

Is consolidation a good idea, or is this simply a case of needing to be much stricter with my budget and paying things down one by one? I'm hoping for a structured plan to become debt-free faster. 

I always have spent too much, I've always been useless with money but I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed.

Thanks for any help you can offer.