Undecided on whether to file bankruptcy--please help

What is the name of your state? Michigan

I'm 22 years old and considering filing for bankruptcy. When I turned 18, I messed up bad by getting an apartment, then taking bad advice from friends and moved out half way through the lease. I was told that it I got evicted I wouldn't have to pay the remainder of the lease, needless to say I screwed up. This then went on my credit report. I was also sued by another apartment complex, because I owed 2 months rent to them. I have 3 credit cards that I owe on and a few cell phone bills that I owe on a few other small things. So my credit is pretty much shot to hell. I owe somewhere between $8,000-$10,000. Last year I talked to a few debt consolidation companies and we figured out how much I would have to pay to have my credit clear in 3-4 years. But I won't be able to afford to repair my credit for another 2-3 years. So I figured if I start repairing my credit in 3 years and then have everything payed off in another 4 years, then it'll take another 7 years after everything is paid for to clear off my report, so that's 14 years from now. So I'm considering filing bankrupty, would this be a better idea? I have nothing right now besides a car that I finance, which I'm current on. And I want to be able to buy a house in 3 years. What should I do, someone please help.

[bigun]

Let's look at the other side of the equation. Do you have a job? What sort of income do you have? If you are able to pay your bills, the bk trustee will not grant a discharge.

In general, $8-10k isn't enough to file bk over. Your credit situation can get an awful lot worse with a bk. Look at it like this, derogatory stuff come off your credit report in 7 years. A chapter 7 filing is there for 10 years.
If you started defaulting on things 3 and 4 years ago, you're halfway through the 7 year reporting period. You file bk, and you will have bad credit for another 10 years.

Thanks, I was looking up stuff on this last night, and got a copy of my credit report. Half the stuff says it's charged-off.

"Charged off" doesn't mean that you are forgiven for the debt and you can go about your merry business.

It's used for their own accounting purposes.

They can still come after you for a "charged off" debt.