No Puffer
You have and are showing that you are prepared to go without and to get ahead that way.
I (as were most ) was in the same or similar possition as you. It is a struggle but you get ahead in the long run. On one place, Coromandel, I paid 29.5% interest but knew it was going to be worth while in the long run.
The only way people can get ahead and keep it legally is to do the hard yards and go without
Good on you, Im sure you will have a happy life