debt consolidation

[elizawill]

are there any legit ones? we have close to 15k in debt and that doesn't include student loans i pay $119 a month for. we've been trying to build a plan by ourselves for some time now...only to see little difference in our debt. in truth, i don't know what to do or how to get out of this vortex. i need help beyond myself to make this happen. i'm considering debt consolidation. anyone have luck with that , or know of legit companies?

advice. help. thanks.

[asianyoushi]

we took out a personal loan at our credit union to pay off our credit cards..... our loan at the time was only for 5000 and only had to go to 7 cards.... but crap happens and we ended up spending instead of closing the cards and now we were in more of the hole earlier this year.... if u are serious about consoldating ur credit card debt. try getting a loan with ur bank/credit union and make sure once the payments go though on each card u are paying off -CLOSE THEM .SHRED THEM.

u can also call ur credit card companies asking if they will lower ur interest rates...

[tiffany21074]

I would avoid trading your unsecured debt for secured debt...if something happens you could lose your house. How about Dave Ramsey?

[my2girlz]

Originally Posted by tiffany21074

I would avoid trading your unsecured debt for secured debt...if something happens you could lose your house. How about Dave Ramsey?

That's my suggestion as well.

[elizawill]

thanks ladies,

i will give dave ramsey a try. asianyoushi, i agree about getting rid of the credit cards. we don't use them at all anymore. ever. our debt is mostly from our move cross-country a couple of years ago from CA to SC - it was expensive. plus my son had to have surgery last year that put us about 5k in the hole (we had to charge it since we don't have 5,000 laying around, ykwim?). the thing is, we make enough to pay our bills and we aren't behind at all, but finding a way to make a dent in our debt with the little money we have left over seems downright impossible. it sucks. thanks again for the advice

[asianyoushi]

Originally Posted by tiffany21074

I would avoid trading your unsecured debt for secured debt...if something happens you could lose your house. How about Dave Ramsey?

we didnt get a secured loan to pay off the unsecured debt. it was just a personal loan... no collateral or anything