In my quest to find ways to cut down my own debts, I went searching on the net. I found several really helpful articles about consolidating and why everyone thought it was a good idea. Then every single writer for those articles sent me to a link that tried to sell me expensive consolidation services. Not happy.

But I did find one that didn't sell me anything - it was just advice - and I took it to heart. I chose not to consolidate and instead try to pay down my debts using the 'snowball' method because of this article.

It's here: http://www.mortgageloanhints.com/articl … tion1.html

I don't think that consolidating your debt helps one way or the other. I think companies hope that we will consolidate so we end up owing more money and being charged higher interst rates and also owing for a longer time. Most people cannot pay off their debt in a few months.