Talk to friends, family and coworkers. You aren't the only one with money problems

Talk to friends, family and coworkers. You aren't the only one with money problems, and chances are that someone you know already has some experience with debt consolidation. This is a great way for you to find a company you can trust, so that you can avoid using a less than reputable company.

When struggling with making several payments, you may want to see if you can qualify for a personal loan. These signature based loans are based on your credit profile. One benefit to these type of loans is that they lower your payments by extending the length of the loan.

If you are a homeowner in need of debt consolidation, consider the possibilities of refinancing your mortgage and using the money for debt relief. When mortgage rates are low, you can use this method to consolidate your debt. It is likely you will pay less monthly on your mortgage as well.

A lot of debt consolidation specialists offer home equity loans but do not present these products as such. If you are using your home as a collateral for a loan, you are applying for a home equity loan. This is not a good option unless you are confident about paying this loan back on time.