One of the traps of credit card debt is having too many cards and carrying balances on each. That can add up to a great deal of debt that can put you in financial trouble very quickly. There are some options for consumer debt consolidation that can help, but you have to be wary and understand all the details and the consequences of the offers. First, you can take out a debt consolidation loan to pay off smaller balances and leave you with one payment, hopefully at a lower interest rate. However, if you've already proven that you are inconsistent in paying your debts this can be difficult without using your home or car to secure it, though that may mean putting your home in jeopardy. The other option is to let a debt consolidation company negotiate with creditors or manage your debt for you. However, they may not be able to do much more than you can yourself, and there are many illegitimate companies offering this service. Be careful and check any potential service out carefully. You can also consult an attorney to help discover the appropriate form of assistance for you.