If you are an overburdened consumer who is seeking to find a way out from under your debt, it may be beneficial to seek the advice of an expert in the field. One option is to schedule a consultation with a debt consolidation counselor, who will be able to explain your options when it comes to taking out a lower-interest loan to pay off your high-interest accounts and get a fresh start. The most significant benefit of this approach is that you will be able to make more progress toward paying off the principal of your consumer debt within a much shorter time period than if you were simply making monthly minimum payments and in effect, servicing your interest obligations without ever taking a substantial chunk out of the principal that you owe. In order to find a qualified debt consolidation counselor, talk to a representative of your financial institution or seek a referral from a non-profit credit counseling organization in your area.