Debt negotiations are serious business these days, with a struggling economy and credit card spending out of control. Many people are under pressure to avoid bankruptcy and keep their homes. Credit card payments can be last on their list of concerns, but they are important concerns. Handling those debts wisely can allow you to have lower interest rate loans, more access to credit, and greater peace of mind. You can approach your credit card company and attempt to negotiate a lower interest rate or smaller payment yourself. Sometimes the customer service operators are authorized to make those adjustments with you over the phone. In other situations, it takes an experienced negotiator, which can be a debt negotiation attorney, a debt negotiation company, or a credit counseling service. If you can achieve lower interest rates, it may make the difference between staying current with your debts and falling behind, incurring more late fees and penalties, as well as a lower credit score.