[Nathan]

I am aware of some basic principles of debt elimination:

(1) Consolidate credit card and other debt into a refinanced home mortgage. Not only will the intereste rate and monthly payments be lower, but the mortgage interest is tax deductable (generally), while other kinds of interest (such as a car or credit cards are not). This means that you either can have less taxes deducted from your paycheck, or you will get a bigger tax return. Either way, just make sure that all of the savings that you can goes towards the debt reduction.

(2) With the extra money you have, don't try to split it among the different debts. My understanding is that you should select the debt with the highest intereste rate (usually an 18%+ credit card), make minimum payments on everything else, and then put everything that you can towards that debt. When that debt is paid off take that amount you were paying to the first debt and transfer the full amount to a monthly payment towards the next highest debt.

(3) Ask for a better rate. Call each of your creditors and ask for a better rate. Sometimes you get it. Also, look for the free balance transfer credit cards with no interest for the first 6 months. Just make sure that the money you save applies towards debt reduction.

What other suggestions do you have?