I would really really like to pay off our credit cards by consolidating them. Has anybody done this? What type of loans are available? Can I get a home equity loan having only made a handful of payments on it thus far?

this guy would advise against it

www.daveramsey.com

I sold my new Toyota over the summer to help us get outta debt, been a tough year, but it doesnt feel like a wrong decision. I do miss it from time to time

Consolidation will only work if you are committed to NEVER run up credit card debt again. And how will you feel with negative equity on your home?

Our credit debts have been going down ever so slowly. With our lifestyle as it is, I don't think it would go up... unless we pop out three kids and I finally get my GTO.

I've been told our house is already worth 30k more than we spent.

But if there are other types of loans, I'd prefer not do a home equity loan.

I dunno, second mortgages can be pricey in terms of the interest. Of course, if your cards are 12 and you can get a second for say 8 percent, over 4-5 years, cut up the cards and then work like a mule to pay it off, probably wise strategy. Do you belong to a credit union? Ours has the fairest deals around and I may refi with them later this year on a 15 year and give Citi the boot (no offense to any CIti employees)

I got a personal loan to cover mine. Most banks will help you our if you specify what it is for since you are really transferring debt rather than adding to it. My cards were getting out of hand, so I did this and it was a good decision. I now keep one card in case of emergencies.