Being in debt can cause a lot of stress and many sleepless nights, in this article I give advice which I hope will prove to be of use and of benefit to people who have a debt problem.

Regulators with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency began pressuring card issuers to raise minimum monthly payments. The new law for minimum payments went into effect at the end of 2005, and several credit card companies have already doubled their minimum monthly payments from 2% to 4%. If you are a homeowner, you may want to consider a debt consolidation loan through a mortgage refinance or home equity loan (second mortgage) because it will not only reduce your debt, but you also may get a 100% tax deduction on the interest you pay on your loan.

Choosing the best time to consolidate debts depends on many factors. Here is some information to help you decide when it is the best time to consolidate debts.

The temptation of getting into the runaway housing market is understandable. However, if you are in debt, it's important to make sure you restructure it and consolidate it before taking the leap into the housing market.

Do you know this story, does it apply to you or do you know someone who it applies to? The story of having racked up your credit cards too high and now you are scared because you have to pay them off and you don't really have the money.