Many Americans are finding that their budgets are stretched to the limit these days. With the high price of gas and rising short-term interest rates, everyone is feeling the pinch, especially Americans with high credit card debt - and most Americans have a lot of credit card debt. According to Gallup’s annual survey on personal finances, Americans on average, have three credit cards and owe more than $3,000 that they don’t pay off monthly. Many consumers were just getting by making minimum monthly payments and the new law increasing minimum payments combined with increased interest rates, has put them in a financial crunch. With the new bankruptcy laws, filing bankruptcy is a difficult endeavor and doesn’t necessarily eliminate credit card debt. A home equity loan will get you a lower payment and help get you back on track to eliminating your debt.

Studies have shown that most filed bankruptcies are caused by a few specific reasons. Unexpected medical bills, divorce, and unemployment are the three biggest causes behind bankruptcy.

Do you ever feel like you're barely treading water and you'll be going under soon? Maybe all you need is someone to toss you a life-line to get your feet back on solid ground again.

Do you cringe each month when the credit card bill arrives? Are you frightened to look at the details and perhaps even leave the envelope unopened in the hope that somehow by avoiding it the debt will disappear? You are not alone. More than 8.5% of credit card balances are 3 months or more in arrears in the UK alone, and with more credit cards in the UK than people that is one heck of a lot of debt.