Your Options at a Glance

There's no single "right" way out of credit card debt — there are several well-worn paths, and the best one depends on your numbers, your income stability, and honestly, your temperament.

Broadly, the options fall into three groups:

• Pay it down yourself with a focused strategy (snowball or avalanche).
• Restructure the debt so it costs less while you pay it (balance transfers, consolidation loans).
• Get structured help (nonprofit credit counseling, debt management plans, or — in harder situations — settlement or bankruptcy).

This lesson is a map, not a recommendation. Later lessons walk through each path in detail so you can judge the fit for your situation.