Getting out of debt on your own (without paying a relief firm)
Debt relief companies sell a service you can usually run yourself, for free. Here's the honest version of the playbook.
When debt feels overwhelming, paid 'relief' firms look like a lifeline. Most of what they do, though, is something you can do yourself, keeping the fees that would otherwise come out of money you badly need.
The order that actually works
List every debt with its rate, cover the minimums, then throw everything spare at either the highest-rate balance (cheapest overall) or the smallest one (best for momentum). Pick the method you'll actually stick to, consistency beats the theoretically-optimal plan you abandon.
Protect the progress
Pair the payoff with a small emergency fund so the next surprise doesn't put you straight back on the card. Getting out of debt and staying out are two different skills, and the second one is the buffer.