Before consolidating your credit card debts, it is important to carry out thorough investigation to determine its suitability for your condition. Many credit card companies and banks provide debt consolidation services to their customers. To start the process, it is important to scrutinize your debt properly. Write down the interest rates charged on various cards. If the new rate is far below average of the old one, then opt for consolidation as it will be cheaper for you. After you get all the information, contact a professional, to assist you with the consolidation, and get the best offer.

Debt consolidation is also provided by credit-counseling firms. These firms will total up all your monthly debts and let you make one payment to them. With this amount, the firm will pay the lenders till the entire debt is cleared off.

I signed up for a card with 0% interest on balance transfers for a year.

I transferred both of my high interest cards, and CUT UP the new card.

I paid the new card off within that year, with no interest.

The reason why I cut up the new card was because if I made purchases on it, the interest on the purchase and the purchase would be paid after the balance transfer.

This technique works only if you are lowering your rate AND continuing to make the same total payment. That way you pay down the principal more quickly.

He needs to give up use of those cards and learn to use credit more responsibly. If you suggest he visits a credit counselor, then they can discuss that with him very tactfully. They can also likely help him get lower interest rates so that he can pay it off much faster.