text: what is the best strategy to pay off your debt?   two strategies:  1) cut your spending, and 2) reorganize your debt.  1) try to figure out the least amount you can spend, and still live.  eliminate all fees (atm, long distance, late fees, etc).  cancel any frills until you are debt free (got a land line and a cell phone?  cancel one.  cancel cable - you'll be amazed at the deals they will offer you to come back!)  eat in.  don't spend a penny on soda/candy from a machine or coffee from a trendy coffee-bar.  2)  list your debt in order, highest interest rate to lowest.  your strategy is to eliminate the highest ones, either by moving the debt down to lower rates, or by paying it off.    i disagree with the previous answer (not to pay off credit card debt with an equity line).  of course, this should be done with care, but this is one of the best strategies - secured debt (like an equity line) is almost always cheaper interest rate than unsecured debt (like credit cards).  "you could lose your house", yes, if you are stupid or not careful.  but you can also eliminate debt much quicker!    shop every rate that you have.  if you have an equity line at prime + 2, shop it.  you may be able to get a home equity line at prime - .75 (i just did).  i believe that it's to my advantage to have debt and savings.  low interest, tax-saving debt can be a good thing (like my home equity line).  high interest debt and fees are for somebody besides me.