Sorry for throwing this into this thread, but didnt know where to write.
Does anyone out there have experience with good, reputable debt consolidation companies?
Trying to lower interest rates on a couple of cards (I called the bank and asked to lower and they said no.)Any info would be great.

I am currently working with a company called Money Management International. I'm about halfway through the program and so far I haven't had any trouble.

When I was in the same position you are, someone told me to do research on the companies, and 3 things were important: are they a non-profit, have they been in business long enough to have a track record, and do they have accrediations with consumer/financial groups. Those were the criteria I used when choosing who to work through.

I've been in the program for two years and have paid off half the debt, as planned. Yet I still find it somewhat infuriating that this is something I'd never have been able to do on my own (getting better interest rates, etc). It certainly taught me a big lesson about credit.

Good luck!

Wow! Thank you so much. Honestly, this is great information. I am totally going to check them out.
Thanks!

I totally agree with tbeckross. Find a non-profit agency, having third party accreditation and a good track record. I would add that you check whether the agency is accredited by the Better Business Bureau as well and have an A+ rating. After much research I went with American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) and their Debt Consolidation program. In the long run I wind up paying less than I would have if I had not joined a debt consolidation program. What I like about ACCC is that they also provide free financial education and tools that are helping me to better understand, manage and control my personal finances.

Oh man... for any young actors out there reading this. DO NOT get into debt. You will regret it. You will have 10x the freedom with your life when you don't have an automatic $300 a month going to pay off your credit card bills.

Get a credit card, but use it for the sole purpose of building credit. Pay your bill in full every month and don't ever incur a finance charge.

I wouldn't sign up for those debt consolidation programs if I were you.

Basically, they put all the money you pay them into a "savings account" for 3 years. During this time, they don't communicate with your credit card companies AT ALL. After 180 days, all your cards will be "charge offs", and your credit score will dip into the 400's. Speaking from experience. You'll also probably get sued by the cc's, and will be stalked by process servers wherever you go. Not fun.