Why We Created This Guide
You didn’t wake up one day and decide to be buried in debt.
Life happened. Bills piled up. Interest kicked your ass.
You might’ve tried budgeting, cutting back, even paying extra when you could — but the numbers never moved fast enough. And every time you thought you were making progress, something else hit: a medical bill, a missed paycheck, a car repair.
This guide lays out the 5 most common debt relief paths — the real pros, the hidden cons, and how to figure out what actually works for you.
No fluff. No judgment. Just straight-up clarity.
Which Path Fits You Best?
DIY Payoff
Use the Snowball or Avalanche method to tackle debt on your own. Best if you owe less than $10K and stay consistent.
Credit Counseling
Work with a nonprofit to set up a structured payment plan. Ideal if you want support and don’t mind paying your debt in full.
Debt Consolidation
Combine multiple debts into one loan or credit line with a single monthly payment. Best if your credit is good enough to qualify.
Debt Settlement
Negotiate with creditors to pay less than you owe. A powerful option if you’re behind or struggling to keep up with payments.
Bankruptcy
A legal option to erase certain debts or reorganize structured payments. Best used as a last resort when other paths aren’t enough.
Credit Repair (Bonus)
Fix errors and rebuild your credit profile after financial setbacks. Useful on its own or after resolving your debt.
Compare the 5 Paths Side by Side
| Option | Reduces Debt? | Affects Credit? | Timeline | Best If... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Payoff | ❌ | ✅ Positive | 2–5 years | You have low balances |
| Credit Counseling | ❌ | ✅ Mild Impact | 3–5 years | You want structure |
| Debt Consolidation | ❌ | ✅ Mild Impact | 3–5 years | You qualify for good terms |
| Debt Settlement | ✅ | ✅ Short-Term | 2–3 years | You’re behind or overwhelmed |
| Bankruptcy | ✅ | ✅ Major Impact | 6–60 months | You have no repayment ability |
Download the 5 Paths to Debt Relief Guide
No strings. Just clarity.
What Our Clients Say
I was meeting with a client to provide retirement planning and found out she was not sleeping, or even eating well due to the stress of losing both parents within a month and then having unmanaged debt to deal with. She was at a breaking point until I connected her to Relief Solutions. The client is so grateful that she was taken care of in such a timely manner.
Sylvia S
Izzy is our angel!! She is helping folks left and right save thousands of dollars on their debt! When you can take someone's debt that was paying $300 on just one loan a month and incorporate all of their debt and now it's only $375/mo for everything it's an answer straight from heaven! Thank you, Izzy and Relief Strategies!!
Lauri K
Another Relief Strategies WIN for one of our clients. We just helped Sydney H's client. She had $118,420 in federal student loan debt before interest. Her payments are about to be $758/mo. WIth the PSLF program she will now only be paying $79.97/mo. with a total payback of $11,640. We are no also enrolling her husband's debt!
Susan H
Izzy helped me and after discussing how to get me get out of debt, I felt so much better! Thanks for the service!
Jennifer B
Still Not Sure Where to Start?
Let’s talk. Book a free consultation to discuss your situation with someone who gets it — no pressure, just support.
