<prompt> Human: Can someone please give me some pointers on debt consolidation?I owe about 5k on 4 different credit cards. Some of which have very high interest rates. Im thinking about getting a 5k loan to pay them off, but I just dont know where to go or where to start. I keep getting mail about loan offers, but I dont really trust those companies. Any help is greatly appreciated ThanksEdit: some of you are telling me I need to be more specific on my situation to get better help. Here it is: I was lucky enough to get a good job out of college. Been working for a little under a year now. I make about 3440 month, after taxes. My expenses are:Rent and utilities: about 1,400College loan minimum payment: 300 loan total 25,000Credit cards: minimum payments 450 total 5000The rest are food expenses. I might need a new car soon, but thats another dilemma. Thanks  <response>: I got 4k at about 10 just out of college from a local credit union on 12 month terms. Paid off two cards at 16 and 18 and paid it all back within three months. With the interest rate reduction, I about broke even on payments made there was a 50 origination fee, but my credit score instantly went up about 75 points when the cards were paid off.Moral of the story: credit unions are your friend. 