<prompt> Human: I have 65k in CC dent, 40k in student loans not dismissible and a mortgage. My annual income is 95kyear. Im considering my options: 1 Chapter 7, 2 Chapter 13, 3 Debt consolidation service and 4 Cash 26k in 401k net about 20k after taxes and penalties and pay some of the debt and buckle down for the rest. Im leaning to wards 4. Id like to hear some opinions, please  <response>: Youre leaving out 5: set a reasonable budget and pay things down. Not trying to be a jerk here, perhaps some tough love though. Why those are wrong for you? 1 and 2 only take care of half the debt and dont treat the problem of why you have 65k of cc debt. 3 will be the same with someone else the consolidator making money off of you. 4 is also a bad idea because you need that 401k for your eventual retirement and it cant be touched in the case of a bankruptcy medical, for instance. You make enough money that you can get out of this with some lifestyle changes and a few years. You dont include your age so its hard to really tell for sure how badly it will and already has impacted your retirement. If you dont make those lifestyle changes and end up picking any of your options, youll be right back where you are in a few years anyway. You need one of those as seen on tv reality checks with regards to your spending habits. Once youre debt is gone youll have to continue living within your means so that you can play catchup with your retirement. Personal Finance is a long term game, so you have to start playing it now. Better late than never. 