29 Years Old, 37K In Credit Debt, Looking for Help

Hey everyone,

I’ve gotten into a bad habit of spending more than I make. I’ve been trying to fix it for the past couple of years, but at this point I’m in a hole I can’t seem to climb out of.

I’ve got 5 credit cards totaling about $37K in debt. My credit score dropped from 742 to 681. I make $165K a year, but my rent is $2,200, car payment is $500 (plus $250 insurance), and I’ve still got student loans. On top of that, I’ve got a bunch of flights coming up for weddings and bachelor parties, which is making things worse.

Every time I throw money at my credit cards, something else comes up and I’m right back where I started. I feel stupid and anxious about it, and I really want to start saving for a ring and eventually a house, but right now that feels impossible.

I’ve been thinking about consolidating my credit card debt into one loan so I can make consistent payments and hopefully lower the interest. The problem is, I don’t know which companies are legit or how it would affect my credit score. I even get letters in the mail from the state of Colorado for economic relief stating that they can do things like this. But I just don't know what solution has my full support in the end.

I have a stable job and expect to make more soon, but I need to get this under control before it gets worse. If anyone’s been through something similar or has advice on consolidation or other strategies, I’d really appreciate it.