One of the things that really aggravates me is how so many credit cards send out balance transfer offers, suggesting that you use the checks for debt consolidation.  The reason that it aggravates me is that if you use one of those checks for debt consolidation, it ends up hurting your credit rating.  Once your credit rating is hurt by that, the credit card companies use that as an excuse to either cancel your cards completely, or raise your interest rate. 

This kind of credit counseling process certainly makes it harder for the consumer to get out of debt!  So I would like to urge everyone to take some time and either research the facts over the Internet or talk to a professional financial adviser.  There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to protecting your credit, and getting out of debt!  And in this economic turmoil we are still in, protecting your credit rating is more important than ever!