Answer: -Everyone in USA is entitled to a one time free credit report per year----check on google for "free credit report" and they will give you the proper web site to call it up. You can only get it once per 12 months-----; however, Im not sure you really want to see it as it is going to be depressing. Do what the credit counselor said:: write each one of your creditors requesting their best plan they have to offer (how much per month) and if willing to reduce principal. After you get those in hand you will know where to start. In the meantime, sell everything that you dont absolutely need. Downsize on the car, sell jewelery etc and raise some cash. -If you are able, make more than the minimum payments onthese debts, because if all you make are the minimum payments, between interest and penalties you will never, repeat never succeed in paying it off. Depending on the current state of your income, consider a chapter 13 filing to protect your assets, whatever they may be. If you have the ability(financial) the 13 will allow you to repay your debts at so much on the dollar, which will result in a substantial saving in terms of interest. There is also the protection of whatever property you may have. If your income is not adequate, consider a chapter 7 filing. This will remove everything but the student loan debts, and put you in a better position to repay those. The plus side is that you get a deduction for interest paid on student loans on your 1040 form. Make no mistake, I'm not by any means telling you to ignore your obligations. Its just that at your age you can rebuild a credit history fairly easily compared to someone in their 60's in the same situation.