IMO, you should only consolidate when you have cut up your cards. Absolutely, do it yourself. The only way to lower your balances is to stop paying on the cards and ruin your credit score.
Any amount a consolidation company can lower your balances would more than likely be washed in their charges. People who are current on their payments are not likely to get lower balances.
Your best option is to cut your expenses, work extra and sell off anything you can and just pay what you can.
Do you have anything to use as colateral for a loan?
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