[terry1156]

It's a tough question. Even what were considered reliable sources to get good credit counseling have been <A HREF="http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/responsible_credit.html">called into question recently</A>.

You're at a point where you still have some options since you have the retirement fund. I would take all your information to a few and ask them what their recommendations would be for your current situation. Hear them out and see which one you feel gives the best advice.

The two of you will also have to commit to reducing your debt. I don't want to sound harsh, but quickly deciding that the retirement fund should be tapped makes me think you haven't thought through how you are going to change your habits. There isn't going to be an easy way out...and the truth is, you can figure everything out yourself if you really want to. All a credit counselor will do is give you a few suggestions of different paths to take...in the end, you're going to have to change in some way not matter what.

I don't know how comfortable you feel laying out your current financial situation in a forum, but if you are willing, I'm sure there are plenty of people who will tell you where you need to cut your expenses. If you don't know where all the money is currently going, then you know what the first step is.

I know this is probably not what you wanted to read, but better to hear it now than when you don't have any alternatives. Lay out your debt and expenses and let's see what everyone can come up with. At the very least you will have a lot of ideas to ask the credit counselor when you meet and be in a better position to judge whether or not they know what they are doing.