3. Retirement funds 
Most employers will allow loans from a 401(k) or other retirement plan, but this should only be used if you have no other choice. The interest is almost never tax-deductible, but you're paying interest to yourself instead of a bank, Pahl says. If you can't pay it back within five years, the IRS will assess taxes and penalties. Also, if you quit your job, your employer will call the loan in full when you leave. Accessing retirement funds does offer a way of lowering your payments and speeding up the debt repayment process.

4. Life insurance 
If you have whole life insurance, you can borrow against its value. There's no time limit and, Pahl says, "You don't really have to pay it back at all. If you don't pay it back, the amount of the loan is deducted from the benefits paid to your beneficiaries, so you probably want to pay it back."

5. Family and friends 
Financial advisers, Pahl included, are universal in their advice that personal loans are a great way to destroy a relationship. Still, he says, it's an option. "If you've got a rich relative who offers to help you through a tight spot, maybe you should just be gracious about it. Just get it all in writing and make sure you pay them back."

6. Your credit union 
Credit unions generally have lower interest rates and fees on loans. If you're not a member, check with your employer, family members or organizations of which you're a member to see if you're eligible to join one.

7. A nonprofit consumer credit counseling agency 
Morris says this actually should be your first stop. Experts in helping consumers get out of debt, nonprofit consumer credit counseling agencies work with creditors regularly to get late fees waived and interest rates reduced. "They've heard it all. Nothing you will tell them will shock them," Morris says. "What they often will do is, rather than consolidating debt, you pay them a fixed amount and they pay it out to your creditors. It's a kind of discipline that can be helpful. It's enforcing a change in spending habits. For the person who is serious about getting out of debt, that's a solution."

8. Renegotiate the terms with your primary lender 
"A mortgage lender would rather renegotiate than repossess your home," Morris says. "They can say no, but you can go to them and say, 'I know I'm behind. Can we stretch out the payments?' It's an upfront relationship. They do lose money if you default. Most lenders will renegotiate."