When discussing debt troubles with Los Angeles residents recently the situation has become all too familiar. Right along with national average the people of Los Angeles along with the rest of the state have been struggling to keep up with their debt burdens. It doesn’t help that the state of California’s economic situation is at best dire. This slack in economy has created loss in jobs adding to the over debt problem. How are citizens to pay their credit card bills when they can barley afford basic food and living expenses. As they struggle to pay the minimum the interest on the credit card keep adding to the total tally. Some citizens of Los Angeles are finding themselves in well over $50,000 worth of credit card debt alone. So where is the solution? The solution relies not only in responsible spending and saving, but in a more professional service. Of course there is always bankruptcy as an option, but there are other programs available. One in particular that stands out the most for those in credit card debt, debt settlement, Negotiating one’s debt can be the fastest and least consequential ways of reducing credit card debt. When successful the program can eliminate up to 50% of one’s credit card debt. Like all good things that seem to good to be true debt settlement does come with a price. Your credit score will be affected. One should ask them self is their credit score worth being in debt to the credit cards forever? With debt settlement one can be out of credit card debt in as little as 24 to 36 months. Many settlement companies offer a credit counseling service after the settlement process. Once you’re out of debt you can begin the journey to better your credit score.