I’ve been reading more and more stories lately on how the high interest loans are putting an extraordinary burden on recent graduates paying off what they thought were federally controlled student loans. These loans were extended via private companies, but carried variable interest rates that, like a lot of mortgages, fluctuate with current interest rates. The ending result? Sky rocketing interest rates on loans for tens of thousands of dollars and none of the benefits you get with federal student loans like deferment and locked-in rates.

Many people think bill consolidation is synonymous with financial defeat – happening when you aren’t able to pony up the cash for your monthly credit card statement. But the truth is, bill consolidation can be the catalyst that propels you to really tackle that growing pile of debt. Bill consolidation has been a huge boon to my financial wellbeing, and it can do the same for you. Keep on reading for six reasons why debt consolidation can make a huge difference in your finances.

A few years ago, I decided to cut out the overpriced advertising circus that is cable TV. It was way too expensive, as I was living in the Lower East Side (where I also paid way too much for a bedroom), and made less than $40K–besides, most of the shows were crap anyway. I’ve been pretty happy since, although there are definitely times when I just want to come home and veg out to thirty minutes of mindless sitcom. Sometimes a DVD just doesn’t cut it.