Getting in debt is easy, getting out of it is a whole other story. Still, there are options for those who find themselves owing more than they make. Some of these are common, such as borrowing from a bank, but others are not utilized very often.

The following are nine debt solutions often useful to the everyday consumer. Some of these are well known, and some are techniques you just might never have thought of:

1. Put Your Assets on the Line: Selling a major asset is probably not your idea of a good time. But, when you are in overwhelming debt, this very thing can be necessary. Your house, your car, your boat or your RV. Selling any of these is a viable way to make money. However, before you put your family home on e-bay, be sure you have another place to live and you can make enough money to make a big dent in your big debt.

2. Use Your Life Insurance: Most people assume a life insurance policy can only benefit your beneficiary, but it can actually benefit you as well. Certain life insurance policies allow you to borrow. In a nutshell, this means you will be borrowing your own money, but it also means you won’t have to pay a ton of interest and can pay back the loan on your own time. But, be sure that your loan is repaid. If it’s not, your beneficiary could end up getting the short end of the stick.

3. Cash in on Your Savings: In your imaginative fantasies, you may picture using the money from your savings account to buy a vacation home, take a three month trip to Europe or retire at the age of 48. But, sometimes you have to use your savings for far more boring and more important things…like debt. Paying off your debt with your savings account will spare you from paying all kinds of ridiculous interest on outstanding loans. But, beware, using your savings account leaves you walking across a tightrope with no net underneath: it causes you to be particularly vulnerable should an emergency arise. Thus, compromise; use some of your savings to pay off your debt, and save some in case you need it in the future.

4. Get a Little Help From Your Family: Borrowing money from your parents or other family members may seem like a cliché, but it’s a cliché that just might help you out of debt. Usually, people you know will loan you money without charging any interest or with a very low interest rate: unlike credit agencies, their main goal is not to profit. But, be careful: loans from family members must be paid in full and in a timely manner. Failing to do this not only leave you further in debt, but it also may just leave you with nowhere to go for the holidays.

5. Use Your House: A house isn’t just a place to live, it’s also a bargaining chip. Owning a house means you have equity and enough equity can get you a loan that allows you to consolidate all your debt into one. The interest rates of this type of loan is usually low and, as a bonus, tax deductible. However, home equity loans are serious business: not paying on one can cost you your house.

6. Write an IOU to your 401k: If you’re enrolled in a 401k plan, you might have the ability to borrow against it. Many 401k’s allow you to borrow half of the account’s value, or - if your account is particularly large - up to 50,000 dollars. Interest rates are usually lower than credit cards and, what’s even better, the interest you pay goes back into your 401k. Your repayment is even simple: it’s just deducted from your biweekly or monthly paycheck. But, yes there is a but, there are downsides. Borrowing money stunts your account’s growth, at least a little: the amount you borrow no longer accrues in your favor. The other downside is that a 401k loan must be repaid within five years. If it’s not, it will be considered a withdrawal and eligible for taxation.

7. Seek Credit Counseling: Consumer Credit Counseling isn’t exactly what it sounds like: it doesn’t entail your wallet speaking to a shrink about its childhood. Instead, it is a type of counseling that offers several services, including financial education, budgeting, and debt management. Through the debt management portion, your agency works with your creditors to lower interest rates, and wave late fees. A debt management plan also allows you to consolidate your monthly payments in one bill a month.

8. Debt Settlement: If you want to give your debt a stern talking to, debt settlement is the way to go; it is an aggressive way to pay off your debt. During debt settlement, a professional speaks with your creditors and negotiates on your behalf. They negotiate everything from interest rate to the principle amount. Though your credit rating may take a temporary hit, debt settlement pays off by drastically reducing your debt, in some cases your debt may be more than cut by up to 70%.

9. Bankruptcy: Though it should only be used when all other options fail, for some people bankruptcy is the only viable option. Bankruptcy can help eliminate debt for those who qualify, but qualifying is easier said than done. Even if you do qualify, your credit will be drastically hurt for years to come. Thus, bankruptcy should be used with extreme caution, and only when all other options fail.

With getting into debt being the fun part, getting out of it takes some hard work. But, freeing yourself from debt doesn’t necessarily mean paying high interest rates. Knowing your options gives you the best chance at making the best decision for your individual situation.