First time poster, 35 years old married DINKS trying to learn, and adult correctly to get out of debt we accumulated in our 20's. While also doing IVF fertility treatments. Currently owe 94k on our home, it's valued at 215k. Our gross annual income is roughly 105k annually. Not gonna get to much in detail on other expenses etc. But our credit card debt is something we have struggled to pay off doing minimum payments. We make all payments on time so we're not delinquent and we are in good standing. Credit card debt is

Discover- 11,591@27% Chase- 5,409@29% Capital one/kohls 1,712 @ 31% Medical collection - 1,048 ?% Total - 19,760.00

IVF treatment is roughly 22k, and we were gifted 10k from a family member. We decided to take out a 46k equity loan secured at 9.95% @596.00 per month over 10 years. 6k was automatically put back in savings by us to cover first 10 months of equity loan monthly payment (less head ache while we transiton paying bills after getting rid of credit card debt). We also put 22k in savings to pay for IVF as we go (minus the first 500.00 deposit)

In my head the plan for the remaining 27k to pay off all credit card balances. Plenty to pay all balances in full, but I assumed I would be able to negotiate credit card balances down to settle for less . (Trying to use some of equity loan funds on home improvements for the potential baby and value of home)I know that settling is bad on credit score, but that can be rebuilt.

Discover wouldn't negotiate a single bit, was on phone with them for 2 hours. I offered them 9,200 on the 11,591 debt. No deal. I ended up settled for 11,349 with the account still open.

Debt total - 8,169- loan funds left-15,150

Called to negotiate the medical collection debt 1,048. They settled lump sum 778.00.

Debt total- 7,121 loan funds left- 14, 372

I lastly called Chase who immediately transferred me to Money Management International Who coincidentally works with Capital One/chase as well. The way I'm understanding it, they settle with debtor lower or remove interest that would lower the princaple? I dont pay either of those debtors after agreeing, I pay them 176.00 a month, 12.30 goes to MMI and the rest divided to two debtors towards princaple. I can pay more then the 176.00 monthly (we have the 14,372 roughly left) and there's no penalty to pay off early.

How long do I have to make the payments to MMI after getting new settled balance before just paying the new reduced balance in a lump sum. Would we really gain anything? Should we just ignore using MMI as debt management. Suck it up and pay the remaining 7,121 debt and have the renaing 7,250 for home improvements?

I know this was long, and there may be info I left out that some would ask for. We're just mid 30's couple trying to get out of a hole, and build a family. Any advice is appreciated greatly