Credit card debt can creep up on you before you know it, thanks to fees and interest that are subject to change (always for the worse) with very little notice. If you’re not in the habit of paying off your credit card balances in full every month, you could soon find yourself mired in debt that never seems to go down even when you make a payment.

Since you can’t close your eyes and make credit card debt go away, you’ve got to find a way to pay it off – the quicker the better. Many people take out loans to accomplish this. It makes sense; better to pay a single monthly payment at a low interest rate than to make several credit card payments each month, all at higher rates of interest.

But some loans are a bad idea. For starters, let’s take a look at home equity loans. They are often easy to obtain and offer low interest rates. But what if you take out a home equity loan to pay off credit card debt, only to find yourself falling behind on your loan payments? Now you’ve got more at stake than your credit score; you could actually lose your house.

If you’re certain you’ll be able to handle the payments, a home equity loan might be useful for paying off other debt. But be honest with yourself. If you think delinquent payments are a possibility, find another source of money that won’t put your home at risk.

Many people borrow against their retirement funds when they want to pay off their credit cards fast. This isn’t a good idea, either. For one thing, the more money you keep in these funds, the more they will grow. The more money you take out, the less growth potential the fund will have. 

Borrowing from your 401K might sound like a fast solution to credit card debt, but consider the consequences: it will be more difficult to keep up your retirement fund contributions while you’re also trying to repay the loan. And if you get laid off, you’ll have about 90 days to repay the whole loan before it gets taxed and penalized.

If your credit card debt can realistically be paid off in a year, try transferring the balance to a card with a 1-year introductory rate of 0% interest. You can also talk to your bank about a low-interest personal loan, and use those funds to pay off your credit cards.

Just paying off the debt isn’t enough; you also need to figure out how you got so indebted in the first place. Were you paying for urgent expenses like car repairs? Then you should set up an emergency bank fund to pull from when those situations arise. Were you simply living beyond your means? Stick to a good budget, and you’ll get everything you need without overspending on frivolous items. There are many ways to cover unforeseen expenses and little extras, but credit cards are a costly option.

When you watch your bills pile up month after month, it can be tempting to take advantage of short-term loans or other quick-fix financial options. But some of these tactics will leave you deeper in debt than when you began. To give yourself a fighting chance, avoid these four dubious debt solutions; they’re just not worth the cost.

Fee Harvesting Credit Cards

These subprime credit cards are designed for people with poor credit ratings. They’re often the last resort for potential card holders who need credit, but can’t qualify for traditional credit cards. True, they can help you build your credit history, but at what cost?

Imagine applying for and receiving a $500 credit line. That’s not too bad until you factor in the $250 account setup fee, $90 annual membership fee, and $40 monthly usage fee. Sadly, those numbers are typical of the most predatory fee harvesting cards available. Some applicants end up paying more than their line of credit is worth.

If you’re in the market for a subprime credit card, be sure to shop around for one with minimal fees. 

Payday Loans

These loans are cash advances that you must repay in a short amount of time – usually two weeks. The really horrific element is the interest; expect to pay $2,000 or more for the questionable privilege of borrowing $1,500. It’s not uncommon for payday loan borrowers to fall into a downward spiral of debt when they’re unable to repay the loan on time. They borrow more money, fall short again, and borrow still more, all at exorbitant interest rates.

Never, ever take out a payday loan. If you’re having a financial emergency, it’s far better to borrow from friends or family members than to accept money from a payday lender.

Credit Card Cash Advances

When you need money fast, it’s tempting to take out a cash advance through your credit card. But stop and take a moment to decide if this is something you really need to do. Different interest rates apply to cash advances than apply to regular purchases. You might use your credit card to pay your electric bill at an interest rate of 12%, but if you get a cash advance to pay the same bill, you can expect to pay 25-30% interest.

The costly interest rates of cash advances will keep you in debt longer than necessary. If you have to charge something, go ahead and charge it. But leave the cash advance option alone.

Your 401K

Cashing out of your 401K plan before age 59 ½ is a fast way to drain your retirement funds. Premature withdrawals will result in hefty fees, penalties, and taxation. No matter your age, it’s best to leave your 401K alone until you’re ready to retire. If you want an account that you can call upon in tough financial times, get a traditional savings account or put your money into a ROTH IRA which doesn’t penalize you for cashing out.

Do you know someone who lives a debt-free life? If so, you should congratulate them; they’re becoming the exception to the rule. Most of us carry some form of debt, be it student loans, car notes, mortgages, or credit card bills. The bad news is that it’s easy to get overrun by debt. The good news is that all debt is not created equal.

Debt gets out of hand when we have a too-high debt-to-income ratio. Mortgage bankers typically look for borrowers whose monthly long-term debt payments are equal to or lower than 36% of their gross monthly income. Any more than that could result in denial for loans.

If your debt is getting hard to shoulder, take a look at the things you’re buying. Some debt is good, and some is bad. Where does your spending fall?

Good Debt

We sometimes need things we can’t afford to pay for all at once. Big-ticket necessities like automobiles, homes, and education fall into the “good debt” category. If most of your debt is good, you’re handling your finances well. Just be sure not to overdo it. You should be able to make your monthly payments with a reasonable amount of wiggle room.

Bad Debt

Bad debt includes things we want rather than need. We purchase these items whether we can afford them or not, and often regret it when we’re still paying for them years later. Credit card debt is one example of bad debt. Since credit card balances incur high interest rates (not to mention stiff fees and penalties), it’s best not to use them to fund purchases you don’t really need, like vacations and impulse buys.

The Bottom Line

Separate your needs from your wants. If you really need to buy something that you can’t pay cash for, talk to your bank about a low-interest personal loan. Banks are typically easier to work with than credit card companies, especially if you’re a long-term account holder. Borrow only the amount you need to make the purchase.

Bonus: You can take out a personal loan to pay off your high-interest credit card debt. Then you’ll only need to make one monthly payment at a much lower rate of interest, saving yourself a lot of money (and stress) in the long run. And with all that interest-laden credit card debt off of your history, your credit score will improve – as long as you make timely repayments on your loan.