Did the banker honestly think you'd walk out of there with a loan if she showed you the math first? My own plan was basically "sign here and pray," so I get how you felt walking in. That teller saved you a couple hundred bucks just by doing simple math out loud, which is wild because most banks want you to sign the bad deal and figure it out later. Snowballing the small card first also gives you a quick win, and that win keeps you going when the bigger balances feel like they'll never move. A consolidation loan can still work for some people, but only if the rates and fees make sense after you add it all up. Sounds like you got lucky with someone who actually cared more about your wallet than her sales goal.

React forced you to learn state management the hard way, that is a benefit not a waste.

Nah, those cheap ones can't see through most studs, so I'd trust a pro before trusting that phone thing.