Financial News Features

"Inflation doesn't just raise prices; it hikes interest rates, too," says Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com. "That credit card that once charged 18% interest might now be up to 22%. That's because inflation eats into the profits of credit card issuers just like it eats into your household budget."

“Choosing a debt settlement company is a lot like buying a new car,” says Howard Dvorkin, a CPA, debt solutions author, and the founder and chairman of Debt.com. “You research price, reliability, and safety.”

"It's so easy," he said. "There's almost zero friction to overspending with a credit card. Being a credit card issuer is one of the few businesses where you profit if your customers are going broke." "Since we don't teach personal finance in most high schools and almost no colleges, credit card debt has become a rampant social problem," he said. "And because everyone is doing it, many people think it's just the way things are."

“Yes, you need a will, but what about your remains? With a funeral costing around $8,000 in the U.S., you can save your loved ones stress and money if you’re clear about what you want and set aside enough money to cover the expense. You don’t want your heirs trying to decipher your wishes based on previous conversations, and you definitely don’t want them paying for your funeral after you’re gone.”

“If your debt is manageable, your income steady, and your credit score is solid, you can probably DIY your debt, says Howard Dvorkin, CPA and chairman of Debt.com. “You can get a personal loan with an interest rate under 10%, then use that money to pay off your credit cards, which average over 20% nationally.”

“If you’ve emerged from this holiday season with huge credit card balances, the last thing you want to do is apply for another card,” he said. “That’s like trying to lose your holiday pounds by eating more turkey and ham. Your better option is to get professional help paying down those balances, which will free up your finances to be more flexible in 2025.”