When major media outlets need the perspective of a personal finance expert, they call Howard.
By: Jessica Dickler | Source: CNBC
Yet, buy now, pay later loans “are just another form of credit, disguised as something for free,” said Howard Dvorkin, a certified public accountant and the chairman of Debt.com. “This is just another way for financers to put their hands in the pocket of consumers,” Dvorkin said. “It’s a trojan horse.”
By: Erica Sandberg | Source: Bankrate
If your card’s limit was reduced due to account dormancy, pick it up and start using it, says Howard Dvorkin, a New Jersey-based CPA and chairman of Debt.com. “After you make a few charges, they may change their mind.” “Remember, it’s not a personal insult,” says Dvorkin. “It’s a business decision.”
By: Beth Deyo | Source: Bankrate
“If they report and you go out and get five of these loans, it looks like you’re desperate for credit,” says Howard Dvorkin, CPA and chairman of Debt.com. “You have to be very careful.” “If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it,” he advises.
By: Brittany Wren | Source: Bankrate
“When people think about do-it-yourself (DIY) gifts, their minds often wander to something underwhelming: a homemade card and an ugly knitted sweater,” says Howard Dvorkin, CPA and chairman of Debt.com. “But DIY can also be more valuable than any store-bought present. These can include a home-cooked meal and a total house or car cleaning.”
By: Aly Yale | Source: Money Watch – CBS News
“Reputable debt-solving companies will always give you a free, in-depth debt analysis,” says Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com. “Never believe ads that guarantee to get rid of all your debts.” “Have they been around for at least a decade?” Dvorkin asks. “The longer they’ve been in business, the more likely they’ve done a good job.”
By: Hanneh Bareham | Source: Bankrate
Rewrite your budget to include the monthly loan payments. If your debt-to-income ratio is too high with the loan, reconsider taking out a personal loan. “On-time payments, a good credit history and other factors like this can help in this process,” Dvorkin says.
By: Gary Guthrie | Source: Consumer Affairs
“Most of us have pretty good gut feelings about our own lives,” Dvorkin said. “We know when we’re in trouble, even if we don’t admit it to others. Debt isn’t just a number; it’s a disease that ruins your quality of life. It is like any other addiction. If you drink socially, even if you overdo it every so often, it’s a problem you can handle on your own.”
By: Brian O’Connell | Source: Wealth of Geeks
“Closing a credit card with an outstanding balance is the worst thing you can do,” says Howard Dvorkin, a certified public accountant and chairman at Debt.com in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. “It hurts you in so many ways and helps you in none.”
By: Maurie Backman | Source: US News & World Report
“You could be hit with a five-figure charge for street regrading or landscape replacement,” he says. “It can still be a money pit even if the home is sound, but the HOA is not.”
By: Melanie Lockert | Source: Newsweek Vault
“With credit card interest rates hovering around 20%, that means you’re handing $1 to someone else for every $5 you charge. That’s a huge hit to your income for zero benefit. Unlike a mortgage or car loan, that interest isn’t putting a roof over your head or driving you to work,” says Howard Dvorkin, CPA and chairman of Debt.com.
By: Maryalene LaPonsie | Source: US News & World Report
“Everyone knows what they make gross, but what ends up in your paycheck could be very different,” says Howard Dvorkin, a CPA and chairman of Debt.com. Review your earnings statements to determine your net pay after taxes and deductions, then create your spending plan based on that figure.
By: Alisa Wolfson | Source: Market Watch
“Investigate nonprofit organizations and community centers like the United Way or Legal Aid that may offer free counseling to low-income individuals. Start by researching local nonprofits that focus on financial literacy and assistance and even government agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development that offer free or low-cost financial counseling services,”