When major media outlets need the perspective of a personal finance expert, they call Howard.
By: Emma Woodward | Source: Bankrate
“If you’re fed up with bank fees, you’ll really hate P2P loans,” says Howard Dvorkin, CPA and Chairman of Debt.com. “On top of the interest rate you’ll pay, there’s the origination fee, which can be as low as 1 percent but as high as 8 percent. That’s much more than a bank or credit union will charge you for a personal loan.”
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: 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: 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: 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,”
By: Geoff Williams
If you feel like it’s professional financial help you need for your money stress rather than a therapist, there are free places to go for that, says Howard Dvorkin, a CPA and chairman of Debt.com. “Your bank or credit union probably offer free online budgeting tools that can help you squeeze every last dime from your income. And nonprofit credit counseling agencies often offer free, in-depth debt analysis over the phone,” he adds. “Do-it-yourself solutions are mostly played out,” he says. “There are only so many coupon and gasoline apps you can download.”
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.”
By: Alisa Wolfson | Source: MarketWatch
“I’ve had clients who drive for miles to find the cheapest gas, but they don’t put in the same effort to find an affordable mortgage. The reason is simple, homebuying is complicated and it’s easy to get overwhelmed to the point that you simply rely on your bank for a mortgage,” s
By: KIPLINGER ADVISOR COLLECTIVE | Source: Kiplinger
“Don’t blend everything. To keep a healthy marriage, keep some money for yourself. If your partner craves the latest iPhone and you collect rare comic books, you don’t need to fight. Instead, budget for both. Agree on how much ‘fun money’ you two will set aside, whether it’s a percentage of salary or a dollar figure. That won’t stop each of you from being judgy, but it will stop you from arguing.”