In the News

By: Alice Gibbs | Source: Newsweek

“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.”

By: Donna Fuscaldo | Source: Kiplinger Personal Finance

“Best of all, there’s no obligation. You can hang up and walk away with that debt analysis, which can help you figure out your next steps,” “I’ve been a debt counselor for three decades now, and retirement debt is one of the saddest situations I see. There’s simply no time for any other solution except hiring a professional to help.”

By: Jamie Johnson | Source: CBS News MoneyWatch

“A debt consolidation loan is ideal for someone whose debts are annoying but not scary,” says Howard Dvorkin, a personal finance expert and chairman of Debt.com. “For instance, if you earn a good income but run up your credit cards during the holidays, a debt consolidation loan can save you a lot on interest. Instead of paying 20% on several credit cards, you take out a personal loan at 10%.”

By: Pete Grieve | Source: Money

“Can they get the money out of you? Not really. Is it annoying? Yes,” Dvorkin says.

By: Aly Yale | Source: CBS News MoneyWatch

Waiting it out could also allow you to better “focus on your debts without distraction” in the new year, says Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com. “It’s hard to deal with debt during the holidays,” Dvorkin says. “That’s like saying you’ll start your diet on Thanksgiving day. Most Americans deal with their weight and their debt in January. That’s when they step on the scale and get their credit card statements. In both cases, they’re horrified by how big the number is. That’s when they get serious.”

By: Daniel de Visé | Source: USA Today

“Americans are feeling squeezed in the holiday season, and it’s not just inflation,” said Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com. Dvorkin said his company has surveyed consumers on debt in past years, and the share who plan to take on holiday debt “used to be under 50%.”

By: Sharon Wu | Source: CBS News MoneyWatch

“The best people suffer the worst holiday debt,” says Howard Dvorkin, CPA and chairman of Debt.com. “They overspend not on themselves, but on others. When I [tell] them to stick to a holiday budget, they fear looking cheap to their friends and family.” This well-intentioned generosity leads many to start the new year buried in credit card debt.

By: Aly Yale | Source: CBS News MoneyWatch

“Creditors are generally reluctant to forgive debts, as it results in financial losses for them,” says Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com. “However, in situations where the debtor demonstrates significant financial hardship and the likelihood of full repayment is low, creditors might consider forgiveness as a viable option.”

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: 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: 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: 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.