In the News

By: Yael Bizouati-Kennedy | Source: Yahoo Finance

“Many people might not have heard of Poughkeepsie, but it’s 12% more expensive to live there than the national average,” he said, citing ERI Economic Research Institute data. “Most of our money goes to food and shelter, so where you live determines how much you spend — and if you save,” Dvorkin said. “So, there’s no mystery here. But don’t forget peer pressure. If you live in an expensive city, you’ll feel compelled to look successful so you can fit in. S

By: Aly Yale | Source: Money Watch – CBS News

“The best way to pay as little as possible is to work with a debt professional who can get you on a debt management or debt settlement program,” says Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com. “A debt management plan can cut your total debt payment by up to half by reducing or eliminating the interest rates.”

By: Aly Yale | Source: CBS News MoneyWatch

“Yes, in the very short term your credit score may drop, but if you make payments on time and in full, your score will soon rise,”

By: Mike Senecal | Source: BadCredit.org

“We get a good sample, dig through it, and ask questions,” Dvorkin said. “It’s clear that America’s ongoing love affair with debt has evolved.”

By: Holly Johnson | Source: Business Insider

The thing is, debt consolidation doesn’t always work, and for more reasons than one. According to Howard Dvorkin of Debt.com, “all it takes is human nature” for the best-laid debt payoff plan to fall apart.

By: Tim Maxwell | Source: Money Watch – CBS News

“You consolidate your debts through a nonprofit credit counseling agency,” says Dvorkin. “You get a free in-depth debt analysis from a trained credit counselor, and you make one monthly payment that covers the principle and drastically reduces interest rates on all your cards. It costs money to have those counselors working with you, but the fee dwarfs the savings.”

By: Katie Teague | Source: CNET

“Credit card companies make more money when the minimum payment is lower, so more money goes towards the interest rate and less towards the principal,”

By: Aly Yale | Source: CBS News MoneyWatch

“A debt consolidation loan works best if your debts are stubborn but reasonable,” says Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com. “That’s because you need a strong credit score and history to secure a low interest rate. Otherwise, what’s the point?” “The downside is that it can take a few years to see results,” he says.

By: Kate Underwood | Source: Consumer Affairs

“if you don’t address your debts, your credit score will plummet even faster and longer.” If you proceed with debt settlement, the debt will appear on your credit report as settled. It’s possible you could negotiate with the creditor to list it as “paid in full” instead of simply settled, which would improve your optics when future lenders view your credit report. “Taking a temporary hit to get out of debt is always better than slowly sinking into oblivion.” If you’re already in a risky financial situation, seek out the least damaging solution that helps you get back on the right track.

By: Heather Taylor | Source: Go Banking Rates

“They’re not usually the type to download the latest hot app, but they have become more comfortable with online budgeting programs that safely do the heavy lifting for you,” said Dvorkin. “Many banks and credit unions are also getting in on the act, offering many budgeting tools on their websites. There’s literally no excuse for not budgeting — because a computer will do the math for you.”

By: Aly Yale | Source: CBS News MoneyWatch

“If you have less than $5,000 in debt and a steady income, you should consider whether you can try to pay that off with a little discipline and mild sacrifice,” says Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com. “Debt relief programs aren’t free, because those experts you’re consulting need to earn a salary, too. So, it only makes sense if you have significant debt, you just can’t pay down on your own.”

By: Aly Yale | Source: CBS News MoneyWatch

“Debt relief is a broad term, encompassing a number of solutions,” says Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com. “It’s kind of like asking, ‘What is a diet?’ There are as many ways to shed debt as there are to shed weight.”