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5 things to do if you can’t pay your credit card bill
By: John Schmoll | Source: Cardratings
“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.”
Should You Open a Credit Card Post-Holiday Season? 5 Reasons You Should and 3 You Shouldn’t
By: G. Brian Davis | Source: GOBankingRates
“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.”
New to Financial Advising? Nine Key Ways to Build Trust With Your Clients
By: Kiplinger Advisor Collective | Source: Kiplinger
“If you want to build trust, don’t try so hard. Your best clients have wealth to invest because they didn’t fall for smooth talk and easy smiles. They want accurate projections, measurable results and personal responsibility. In other words, consider yourself one of their trusted senior managers. You’ve got the job as long as you deliver. Stop lobbying for it and just excel at it.”
Seven Ways Retirees Can Crush Holiday Debt in the New Year
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.”
Debt consolidation loan vs. debt consolidation program: Which will be better in 2025?
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%.”
12 Steps to Take Now for More Financial Success in 2025
By: Kiplinger Advisor Collective | Source: Kiplinger
“Creating a monthly household budget sounds so obvious as to be ridiculous, but I know many seven-figure earners who get into serious financial trouble because they’ve budgeted carefully for their business but not themselves. With secure online tools that do the math for you, there’s simply no excuse for going into the new year without a personal budget.”
Is It Even Worth Paying Medical Debt Under $500 if It Doesn’t Hurt Your Credit Anymore?
By: Pete Grieve | Source: Money
“Can they get the money out of you? Not really. Is it annoying? Yes,” Dvorkin says.
Should you wait until after the holidays to tackle your debt? Experts decide
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.”
13 Practical Strategies for Making Homeownership a Reality
By: Kiplinger Advisor Collective | Source: Kiplinger
“You shouldn’t buy a home until you pay off all, or at least most, of your credit cards. It simply makes no sense to search for the best mortgage rates of 6% to 9% when you’re paying 25% or more on your credit cards. Buying a home is expensive but so is maintaining one. If you can’t pay off those cards, then you can’t, say, fix a leaky sink without adding even more to your balances.”
What Expert Recommends Buying on Black Friday Before Proposed Trump Tariffs
By: Jesus Mesa | Source: Newsweek
“I do not believe we will see any immediate changes in the pricing of goods. However, I do anticipate that prices for some imported products from the mentioned countries may rise to some extent after the inauguration,” he said.
Many shoppers are heading into Black Friday with holiday debt left over from last year
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%.”
How to protect your wallet this holiday season
By: Alina Machado | Source: NBC6
“Essentially, you’re buying stuff that you can’t afford,” said Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com. “The problem is if you default or don’t pay one of those months, all of a sudden … they’re charging you 30% or more interest on this, so that deal you thought was a great idea, it’s not such a great idea.”
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Recent Columns
Mostly Depressing, Occasionally Rewarding: When Your Job Is Helping Americans Get Out Of Debt
By: Howard Dvorkin
I’ve counseled Americans on how to get out of debt and. Over all those years, both credit card debt and student loan debt have surpassed $1 trillion.
How Millennials Handle Their Money Matters To Us All
By: Howard Dvorkin
The media regularly reports on millennials’ financial habits, and it’s typically negative. However, underreported financial studies debunk those myths.
Debt.com’s Latest Poll: Not Paying Attention Means You Overpay
By: Howard Dvorkin
Most Americans know how to save money on credit card interest rates in a variety of ways, but research shows they don’t actually do those things.
Financial News That Looks Bad But Is Actually Good
By: Howard Dvorkin
Financial news often makes it seem like Americans make irresponsible financial decisions, but for the most part people are maing the right money choices.
FREE Credit Freezes For All! It’s Now A Law
By: Howard Dvorkin
Free credit freezes thanks to to the worst data breach ever, we all get an amazing new crime-fighting tool. What once cost up to $30, is now free.
Predicting The Future Of Debt
By: Howard Dvorkin | Source: Forbes
Futurists love to muse about the future of making money, but what about the future of not making money?
Debt.com Scholarship Winner: Tragedy Can Kill You Or Make You Stronger
By: Howard Dvorkin
Debt.com scholarship winner for this month survived the adversity of her mother’s death, and is inspired to use the experience to help others.
Personal Finance News To Motivate And Depress You
By: Howard Dvorkin
Here’s a headline you don’t see every day: “Americans Believe Tech Makes Their Lives Better But Society Worse.” Among other weird financial news.
Back-To-School Shopping List: What NOT To Put On It
By: Howard Dvorkin
Want to save money on your back-to-school shopping list? Look for cuts. Decide what you don’t really need this year, then don’t buy it.
What’s Red And Gray And On The Horizon? A Senior Citizen Debt Crisis
By: Howard Dvorkin
As baby boomers approach retirement age their personal debts continue to rise. As a mass wave stop working, there may be a senior citizen debt crisis soon.
Why You’re Probably Paying Too Much For A New Car
By: Howard Dvorkin
Getting preapproved for a loan can save you time and aggravation, not to mention keep you from paying too much for a new car.
Our Credit Cards Reveal More Than Our Debts
By: Howard Dvorkin
America’s debt problem tells us a thing or two about the state of our mental state. Learn aout recent statistics regarding credit debt and American opinion.







