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Have Credit Card Debt? Here’s Why You Should Pay More Than the Minimum Payment
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,” “Every credit card company is mandated by law to give you the credit card agreement,” “When you pay late, credit card companies can hit you with higher interest rates that won’t drop,”
Alternative Ways To Pay If You Don’t Have a Credit Card
By: Jordan Rosenfeld | Source: Yahoo Finance
“The downside to prepaid cards is that they have fees for activating and transferring money on to them,” he said. “Generally speaking, they are good to have available as a backup option if you are intending to use cash for your purchases.” “But a secured credit card actually builds your credit,” he said. “Of course, you have to make timely payments, but it’s like a set of training wheels for your financial bicycle.”
On the brink of a financial abyss called bankruptcy: the disparities that keep Latinos from their goals
By: Yngrid Fuentes | Source: Noticias Telemundo
“Bankruptcy filings are increasing because three costly factors have converged. First, inflation may not be rising as fast as before, but it’s not going down either. The longer inflation persists, the weaker Americans’ finances become,” “Second, student loan payments that were frozen for three and a half years were unfrozen in October, meaning 45 million people suddenly owe hundreds of dollars a month. Third, with credit card interest rates at record levels (an average of 25%) it is no longer possible to use plastic to fill income gaps.” “Most of your credit score is determined by a simple measurement called ‘payment history.’ All that means is: ‘Do you pay your bills on time?’ ”
How to Save for a House When You Have Kids
By: Rachel Morgan Cautero | Source: What To Expect
“You’ll need to look over your budget — if you already have debt, you will need to be prepared to take on the additional debt of a mortgage, explains Howard Dvorkin, CPA and chairman of Debt.com. You will also want to monitor your credit score, which will help you secure a mortgage loan, and educate yourself on the overall costs of homeownership. This will include insurance, property taxes, utilities and maintenance.”
Tips for Trimming Monthly Housing Expenses
By: Jean Chatzky | Source: SavvyMoney
“Extended warranties are intentionally confusing and limiting,” he explains. “If that washing machine breaks? It might be chalked up to ‘regular wear and tear,’ which is rarely covered.” If extended warranties were such great deals, he reasons, why do salespeople push them so hard? “Obviously, they’re cash cows for everyone but you.”
Americans are approaching their credit card limits ahead of holidays
By: Sam Bourgi | Source: Credit News
You can’t get out of debt if you don’t understand what’s keeping you there,” Debt.com’s chairman Howard Dvorkin told Fox Business.
Holiday Shopping 2023: 7 Reasons Not To Sign Up for a Store Credit Card This Year
By: Nicole Spector | Source: Yahoo Finance
“I hate store credit cards the way the Grinch hates children’s gifts,” said Howard Dvorkin, CPA, chairman of Debt.com. “They’re so costly, they should be classified as a weapon of financial destruction.”
5 Tips to Avoid the Holiday Credit Card Trap
By: Adam Shell | Source: AARP
“These cards come with expensive offers in order to get the card into people’s hands, and that’s not by accident,” said Howard Dvorkin, a CPA and chairman of Debt.com. “It’s very enticing when you’re standing at the register and the clerk says, ‘Can I interest you in a credit card you don’t have to make payments on for a year?’ ”
Average credit card balances top $6,000, a 10-year high, as delinquencies rise
By: Jessica Dickler | Source: CNBC
“Americans are addicted to credit cards, no question,” said Howard Dvorkin, a certified public accountant and the chairman of Debt.com.
Should you get a store credit card?
By: Donna Freedman | Source: Surviving and Thriving
Howard Dvorkin, chairman of Debt.com, points out that the annual percentage rate for retail credit cards is now 28.93% on average. Some retailers go higher; for example, Michael’s and Burlington charge an APR of 33.24% on their store cards. Used correctly, though, promotions use can “be part of a smart strategy to save money on large purchases like home appliances, furniture or a new computer,” according to Dvorkin.
Credit card balances spiked in the third quarter to a $1.08 trillion record. Here’s how we got here
By: Jessica Dickler | Source: CNBC
Now, “consumers are maintaining and supporting their lifestyles using credit card debt,” said Howard Dvorkin, a certified public accountant and the chairman of Debt.com.
A risk of ‘cash stuffing:’ You may forgo ‘the easiest money you are ever going to make,’ says analyst
By: Jessica Dickler | Source: CNBC
“there is a tremendous amount of education out there,” said Howard Dvorkin, a certified public accountant and the chairman of Debt.com. “Stay away from TikTok, stay away from Instagram,” he said.
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Recent Columns
What The “Next Recession” Experts Are Missing
By: Howard Dvorkin
It’s so obvious, why aren’t they mentioning it? I’ve previously predicted the next recession in 2018 although it won’t necessarily be Trumps fault.
3 Discouraging (And 2 Encouraging) Facts About Americans And Their Money
By: Howard Dvorkin
How are Americans and their finances? It’s complicated. There’s seldom good news about Americans’ debts. Can it get any worse? Sure it can.
In Defense Of Capitalism As A Way To Get Out Of Debt
By: Howard Dvorkin
I’ve created and operated businesses that help Americans climb out of crushing personal debt. If I’ve learned anything, it’s this…
3 Revealing Money Facts You Probably Haven’t Heard About
By: Howard Dvorkin
You probably haven’t heard about these revealing money facts. That’s why it’s so important that personal finance become not just a personal topic.
Who Exactly Will Survive The Next Recession?
By: Howard Dvorkin
College and NFL football seasons are well underway, and several notable upsets have already happened. What defines an “upset”?
Debt.com Scholarship Winner: Going To College While Teaching School
By: Howard Dvorkin
Holly Montsari graduated from college years ago, but now she’s going back to school while working in a school. Confused? Welcome to Montsari’s life.
Why 3 Obscure Polls Are Good News About America’s Debt
By: Howard Dvorkin
This marketing company spent four weeks interviewing 8,550 Americans. Conclusion: despite America’s debt, Americans love coupons,deals, and spending.
Will The Equifax Breach Be the Beginning Of Something Wonderful?
By: Howard Dvorkin
American businesses and citizens haven’t taken identity theft seriously, until now since the breach at Equifax, which might be a wonderful thing.
Car Insurance for Your Teen Will Drive You Crazy
By: Howard Dvorkin
Wonder how much it costs once your teenager starts driving? While we all complain about personal debt, we often forget that it’s not just personal.
What the Equifax Data Breach Means to Your Identity
By: Howard Dvorkin
When The Equifax data breach occured, 143 million Americans had their personal information exposed to identity theft. It’s complicated – and ironic.
Are Student Loans Going To Cause The Next Recession?
By: Howard Dvorkin
With more than $1.3 trillion in student loan debt, student loans are too big to fail. However, they might now be too big to succeed.
This Teenager Probably Knows More About Money Than You Do
By: Howard Dvorkin
Will Amouzou is 17, but he doesn’t aspire to be a sports star or movie star. He wants to be a chief financial officer. He’s our latest scholarship winner.







