Break Free

In this episode of the Break Free Show, host Ben shares his near-miss with choosing the wrong type of bankruptcy while struggling with $60,000 in debt. He breaks down the crucial differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, explaining how Chapter 7 can provide a fresh start by wiping out unsecured debts quickly, while Chapter 13 involves a three to five-year repayment plan. Through per...

Four Legal Ways to Stop Wage Garnishment with Ben from Upsolve In this episode of the Break Free Show, Ben, co-founder of Upsolve, shares his personal experience with debt and wage garnishment. He offers crucial insights into four ways to halt wage garnishment: negotiating with creditors, challenging garnishment in court, filing for bankruptcy, and seeking help from non-profit credit counselors. B...

Can You Discharge Student Loans Through Bankruptcy? Breaking Financial Myths In this episode, Ben breaks down the myth that student loans can’t be discharged through bankruptcy, explaining how some private student loans can qualify for discharge and the rules around federal loans. He also highlights Upsolve’s free bankruptcy tool for checking your eligibility. Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction: Can B...

Debt Collection Myths: What Social Media Gets Wrong In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, Ben, co-founder of Upsolve, tackles a widespread social media myth —that you don’t owe debt collectors money if your debt was sold. This isn’t true , and believing this misinformation could lead to lawsuits, wage garnishment, and major credit score damage . Ben explains: ✔ How debt collectors actually wo...

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, Ben, co-founder of Upsolve, dives into the real costs associated with filing for bankruptcy, including court fees, attorney fees, and hidden expenses. He discusses Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the financial pitfalls of a failed Chapter 13 filing, and how Upsolve’s free t...

In this episode of the Break Free Podcast , Ben, co-founder of Upsolve , shares valuable insights on the complexities of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy . He highlights his own struggles with navigating forms , the confusion of unnecessary paperwork , and how to avoid common mistakes . 📌 Key Topics: Essential Chapter 7 bankruptcy forms you actually need (bankruptcy petition, schedules A-J, means...

Debt settlement can be a powerful tool to regain financial control, but it’s not always easy. In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, I share my personal struggle with debt and the discovery of debt settlement as a viable solution. I explain how it works, its pros and cons, and who it is best suited for. You’ll learn practical tips for negotiating with creditors, understanding the legal timelin...

Struggling with the idea of homeownership after bankruptcy? In this episode, Ben shares his personal experience of securing a mortgage eight years after filing for bankruptcy. Learn practical steps to rebuild your credit, save for a down payment, and understand what lenders look for post-bankruptcy. Ben also dives into the waiting periods for different loan types and how Upsolve’s resources can su...

Navigating Car Payments and Bankruptcy: Strategies and Personal Insights In this episode of the Break Free podcast, host Ben discusses various strategies for managing car payments when facing financial difficulties, including loan modification, refinancing, and voluntary surrender. He shares his personal experience with reaffirming a car loan during bankruptcy, highlighting the importance of prior...

In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, host Ben shares his personal journey and outlines seven actionable steps to rebuild your credit after bankruptcy. These include getting out of debt, disputing incorrect credit report items, leveraging rent reporting, using secured credit cards, utilizing credit builder loans, becoming an authorized user, and monitoring your credit score regularly. Ben als...

Maximizing Financial Relief: How Fee Waivers Aid Bankruptcy Proceedings In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, host Ben dives into the crucial topic of using fee waivers to access free bankruptcy credit counseling. He explains what credit counseling is, why it's mandatory, and how it can help you understand and manage your finances better. Ben also shares his personal experience with debt...

Struggling with the chaos of bankruptcy paperwork and wondering if you can file online? In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, Ben, co-founder of Upsolve, shares his personal story of tackling mountains of forms and finding clarity through organization. He explains why bankruptcy cannot be entirely filed online but highlights how tools like Upsolve make the process manageable. Ben shares actio...

Navigating the Chapter 7 Means Test: Your Guide to Financial Freedom In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, host and co-founder of Upsolve, Ben, delves into the intricacies of the Chapter 7 bankruptcy means test. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Ben discusses Dr. King's vision of justice and equality and how it aligns with seeking financial freedom. The means test determines eligibi...

Navigating Free Legal Aid for Debt Relief: Insights and Tips In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, host Ben, co-founder of the non-profit Upsolve, discusses how free legal aid can be a crucial resource for individuals facing debt challenges. He shares personal experiences and practical tips on how to effectively navigate legal aid services, despite their high demand and capacity issues. Ben h...

In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, Ben, co-founder of the non-profit Upsolve, explores the pros and cons of Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Sharing his personal journey from financial rock bottom, Ben discusses various debt relief methods he attempted before choosing Chapter 7. He highlights the process, benefits, and drawbacks of Chapter 7 bankruptcy, including its impact on credit scores, asset li...

In this episode of the Break Free Podcast, host Ben, co-founder of the nonprofit Upsolve, shares his personal journey of breaking free from $60,000 of debt and achieving his version of the American dream. Ben discusses how Chapter 7 bankruptcy served as a powerful tool for financial relief, and how that experience led him to start Upsolve. This episode is packed with practical insights, emotional...