Get Out of Debt Guy | Smart Debt Solutions for Your Financial Freedom

Today, we're going to be talking about credit repair, how to improve your credit score, scams to avoid, and what you should and should not do to help make your credit score as shiny as it should be. If you have a question you'd like to ask on the Debt Free Dudes podcast, go to GetOutOfDebt.org/message or if someone wants to send in a question you can go to GetOutOfDebt.org/question .

You will not believe the craziness the Department of Education is undertaking to forgive student loans for many while punishing the folks that are in the most financial need. In today's podcast, I talk about how insane this is.  If you owe Parent PLUS loans, you can forget about reasonable forgiveness of student loan debt. Parents are being left out in the cold. Speaking of folks left out in...

Today Damon and I talk about how to boost your income with side hustles. But, it does not have to be a painful experience. Success is a mindset, and the opportunity to make more money is as close as your smartphone. There is no shortage of apps and things you can do to raise money. From selling stuff to offering a service, there is a little something for everyone. This podcast is unusual since it...

Today we need to have an honest discussion about the largest growing scam category. Once you finish learning about it in this podcast, you will have to help spread the word to friends, family, and people you know. Don’t let them become a victim. Although cryptocurrency has yet to become a mainstream payment method, reports to the Federal Trade Commission show it’s an alarmingly common method for s...

This story caught my attention and the ability to attend any state college or university and get free child care is a major policy change that can help lift people up without going into massive debt. For people that are looking to have a chance at a better future by attending vocational training, technical schools, or higher education, this state might be your new home. Child care is so expensive...

Vickie wrote to me about her experience with ClearOne Advantage . She was concerned she had made a mistake with ClearOne Advantage and they had let her down.  Debt situations are complicated, and so much can influence how we deal with our debts. Part of the hidden influencers might be logic, but in Vickie's case, part of the decision-making process was stress, fear, and shame. I'd love to hea...

Michelle wrote to me at GetOutOfDebt.org with a difficult financial situation. She had used all of her available cash to purchase a house to fix and sell and then was hit with COVID. After being in the hospital for six weeks and not getting paid, her finances are crumbling and she is looking for solutions. Steve Rhode - Get Out of Debt Guy - GetOutOfDebt.org

The ability for people to make the jump from public benefits to living without the need for benefits is much more complicated than the average person realizes. In this podcast, Damon Day and I talk about the hurdles people face. We also divulge the actual demographic profile of the person most like to commit benefit fraud. The answer will surprise you. Steve Rhode - Get Out of Debt Guy - GetOutOfD...

Well, the lessons have been learned about being a crypto trading whiz. I talk about what I learned and have come to conclude. I also answer CM's question about IADT for-profit student loan forgiveness options, and how creditors now have to be able to support automated credit denials. Steve Rhode - Your Get Out of Debt Guy - GetOutOfDebt.org

Tina wanted to know if she should deal with her debt using debt settlement or bankruptcy.  It is interesting how a seemingly simple question can have a complicated answer. I decided to make your question the subject of a Debt Free Dudes podcast with Damon Day . Damon and I role-play what a lot of debt relief salespeople might say to you when you can for advice. This podcast contains examples...

Ryan wrote to me through my site at GetOutOfDebt.org . He wanted to know what he could do to get his AMEX cards back. He said, "I've been an Amex customer for ten years and have five accounts. I spend over $1M each year, closer to $2M on average, and out of the blue, all accounts closed. No missed payments or anything like that. I pay the balances in full each month." In this podcast, I give Ryan...

Arianna wrote to me through my website at GetOutOfDebt.org and said she was living on disability income. She wanted to know if the nonprofit credit counseling group American Consumer Credit Counseling was a reputable company to go with to deal with her debt since she was struggling to make minimum payments only. In this podcast, I give Arianna a lot to think about and consider. She might not have...

A recent reader question dragged me down a long dark tunnel to research if you can have your federal student loans forgiven if you are in jail. You can read my full post here . The technical answer is it appears some people can have their loans written off. But there is so much more to this than you can even imagine assuming. Listen to this podcast to be amazed by this impossible program. Steve Rh...

This time Damon Day and Steve talk about debt settlement. Or at least that's what the podcast was supposed to focus on. It didn't take long before it ran off the rails. But the show covers: What is debt settlement? What debt settlement is not. Is debt settlement always the best solution? Does debt settlement impact my credit? What are the facts about debt settlement? How do my debts get settled? D...

The topic of if student loans should be forgiven is a hot topic right now. On one side people are demanding some level of forgiveness. On the other side, student loan forgiveness should not happen because it is not fair to truck drivers. But what is the truth? In this Debt Free Dudes podcast, Damon Day ( DamonDay.com ) and Steve Rhode ( GetOutOfDebt.org ) talk about the real issues surrounding stu...

No question has been asked more often over my decades of helping people with money, credit, and debt issues than is it is better to rent or buy. The best answer to that question is yes because arguments can be made on both sides of that issue. So, let's talk about it and help you to see the situation in a way you might not have before. In this podcast, I talk about the Money Personality test on my...

Alan asked me a question at GetOutOfDebt.org about how much his credit card balances should be and what percentage he should maintain to improve his credit score.  Alan made some moves that seemed like commonsense but the reality is those assumed smart moves actually hurt his credit score. On this podcast, I also answer Alan's question and give you some tips on how to aim for the best credit...

Today, my concern for your finances is over credit card balances and interest rates rising. People are not prepared for what is coming, and I want you to be ready. The latest figures are out from the Federal Reserve report on consumer credit. The G19 information looks at what types of debts are rising and which are falling. If you have a credit or debt question you'd like to ask, visit me at GetOu...

Julie dropped by GetOutOfDebt.org and left me a question about consolidating private student loans. So before just leaping at advertising offers arriving in your mailbox, here are some points to consider. Be an intelligent consumer because otherwise, it can cost you a lot of wasted money. But you can save money and lower the cost of consolidating your private student loans with these simple tips....

Over on the Debt Free Dudes podcast , Damon Day and I talk about the confusion, complexities, and misinformation about the announcements that Navient forgiveness of student loans. There are so many important details the headlines can't give you. Debtors will be confused and may wind up angry if they think some or all of their student loans are going to be forgiven as the result of the settlement I...

Company Illegally Charged Consumers for Credit Advice, Filed False ID Theft Reports, and Pitched Them on Fake Business Opportunity. You can read the full post and download the lawsuit and restraining order by visiting the original post at https://getoutofdebt.org/168047/ This Federal Trade Commission suit is yet another example of how consumers can be the victims of illegal services promising to i...

Well, federal student loans have been put on hold until January 31, 2022, and while that sounds like a fantastic way to deal with people struggling to pay student loans, it has good points and some not-so-great features. In this podcast, Damon Day and I talk about how not all "federal" student loans are included and the new Republican no-interest student loan act put forward in Congress.

There is so much misinformation floating about when it comes to dealing with debt. Far too many people tell you bankruptcy is a last resort or you should avoid bankruptcy. But here is the ironic thing, that is often the worst advice possible. In this podcast, Damon Day and I talk about bankruptcy, myths and assumptions about bankruptcy, and how to deal with the debt collector if you fall behind on...

The issue today is that there seem to be so many conflicting stories and so much misinformation about student loans, people have become frustrated. Student loans are a major problem for most of our listeners and the nation. Not only are they unaffordable but they are also dragging down all consumers with higher prices, and they have created a large number of borrowers who have no choice but to sta...

Today Damon Day and I talk about three quick topics. The first is a reader comment from our last podcast on debt validation. Danny sure is irritated by the podcast. Next, we talk about the termination of financing agreements for student loan assistance services. Finally, we discuss how the FTC is sending refund checks to people that were suckered into a business opportunity.