Get Out of Debt Guy

They Said a Small Payment on an Old Debt Can’t Hurt Me. In Some States It Can Revive the Lawsuit.

Steve Rhode — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:35:42 +0000

A small payment on an old debt isn't always harmless. In some states it can revive a collector's right to sue. Here's what the CFPB and FTC say.

Acima Settlement: $183.5 Million in Refunds and Canceled Rent-to-Own Balances. Who Qualifies and What to Do (November 2026)

Steve Rhode — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:35:35 +0000

Acima's $183.5M settlement with 43 states: $43M in refunds, $130M in canceled balances. Who qualifies, what's unclear, and how to spot fake notices.

2027 401(k) Limit Is $25,500: Two Things to Check Before You Raise Your Contribution

Steve Rhode — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:35:19 +0000

The 2027 401(k) limit just rose, but two checks on your debt and your cushion matter more than the new number before open enrollment.

My Private Student Loan Company Offered a Settlement. Here’s What I’d Check Before I Said Yes.

Steve Rhode — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 18:48:13 +0000

Offered a private student loan settlement? Get it in writing, check the cosigner, the clock and the 1099-C, and ask if bankruptcy fits. Here's my checklist.

October’s Hot Inflation Report Points to a December Fed Hike. Here’s What I’d Do With Savings, a HELOC and a Mortgage Quote This Week

Steve Rhode — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 18:47:38 +0000

October inflation ran hot and a December Fed hike is widely expected. What I'd ask about your CD, HELOC and mortgage lock this week.

Children’s Place Filed for Bankruptcy: Use the Gift Card, Return What You Can Now, Keep Paying the Store Card (November 2026)

Steve Rhode — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 16:22:00 +0000

Children's Place bankruptcy and your gift cards: what the filing says, what it doesn't, and the one balance the store's Chapter 11 won't erase.

Damon Day Chased a $200 Walmart Spark Bonus, Then Quit. Here’s the Math on the Miles.

Steve Rhode — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 15:52:00 +0000

Damon Day chased a $200 Walmart Spark bonus over Halloween weekend, then quit. I ran the miles at the IRS rate. One driver's weekend, not typical pay.

What loanDepot’s New SEC Filing Says About Two More Class Action Lawsuits

Steve Rhode — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 15:37:00 +0000

loanDepot's latest SEC filing describes three proposed class actions, two not in its August report. What it says and what to do if you have a loanDepot loan.

I’m in a Debt Settlement Program and Collectors Are Still Calling. Here’s What’s Going On.

Steve Rhode — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 15:22:00 +0000

Debt settlement program collectors still calling? Why it happens, where your deposits sit, and when canceled debt gets taxed.

Boeing Is Cutting 5% of Its Commercial Jet Workforce. The 401(k) Loan and Severance Calls to Make Before Your Last Day

Steve Rhode — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 15:07:00 +0000

Boeing layoffs start in December. Ask HR in writing about your 401(k) loan offset, how severance is labeled and COBRA costs before you sign.

Rented From Progress Residential? The $49.75 Million FTC Settlement Is Announced, and Here’s What to Do (and Not Do) While You Wait

Steve Rhode — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 19:24:22 +0000

Progress Residential settlement: the FTC announced $49.75M, but no refund process exists yet. What to do now, and the scam to watch for.

An Eviction Is on My Record and No Landlord Will Rent to Me. Here’s What to Do Right Now.

Steve Rhode — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 19:22:50 +0000

An eviction on your record isn't always accurate or permanent. Get your tenant-screening file, check it, dispute errors, and see if your state seals it.

The $10,000 IRS Trap and Listener Questions Answered

Steve Rhode — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 18:45:19 +0000

Steve Rhode and Damon Day on a $10,000 tax relief trap: what IRS Currently Not Collectible status is, old tax debt in bankruptcy, Zelle and car warranties.

Damon Day Drove Lyft Black and Uber in the Rain on Halloween. Here’s the Math on $613.18 Gross.

Steve Rhode — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 18:22:33 +0000

Damon Day's Halloween night driving Lyft Black and Uber grossed $613.18 in one rainy night. Miles, charging and tax come out first. Here's my math.

A Creditor Is Garnishing My Military Pay. Here’s What to Do Right Now.

Steve Rhode — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 17:16:38 +0000

A creditor wants your military pay. A judgment, a DFAS notice and a short deadline decide what happens next. Here is the order I would handle it in.

A Lawsuit Alleges 18% Interest on Medical Bills at Sen. Roger Marshall’s Old Practice. Check Your Bills for This Line (November 2026)

Steve Rhode — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 17:16:30 +0000

Interest on medical bills: a lawsuit alleges 18% at a senator's old practice. Here's how to check your own statements for the line most people miss.

They Said My Bank Has to Refund Me if I Get Scammed on Zelle. Federal Law Covers Some Scams and Not Others.

Steve Rhode — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 17:16:21 +0000

Regulation E covers a scammer who sends money from your account. If you tapped send yourself, I found no federal rule making your bank refund it.

Damon Day Asked if Walmart Spark Killed Curbside. Here’s the Math on a 26-Stop Offer.

Steve Rhode — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:03:19 +0000

Damon Day asks if Walmart Spark changed curbside offers. I co-founded his project. One driver's local view, plus the miles-and-tax math on a bundle.

Collot v. Better Tax Relief LLC, Case No. 2:26-cv-01212

Research Department — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 15:14:57 +0000

Quick Answer: Alex Collot sued Better Tax Relief LLC, Better Rise Capital LLC, and Better Companies LLC in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Virginia Telephone Privacy Protection Act (VTPPA), and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (VCPA). Collot alleges that the defendants made numerous unauthorized calls to his cell phone, despite his number being registered on the National Do Not Call Registry, causing him distress and disruption in his daily life. He seeks monetary relief, including actual and statutory damages, attorney's fees, and other just relief. This is a legal filing containing allegations; no finding of liability has been made.

Mathews v. Better Tax Relief, LLC, Case No. 8:26-cv-02161

Research Department — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 15:14:37 +0000

Quick Answer: Larry Nico Mathews sued Better Tax Relief, LLC, Better Rise Capital, LLC, and Better Companies, LLC in the United States District Court for the Central District of California under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and Texas Business and Commerce Code. Mathews alleges that the defendants repeatedly made unsolicited prerecorded telemarketing calls to his cellular phone, despite his requests to stop and his number being registered on the National Do Not Call Registry. He seeks statutory damages for each violation, injunctive relief, and civil penalties for violations of Texas law. This is a legal filing containing allegations; no finding of liability has been made.

DOJ’s ‘Ghost Student’ Bust: How to Check Whether a Student Loan Was Taken Out in Your Name, and Apply to Have It Discharged If It Was

Steve Rhode — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 15:18:00 +0000

DOJ announced charges in a ghost student fraud case. Here is the federal rule, form and evidence list for applying to discharge a student loan you never took.

The $470K Romance Scam Her Family Doesn’t Know About

Steve Rhode — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 14:35:14 +0000

Steve Rhode and Damon Day on a reported $470K romance scam: why lonely isn't stupid, the family safe word, what you can get back, and the IRS tax rule.

Damon Day Took a $5 Uber Eats Add-On He Said He’d Regret. Here’s the Math.

Steve Rhode — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 14:31:47 +0000

Damon Day took a $5 Uber Eats add-on and said he'd regret it. After the miles and self-employment tax, here's my math on what that $5 is worth.

I’m on SSDI and Working Part Time. Can Collectors Take My Paycheck?

Steve Rhode — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:36:00 +0000

Working part time on SSDI? Collectors can't touch the check, but your paycheck is different. What a job changes, and why I'd think twice about settling.

They Said Credit Card Late Fees Are Capped at $8. A Federal Court Wiped That Rule Out.

Steve Rhode — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:35:16 +0000

The CFPB's $8 late fee rule never took effect and was vacated April 15, 2025. A late fee can't exceed the full minimum due or be charged twice per event.

The Fed Just Held Rates, and Two Members Wanted a Hike. Here’s What That Means for Your Credit Card and Your Savings

Steve Rhode — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:34:34 +0000

The Fed held rates at 3.75%-4%, but two members wanted a hike. What the hold means for your credit card APR and your savings, and what to do now.

If You Stay Put, Some Medicare Part D Plans Will Cost at Least $50 More a Month in 2027. Check Before December 7

Steve Rhode — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:34:10 +0000

Your 2027 COLA averages $75 a month, but KFF found some Part D plans rising $50 or more. Here's a roughly 20-minute check before December 7.

Damon Day Used Tesla FSD (Supervised) on a Walmart Spark and Instacart Shift. Here’s the Math.

Steve Rhode — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 15:37:51 +0000

Damon Day worked a gig shift from a loaner Tesla on FSD (Supervised). Offers he declined and the miles back matter more than the car. One driver, not typical.

My Bankruptcy Case Was Dismissed. Here’s What to Do Right Now.

Steve Rhode — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 19:26:26 +0000

A dismissal ends the automatic stay, not your debts. Here is what to check first, the 14-day deadline, and how to reinstate or refile in Chapter 7 or 13.

Dollar General Charged Me More Than the Shelf Price. Can I Get My Money Back?

Steve Rhode — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 19:25:30 +0000

The FTC and 20 states sued Dollar General over register prices above shelf prices. What the complaint alleges, whether refunds exist, and your rights.