Get Out of Debt Guy

How Much of Your Financial Pressure Right Now Didn’t Need to Exist? Here’s What the Math Says.

The Supreme Court ruled $164.7 billion in tariffs were unconstitutional. Companies collected the costs from you and now want to keep both the refund and the higher prices. Here's the math on the policy tax.

Virginia’s New Medical Debt Protection Act Just Passed — Here’s What It Means If You Owe a Hospital Bill

Thu, 21 May 2026 15:29:17 +0000

Virginia's Medical Debt Protection Act caps interest at 3%, bans arrest and foreclosure, and gives you 120 days before collection action. But putting a hospital bill on a credit card erases every protection. Here's what the law means for you.

Your Money Actually — A Free Newsletter From Steve Rhode

Wed, 20 May 2026 15:53:21 +0000

Your Money Actually is Steve Rhode's free newsletter. The financial information the industry doesn't want you to have — exposed hypocrisy, hidden math, and options nobody tells you about.

The Vermont Catholic Diocese Filed Bankruptcy. So Why Are You Being Told It’s Shameful?

Wed, 20 May 2026 15:06:35 +0000

The Vermont diocese spent $2.1M on lawyers and shielded $500M in property — then filed bankruptcy. If it's not shameful for them, it's not shameful for you.

Mcbride V. Better Tax Relief, LLC, Case No. 1:26-cv-02258

Steve Rhode — Wed, 20 May 2026 14:45:07 +0000

Mcbride V. Better Tax Relief, LLC: Federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court (DISTRICT COURT, D. NEW JERSEY), Case No. 1:26-cv-02258. Complaint pending pu...

Bank of America 7-Eleven ATM Fee Settlement: How to File Your Claim Before the June 29 Deadline

Steve Rhode — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:45:52 +0000

Bank of America is paying $2.25 million for double-charging ATM fees at 7-Eleven stores. If you had a BofA account between May 2018 and November 2021, file your claim at OONFeeSettlement.com before June 29, 2026.

How to Talk to Your Spouse About Bankruptcy Without It Tearing You Apart

Steve Rhode — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:45:52 +0000

Dreading the bankruptcy conversation with your spouse? You're not alone. Here's how to have the talk without it destroying your marriage — from someone who filed in 1990 and has helped thousands of couples since.

On Social Security and Being Pitched Debt Settlement? Here’s What They’re Not Telling You

Steve Rhode — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:45:52 +0000

On Social Security and being pitched a debt settlement program? They're not telling you the most important thing: your Social Security income is already federally protected from most creditors. You may be judgment-proof — and paying thousands in fees for protection you already have.

If Someone in Your Household Could Be Deported, You Need a Financial Power of Attorney This Week

Steve Rhode — Mon, 18 May 2026 16:12:02 +0000

100,000+ family separations are already happening. When a breadwinner is removed, the mortgage doesn't pause. Here are the 5 documents that prevent financial catastrophe.

Fidelity Will Pay You Up to $5,000 for Their Data Breach — Here’s How to File Before the July 27 Deadline

Steve Rhode — Mon, 18 May 2026 16:11:56 +0000

Fidelity's $2.5M data breach settlement offers up to $5,000 per customer — but only if you file by July 27. Here's what the claim form doesn't tell you about actually protecting yourself.

McFail v. ClearOne Advantage, LLC, Case No. 4:26-cv-00563

Steve Rhode — Mon, 18 May 2026 15:15:14 +0000

McFail v. ClearOne Advantage, LLC: Federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court (DISTRICT COURT, N.D. TEXAS), Case No. 4:26-cv-00563. Complaint pending publi...

Castrillo v. National Debt Relief LLC, Case No. 3:26-cv-04481

Steve Rhode — Mon, 18 May 2026 14:48:33 +0000

Quick Answer: A federal lawsuit was filed by Castrillo against National Debt Relief LLC on May 13, 2026 in the U.S. District Court (DISTRICT COURT, N.D. CALIFORNIA). Case No. 3:26-cv-04481. The full complaint has not yet been made available through public court records. This page will be updated with the complete allegations when the complaint is published. This is a legal filing, not a verdict.

Dandy v. Financial Education Services, Inc, Case No. 2:26-cv-11597

Steve Rhode — Mon, 18 May 2026 14:48:25 +0000

Quick Answer: A federal lawsuit was filed by Dandy against Financial Education Services on May 15, 2026 in the U.S. District Court (DISTRICT COURT, E.D. MICHIGAN). Case No. 2:26-cv-11597. The full complaint has not yet been made available through public court records. This page will be updated with the complete allegations when the complaint is published. This is a legal filing, not a verdict.

Callier v. Cordoba Legal Group PLLC, Case No. 3:26-cv-01316

Steve Rhode — Mon, 18 May 2026 14:48:22 +0000

Quick Answer: A federal lawsuit was filed by Callier against Cordoba Legal Group on May 7, 2026 in the U.S. District Court (DISTRICT COURT, W.D. TEXAS). Case No. 3:26-cv-01316. The full complaint has not yet been made available through public court records. This page will be updated with the complete allegations when the complaint is published. This is a legal filing, not a verdict.

The LIRR Strike Could Cost You More Than Your Commute — Call Your Creditors Before You Miss a Payment

Steve Rhode — Mon, 18 May 2026 14:47:05 +0000

The LIRR strike is stranding 300,000 commuters. Call your creditors today — before you miss a payment. Here's the 5-step hardship playbook.

The IRS Is About to Lose $1.1 Billion in Funding — If You Owe Back Taxes, That Makes Your Problem Worse, Not Better (May 2026)

Steve Rhode — Fri, 15 May 2026 19:01:58 +0000

IRS funding just got cut $1.1 billion and staff dropped 27%. If you owe taxes, automated collection keeps running while the humans who negotiate are gone. Act now.

The E-Shaped Economy: Why the Middle Class Is Feeling Broke

Steve Rhode — Fri, 15 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

What Is the E-Shaped Economy — and Why Does It Matter to You?The economy can look healthy on the surface — stock markets hitting highs, unemployment numbers low, consumer spending up. But if you zoom out, you see an E-shape: three tiers pulling in different directions at once. The top tier (roughly the wealthiest 10%) ...

The Senate Just Killed Your Last Shot at Overdraft and Medical Debt Protections — Here’s What Still Works (May 2026)

Steve Rhode — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:38:16 +0000

The Senate just voted down the last chance to restore CFPB overdraft fee caps and medical debt credit reporting protections. Here is what protections still exist, how to opt out of overdraft fees, and what to do about medical debt on your credit report.

Steel Tariffs Are Making Canned Food More Expensive — The Quiet Tax on Being Poor That Nobody in Washington Will Say Out Loud (May 2026)

Steve Rhode — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:38:14 +0000

Steel tariffs are making canned food more expensive while food banks have less to give. Here is what the 50 percent tariff means for your grocery budget, who qualifies for SNAP, and what to do if groceries have moved to your credit card.

The New Fed Chair Was Just Confirmed — Here’s What Changes for Your Credit Card Rate This Week (May 2026)

Steve Rhode — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:38:08 +0000

Kevin Warsh was just confirmed as Federal Reserve chair in the most partisan vote in modern history. Here is what his inflation-first approach means for your credit card rate, HELOC, and ARM mortgage — and what to do this week.

Collins v. New Era Lending, LLC, Case No. 4:26-cv-03829

Steve Rhode — Thu, 14 May 2026 14:36:23 +0000

Quick Answer: Deborah Ann Collins sued New Era Lending LLC in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), 47 U.S.C. § 227. Collins alleges that New Era Lending made multiple telemarketing calls and sent text messages to her personal phone number, which is registered on the National Do Not Call Registry, without her consent. She seeks injunctive relief and monetary damages for these violations. This is a legal filing containing allegations; no finding of liability has been made.

Dandy v. Financial Education Services, Inc, Case No. 2:26-cv-11538

Steve Rhode — Thu, 14 May 2026 14:36:20 +0000

Dandy v. Financial Education Services, Inc: Federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court (DISTRICT COURT, E.D. MICHIGAN), Case No. 2:26-cv-11538. Complaint p...

Wholesale Inflation Just Hit 6% — Here’s the Price Increase Timeline Coming to Your Grocery Cart

Steve Rhode — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:23:44 +0000

Wholesale inflation hit 6% in April 2026 — but your grocery bill won't feel the full impact for 60-90 days. Here's exactly what's coming and what to do before July.

Hot Inflation Data Just Killed Your Rate Cut Hopes — Here’s What to Do With Your Debt Instead of Waiting

Steve Rhode — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:23:42 +0000

Today's 6% PPI report killed 2026 rate cuts. If you've been waiting for lower rates to tackle debt, here's what to do instead — balance transfers, hardship calls, and options nobody mentions.

Your Water Bill Is Rising Faster Than Inflation — The Hidden Expense That’s Breaking Budgets Nobody Talks About

Steve Rhode — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:23:39 +0000

Water bills have risen 207% since 2000 — more than double inflation. Most utilities have hidden assistance programs that cut bills 25-50%. Here's how to find them before unpaid water creates a lien on your home.

Mendoza v. National Debt Relief, LLC, Case No. 2:26-cv-05046

Steve Rhode — Wed, 13 May 2026 16:18:31 +0000

Mendoza v. National Debt Relief, LLC: Federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court (DISTRICT COURT, C.D. CALIFORNIA), Case No. 2:26-cv-05046. Complaint pendi...

Holt v. National Debt Relief LLC, Case No. 4:26-cv-00571

Steve Rhode — Wed, 13 May 2026 16:18:29 +0000

Holt v. National Debt Relief LLC: Federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court (DISTRICT COURT, N.D. TEXAS), Case No. 4:26-cv-00571. Complaint pending public...

Murga Orci v. National Debt Relief, LLC, Case No. 3:26-cv-01331

Steve Rhode — Wed, 13 May 2026 16:18:27 +0000

Murga Orci v. National Debt Relief, LLC: Federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court (DISTRICT COURT, W.D. TEXAS), Case No. 3:26-cv-01331. Complaint pending...

The E-Shaped Economy: Why 52% of Americans Are Falling Behind While Everything Looks Fine

Mon, 11 May 2026 19:39:28 +0000

Bank of America data reveals three Americas: the top 19% thriving, the middle 52% treading water, the bottom 28% drowning. Consumer sentiment just hit a 74-year low — here's the math the headlines hide.

Record Memorial Day Travel Despite High Gas Prices — Why ‘Keeping Normal’ Is the Most Expensive Debt Trap

Mon, 11 May 2026 19:39:27 +0000

AAA projects 45 million Memorial Day travelers despite highest gas prices since 2022. A $2,000 trip at 21% APR costs $2,440 — here's the math nobody prints next to the headline.