Get Out of Debt Guy

A Court Just Exposed Exactly How Attorney-Model Debt Settlement Works — Every Dollar, Every Rubber Stamp

Steve Rhode — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:39:03 +0000

A bankruptcy judge traced every dollar through an attorney-model debt settlement firm's own database. What she found should worry anyone enrolled in a similar program.

DHS Shutdown May 2026: What Federal Workers and Coast Guard Members Need to Do Before the First Missed Payment

Steve Rhode — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:34:45 +0000

DHS shutdown hits 35,000+ workers in May 2026. Coast Guard members have utilities cut. Here's every hardship program available — and why you must call now, not after you miss a payment.

Using a Credit Card on Venmo? You May Be Paying a Cash Advance Fee Without Knowing It

Steve Rhode — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:07:21 +0000

Using a credit card to send money on Venmo triggers a cash advance at most major banks — stacking Venmo's 3% fee on top of your bank's cash advance fee and immediate interest at up to 29% APR. Here's which banks do it, which don't, and how to avoid it.

$1.2 Billion in IRS Refunds Just Became the Government’s Money — But Some People Still Have Time

Steve Rhode — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:50:31 +0000

The IRS just kept $1.2 billion in unclaimed 2022 refunds after the April 15 deadline passed. Disaster area residents may still have time — here is who qualifies and what to do about unfiled returns.

Jamie Dimon Just Warned About a Credit Recession. SoFi’s Earnings Confirm It’s Already Starting.

Steve Rhode — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:50:28 +0000

Jamie Dimon warns a credit recession will be 'worse than people think.' SoFi held its forecast flat despite record earnings. Here's what that means for your credit cards, loans, and what to do right now.

The CFPB Is Being Gutted Right Now — What It Means for Your Debt Rights

Steve Rhode — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:37:41 +0000

The CFPB is being gutted right now. Your legal rights under the FDCPA and FCRA still exist — but the federal enforcement behind them has weakened significantly. Here is what actually changed and the practical steps to protect yourself.

The UAE Just Left OPEC — Here’s What Lower Oil Prices Could Actually Mean for Your Debt

Steve Rhode — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:33:18 +0000

The UAE just announced it is leaving OPEC. If it translates to lower oil prices, here is what that actually means for your gas bill, your inflation expectations, and eventually your credit card rate — and the one move to make if relief arrives.

The Housing Market Just Split in Two — Sun Belt Prices Are Falling While Rust Belt Soars. Which Side Are You On?

Steve Rhode — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:07:59 +0000

The U.S. housing market just split in two — Sun Belt prices falling, Rust Belt rising. Which side you're on changes your debt options, your equity position, and the financial moves available to you right now.

Consumer Confidence Just Hit a 48-Year Low — But People Are Still Spending. That Is the Dangerous Part.

Steve Rhode — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:00:24 +0000

Consumer confidence just hit its lowest point since 1978 — but people haven't stopped spending. After 30 years of seeing this pattern, here's why that disconnect is so dangerous and what to do before the pullback hits.

The Fed Meets Today and Won’t Cut Rates — Here’s What That Actually Costs You Each Month

Steve Rhode — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:54:39 +0000

The Fed meets April 28 and won't cut rates. Here's exactly what that costs you each month on credit cards, car loans, and mortgages — and 4 moves to make before the new Fed chair takes over.

Everyone Says Wait to Claim Social Security. I Took Mine at 62. Here’s the Math They’re Not Showing You.

Steve Rhode — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:01:55 +0000

The breakeven age for claiming Social Security at 62 vs 67 is 78. Factor in investment returns and it pushes past 84. One-third of men die before the simple breakeven. The math everyone quotes is built on an assumption nobody can verify.

AI Gets Social Security Wrong — But So Does the Government, and So Might Your Financial Advisor

Steve Rhode — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:04:46 +0000

AI chatbots give dangerously wrong Social Security advice. But the IRS won't stand behind its own phone agents either, and SSA claws back its own errors. Where does right actually exist?

Perez v. Financial Education Services, Inc, Case No. 2:26-cv-11169

Steve Rhode — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:05:10 +0000

Quick Answer: A federal lawsuit was filed by Perez against Financial Education Services on April 9, 2026 in the U.S. District Court (DISTRICT COURT, E.D. MICHIGAN). Case No. 2:26-cv-11169. 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.

Torres v. American Debt Protection, Case No. 8:26-cv-00972

Steve Rhode — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:04:50 +0000

A federal lawsuit was filed by Torres against American Debt Protection on April 23, 2026 in the U.S. District Court (DISTRICT COURT, C.D. CALIFORNIA). Case N...

Connor v. New Era Lending, LLC, Case No. 2:26-cv-01474

Steve Rhode — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:04:34 +0000

Quick Answer: A federal lawsuit was filed by Connor against New Era on April 8, 2026 in the U.S. District Court (DISTRICT COURT, D. SOUTH CAROLINA). Case No. 2:26-cv-01474. 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.

Credit Lines Could Get Cut: What to Do Now

Steve Rhode — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:59:54 +0000

Banks are quietly cutting credit limits. If available credit is your emergency fund, here's why that safety net could vanish — and what to do first.

Spring Clean Your Finances Before Debt Gets Worse

Steve Rhode — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:53:56 +0000

Gas prices squeezing your budget? Steve Rhode and Damon Day cover the 14 percent bankruptcy spike, the hidden 400K cost of minimum payments, and smart money moves.

COVID EIDL Personal Guarantee Under $200K: Was Yours Even Required?

Steve Rhode — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:33:15 +0000

SBA rules didn't require personal guarantees on COVID EIDL loans under $200K. If you signed one and your business closed, an attorney can tell you if it's enforceable.

Iran Ceasefire Extended but Gas Prices Still Rising — The Credit Card Trap Is Getting Worse (April 2026)

Steve Rhode — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:50:42 +0000

The Iran ceasefire was extended but the naval blockade stays, oil is above $100, and gas prices are not coming down. Every month you carry the extra cost on credit cards at 24% APR, the hole gets deeper. Here is what to do now.

Private Credit Funds Now Hold $350 Billion of Your Debt — Why Collection Is About to Get Worse

Steve Rhode — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:50:40 +0000

Private credit firms now hold $350 billion in consumer debt. When their investors demand returns, collection gets more aggressive on your loans and credit cards. Your FDCPA rights do not change, but you may need to enforce them.

100% Drug Tariffs Start July 31 — The Prescription Debt Trap Nobody Is Talking About

Steve Rhode — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:50:38 +0000

Trump signed 100 percent tariffs on patented drug imports starting July 31, 2026. Generics are exempt for now. If you put prescriptions on a credit card at 24 percent APR, the tariff could double charges you are already financing. Switch to generics before the deadline.

The Housing Trap for People Over 50: Why Your Home Equity Cannot Save You From Debt

Steve Rhode — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:50:36 +0000

Homeownership dropped 8 to 10 percent across all age groups since 2000. People over 50 face a three-way trap: cannot sell, cannot refinance, cannot tap equity without risk. Never convert unsecured credit card debt into secured HELOC debt against your home.

Court Orders Timeshare Exit Scheme Operator to Pay $140 Million — What Victims Need to Know

Steve Rhode — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:49:54 +0000

Court ordered Christopher Carroll to pay $140M over a timeshare exit scheme that stole $90M from older adults — what victims should do now.

FTC Stops $8.8 Million Student Loan Relief Scam — NERD Solutions Impersonated the Department of Education

Steve Rhode — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:49:50 +0000

The FTC stopped NERD Solutions and ED REF from collecting $8.8 million in illegal student loan relief fees — here's what to do if you were targeted.

Medicare GLP-1 Coverage Is Coming — But the Financial Trap Between Now and Then Could Cost You Thousands

Steve Rhode — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:35:16 +0000

The Trump administration just signaled a shift on Medicare GLP-1 coverage. But policy changes take 60-90 days to reach your pharmacy. The most dangerous thing you can do right now is put that prescription on a credit card while you wait.

Tariffs Just Killed Jobs in Minnesota and Florida — Here Are the 3 Mistakes That Turn a Layoff Into a Debt Crisis

Steve Rhode — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:30:45 +0000

Tariff-driven layoffs hit Minnesota's Iron Range and Florida's Treasure Coast this week. The layoff isn't what destroys people financially — it's the three decisions they make in the first 30 days after. Here's what to do instead.

P&G Just Warned Prices Are Going Up — Here Is the Part That Actually Hurts Your Budget

Steve Rhode — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:24:55 +0000

P&G just confirmed price increases on 25% of their products. The real danger isn't the price tag — it's when families put groceries on credit cards and a temporary price spike becomes permanent high-interest debt.

Goldman Just Released Its 2026 Inflation Playbook for Rich Clients — Here’s What It Means for Your Credit Card Balance

Steve Rhode — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:10:57 +0000

Goldman's 2026 inflation playbook was written for rich clients. Here's what the same data means for your credit card balance and minimum payments.

The Labor Secretary Just Resigned — If Your Employer Owes You Overtime, Your Enforcement Window Just Got Smaller

Steve Rhode — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:10:54 +0000

The Labor Secretary just resigned. If your employer owes you overtime or steals tips, the enforcement window is shrinking — file this week.

D.R. Horton’s Profit Just Dropped — If You Were Counting on Home Equity to Escape Debt, Read This

Steve Rhode — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:10:52 +0000

D.R. Horton's profit just dropped 13%. If your debt plan involves home equity, a HELOC, or selling the house, the math is shifting under you.