Looking for engaging, expert financial content to keep your readers coming back? I’ve got you covered.
I’m Steve Rhode, a consumer debt expert since 1994. My syndicated advice column once ran in over 50 newspapers through Gannett—even making it to local TV stations. Now, after many years, I’m bringing it back.
My new weekly column, The Get Out of Debt Guy Answers Your Questions, delivers practical, no-nonsense financial advice for people drowning in debt, worried about money, or just trying to figure out their next move. No judgment. No fluff. Just real solutions from someone who’s been there.
What’s in It for You?
✔ Proven expertise – Decades of experience helping people escape debt
✔ Engaging, reader-friendly style – No jargon, just real talk
✔ Boost your site’s authority – Give your audience trusted financial advice
✔ Fresh content—done for you – Save time while keeping readers engaged
How It Works
✅ You get a new debt advice column (weekly)
✅ You publish it on your site—100% free
✅ You attract more readers with expert insights
✅ I help more people with advice and get some links—win-win!
I Even Make the Publishing Painless
To keep things simple for you, I’ll be sending the column as a plain text file (.txt) with the links already coded. That way, you won’t have to wrestle with any weird formatting that might not play nice with your publication’s style. Just copy, paste, and you’re all set—no extra hassle!
What’s the Catch?
There isn’t one! You can copy and publish this column for free—no fees, no contracts, no hassle.
The only requirements:
✅ Publish the column exactly as provided—no content edits or changes.
✅ Keep all three embedded links intact—no removals or modifications.
Want in? Sign up to receive it straight to your inbox each week. Told you it was simple.
A Sample Column is Below
The Get Out of Debt Guy Answers Your Questions
Welcome to The Get Out of Debt Guy Answers Your Questions. I’m Steve Rhode, and I’ve been helping people escape debt since 1994—so trust me, I’ve seen it all. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just plain fed up, you’re in the right place. No judgment, no fluff—just real talk and real solutions. Let’s break it down together, figure out your next move, and maybe even have a laugh along the way.
Dear Get Out of Debt Guy,
I made a classic mistake: I co-signed a loan for my cousin because he swore on his mother’s meatloaf recipe that he’d make every payment on time. Guess what? He didn’t. Now my credit score is in the gutter, the bank is calling me, and my cousin is conveniently “too busy” to talk. What do I do?
— Regretful in Reno
Dear Regretful,
Ah, the timeless tale of “I swear I’ll pay you back”—right up there with “the check is in the mail” and “this won’t hurt a bit.” When you co-sign a loan, you’re not just saying “I believe in you”—you’re saying “I legally agree to pay every cent if you flake.” And spoiler alert: people flake.
And here’s what catches people by surprise:
Nearly 40% of co-signers end up making payments on loans they never intended to pay. Not because they’re overly generous, but because the original borrower dropped off the face of the earth or conveniently forgot their financial obligations. It’s like volunteering to walk into a financial bear trap—but instead of a rescue team coming to help, you just get a bill.
Here’s what you can do:
- Talk to the Lender – Call them up, explain the situation, and see if they’ll let you restructure the loan or negotiate a settlement. It never hurts to ask, and the worst they can say is no. Don’t take it personally. Be polite and ask for their help. You’ll be amazed at how far kindness can go.
- Track Down Your Cousin – If he’s dodging you, it’s time to make it awkward. Certified letters, persistent texts, and a well-placed “friendly reminder” at Thanksgiving dinner can work wonders. Even a door knock with a casual “How you doing?” might make him realize you’re not going away.
- Consider Legal Action – If the amount is significant, small claims court is an option. Just know that a court ruling doesn’t magically create money if he’s broke.
- Learn the Hard Lesson – Co-signing is like giving someone your financial future and hoping they don’t light it on fire.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—never, ever co-sign a loan. Not for your cousin, your best friend, or even your dog if he somehow gets approved for a credit card. If a bank thinks they’re too risky to lend to, that’s your sign to run—not sign.
Here’s the Real Deal:
Co-signing isn’t generosity—it’s financial Russian roulette, except you don’t even get to spin the barrel.
It stinks, I know. But now, focus on damage control. Work on rebuilding your credit, and if someone ever asks you to co-sign again, just tell them: “I love you too much to ruin our relationship over money.”
Steve – Get Out of Debt Guy
Dear Get Out of Debt Guy,
I’m drowning in credit card debt, and every time I try to make a dent, another emergency pops up. It feels like I’m in a game of financial Whack-a-Mole. Should I take out a personal loan to consolidate and pay everything off?
— Stuck in the Swipe Cycle
Dear Stuck,
Ah, the old “debt consolidation will save me” idea—right up there with “miracle weight loss pills” and “that prince from Nigeria actually wants to send me money.” On paper, it sounds like the magic trick you’ve been looking for—turn multiple high-interest debts into one “manageable” payment. But here’s the kicker: debt consolidation doesn’t erase your debt. It just moves it. If that actually fixed the problem, I’d be retired on a beach somewhere instead of writing this.
Think of it like sweeping dirt under a rug. The mess isn’t gone—it’s just relocated. And eventually, that rug gets lumpy, and you trip over it.
Here’s what you need to consider before jumping into a personal loan:
- Interest Rates & Fees – If the new loan’s interest rate isn’t significantly lower than your current debts, you’re just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
- Your Spending Habits – If you don’t fix the root cause of the debt (overspending, lack of emergency savings), you’ll rack up more credit card debt while paying off the loan. That’s how people end up in double debt.
- Alternatives – There are a lot of ways to tackle debt. But here’s the kicker—people in problem debt don’t really know what to do because they don’t know what they don’t know. And there are plenty of folks more than happy to sell you nonsense solutions that don’t actually work.
- The Psychological Trap – Everyone says “I’ll never use my credit cards again” after consolidating their debt. And they mean it—until they don’t.
Statistically, 96% of people who consolidate debt relapse, with 44% backsliding within a year. Debt consolidation without behavior change is just hitting the reset button on bad habits.
Here’s the Real Deal:
Debt consolidation isn’t bad—but it’s not the magical fix people think it is. Debt isn’t the real problem—it’s a symptom of something deeper. Maybe it was a rough patch, unexpected expenses, or just life throwing curveballs. Unless we figure out what led to the debt, consolidating it is just putting a band-aid on a broken leg.
If you go this route, commit to a full financial reset—not just shuffling numbers around and hoping for the best. Otherwise, you’re just bailing water from a sinking boat while ignoring the giant hole in the hull.
Steve – Get Out of Debt Guy
Got a burning debt question keeping you up at night? You’re not alone. Ask me your question, and let’s tackle it together.
Want more insights? Check out my podcast for real talk on debt, money, and the financial traps nobody warns you about—find it wherever you get your podcasts!
And don’t miss out on more debt-fighting tips—subscribe to my free newsletter for exclusive insights and updates.