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chapter 7

TransUnion Just Confirmed What I Saw Inside Credit Counseling: Debt Settlement Can Hurt Your Score Worse Than Bankruptcy

by Steve Rhode

TransUnion found settlement enrollees who were still current when they enrolled fell 96 points, 645 to 549, measured six months before to six months after. Here’s what it leaves out.

A Merchant Cash Advance Company Froze My Bank Account. Here’s What to Do Right Now.

by Steve Rhode

A merchant cash advance company froze your bank account — here’s how to find out why, and the fastest legal paths to get your money back, right now.

Bankruptcy Erased My Personal Guarantee — So Why Can They Still Take My Collateral?

by Steve Rhode

A bankruptcy discharge kills your obligation to pay — but if you pledged collateral, that lien survives. Here’s what the law says and what you can do.

Can I File Bankruptcy If My Income Is Irregular? What Gig Workers and the Self-Employed Need to Know About Their Retirement

by Steve Rhode

Yes, you can file bankruptcy with irregular gig or self-employed income — the means test uses a 6-month average. And your 401(k) and IRA are protected.

They Said Student Loans Can Never Be Discharged in Bankruptcy. That Quietly Changed in 2022.

by Steve Rhode

“You can never discharge student loans in bankruptcy” is a myth. Federal loans can be — and since 2022 the government is directed to support it. Here’s the truth.

They Said You Lose Everything You Own in Bankruptcy. Here’s What the Law Actually Protects.

by Steve Rhode

They said bankruptcy takes everything you own. It’s a myth: federal exemptions protect your home, car, and retirement. Here’s what the law actually shields.

They Said Bankruptcy Ruins Your Credit for 10 Years. Here’s What Actually Happens.

by Steve Rhode

The 10-year number is real — but it’s not what you think. Here’s what actually happens to your credit after bankruptcy, and how to beat the one real catch.

A Tribal Payday Lender Says I Owe Them Money. Here’s What to Do Right Now.

by Steve Rhode

A tribal payday lender is threatening you — but their claim to be above the law is often false. Federal protections still apply. Here’s how to stop the debits, challenge the debt, and use bankruptcy if needed.

Debt, Savings, Salesmen, Bankruptcy, and the Fear of Making the Wrong Move

by Steve Rhode

Steve Rhode and Damon Day reveal how debt-relief sales pressure mirrors HVAC scam tactics — and why the math on Chapter 7 vs. settlement can differ by $82,500.

Should I Max Out My Credit Cards Before Filing Bankruptcy?

by Steve Rhode

Should you max out your credit cards before filing bankruptcy? No — and here’s the trap most sites won’t warn you about, plus how to protect your discharge.

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Get Out of Debt Guy Podcast - Steve Rhode

Get Out of Debt Guy Podcasts

  • Should Adult Kids Pay Rent—or Are You Sacrificing Your Retirement?
  • Should You Stop Paying Credit Cards? – Why Banks Won’t Help Until You’re Behind
  • Bankruptcy Isn't Failure—It's a Financial Tool | AI, College, and the Cost of Bad Money Decisions
  • Your Debt Isn't the Problem—Your Plan Is | AI, College Costs, and Paying the Right Bills
  • AI Is Changing Work Fast: Side Hustles, Cybercabs, and Protecting Your Financial Future

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