Dateline NBC did a great show about the issues surrounding consumer debt in America with my friend Elizabeth Warren was in it. She is a brilliant lawyer, consumer debt author and an overall good person. It’s worth taking some time to watch all the videos below. The information presented is eyeopening and will be disturbing to many that don’t believe ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, My husband & I have been married 6 years and have two children. One of us has been in school the entire time until he graduated a few months ago. He has a well-paying job now and I’m self-employed. We have a decent income for where we live, but now with the school loans needing to be payed ... Read More »

Sean “Dear Steve, I’m a 20 year old college student around $2000 in debt, with two credit cards and one personal loan. What should I pay off first? The credit card with the highest balance or the one with the higher interest rate, or the loan. What effects my credit score the most? Sean” The Answer   Dear Sean, Personally, ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I just got my job back, and I am playing catch up on my bills. Between my husband and I, we have about $2800 in credit card debt. I tried calling to get my interest rate lowered, but all they said was when an offer comes aound that you qualify for, then we will lower your apr. I ... Read More »

“Hi Steve! I lost my job for the second time this past October (economy) and I have both a mortgage and significant credit card debt. I do not want to file for bankruptcy, but I can’t handle these payments, too high. How do I get some of the credit cards to forgive some of the debt and give me payments ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, My husband and I have over $65,000 in credit card debt. We have to charge some monthly payments, such as insurance, and all of our daily expenses so that we can pay all of our bills on time. This, of course, just makes the credit card bills continue to go up. Bankruptcy is not an option because I ... Read More »

“Hi Steve, My wife is out of work and I was for about a year. We have about 40K in CC debt and there is no way I see to get rid of that. We have 2 houses and can’t selll the one we do not live in as the market stinks. We have the two mortgages. I have 54K ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I owe 40k in credit card debt. I am a freelance contractor and after five years of working solidly, the work came sparingly this last year. I haven’t been able to pay on the debt since September, the interest rates are now 30% because I’ve defaulted and my husband, who is working and has tens of thousands of ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, Here is the situation. I have 50K of debt between credit cards and lines of credit and a 20k vehicle loan. When I first met my fiancee, she asked about credit card debt, I was defensive about it so i just told her that i didn’t have any. She knew I had a truck loan at the time. ... Read More »

I do more than just write answers to questions, I read as well. And my days involve math as well. It’s like being back in school, but this time with a calculator and spell check. Oh where were you when I needed you. Back then we had flash cards and now we have flash RAM. I still remember when my ... Read More »

A question I am getting asked more and more is about what programs the government offers to help you get out of debt or to eliminate credit card debt. These questions usually involve inquiries about government grants and loans that people hear whispers about that they believe will dispose of problem debt as well. Up until this point there has ... Read More »

All I’ve got to say is, Good! The plan would have done more damage than good and while some people might have hoped that the government would accept the creditor based plan, it was shallow and not enough to make a real difference to help people avoid bankruptcy and get out of debt. Recently I wrote an article, New Concerns ... Read More »

Tanisha “Dear Steve, I recently recieved $137k into a 401k account from my ex-husband due to a divorce. I’m 35 years old, 2 kids, unemployed stay at home mother for past 8 years. I will receive spousal support until 2012. I no longer own any property or assets and I have $33,000 in credit card debts with interest rates ranging ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, Mounting credit card debt is getting difficult to pay. I’m thinking of just ONLY taking care of house, car, utilities, food, insurance. I’m a single mother of two kids and get no child support. I’ve worked so hard for good credit and I am losing it. What do I do? Not pay and wait for it to wipe ... Read More »

An inovative new program from Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas significantly rewards students that graduate within five years, with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, secure employment in the Dallas metropolitan area, maintain a good credit history and donate 400 hours of volunteer time to the community. University president Michael Sorrell is quoted as saying “This program ... Read More »