Budgets Suck. Watch What’s Left at the End of the Month
Steve Rhode and Damon Day explain why budgets fail, how debt relief payments squeeze people on Social Security, and why tires and repairs aren’t emergencies.
emergency fund
Only 29,000 Jobs Were Added in September. Here’s What a Weak Jobs Report Means for Your Card Rate, Your Savings, and Your Paycheck
Only 29,000 jobs were added in September and October Fed hike odds fell. Here’s what it means for your card rate, your savings and your job.
Debt, Savings, Salesmen, Bankruptcy, and the Fear of Making the Wrong Move
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 Use My Emergency Fund to Pay Off Debt?
Should you drain your emergency fund to pay off debt? Usually not all of it. Here’s how to decide what’s safe to use — and the trap to avoid first.
Freshworks Just Cut 500 Jobs Because “Half Our Code Is Written by AI” — Here’s What That Means for Your Debt Plan
Freshworks cut 500 jobs (11% of workforce) while posting 16% revenue growth. CEO Dennis Woodside said AI writes over half their code. Here is what this pattern means for your debt plan.
Recession Warnings Are Piling Up — Here’s the 30-Day Checklist That Separates Survivors From Spirals
NY Fed, CNBC, and Reuters all flashing recession warnings on the same day. Here’s the exact 30-day checklist to protect your finances before the window closes.
Credit Lines Could Get Cut: What to Do Now
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.
Should I Use My Tax Refund to Pay Off Debt?
Using your tax refund to pay off debt feels obvious — but it’s often the wrong move. Steve Rhode explains the three questions you must answer first, and when parking the money beats any payoff strategy.
36% of Americans Plan to Use Their $4,000 Tax Refund to Pay Off Debt — Here’s the Right Order
More Americans struggled with debt in 2025, and 36% plan to use their 2026 tax refund — projected to average $4,000 — to pay it down. Here’s the right order to maximize every dollar and avoid the most common mistake.
59% Can’t Cover a $1,000 Emergency: Bankrate 2026 Report
Bankrate’s 2026 Emergency Savings Report reveals 59% of Americans can’t cover a $1,000 emergency without debt. Nearly 1 in 4 have zero savings. Here’s what it means for your finances.
