Your Money Actually — A Free Newsletter From Steve Rhode
Your Money Actually is Steve Rhode’s free newsletter. The financial information the industry doesn’t want you to have — exposed hypocrisy, hidden math, and options nobody tells you about.
personal finance
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.
Should I Use My Inheritance to Pay Off My Mortgage?
Before paying off your mortgage with an inheritance, run the math. At current rates around 6%, investing the money and letting it compound may leave you with more total wealth — here’s how to think it through.
Why Financial Literacy Classes Fail: What the Research Actually Shows
Financial literacy education explains only 0.1% of financial behavior variance. A synthesis of 201 studies, Big Five personality research, and original 2001 clinical data from Myvesta reveals why — and what money personality reveals that classrooms never can.
Americans Hit $1.233 Trillion in Credit Card Debt – But Here’s What Nobody’s Telling You
Americans now owe a record $1.233 trillion on credit cards. But the real story isn’t the headline number – it’s what’s happening underneath.
Only 19% of Americans Grew Their Emergency Savings in 2025 – And the Gap Is Getting Dangerous
Only 19% of Americans grew their emergency savings in 2025. Meanwhile 33% have more credit card debt than savings. Here’s what the math really means.
Debt Shame: When It Helps and When It Hurts
Quick Answer: Debt shame helps motivate change initially but becomes destructive when it prevents people from seeking help or exploring available options. The post emphasizes that debt is “math wrapped in emotion” and that the 4 AM anxiety stems from fear and isolation rather than just financial numbers.It’s 4:03 AM.You’re staring at the ceiling, your …
Debt Validation: The Magic Fix That Isn’t
Quick Answer: Debt validation is not the miracle solution many companies advertise, as experts Steve Rhode and Damon Day explain in their analysis. While debt validation has legitimate uses, aggressive sales pitches often oversell its effectiveness and leave consumers worse off than alternative debt relief strategies.Some companies love to sell debt validation as a miracle …
