Financial News Features

“We get a good sample, dig through it, and ask questions,” Dvorkin said. “It’s clear that America’s ongoing love affair with debt has evolved.”

"You consolidate your debts through a nonprofit credit counseling agency," says Dvorkin. "You get a free in-depth debt analysis from a trained credit counselor, and you make one monthly payment that covers the principle and drastically reduces interest rates on all your cards. It costs money to have those counselors working with you, but the fee dwarfs the savings."

The thing is, debt consolidation doesn't always work, and for more reasons than one. According to Howard Dvorkin of Debt.com, "all it takes is human nature" for the best-laid debt payoff plan to fall apart.

“Nothing is faster than a motivated cash buyer,” “iBuying is also lightning quick, but you trade price for speed — an iBuyer often makes a lower offer in exchange for getting you the money [fast],”

"One big advantage is that secured cards are relatively easy to get. Another is that parents can be assured their children aren't overspending," says Dvorkin. "Otherwise, it's like learning how to be a trapeze artist without a net."

“Don't blend everything. To keep a healthy marriage, keep some money for yourself. If your partner craves the latest iPhone and you collect rare comic books, you don't need to fight. Instead, budget for both. Agree on how much ‘fun money’ you two will set aside, whether it's a percentage of salary or a dollar figure. That won't stop each of you from being judgy, but it will stop you from arguing.”