After filing your taxes, it can feel smart to wait for your refund before making a debt plan. But in this episode, Steve Rhode, the original Get Out of Debt Guy, and Damon Day, the new Get Out of Debt Guy, explain why waiting could be costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in credit card interest, personal loan payments, and financial stress. They talk about the real cost of delaying action, how tax refunds are often used as a financial rescue parachute, why so many people procrastinate on debt relief, and when options like bankruptcy, debt settlement, or a smarter payoff strategy may make more sense than continuing to struggle.

This conversation also covers money and marriage, financial stress, bankruptcy myths, and why getting independent debt advice can help you make a better decision faster. If you are dealing with credit card debt, tax debt, debt stress, or wondering how to use your tax refund wisely, this episode will help you stop waiting and start taking control.

Learn more at https://getoutofdebt.org and reach Damon directly at https://damonday.com.

Got a tax refund coming and wondering whether to save it, use it to pay off credit cards, build an emergency fund, or settle debt? In this episode, Steve Rhode, the original Get Out of Debt Guy, and Damon Day, the new Get Out of Debt Guy, break down the smartest ways to use a tax refund when you’re already struggling with debt.

They talk about why throwing a refund at credit card debt is not always the best move, how a refund can be used more strategically, when it makes sense to build a cash buffer first, and why every financial decision needs a real plan behind it. They also dig into debt settlement, debt consolidation loans, 1099-C tax issues, forgiven debt, insolvency, and how financial stress can wreck clear thinking.

If you’re dealing with credit card debt, tax refund decisions, debt payoff confusion, or just want practical debt relief advice without the shame and nonsense, this episode is for you.

You’ll also hear about helpful free tools at GetOutOfDebt.org, including the Your Brain on Debt quiz and the 1099-C calculator, designed to help you make smarter money decisions before panic takes over.

Get more help at https://getoutofdebt.org

Reach Damon directly at https://damonday.com

Your tax refund feels like a lifeline—until you do the math.

In this episode of The Get Out of Debt Guy, Steve Rhode (the original Get Out of Debt Guy) and Damon Day (the new Get Out of Debt Guy) break down why a $3,000–$5,000 refund usually doesn’t “fix” the kind of credit card debt most listeners are carrying. If you’ve got $30,000 to $200,000 in debt, a refund can become a one-time emotional paymentthat barely dents the balance… and then gets charged right back up when life happens (tires, repairs, surprises).

They also dig into a problem almost nobody talks about: debt and depression. When you’re overwhelmed, follow-through becomes harder—so generic “grind it out” advice (budgets, five-year payoff plans) can fail even when you want it to work. Steve and Damon explain why this is common, why it’s not about shame, and why you need a strategy that matches your real life—not an internet template.

You’ll also hear a straight-shooting breakdown of credit counseling / debt management plans vs. debt settlement, why people confuse them, and why “one-size-fits-all” debt advice can cost you years (and even derail retirement savings).

Next week, they’ll cover the smart plays for using a refund when you’re in debt—so you can stop repeating this cycle every tax season.

Get help and tools at https://getoutofdebt.org

Talk to Damon directly at https://damonday.com

You’re smart. You’re successful. You’ve solved hard problems at work and in life. So why is debt the one problem that keeps looping?

In this episode, Steve Rhode (the old, original Get Out of Debt Guy) and Damon Day (the new Get Out of Debt Guy) go after the “I’ll figure it out myself” trap — the mindset that helps you win everywhere… except when it comes to credit card debt, personal loans, and financial stress.

We break down the three big DIY “solutions” that look logical but often make things worse:

• Debt consolidation loans: the “lower rate” pitch that can wreck your cash flow and lead right back to credit cards

• Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs): the business version of a payday loan — daily/weekly withdrawals, brutal “factor rates,” and a stack that can end in bankruptcy

• Closing paid-off credit cards: feels responsible… but can hurt your credit score by raising utilization and shrinking account history

If you’ve been “researching” your way out of debt for months with no real progress, this is your sign: you don’t get extra points for suffering alone. Get a plan before you accidentally lock yourself into the wrong move.

✅ Learn more at https://getoutofdebt.org

📞 Damon can be reached at https://damonday.com (free consultation)

Next episode: why your tax refund won’t save you — and what to do before April hits.

Ever been carrying debt (or a money mess) your spouse doesn’t know about… and you can feel the secret eating you alive?

In this episode, Steve Rhode (the old, original Get Out of Debt Guy) and Damon Day (the new Get Out of Debt Guy) lay out a practical roadmap for the hardest conversation most couples will ever have: telling your partner the truth about your debt—without turning it into a relationship-ending explosion.

You’ll learn:

• When NOT to do it (hint: not during a fight… and definitely not at the grocery store)

• How to open the conversation with responsibility instead of excuses

• Why you need to show up with a plan, not a dumpster fire

• What to say when they’re hurt, angry, or ice-cold for a while

• How to turn this from “your secret problem” into a shared solution

Steve also calls out a sneaky modern trap: “Forbes-style” articles-that-are-really-ads pushing debt relief companies—why they look legit, why they fool smart people, and how to spot the marketing game.

If this episode hits a little too close to home, don’t wait. The longer the secret lives, the bigger the blast radius.

Get help and resources at https://getoutofdebt.org

Book a free call with Damon at https://damonday.com

If you’ve run the numbers, know your options, and still haven’t taken action… this episode is for you.

Steve Rhode (the old, original Get Out of Debt Guy) and Damon Day (the new Get Out of Debt Guy) get brutally honest about the real reason people stay stuck in debt: fear and shame—not math, not money, not even the solutions.

You’ll hear why so much credit card debt comes from essentials, why people only act once the “bucket of chaos” hits the fan, and why protecting a credit score can quietly cost you years (and a lot of money). They also break down what to do about collection calls, the truth about debt settlement vs. doing nothing, and why having a plan changes everything—especially if your spouse doesn’t know the full story yet.

✅ Your assignment at the end: identify the real fear keeping you up at night—and start taking its power away.

Explore free tools and subscribe to the newsletter at https://getoutofdebt.org

Reach Damon directly for a free strategy call at https://damonday.com

January resolutions are cute. February is where the real work starts.

In this episode of The Get Out of Debt Guy, Steve Rhode (the old, original Get Out of Debt Guy) and Damon Day(the new Get Out of Debt Guy) talk about how to restart your debt plan on February 5th—without guilt, shame, or fake “perfect budget” nonsense.

They break down why people stall (hint: it’s emotion, not math) and why financial literacy classes don’t fix debt behavior unless you understand your money personality and how your subconscious drives spending decisions.

Then they pivot to the ugly reality: scams are everywhere—IRS and “TurboTax” tax scams, Amazon-style texts, gift card scams, crypto scams, and even debt consolidation traps that leave you deeper in debt. With consumer protections weakening, the message is simple: nobody is coming to save you—so you have to become your own financial watchdog.

• How to restart your debt plan in February (even if January slipped away)

• Why tracking spending beats “making a budget”

• The #1 mistake behind debt consolidation loans (cash flow vs. debt balance)

• How scammers pressure smart people into fast decisions (and why it works)

• A practical “one action this week” challenge to build momentum

Tools mentioned on GetOutOfDebt.org

• Money Personality Test

• Contract Decoder (to translate confusing financial terms)

• Scam-o-meter (to help spot red flags)

Get weekly updates and scam alerts: https://getoutofdebt.org

Reach Damon for a free consultation: https://damonday.com

If you’ve been stuck, overwhelmed, or quietly panicking… this episode is your reset. February counts. Motion creates momentum—and momentum creates change.

What really happens when you stop juggling bills and start taking control? In this episode, Steve Rhode and Damon Day go a little off-script (in the best way) and pull back the curtain on what’s happening right now in the debt world—and what you should watch out for before you sign anything.

We dig into:

• Why debt collection lawsuits are climbing—and how collectors use the court system to flip the power dynamic fast

• The real danger of ignoring a lawsuit (default judgments, wage garnishments, bank levies… the whole mess)

• Student loan forgiveness confusion heading into 2026—and how taxes can turn “forgiveness” into a surprise bill

• The ugly truth behind debt settlement “legal protection” promises (and who gets hurt the most)

• A military-base credit card problem that can snowball fast because the “creditor” has extra powers

• Plus: GM/OnStar data sharing and why your insurance hikes might not be random

If you want the latest consumer debt news and Steve’s weekday updates, subscribe at https://getoutofdebt.org.

If you need to talk through your personal situation (even if you’ve already been sued or have a judgment), reach Damon at https://damonday.com.

And if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re being sold a “debt solution” or a sales pitch, Steve’s tools (like the Contract Decoder and the Scam-o-Meter) live on https://getoutofdebt.org.