On our recent Level Up podcast, we sat down with Sean Lenderink, founder of Smart Loan Aid, to dig into a side of the student loan crisis that isn’t just about numbers—it’s about confusion. For many borrowers, the most overwhelming part of repaying student loans isn’t the debt itself, it’s figuring out how to manage it. Sean explained why so many borrowers feel lost. Federal student loans aren’t straightforward. They get passed from one servicer…
On a recent episode of the Level Up podcast, we sat down with Sean Lenderink, founder of Smart Loan Aid, to talk about one of the most urgent financial issues facing Americans today: the wave of student loan defaults that is already crashing down—and the tidal wave of wage garnishments that’s coming next. Sean has been in the trenches helping borrowers navigate federal student loans for over a decade, and in our conversation, he didn’t…
Some lawmakers enter office to manage the status quo. Others arrive ready to fight for those whose voices are often drowned out. Representative Karen Alzate of Rhode Island (D-60) has proven herself to be firmly in the second category. From Community to Capitol Rep. Alzate, a first-generation immigrant, is in her fourth term serving her community in the Rhode Island House. Her path into politics was shaped by her passion: neighborhoods where financial stability is elusive, where…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Baltimore, MD – September 22, 2025 — Dealing With Debt (DWD), a nonprofit financial education and social platform, today announced a new strategic agreement with TransUnion to offer its IdentityForce® identity and credit monitoring service as an exclusive benefit to DWD members. This partnership gives members direct access to IdentityForce’s personalized protection suite through the DWD platform, integrating digital security into the same space where users learn about money, complete financial…
You’ve chosen a name for your LLC—now comes the next big decision: where to form it. Most small business owners assume they should register in their home state, and often, that’s the best choice. But you may have also heard about forming an LLC in places like Delaware, Nevada, or Wyoming, which are often marketed as “business-friendly.” So how do you know what’s right for you? Let’s break it down. Why Most People Choose Their…
Every business starts with a name. It’s how people will remember you, talk about you, and look you up online. But when it comes to forming an LLC, naming isn’t just about branding—it’s also a legal step. Choosing the right name for your LLC is about balancing creativity with compliance. Let’s walk through what to consider, how to check availability, and a few tips for making sure your business name supports your long-term success. The…
Starting a business is exciting. You’ve got ideas, energy, and maybe even customers waiting. But if you’re like most new entrepreneurs, there’s also a little voice in the back of your mind: “What if something goes wrong? Could I lose everything I own?” That’s where forming an LLC—short for Limited Liability Company—comes in. It’s one of the most common first steps for small business owners who want to protect themselves while keeping things simple. Let’s…
In our recent Level Up podcast episode, “Trades, Tech, and Tomorrow,” we sat down with Mikhail Reece—a sharp, dynamic thinker who said something that has stuck with me ever since. Mikhail said that as kids, we are all naturally creative. It’s part of who we are. But somewhere along the way, that instinct fades. It got me thinking—what happens to our creativity? Why do we start operating in more rigid, structured ways as we get…
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the students who start college full of hope, only to leave before finishing. Maybe they discover the traditional academic path isn’t for them. Maybe life circumstances change. Maybe they’re drawn to work that’s more hands-on and directly tied to building, fixing, or creating. The recently published ‘Some College, No Credential’ report puts a number to this—over 40 million Americans have started college but left without earning a degree….
Skilled hands can build just about anything—homes, machines, entire systems. But when it comes to building a business? That’s where many tradespeople hit a wall. For generations, trades education has focused on technical expertise. But with more workers striking out on their own—and many more dreaming of starting a business—we need to treat entrepreneurship as a core part of the trade itself. Because mastering your craft is just one half of success. The other half…
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