You Got the Job, Now What?

This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series Guide to Employee Benefits

A Simple Guide to Employee On-Boarding Starting a new job can feel like stepping into a whirlwind—new routines, new people, and a mountain of paperwork. Right in the middle of it all? Your employee benefits. From tax forms to health insurance to retirement plans, these choices can have a huge impact on your financial well-being. But most of us aren’t taught how to navigate them—and many people go years (or even decades) feeling unsure if…

The Exclusive Investment Playground: Cracking Open Private Equity

This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series Building Equity

On a recent Level Up Podcast episode, co-host Addison Wiggin posed a provocative question to Certified Financial Planner Preston Zapffe: Should 401(k) funds be allowed to invest in private equity? The discussion tapped into a deeper tension in American finance—between access and exclusivity. Preston sees potential for expanding opportunity. Addison, however, voiced sharp concerns: private equity, he argues, is simply not built for average retirement savers. Their conversation inspired a bigger question: What is private…

The $1-a-Day Snowball

This entry is part 9 of 10 in the series Seeds of Wealth

You don’t need a windfall. Or a miracle. Or a sudden six-figure job offer. You need a dollar. Not a metaphorical one. A literal, wrinkled, boring dollar. The kind you find under couch cushions or in the dryer with lint and a button from 1997. Because when used consistently, even that dollar can set off a financial chain reaction more powerful than most people realize. The Modest Habit That Builds Real Capital Let’s say you…

Dealing With Debt Joins NASFAA to Expand Financial Literacy Support Across Higher Education and Strengthen Title IV Compliance Efforts

This entry is part 3 of 3 in the series Press Releases

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Austin, TX — June 24, 2025 — Dealing With Debt (DWD), the nonprofit social platform dedicated to financial education and community-based wellness, proudly announces its new membership with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). This strategic move furthers DWD’s mission to support financial literacy and wellness across diverse educational environments—empowering students and recent graduates to build financially healthy lives. As colleges and universities nationwide work to…

Why Wealth Isn’t Complicated—Just Rarely Practiced

This entry is part 8 of 10 in the series Seeds of Wealth

If you’ve ever felt like wealth is some elite club you weren’t invited to, you’re not alone. The way it’s sold—charts, jargon, hedge funds, TikTok stock tips—it’s easy to believe there’s some hidden formula known only to people who wear loafers without socks. But here’s the truth, stripped of all the flash: Wealth isn’t complicated. It’s just rarely practiced. That’s not a motivational poster. It’s a reality check. The Illusion of Complexity People often assume…

Dealing With Debt Joins CECU as Allied Partner Member

This entry is part 2 of 3 in the series Press Releases

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Expanding Financial Literacy Support to Trade Schools Nationwide (view official release) Austin, TX – June 20, 2025 Dealing With Debt (DWD), a nonprofit financial literacy and wellness social media platform, is proud to announce its acceptance as an Allied Partner Member of the Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), the national association representing postsecondary career education institutions. This strategic alignment marks a significant step in both organizations shared mission to prepare…

What To Expect From A Debt Management Plan

This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series Getting Out of Debt

In 2024, American Consumer Credit Counseling clients paid off around $191,257,429.83 in debt! Debt Management Plans help people regain control of their financial lives by consolidating their debts into a single, manageable monthly payment. Here’s what you can expect when you enroll in a Debt Management Plan (DMP) with American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC). What to Expect from a Debt Management Plan Personalized Financial Assessment The process begins with a thorough financial assessment conducted by…

College or Something Else?

This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series Career Minded

A Father’s Dilemma in a World That Demands Both I’m a Black man with a 17-year-old son. He’s a rising senior in high school—bright, kind, curious, figuring out who he is and where he wants to go. And right now, like a lot of parents, I’m trying to guide him through one of the most complex choices he’ll ever face: College… or something else? For decades, the answer was simple. College was the path. If…

The GI Bill Grift

This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series Military Life

How Scammers Target Veterans’ Education Benefits You’ve served your country. You’ve earned your stripes, your salute, and yes, your GI Bill benefits.  It’s time to plan for civilian life. Many veterans look to higher education as the next mission. But just like what your recruiter tells you, not everything is as straightforward as it seems. Among the legitimate schools and training programs are scammers looking to cash in on your hard-earned benefits. Let’s look at…

Budget Like a CEO

This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Rebuilding

Applying Business Finance Principles to Personal Debt Management Most of us weren’t taught how to manage money growing up. We figured it out through trial and error—mostly error. We learned by overdrafting accounts, maxing out credit cards, or juggling bills and hoping nothing bounced. For a lot of people, especially those carrying debt or coming out of a financial crisis, budgeting feels like punishment. Like one more reminder of what’s not working. But what if…