It’s Christmas Day… and if you’re lying awake at 2 a.m. staring at the ceiling thinking, “What am I going to do about my debt?” — this episode is for you.

Steve Rhode and Damon Day talk straight about the quiet moment nobody posts on social media: the holiday pressure, the shame spiral, the fear that you’re the only one struggling, and that awful feeling like everyone else is cheerful while you’re drowning in credit card payments.

No tough homework today. No “perfect budget” fantasy. Just permission to take the day off, breathe, and remember: debt is a problem with solutions — not a life sentence.

And when you’re ready (hello, January), we’ll help you shift from surviving to solving with a real strategy for getting out of debt.

More help and resources: https://getoutofdebt.org

Talk with Damon: https://damonday.com

Christmas is days away, and if your credit cards are already screaming… this episode is your permission slip to stop the shame-spiral, enjoy your people, and not make things worse. We talk holiday spending strategies that actually work—setting real limits, using cash, and choosing experiences over stuff—because the best “gift” is not waking up in January with a financial hangover.

We also get into the psychology behind why we overspend (yep, hyperbolic discounting), how to say no without feeling like the Grinch, and what to do when the invite is pricey, the gift exchange is ridiculous, or the “just put it on the card” crowd shows up.

Then we pivot to the comeback plan: what you can do in January to recover fast and set up next year so you’re not repeating the same cycle.

More help and resources:

• https://getoutofdebt.org

• Damon can be reached at https://damonday.com

It’s December… and if you’re staring down holiday spending while your credit card debt is already heavy, you’re not alone. In this episode, Steve Rhode and Damon Day talk about why so many people avoid looking at their balances during the holidays, what that avoidance really costs you, and how to enjoy the season without turning January into a financial disaster.

We dig into the pressure to “keep up,” the dopamine hit of giving, lifestyle inflation, and why high-income households can still be in a quiet financial crisis. You’ll walk away with practical ways to set boundaries, build a realistic holiday budget, and choose smarter spending that protects your future — without guilt, shame, or deprivation.

More help and resources: https://getoutofdebt.org

Reach Damon Day: https://damonday.com

Is your side hustle really helping you get out of debt—or quietly dragging you deeper in? In this episode, Steve Rhode, the old, original Get Out of Debt Guy, and the new Get Out of Debt Guy, Damon Day, break down the truth about side hustles, gig work, and those “make money from home” dreams that can turn into financial nightmares.

Steve and Damon talk about the two very different worlds of side hustles: simple, cash-flow gigs like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart and Walmart Spark… and the “business opportunity” side hustles like Amazon FBA, drop shipping, and guru-led online courses that can leave you with more credit card debt than profit. Steve shares his real Amazon FBA experience (including starting with $20–25k in inventory and building it into a serious business), while Damon explains how he consistently earns around $40/hour in the gig economy by stacking apps, knowing his market, and refusing unprofitable rides.

They dig into:

• Why so many people go into debt “trying” to get out of debt with side hustles

• The danger of high-priced “done-for-you” websites and Amazon stores

• Profit vs. revenue (and why a $15, 30-mile ride can actually lose you money)

• How to think about car costs, IRS mileage, taxes, and 1099 contractor reality

• When it’s smarter to drive Lyft or do Instacart than to swipe a card for another course

• How to test your market for 60–90 days and know when it’s time to pivot

If you’re thinking about starting a side hustle to pay off credit cards, avoid bankruptcy, or just keep up with inflation, this episode will help you avoid the emotional traps, slick marketing, and bad math that can wreck your finances.

For more straight-talk on getting out of debt, visit GetOutOfDebt.org:

👉 https://getoutofdebt.org

To talk one-on-one with Damon about your specific situation or set up a free consult, you can reach him at:

👉 https://damonday.com

Every time you open TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook, there’s another slick “debt relief” ad chasing you around. Secret government programs. Guaranteed 80% reduction. Gurus in rented Lamborghinis who “paid off $80,000 in six months.” In this episode, Steve Rhode—the old, authentic, original Get Out of Debt Guy—and the new Get Out of Debt Guy, Damon Day, pull back the curtain on the hidden traps in debt relief marketing you’re being targeted with right now.

Steve and Damon deconstruct real-world tactics used in debt relief ads and social media videos: fake government program language, illegal upfront fees, emotional scare tactics about wage garnishment, phony “last chance” deadlines, and TikTok/Instagram influencers quietly getting paid to push risky debt settlement programs. You’ll hear how marketers weaponize fear, shame, and hope to sell credit card debt relief, student loan help, and consolidation plans that often leave people worse off.

You’ll also learn how to tell the difference between a legitimate option—like nonprofit credit counseling, real debt settlement, or bankruptcy—and a high-pressure sales funnel disguised as financial advice. If you’ve ever wondered whether that “new 2025 federal debt relief program” in your feed is real or just another scam, this episode will show you exactly what to look for before you click, call, or hand over your bank info.

For honest, no-BS help with debt, visit:

https://getoutofdebt.org

To talk with Damon directly about your specific situation, go to:

https://damonday.com

In this episode of The Get Out of Debt Guy Podcast, Steve Rhode — the original Get Out of Debt Guy — and co-host Damon Day dig into two big money topics you’ll want to hear. First, they tackle the controversial idea of a 50-year mortgage, explaining how a slightly smaller monthly payment could actually cost homeowners hundreds of thousands more over time — and why a 50-year adjustable-rate mortgage could be financial quicksand.

Then, they pivot from long-term debt to day-to-day savings, showing how you can use ChatGPT to shrink your grocery budget by turning what’s already in your kitchen into real meal plans. Plus, an entertaining Meaty Mamma update—because personal finance doesn’t always have to be serious to be smart.

Links:

💡 Read more at GetOutOfDebt.org

🎙 Connect with Damon at DamonDay.com

Steve Rhode — the old, original Get Out of Debt Guy — and the new Get Out of Debt Guy, Damon Day, break down the headlines behind AI, layoffs, and automation without the hype. If you’re worried about job security (especially in white-collar or repetitive roles) and you’re carrying debt, this episode gives you a calm, practical game plan: how to reskill, where to start with AI tools, and the exact money moves to protect your household if the pink slips start flying.

We cover:
• Why AI is a personal finance issue, not just a tech story
• What to do today to stay employable: upskilling, side income, networking
• Debt triage in an uncertain job market: cash buffer vs. extra payments, when consolidation, settlement, or bankruptcy makes sense
• Cutting burn rate fast, building an emergency fund, and avoiding 401(k) raids
• Real talk on gig work (short-term cushion), “safe jobs,” and becoming AI-augmented at work

Resources & help:
• Read more at GetOutOfDebt.org: https://getoutofdebt.org
• Get 1-on-1 coaching with Damon: DamonDay.com https://damonday.com

Steve Rhode — the original Get Out of Debt Guy — and Damon Day — the new Get Out of Debt Guy — break down the real-world pros and cons of accepting a credit-card debt settlement. We explain why banks won’t deal early but suddenly send settlement letters before charge-off, how “settled for less than full balance” impacts your credit report, and what the IRS does with forgiven debt (hello, 1099-C). We also demystify IRS Form 982 (insolvency) — when it can eliminate income taxes on canceled debt, and why you might owe taxes once you’re no longer insolvent. Plus: timing mistakes to avoid, when bankruptcy may be cleaner than multi-year settlements, and how to build a plan that wins the war—not just one battle.

Explore more at https://getoutofdebt.org

Got questions or want a custom game plan? Damon can help: https://damonday.com