Staff Writer

Tom Jackson

Tom Jackson focuses on writing about debt solutions for consumers struggling to make ends meet. His background includes time as a columnist for newspapers in Washington D.C., Tampa and Sacramento, Calif., where he reported and commented on everything from city and state budgets to the marketing of local businesses and how the business of professional sports impacts a city. Along the way, he has racked up state and national awards for writing, editing and design. Tom’s blogging on the 2016 election won a pair of top honors from the Florida Press Club. A University of Florida alumnus, St. Louis Cardinals fan and eager-if-haphazard golfer, Tom splits time between Tampa and Cashiers, N.C., with his wife of 40 years, college-age son, and Spencer, a yappy Shetland sheepdog.

Older couple that is debt free on vacation

Mar 24 2023

Debt-Free Retirement

Retiring with no debt is an American Dream. The reality is it’s not going to come true for millions of ...
Stop sign for foreclosure

Feb 28 2022

How to Stop Foreclosure

Call Today: (800) 565-8953 or Continue Online Foreclosure Prevention Help Losing your house through foreclosure can be devastating, both financially ...
Landscape in South Dakota

Oct 26 2021

South Dakota Resident Debt Relief

While the rest of the United States was grappling with how best to cope with the scourge of COVID-19, South ...
Grizzly bear in Alaska with mountains in background

Oct 23 2021

Alaska Resident Debt Relief

Alaskans saw their collective credit scores plunge and their credit card bills soar to the highest amounts in the U.S. ...
Autumn landscape of Vermont

Oct 22 2021

Vermont Resident Debt Relief

Vermont is renowned for maple syrup, with its forests producing nearly two million gallons a year. For all that sticky ...

Jul 27 2021

Book an Appointment

Find out how you can become debt free. Speak with one of our qualified financial professionals to discover your options. ...
Text graphic that says "Tax Day Is Coming Up!"

Feb 14 2023

What You Need to Know This Tax Season (2022-23 Guide)

If it’s that moment on the calendar when prognosticating becomes a daily ritual in America, it must be tax filing ...
A young girl holding school supplies

Aug 4 2022

10 Tips for Back-to-School Shopping on a Budget

Long before COVID, another pandemic would hit America every August – the Back-To-School Blues. After a blissful summer, countless kids ...
Phone notification reminding you to cancel a subscription service

Jul 13 2022

Are Subscription Monitoring Apps Worth It?

The world has gone subscription crazy. You can sign up for almost every service known to man, and probably a ...
Hands counting extra income earned from a side job

Mar 29 2021

19 Side Jobs to Make More Money

Money is tight – we get it. But thanks to the internet and technology, it’s easier than ever to make ...
Woman carrying shopping bags using her phone to buy items now and pay later

Feb 4 2021

What Is Buy Now Pay Later & Is It a Good Idea?

 Buy now and pay later is taking the market by storm, but will you be taken to the cleaners if ...
Parking sign that says "NO DEBT PARKING"

Jan 21 2021

Beware of Debt Parking

Dealing with debt collectors already is an unpleasant encounter, but some collectors have found a way to sour the experience ...
Stack of bills payments that have been deferred

Jul 2 2020

Beware of Forbearance and Deferred Payments

If there’s an upside to the economic trauma brought about by the coronavirus pandemic — stipulated: we’re straining  for a ...
Paperwork with furlough stamp

May 7 2020

How to Manage Debt While on Furlough

Remember the good old days? Just a few long months ago, the economy was roaring and nobody outside Wuhan had ...
Pink Slip that reads Layoff Notice

Mar 17 2020

What to Do When You Get Laid Off

The American economy, pummeled by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been coming off the ropes since the end of 2020. Promising ...
Military man holding out money in front of flag

Feb 20 2020

How To Manage Debt For Active Duty Military, Veterans, & Their Families

Joining the military means sacrifice. It shouldn't mean you give up financial security and end up in debt. Unfortunately, service ...
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry riding in a royal carriage

Jan 29 2020

Royals Meg & Harry Seek the Thrill of Living Paycheck-to-Paycheck

Did you hear? The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided they want to be like you. They want to ...
Piggy bank sleeping

Jan 2 2020

Dormant Bank Accounts & Escheated Funds

There's an estimated $80 billion in unclaimed money out there waiting to find a home and it’s probably worth the ...
Sign that reads "New Year's Resolution Debt Free!" surrounded by fireworks

Dec 26 2019

New Year’s Resolution: How to Get Out of Debt in 2020

Surveys show most Americans will make a resolution to get out of debt in 2020. Surveys also show most Americans ...
Christmas presents sitting under a Christmas tree

Nov 25 2019

Tips for Avoiding Debt This Christmas

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year - if you're a credit card company. Billions of dollars are ...
Chart of stocks and mutual funds

Nov 13 2019

How to Decide Between Stocks and Mutual Funds

Trading stocks has never been cheaper. Most brokerages no longer charge the hefty sales commissions once tacked on to online ...
Table set for Thanksgiving Day dinner

Nov 1 2019

Debt Was Part of Thanksgiving the Day the Pilgrims Arrived

Everybody is familiar with Thanksgiving traditions like eating turkey, watching football and trying to avoid annoying relatives at the dinner ...
Raise Credit Your Score Fast Rocket

Oct 3 2019

Can My Credit Score Go Up 100 Points in a Month?

What’s in a number? If it’s your credit score, a lot, especially if you keep it a high level – ...
Examining paycheck and bills

Sep 27 2019

Ending the Cycle of Living Paycheck-to-Paycheck

Surviving paycheck-to-paycheck in America is simultaneously commonplace and scary. But this doesn’t mean people just scraping by can’t overcome the ...
Checklist of debts to pay first

Sep 11 2019

Which Debt to Pay Off First

Facing a mound of piling debts each month is an exhausting process. You may be tempted to throw chunks of ...
Box of stuff to sell online

Aug 27 2019

Where (and how) to Sell Your Stuff Online

Once upon a proverb, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” was just another way of saying, as 1960s hipsters ...
Jar of retirement savings

Jun 19 2019

When to Take Social Security Benefits

Your golden years should be an era of leisure and adventure, of self-discovery and reinvention. For most, maximizing our retirement ...
Father's day card

May 30 2019

Father’s Day Gift? Take Some Financial Pressure off Dad

Millions of dads won’t admit it, but what they really want for Father’s Day isn’t an Apple watch or a ...
Military Man with family in park

Jan 14 2019

Military Saves: What Is it and How to Participate

The stress of dealing with financial problems is a huge concern in the military and one of the reasons it ...
worried over bills

Aug 9 2018

5 Ways to Reduce Financial Stress

Feeling the squeeze from financial worry? Saying you’re not alone isn’t useful. Saying there’s professional help for your condition just ...
DIY Pay Off Credit Card Debt

Jul 2 2018

DIY Debt Consolidation: How to Consolidate Debt on Your Own

Americans who carry balances month over month should be alarmed by the interest they’re paying: As the Federal Reserve persists ...
Destination wedding budget jar

Jun 21 2018

Destination Weddings Don’t Have to Break the Bank

These days, for the launching of a lifetime together, the only thing better than a properly organized wedding is a ...
Man holding first paycheck

May 2 2018

How to Manage Your First Paycheck

First job? Congratulations! Welcome to the work force! First paycheck? You have some planning to do. Paychecks are your ticket ...
laundry hanging on a line

Apr 23 2018

Being Frugal Is for Everyone: How the Frugalwoods Can Inspire You

You don’t have to be a fan of extreme frugality to have heard of Elizabeth and Nate Thames and probably ...
road-to-success

Apr 12 2018

How to Be Successful in a DMP

So, you’ve finally taken the big step and enrolled in a debt relief program. Now what? If you’re going to ...
Make Money by Driving for Uber

Mar 29 2018

How to Improve Your Debt-to-Income Ratio with Higher Income

Borrower beware! If you are hoping to score a car or home loan and don’t know your debt-to-income ratio, you ...
couple evaluating bills

Mar 23 2018

Debt Consolidation vs Home Equity Loans

There can be benefits to using a home equity loan to pay off credit card debt, including lower and fixed ...
Raise in consumers using credit cards

Jan 24 2018

Rising Credit Card Use in America

With the rise of online shopping, there is no doubt that Americans are using credit cards more than ever. There’s ...