Member Since March 2024
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Howard S. Dvorkin is a serial entrepreneur, a twice-published author, and the founder and chairman of Debt.com. But one theme runs through all of his efforts: A personal hatred of personal debt. Dvorkin’s first international success was the founding of Consolidated Credit in 1993. Now one of North America’s largest and oldest nonprofit credit counseling agencies, Consolidated Credit has helped more than 10 million people achieve financial freedom. Dvorkin left the helm of Consolidated Credit and launched Debt.com, the nation’s first one-stop shop for solving every form of personal debt. Since then, the Florida-based firm has helped 3 million people resolve $12 billion of debt. Dvorkin also founded several fintech startups including Power Wallet, Financial Apps, All Clear Decisioning as well as Start Fresh Today. But his entrepreneurial interests aren’t limited to the financial sector. In 2011 he became the majority owner of the six-title Florida based Lifestyle Magazine Group and he expanded it to 11 titles before selling it in 2023. His real estate investments – both commercial and residential covering three states. Three decades of success in the financial industry has impressed national media outlets, who regularly interview Dvorkin – including The New York Times, Washington Post, CNBC, Money Magazine, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Investor’s Business Daily, and virtually every national newspaper in the country. He has also appeared as a finance expert on national and local television and radio programs, including the CBS Nightly News, ABC World News Tonight, The Early Show, Fox News, and CNN. His first book, Credit Hell – How to Dig Out of Debt (Wiley & Sons, revised 2010) was a practical, step-by-step guide to budgeting, establishing good credit, and knowing your consumer rights. His second book, Power Up: Taking Charge of Your Financial Destiny (Wiley & Sons, 2013) studied both the financial and psychological stressors that propel people into debt, while offering proven solutions to overcome mind-and-money barriers to a worry-free life. “Dvorkin on Debt” is a compelling financial column where Howard delivers insightful advice and strategies to help readers effectively manage and overcome their debts. The column delves into a wide spectrum of debt-related topics, catering to individuals at different stages of their financial journey. Dvorkin discusses the psychological and emotional aspects of debt, exploring the reasons behind excessive borrowing and overspending. With an empathetic approach, he provides valuable tips on how to overcome the shame and guilt associated with debt, while emphasizing the importance of self-discipline and a positive mindset. A CPA who graduated from the University of Miami with a master’s degree in business administration and his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the American University, Dvorkin has served in the following roles: • Past president of the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA) • Consultant to the Board of Directors for the Association of Credit Counseling Professionals (ACCPros) • Inducted into the prestigious 1923 Society at American University and is a member of the Kogod School of Business Advisory Council • Former member of the Board of Governors of The H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University He has received the following accolades: • Listed in the Marquis Who’s Who in the Finance Industry • Among the premier group of CPAs recognized with the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation • Named Heavy Hitter of the Year by The South Florida Business Journal • A two-time nominee for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award • Recipient of the South Florida Diamond Award for outstanding individuals who exhibit exceptional leadership In the aftermath of the 2018 mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland – his hometown – Dvorkin established Parkland Cares. Within two weeks, this new charitable organization was fundraising to provide mental health counseling for students, teachers, family members and anyone in the community who needed it. Since then, Parkland Cares’ mission has expanded to help all South Floridians in need of trauma counseling. Dvorkin’s efforts have raised more $1 million to support 14 mental-health agencies provide thousands of hours of care. In 2023, Dvorkin’s home county declared Sept. 8 of that year to be Howard S. Dvorkin Day. Dvorkin’s charitable giving and leadership is too long to list here, so this is just a sample: • Appointed to the Executive Board of the United Way of Broward County • Named a Laureate in the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame and former board member of the South Florida Chapter of Junior Achievement • Won the Israel Bonds Commemorative Medallion for working toward the betterment of Israel • Formerly the Chairman-Elect for the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida • Founding member of the South Florida American Heart Association Board of Directors • Board member of Henderson Behavioral Health
Howard Dvorkin
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Awareness has its limitations.
expert panel
Such a sensitive subject requires a careful approach. Talking to your aging parents about their finances can be extremely difficult, but it can be important to ensuring they are supported and cared for in their later years. As parents grow older, they may find it harder to do the things they’ve always done, such as manage their day-to-day finances or make major decisions about money. They may also have certain wishes regarding their long-term care or what they’d like done with their assets once they pass on. Having these conversations with your parents early on can help ensure you’re on the same page and help them make the best decisions for their needs. However, approaching parents about this subject can be challenging, and parents may not always be receptive to getting advice from their children — even if they are grown adults themselves. To help make these matters easier for both parties, the financial experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective each share one tip they’d give for how to approach this type of conversation with aging parents, and why implementing this tip can ensure everyone is happy.
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Saving money can be as simple as a quick phone call. Lots of people are interested in saving more, but they don’t always want to change their lifestyle in order to do it. Especially when you have a large amount to save or haven’t started saving at all, it can be difficult to find the motivation to cut back on the things that bring you joy. However, saving, even if it’s just a little bit each month, is an important part of your wealth-building journey. It not only ensures you have cash to fall back on when emergencies eventually arise, but it also allows you to make larger purchases and afford the kind of lifestyle you aspire to have in the future. So does that mean you have to cut way back on your lifestyle now in order to save for the future? According to the money experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective, that doesn’t have to be the case. Here, they discuss little (but effective) ways anyone can easily save money each month without compromising their overall lifestyle or sacrificing joy.
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Getting on the same page now can ensure you remain successful throughout your relationship. Whether you’re a few months or a few years into a relationship, talking with your partner about money can sometimes feel awkward. You may have different goals for your money or different behaviors regarding spending and saving, and these differences can sometimes be the catalyst for arguments you aren’t sure how to solve. For couples who choose to blend their finances, getting on the same page about money is even more vital to long-term success. For your finances to work as one, you and your partner must work as one — and, according to the financial experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective, follow these seven key steps. Below, they elaborate on each step, explaining why having meaningful discussions and ensuring you each have a stake in the game will not only make you stronger financially but as a couple as well.
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To change your finances, you’ll first need to change your thinking. The way people think about money can have a greater impact on their financial success than they may think. Whether it’s the way you were raised or a belief that you have come to over time, the mindset that you develop around your finances has a direct influence on the actions you take with money and your behaviors surrounding it. These beliefs can be positive or negative, truthful or a lie — but how can you tell the difference? Below, the financial experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective list out some of the most common money mindsets people have that may actually be hurting their progress with money, detailing not only the reasons why but also how they can change and finally get their finances in order.
Company details
Debt.com
Company bio
Our job is simple: It doesn’t matter what got you into debt, we’ll help get you out – and keep you out. That’s it. That’s all we do. And for 10 years, we’ve done it better than anyone else. Debt.com has helped millions of people get out of more than $12 billion in debt! We offer accurate and trusted information on professional debt solutions. Collectively, our staff of CPAs, certified financial counselors and debt specialists have more than a century of experience in the personal finance field. Our fact-checked articles and research follow our editorial guidelines and our goal is to make exploring debt relief options simple and safe. Debt.com is designed for anyone who wishes to have a sound financial future, who wants to get out of debt or stay out of debt. We are here to help you “when life happens.”