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LA dad racked up $140K in debt during a ‘life-or-death’ crisis. Is his pay down plan a 'total scam?'
Yahoo Finance· 2025-12-18 13:00
Core Insights - The article discusses a case where an individual, Dave, is struggling with significant credit card debt amounting to $140,000 due to a past family crisis, with interest rates ranging from 25% to 32% [1][2]. Financial Situation - Dave's monthly income is approximately $8,400, but his expenses, including a mortgage that consumes about half of his take-home pay, leave him with minimal disposable income [3]. - The mortgage is set to decrease by $1,500 in March, but the hosts of The Ramsey Show do not believe this will alleviate his financial burden sufficiently [3]. Expert Advice - Dr. John Delony advises Dave to change his mindset regarding home debt and to be open to new financial strategies [4]. - The hosts express skepticism about quick-fix solutions for credit card debt, labeling them as scams [4]. - Warshaw encourages Dave to explore additional income opportunities, suggesting he consider gig work such as DoorDash or UberEats to increase his earnings [4]. Economic Context - The article highlights the high cost of living in Los Angeles, which is about 50% higher than the national average, exacerbating the challenges faced by individuals like Dave [4]. - The average credit card APR is around 23%, but many borrowers, including Dave, are facing much higher rates, leading to rapidly increasing debt [4].