USPS’ Cash Crisis Hits More Than Your Mailbox, Plus The Debt Settlement Trap to Avoid

Can the post office survive its cash crisis, and is a debt relief program actually making your debt situation worse? What does the USPS financial crisis mean for your everyday life? Senior news writer Anna Helhoski talks to Elena Patel, co-Director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, to unpack how the post office ended up at a critical financial juncture — and what service cuts, price hikes, and ripple effects across the broader economy could mean for your wallet. Is a debt settlement program actually worth the risk? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola, joining each other live in-studio, tackle listener Edith’s question about National Debt Relief. They examine the real success rates of debt settlement programs, why stopping credit card payments can expose you to lawsuits and credit score damage, and what other debt payoff options exist for people carrying significant credit card balances. Read our roundup of best Debt Settlement Companies: ⁠https://www.nerdwallet.com/personal-loans/learn/best-debt-settlement-companies⁠ Learn more about National Debt Relief: ⁠https://www.nationaldebtrelief.com/⁠ 2025 Household Credit Card Debt Study: 49% Say Card Debt is Normal https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/studies/household-debt-study Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices