A Shared Mission to Create a Path Forward for Consumers

At Dealing With Debt, our mission has always been to meet people where they are, reduce financial stress, and provide judgement-free support to help them move forward with confidence. It’s not just about explaining how money works—it’s about giving people the tools, support, and encouragement to take their next step.

Recently, we had the opportunity to connect with some folks from Equifax, and what stood out most wasn’t just a conversation about consumer credit—it was a conversation about values.

We quickly discovered we weren’t speaking different languages. In fact, we were describing the same vision: a world where consumers are no longer left guessing about their financial health, and where they’re supported with shame-free, personalized guidance that leads to real, lasting progress.

From “Where You Are” to “Where You Want to Be”

One of the tools discussed during our conversation was Equifax’s Optimal Path, a credit education diagnostic tool that helps consumers understand their current credit standing, then allows them to set a desired credit score goal and then receive tailored action steps to help get there.

How Optimal Path Works

Optimal Path allows users to:

• View their current credit score
• Set a goal score
• Receive personalized, data-driven action steps to help achieve that goal

The system reviews an individual’s credit profile and provides specific recommendations—such as reducing card utilization, resolving a collections item, or maintaining long-standing accounts.

It’s more than information. It’s a credit improvement roadmap, powered by real data and designed to guide progress in tangible, achievable steps.

Why Optimal Path Impressed DWD

What resonated most wasn’t the mechanics—it was the mindset. Optimal Path isn’t about judgment or punishment. It’s about coaching. It’s a roadmap, built around progress. And that’s something we believe in deeply.

At DWD, we’ve built a platform that’s centered on progress, not perfection. Like Optimal Path, we focus on actionable steps—not abstract advice. Whether someone is trying to understand their debt, improve their credit, or build new habits, we believe clarity, support, and community are what make change possible.

The Power of Alignment

A potential collaboration between Dealing With Debt and Equifax isn’t about brand synergy—it’s about mission alignment.

Both organizations believe:

• Consumers deserve clear, honest guidance—not financial jargon
• Personalized support beats one-size-fits-all content
• Shame has no place in financial education
• Progress should be measurable, meaningful, and celebrated

The idea of combining our community-driven model with Equifax’s tools, insights, and credit education capabilities opens the door to something bigger: an ecosystem where consumers don’t just learn—they take action. And they don’t do it alone.

A Vision We’re Growing Into—Together

Imagine what’s possible when we connect the dots:

• A DWD member completes our Credit Bureaus & Credit Score course, then uses a tool like Optimal Path to set their score goal.
• They post about their journey in one of our judgment-free groups.
• They earn rewards as they take steps toward progress—whether it’s paying off a card or watching their score rise.
• They’re supported by peers, coaches, and resources—not just for one moment, but throughout their journey.

That’s not just financial literacy. That’s financial confidence in motion.

✅ Final Thought

At Dealing With Debt, we’ve always believed that a more stable financial future isn’t built on information alone—it’s built on access, empathy, and action.

Tools like Optimal Path, and organizations like Equifax that share our commitment to consumer empowerment, help extend that mission in new and exciting ways.

Together, we can help more people take control of their money, rewrite their financial story, and move forward—one actionable step at a time.

Our goal remains the same: reduce financial stress, build confidence, and create a more stable future—one budget at a time.