Debt Free in 30

Every successful budget makes room for fun spending. But how much is OK to spend on fun? What if you feel guilty? Is it ever wrong to spend money on your hobbies and interests? On today’s podcast, Maureen Parent returns to give advice on this less explored area of our budget and gives practical advice on how to allocate your income wisely towards leisure and why it’s essential for your mental and financial health to do so. Tune in! Related Links: The Secret To Budgeting? Don’t Budget https://youtu.be/u5q1Qge3k8s The P.L.A.N. Account for Budgeting: https://youtu.be/pSQ3jvrFVHU Is The 50/30/20 Budget Rule Even Possible Today? https://youtu.be/hANI5zadF2I

Higher education isn’t getting any cheaper. The cost of going to university has more than tripled since the 1990s and we see first-hand the financial burden caused by student loans. So, is it still worth it to get into debt for post-secondary schooling? With so many advancements in free online education, aren’t there cheaper alternatives? When is college the better option? Is an undergraduate degree still going to give you a job right away? Tune in to this discussion with Ted Michalos and Doug Hoyes as they share graduate statistics and give practical advice on how to think through your career and education choices. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Statistics Canada, National Student Survey: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2020001/article/00005-eng.htm University of Toronto, Facts & Figures https://data.utoronto.ca/facts-and-figures/ Ontario, graduation rates: https://www.iaccess.gov.on.ca/OsapRatesWeb/enterapp/home.xhtml Ontario budget, 2022-2023 https://www.ontario.ca/page/expenditure-estimates-ministry-colleges-and-universities-2023-24#vote2 Chat GPT: https://chat.openai.com/ Hoyes Michalos Annual Bankruptcy Study: https://www.hoyes.com/press/joe-debtor/ 13 Stats on Average Student Debt in Canada: https://reviewmoose.ca/blog/average-student-debt-canada/ National Graduates Survey 2018 results: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2020001/article/00005-eng.htm Statistics Canada – Student Debt from all sources: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3710003601

Welcome to Season #10 of Debt Free in 30.  Debt is up.  Interest rates are up.  Not surprisingly, personal insolvency filings are way up.  Many people are hitting the wall.  On today’s abbreviated podcast, Doug Hoyes explains the numbers and why we live in a “Tale of Two Economies.”  If you are rich, all is good.  If you have depleted your savings and have debt, times are tough. We explain the impact of the numbers and “tease” some of the topics we will be discussing in the coming weeks. Tune in, and enjoy!

For our final rebroadcast of the summer, we are rebroadcasting episode #452. We know rising inflation is tough on Canadians. If your budget is getting tighter, you may be tempted to use credit (debt) to make ends meet, but that may not be a good strategy. On today’s podcast, Jennifer Kwon returns with some solid practical advice for what to do if you feel you’re living paycheque to paycheque and the dos and don’ts of using credit to get by. Jennifer and Doug Hoyes discuss common debt traps that should be avoided and what to do instead. They also help you think about the root causes of financial trouble so you can come up with good solutions. Tune in for a great discussion!   Related Links:   Dealing with Debt When Living Paycheque to Paycheque: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/dealing-with-debt-when-living-paycheque-to-paycheque/ Are Credit Cards Right for Credit Repair? https://youtu.be/Hy708HhFljk Buy Now Pay Later – Is It Debt? https://youtu.be/KvCO7_PUCDI Zero-based budgeting: How to Give Every Dollar a Purpose: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/zero-based-budgeting-how-to-give-every-dollar-a-purpose/

Today we rebroadcast episode #453. Online shopping isn’t new. Apps are not new. But is shopping supposed to be a game? That’s the angle a new shopping app called Temu appears to have taken. Since its launch in September 2022, the app has millions of monthly users, offers very deep discounts, and has strong incentives to keep users coming back. On today’s podcast, Doug Hoyes takes a closer look at how Temu works and interviews users from very different age groups for comparison. He also discusses whether we should be concerned about shopping gamification in general, how data is potentially treated on Temu, and whether cheaper is always better. Tune in for a unique show! Links: CNN Article: ‘One of China’s most popular apps has the ability to spy on its users’ https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/02/tech/china-pinduoduo-malware-cybersecurity-analysis-intl-hnk/index.html How Temu topped by U.S. app charts by turning shopping into a game: https://restofworld.org/2023/temu-mobile-gaming/

Today we rebroadcast episode #448. Most money experts will tell you that the best way to avoid money problems is to cut costs. And they’re right. But what about also increasing your income? After all, you can only cut so much. We have seen a lot of people struggle with rising living costs, with a limited income, and needing debt to make ends meet. On today’s podcast, Doug Hoyes and Ted Michalos discuss strategies for earning a higher pay without needing to do a side hustle or second job. They also explain when it’s best to go back to school to increase your earning potential. Finally, they review the dos and don’ts of increasing income if you have a lot of debt. Tune for great tips!   Links:   Hoyes Michalos Bankruptcy Study: https://www.hoyes.com/press/joe-debtor/ Bank of Canada Inflation Calculator: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/related/inflation-calculator/ Avoid the Surplus Income Penalty With a Consumer Proposal: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/avoid-the-surplus-income-penalty-with-a-consumer-proposal/ Surplus Income Calculator 2023: https://www.hoyes.com/personal-bankruptcy/cost-of-bankruptcy-fees/surplus-income-calculator/

Originally aired at episode 450 on April 15, 2023, the Food Professor returns. Food is now more expensive than ever. But why? Is it just corporate greed? Or something greater? Enter Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, a.k.a. The Food Professor. Sylvain is a Professor and the Scientific Director at Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. On today’s podcast, he demystifies grocery pricing and explains why food inflation is a global phenomenon. Sylvain also discusses the part the Canadian government plays in grocery price hikes and gives lots of valuable practical advice for how to save on your food bill. You won’t want to miss this episode. Tune in! Time Stamps 7:42 What is Shrinkflation? 8:31 Groceries vs. Snacks + Tax 11:55 Is the Grocery Rebate Even Helpful? 19:01 Which Days of The Week To Shop Groceries? 23:30 Shop at 3 Different Stores 27:04 Consumers Can Make a Difference Links: The Food Professor Podcast: https://the-food-professor.simplecast.com/episodes Dr. Sylvain Charlebois on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoodProfessor CRA: GST/HST on food products: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/gi-020/bars.html Toronto Sun article on the food rebate: https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/charlebois-government-handouts-are-mirage-for-needy Episode #254 – What Costco Can Teach Us About Making Financial Decisions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8PlGkHjHG8 Episode #270 – The Fable of the 20 Dollar Bill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fYfAvSnNps

In the season 9 finale episode of Debt Free in 30, Doug Hoyes and Ted Michalos discuss the current state of consumer insolvencies in Canada and why they’re going back up. They also discuss the impact of inflation remaining higher than wage increases, higher credit card debt, and higher interest rates.  Where are we heading in the latter part of 2023? Has the recession begun? What can homeowners expect in this climate? Tune in for a great discussion! Related Links: Episode 435, Debt Free in 30 Year End Prediction Show https://youtu.be/3i22JpmcozY Statistics Canada. Table 18-10-0004-01  Consumer Price Index, monthly, not seasonally adjusted https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1810000401 Statistics Canada, Average Weekly Earnings https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/230629/dq230629a-eng.htm?HPA=1&indid=3555-1&indgeo=0 Statistics Canada. Table 36-10-0639-01  Credit liabilities of households (x 1,000,000) https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3610063901 Mortgage Rate History from Ratehub.ca: https://www.ratehub.ca/5-year-fixed-mortgage-rate-history Mortgage Calculator, Butler Mortgage: https://www.butlermortgage.ca/mortgage-calculator/ Bank of Canada, Monetary Aggregates (Money Supply) https://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/indicators/key-variables/monetary-aggregates/

Buying a car has never been more expensive. But what if you have no choice but to buy one? How can you avoid buying too much car these days? On today’s podcast, Ted Michalos and Doug Hoyes explain what’s causing high car prices in both the new and used car categories, as well as, how to buy without taking out a huge auto loan. Tune in for lots of practical tips on shopping for a car and dealing with salesmen.   Resources Mentioned i the Show: Buying and Maintaining an Affordable Car: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/buying-and-maintaining-an-affordable-car/ Auto Trader Price Index March 2023: https://editorials.autotrader.ca/media/klxhaqq5/autotrader_priceindex_finalv3_march2023_en.pdf?_gl=1*uou0k4*_gcl_au*OTQ3ODQ3MTMzLjE2ODc0OTI1NDQ.&_ga=2.183395302.1188701862.1687492545-911279650.1687492545 Car Guru – Price Trends: https://www.cargurus.ca/Cars/price-trends/ CBC Car Market Analysis: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/car-market-analysis-1.6873747

Maybe you’re tired of working for someone. Or you’re looking to be your own boss. You may consider buying a business. It’s not a bad idea, but just as there are advantages, there are also pitfalls you need to be aware of. Enter David Barnett. David is a seasoned expert in buying and selling small to medium-sized businesses. On today’s podcast, David demystifies the process of buying a business and provides insight on how to avoid debt problems when doing so. Tune in for a great discussion with lots of practical advice. Related Links: David Barnett’s Website: https://www.investlocalbook.com/ David Barnett on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DBarnettMoncton Debt Traps of Buying a Business with David Barnett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HbW9ww2BNg Bad Funding Choices for Small Business with David Barnett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaklFv3eBvI

Your bank is a business, so they’re always trying to sell to you because they want to make more money. How do you navigate their tricks? How do you avoid upsells when you just want to do a simple transaction? On today’s podcast, Scott Terrio and Doug Hoyes discuss the pervasive sales culture at financial institutions, what you need to look out for, and teach you the basics to making better money decisions on the spot. Tune in for a great discussion!   Related Links:   Pervasive Sales Culture at Canadian Banks – Globe and Mail article: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/article-pervasive-sales-culture-at-canadian-banks-positions-system-against-its/ Investment Selling is Not Financial Planning: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/investment-selling-is-not-financial-planning/ Should I Use My RRSP to Pay Off Debt? https://www.hoyes.com/blog/should-i-use-my-rrsp-to-pay-off-debt/

With nine interest rate hikes since March 2022, mortgage borrowers have either already started to feel the increased payment pressures or will at renewal time. So, what if your mortgage payments become too much to manage? How do you avoid risking your home? On today’s podcast, Doug Hoyes and Ted Michalos give practical advice for what to do if you’re struggling with your mortgage payments, including the dos and don’ts, and ways to cut back on interest costs if you can afford it. Tune in for a great show! Related Links: Rising Interest Rates and Debt: What Can You Do? https://www.hoyes.com/blog/rising-interest-rates-and-debt-what-can-you-do/ Walking Away From a Mortgage in Canada: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/walking-away-from-a-mortgage-in-canada/ Can’t Pay Your Mortgage? Options to Keep Your House: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/cant-pay-your-mortgage-options-to-keep-your-house/ Bank of Canada Financial System Review: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/2023/05/financial-system-review-2023/#Households Butler Mortgage Interest Rates: https://www.butlermortgage.ca/rates/

We know it can be daunting to start your credit repair journey. We are often asked where to begin and what is the fastest way to rebuild. On today’s podcast, Maureen Parent is back to answer some of the most common credit rebuilding questions and address fears and misconceptions about repairing your credit. Tune in for lots of great practical advice and recommendations on which tools to use.   Related Links:   Free Credit Rebuilding Course by Hoyes Michalos: https://courses.hoyes.com/courses/rebuild-credit How to Repair and Rebuild Credit: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/how-to-rebuild-credit-5-simple-steps/ Are Credit Cards Right for Credit Repair: https://youtu.be/Hy708HhFljk Fix Bad Credit Yourself – Tips & Tricks From an Expert: https://youtu.be/BtncJCxN4So

Self-employment has many advantages like you get to be your own boss, set your own hours, and even make more money. On the other hand, self-employment comes with challenges. Over the years, we’ve met with a lot of clients who were self-employed but became overwhelmed by unpaid tax debt. On today’s podcast, Doug Hoyes and Ted Michalos break down what it means to be a self-employed person, explaining the benefits and pitfalls you need to be aware of before you decide to become your own employer. Tune in for lots of great practical advice! Links: Should You Start Your Own Business: https://youtu.be/hhawMCZF_kw Self-Employed: Financing Wisely to Avoid Debt Trouble: https://youtu.be/F_lo_0JP46Q What To Do If You Owe Back Taxes to CRA: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/what-to-do-if-you-owe-back-taxes-to-cra/ Keeping Your Small Business Afloat While Dealing with Debt: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/keeping-small-business-afloat-dealing-debt/

While bank failures are not a common occurrence in Canada, it may still be in your best interest to have more than one bank account. On today’s podcast, Joel Sandwith, our LIT in London, joins Doug Hoyes to discuss banking best practices, including how many accounts you should have, where to store your savings, and why it’s important to understand the right of offset if you owe your bank. They also explain how deposit insurance works and high-interest savings accounts. Tune in for an informative discussion and practical advice! Links: Why You Should Bank at More Than One Bank: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/why-you-should-bank-at-more-than-one-bank/ Frozen Bank Account. Your Rights and What To Do Next: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/frozen-bank-account-your-rights-and-what-to-do-next/ What is the Right of Offset and What Can You Do About It: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/what-is-the-right-of-offset-and-what-can-you-do-about-it/ Joel Sandwith, LIT in London: https://www.hoyes.com/about-hoyes-michalos/bankruptcy-trustees/joel-sandwith/

The price at the gas pump includes a lot of hidden costs, and they are going up. How will this impact your budget? What does it mean for the future of car ownership? On today’s podcast, Ted Michalos and Doug Hoyes discuss the hidden costs of gas and how the increase in some of the price components will mean you’ll only be paying more to fuel your car. They also talk about the Ontario government’s plans to increase ethanol in oil and how that may impact fuel efficiency, and again, your budget. Tune in for an insightful conversation! Related Links: Statistics Canada. Table 18-10-0001-01  Monthly average retail prices for gasoline and fuel oil, by geography  https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1810000101 Government of Ontario, Fuel Price Components: https://www.ontario.ca/motor-fuel-prices/ Government of Ontario, Cleaner Transportation Fuels: https://www.ontario.ca/page/cleaner-transportation-fuels Ontario Regulation: O. Reg. 663/20: CLEANER TRANSPORTATION FUELS: RENEWABLE CONTENT REQUIREMENTS FOR GASOLINE AND DIESEL FUELS https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r20663 Government of Ontario Press Release, November 26, 2020: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/59352/ontario-to-be-national-leader-and-require-cleaner-and-greener-gasoline Ethanol Production Using Corn, Switchgrass, and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean and Sunflower, research study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11053-005-4679-8 The effect of bioenergy expansion: Food, energy, and environment, research study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032114000677?via%3Dihub Federal government, Ethanol, https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/transportation-alternative-fuels/alternative-fuels/biofuels/ethanol/3493 Environmental outcomes of the US Renewable Fuel Standard, research study: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2101084119

Tipping has always been a part of the dining experience. But lately, the expectation to leave a tip has become so common that we have to make it a new budgeting item. So how do you navigate tip creep? On today’s podcast, we have a special guest, Sean Cassidy, who shares his experience with tipping prompts and how he’s adapted his budget. Doug and Sean discuss why tip nudges are so prevalent post-Covid and lots of practical advice on how to budget for this new cost and minimize social awkwardness. Tune in for a great discussion!   Resources Mentioned in the Show:   The Fable of the 20 Dollar Bill: https://youtu.be/5fYfAvSnNps The Angry Mortgage Podcast with Ron Butler: https://www.youtube.com/@angrymortgage What’s Really Causing Grocery & Food Inflation? https://youtu.be/bZrsL4LgI2A Should Shopping Be a Game? Risks of Apps Like Temu: https://youtu.be/B7Duzop33mM Zero-Based Budgeting – How To Give Every Dollar a Purpose: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/zero-based-budgeting-how-to-give-every-dollar-a-purpose/

Everyone says you need an emergency fund. But how much is enough? And what is an emergency vs. an inconvenience? Where should you store your savings? Enter Maureen Parent. Maureen returns to share lots of practical advice on how to setup a realistic system to create your emergency fund. She also explains how much you should have saved at different stages, the types of emergencies to prepare for, and why credit cards and lines of credit are not good rainy day fund tools to rely on. Tune in for lots of great tips! Links: Build an Annual Budget You Can Adjust For Inflation & Goals: https://youtu.be/4N9rX_x8Wjc How to Manage Your Money in a Crisis: https://youtu.be/1iYKQAX1koI Why You Need an Emergency Fund: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/why-you-need-an-emergency-fund/ Maureen Parent, LIT https://www.hoyes.com/about-hoyes-michalos/bankruptcy-trustees/maureen-parent/ Maureen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaureenParent7

Say your bank offers you a credit limit increase. You may be tempted to take it, but should you? When is seeking more credit a sign that your finances aren’t in good shape? On today’s podcast, Mark Borysiak, our LIT in Barrie, joins Doug Hoyes to discuss just how much access to credit you should have and why getting an increase can cause debt problems. Mark and Doug also explain why the banks offer credit increases in the first place and why it’s good to first evaluate your finances before taking on any offers. Tune in for a great discussion! Related Links: The Pros & Cons of a Pre-Approved Credit Limit Increase: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/the-pros-cons-of-a-pre-approved-credit-limit-increase/ Mark Borysiak, LIT in Barrie: https://www.hoyes.com/about-hoyes-michalos/bankruptcy-trustees/mark-borysiak/

Online shopping isn’t new. Apps are not new. But is shopping supposed to be a game? That’s the angle a new shopping app called Temu appears to have taken. Since its launch in September 2022, the app has millions of monthly users, offers very deep discounts, and has strong incentives to keep users coming back. On today’s podcast, Doug Hoyes takes a closer look at how Temu works and interviews users from very different age groups for comparison. He also discusses whether we should be concerned about shopping gamification in general, how data is potentially treated on Temu, and whether cheaper is always better. Tune in for a unique show! Links: CNN Article: ‘One of China’s most popular apps has the ability to spy on its users’ https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/02/tech/china-pinduoduo-malware-cybersecurity-analysis-intl-hnk/index.html How Temu topped by U.S. app charts by turning shopping into a game: https://restofworld.org/2023/temu-mobile-gaming/   Time Stamps: 00:32 What is Temu? 1:20 An 87-year-old’s perspective of Temu 14:33 An 18-year-old’s perspective of Temu 21:37 What are the risks to Temu & making informed decisions about spending