Crushing Debt

March Madness is one of our favorite times of the year!

Therefore, we've put together a list of the 16 worst money habits, in a "Salty-16" to see which habit wins as the worst habit.

LEFT REGION: Everyday & Emotional

B1 · EVERYDAY MONEY LEAKS

1 Daily impulse spending

vs.

16 Forgotten subscriptions

People instantly relate.

B2 · EMOTIONAL SPENDING

8 Stress shopping

vs.

9 Rewarding yourself every hardship

When does self-care become self-sabotage?

B3 · AVOIDANCE HABITS

5 Not checking your bank account

vs.

12 Ignoring CC statements

"Avoidance charges interest."

B4 · LIFESTYLE INFLATION

4 Upgrading lifestyle after every raise

vs.

13 Financing things to feel successful

The dark horse of the left region.

RIGHT REGION: Debt & Budget

B5 · DEBT BEHAVIOR

5 Paying only minimum payments

vs.

12 Saying "I'll deal with debt later"

Minimums feel like progress. They're not.

B6 · SOCIAL PRESSURE HABITS

4 Spending to keep up w/ friends

vs.

13 Saying yes to every event broke

FOMO is an expensive habit.

B7 · BUDGET SABOTAGE

6 Guessing instead of tracking

vs.

11 Starting budgets, quit after 5 days

The Cinderella pick. Could go all the way.

B8 · FALSE CONFIDENCE HABITS

3 High income solves everything

vs.

14 One good month = problem solved

Overconfidence is a budget's worst enemy.

Highlighted row = analyst's pick to advance

Who do you think will win? Who is your darkhorse, your Cinderella?

Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends!

Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at [email protected] or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at [email protected] or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

What is a lucky break?

Were they lucky or were they ready?

Can you actually create your own luck?

How do you position yourself to be lucky? How do you engineer your own luck?

On this week's episode, Shawn & George, two professionals who've seen it all - one from the courtroom, on from the coaching room - dismantle the myth that financially successful people are simply lucky, and make the case that "luck" is something you can actually manufacture with the right preparation, mindset, and timing.

Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends!

Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at [email protected] or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at [email protected] or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

Welcome to the Religion of Crushing Debt, where we regularly confess our sins and ask for forgiveness.

What sins have you committed that you would like forgiveness from Shawn & George?

In this week's episode, we talk about financial "sins" most borrowers make, even innocently or unbeknownst to them. Some of the sins include:

• I make money but live paycheck to paycheck.
• I maxed out my 401(k) but haven't talked to my spouse in months.
• I used my HELOC to buy Crypto Currency.
• I haven't filed taxes in three years because I'm afraid of what I owe.
• My business is profitable, but I pay myself nothing.
• I bought a car I cannot afford because my friends have one.
• I co-signed for my kids' loan.
• I have a high-paying job that I hate.

Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends!

Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at [email protected] or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at [email protected] or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

What are some common things that hold people back from building wealth?

What can you do to avoid or counter these things, and how can you build wealth?

On this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk about ten things that typically hold people back from building wealth and what they can do about it, including:

• Lifestyle Creep / Inflation
• Confusing consumption with investing
• High Interest Debt
• Lack of clarity / not knowing your numbers
• Avoiding discomfort, or being comfortable in the discomfort
• No savings for emergencies
• Comparison / Keeping up with the Joneses / Ego
• Waiting for the right time
• Helping everyone else before you're stable
• Mindset

Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends!

Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at [email protected] or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at [email protected] or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

Why is "we never fight about money" an unhealthy sign to a relationship?

Can you overcome your ego to ask for help?

This week's guest on the Crushing Debt Podcast is TJ Recinella, a financial coach, speaker, and the founder of TJR Financial Coaching, where he helps individuals and couples dream big and live free by moving from financial stress and confusion to clarity, confidence, and long-term freedom.

You can contact TJ at [email protected].

TJ 's passion for coaching is deeply personal. Early in his marriage, he and his wife, Christy, experienced a life-altering family tragedy that forced them to confront grief, responsibility, and major financial decisions all at once. Guided by his personal and professional experiences, TJ and his wife eliminated over $300,000 in debt, fully funded their children's education, and built a values-based financial plan rooted in preparation, margin, giving, and intentional living. Today, TJ walks alongside clients as a coach and accountability partner, helping them challenge cultural money myths, prepare for life's uncertainties, and use money as a tool to support what matters most. We talk about how TJ got into debt, how he got out of debt, and his motivation for doing so. We also talk about how to have difficult money conversations with your spouse, without ego getting in the way.

Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends!

Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at [email protected] or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at [email protected] or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

Happy Valentine's Day from The Crushing Debt Podcast!

What is "good debt?"

What is "bad debt?"

What is debt that is neither good or bad?

In this week's episode, Shawn & George talk about the difference between "good" and "bad" debt, including a four-question debt test:

1. Does the debt help you earn more money?
2. Is the interest rate under control?
3. Would "future me" thank "present me" for this decision?
4. If I lost my income tomorrow, would this payment wreck me?

Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends!

Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at [email protected] or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at [email protected] or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

Do you work with family?

How does relationship-based networking impact your life? Your company? Your bottom line?

What are some of the biggest misconceptions about networking?

In this week's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk to Spencer Reynolds and his son Kamryn Reynolds, Co-Executive Directors of BNI Tampa.

Originally from Northern Utah, Spencer and his family packed up and moved to Florida in 2017, trading mountains for sunshine and lakes. With his wife, Tricia, running the show (let's be honest, she's the boss) and their four incredible kids—three adventurous adult sons and their adopted princess, almost 16—they're all about outdoor thrills, especially water sports and international adventure travel. And when we say "thrills," we mean it! Spencer's an adrenaline junkie—skydiving, hang gliding, mountain biking, and even trekking to Everest Base Camp with his brothers. If it involves speed, heights, or a near-death experience, he's probably done it… twice. (Ask about their Grand Canyon White Water Rafting trip from last year, wild!)

Before becoming the networking master he is today, Spencer spent 12 years as a mortgage broker before making the leap into professional speaking and training in 2005. He's taken the stage in every major city across the U.S. and Canada, teaching professionals how to build systems, work By Referral Only, and grow businesses the right way with referrals. Through BNI, he's expanded his reach globally, inspiring thousands of entrepreneurs to unlock the power of relationships.

Kamryn Reynolds is a communication coach, keynote speaker, and the youngest Executive Director in BNI history. He's the founder of Articulate Advantage, helping professionals speak with power, clarity, and confidence.

A USF grad, Eagle Scout, and fluent Spanish speaker after serving a two-year mission in Argentina. Kamryn now specializes in keynotes and trainings for high-end hotels and resorts. Known for his high energy and practical frameworks, he's on a mission to become an Ironman, a TEDx speaker, and an international voice for intentional communication. He lives by one core belief: connection is the currency of opportunity.

Spencer, Kamryn, George & Shawn talk about:

• What surprises them the most about working together.
• Early money lessons.
• BNI / Networking Success Stories
• Biggest Misconception about BNI / Networking
• How long before networking pays off
• One business habit to adopt this year? To stop this year?

Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends!

Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at [email protected] or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at [email protected] or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

FIVE HUNDRED EPISODES of The Crushing Debt Podcast !!

Who knew way back in November 2015, that the Podcase would: (1) turn 10 years old, and (2) celebrate episode 500?

We like to think that The Crushing Debt Podcast is Florida's longest running legal episodic podcast - maybe even the Country's longest running...

What have we learned over 500 (plus) episodes?

What has changed in terms of money and debt in the last 10 years?

What do we predict for the next 10 years?

In this week's episode, Shawn & George take some time to reflect on 10 years and 500 episodes. We talk about the show's statistics, sponsorhips and relationships we've built over the years, memorable guests we've had, and memorable topics. We also talk about what has changed over the last 10 years in terms of money, mindset, and debt.

If today's episode is the first one you've listened to, or the 500th you've listened to, we appreciate all of the great lessons we've learned doing this show over the years!

Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends!

Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at [email protected] or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at [email protected] or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

What would you do if you had to start over in 2026?

Would starting over be a reset or a setback?

In this week's episode, Shawn & George talk about what you would do if you suddenly lost everything and you had to start over again. Unfortunately, this is a common theme amongst clients as they deal with job loss, divorce, poor economic conditions, health issues, etc.

In this week's episode, we talk about:

• Stablizing
• Generating Fast Cash
• Building a Safety Net
• Triage the Debt
• Lifesstyle Creep
• Rebuild Credit
• Increase Income
• Invest (after stability)
• Setting new rules (so you don't repeat the same issues)

Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends!

Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at [email protected] or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at [email protected] or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

You should visit your doctor annually for a physical. Do you give your business an annual check up? If so, when?

What things should you focus on in January as we start the new year?

In this week's episode, Shawn & George talk about these topics and more, including:

• Tax Compliance
• Corporation or LLC renewal
• Reviewing Your Prior Years' Numbers
• Expense and Recurring Payments Audit
• Pricing Audit (should you charge more, or stay the same)
• Legal & Compliance Audit
• Personally, a checkin as to how you feel as the Owner.

Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends!

Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at [email protected] or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at [email protected] or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026