Crushing Debt

Have you ever had a bus fall on your house?

What is the difference between Passive and Active Income?

How do you make money for tomorrow? For the next generation?

On this week's show, Shawn & George talk to Whitney Elkins-Hutten, the founder of Ash Wealth Consulting and Director of Investor Education at PassiveInvesting.com. She hosts the Passive Investing Made Simple podcast and is a partner in $800M+ of real estate assets—including 6,500+ residential units, 2,200+ self-storage units, and more than $5M in fix-and-flipped properties. After hitting a home run with her first rental property and nearly losing it all on her second deal, Whitney turned to wealth-creation strategies to build sturdy financial freedom for herself and her family. Whitney is now on a mission to help families implement sound financial principles to create passive income and long-term wealth for generations to come. Whitney currently lives in Boulder, Colorado, and she enjoys trail running, traveling, photography, craft beers, and playing board games with family and friends.

In this episode, we talk about her "home run," and her near loss, as well as mindset (turn "I can't" into "How Can I," and how to build wealth for tomorrow.

You can reach Whitney at:

• www.ashwealth.com
• www.passiveinvestingwithwhitney.com
• Get her book, Money for Tomorrow at: https://ashwealth.com/book

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

Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. www.AttorneysFirst.com.

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.

Have any spare change?

Do you still use cash and coins?

The US Treasury Department and US Mint announced that it will stop making pennies after it runs out of the blank templates used to make the coins, saving the government $56 million a year in materials costs. There is no indication that pennies will be taken out of circulation, only that new pennies will not be produced.

This move should have no impact on electronic purchases - ACH, Wire, Debit, Credit, etc.

A few news articles on the subject:

• https://www.axios.com/2025/05/22/penny-coins-end-production-2026
• https://www.axios.com/2025/05/24/treasury-penny-production-trump-shopping-change

This issue is not unique to the United States. Canada, Australia and New Zealand stopped producing their penny-equivalents years ago.

The cost to produce $0.01 is now approximately $0.0369 per penny, causing a loss to the US Mint of approximately $85.3 million. And our other coins are similarly expensive to produce:

• $0.05 nickel costs $0.1378 per coin
• $0.10 dime costs $0.0576 per coin
• $0.25 quarter costs $0.1468 per coin

It may be time to start using all those pennies we're currently saving in jars and piggybanks.

What do you think? How will stopping the production of the penny impact you?

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

Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. www.AttorneysFirst.com.

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.

Everything on the Internet is true, right?

What can Tik Tok (and social media) teach us about getting out of debt? How much of the advice is legitimate and how much is, shall we say, a bit "out there"?

On this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podccast, Shawn & George watch (or listen to) Tik Tok videos from influencers who are trying to help people get out of debt. We'll then comment on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the advice given. As with any social media platform, you have to do your own due diligence and utilize strategies that will work for you.

You can listen to similar former episodes of the show like

• Episode 413 - Tik Tok Money Hacks
• Episode 388 - Money Lessons from Tik Tok (our Girl Math Episode)

The Tik Toks on this weeks episode cover topics such as:

• What is a normal amount of savings?
• Bankruptcy
• Frugal Hacks
• How to turn $60 into $1,000
• Girl Math
• Why NOT to save money

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

Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. www.AttorneysFirst.com.

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 (the link will be live until June 2025): http://support.pancan.org/goto/MYLegacy8

Why are garage sales the perfect sales and negotiation training ground?

What is the golden rule of negotiating?

What are some negotiation tactics that work, and some that don't?

Each year, in October and May, Shawn's neighborhood hosts a community-wide garage sale. Shawn has tested and practiced different sales techniques at these bi-annual events in a low-risk, low-pressure environment!

Please go back and listen to these previous garage sale episodes, which have covered lessons such as:

• 68 - negotiations
• 86 - preparation
• 118 - patience
• 168 - preparation
• 241 - approach
• 270 - target market
• 373 - delegate
• 393 - sales presentation

In this week's episode, Shawn & George talk about the benefits of practicing negotiation skills at a garage sale, some negotiation tactics that have worked for them and some that have not worked for them, and getting the younger generations involved early in selling and negotiation (lessons taught to Shawn's kids).

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

Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. www.AttorneysFirst.com.

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/MYLegacy8 This link will be live until June 1, 2025, and then we start on the 2026 team and fundraiser.

What is Soft Savings?

Why would you want to embrace it?

What are some tips to balance soft savings and hard savings?

What are some red flags to avoid with Soft Savings?

In this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk about Soft Savings, basically savings practices that may not be measurable or something that can be quantified. It involves spending for experiences, rather than saving for later. Soft savings is really just a mindset around what and how to save.

Let us know if you practice soft savings, hard savings, or some combination. And please this episode with your friends!

Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. www.AttorneysFirst.com.

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/MYLegacy8 This link will be live until June 1, 2025, and then we start on the 2026 team and fundraiser.

Have you been paying your Student Loans?

Have you been waiting on forgiveness of your Student Loans?

Recently, the Department of Education has begun collection efforts for Student Loan borrowers behind on their payments, who have not repaid their debts or entered into some type of workout plan regarding their Student Loan debts.

The government estimates that there are 6.4 million Student Loan borrowers between the ages of 50 - 60, that owe a combined $282 Billion - or $46,000 per borrower.

For some history or background, Student Loan payments paused during the COVID pandemic. But in October 2023, Student Loan payments resumed (subject to any workout plan negotiated with the Department of Education). Now, the government is seeking collection against any defaulted Student Loans, and they have as tools, the authority, under certain circumstances, to: (1) garnish wages, (2) intercept and retain tax refunds, and (3) intercept and retain social security payments.

Unfortunately, Student Loans are still largely non-dischargeable under Bankruptcy Law, although there have been some in-roads.

So how can you manage? There are still options available, including:

• Income-Driven Repayment.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Modification

You can also plan ahead for the costs of Education, by researching the different borrowing programs, Grants, 529 (and similar) plans.

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

Please also visit our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. www.AttorneysFirst.com.

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 although the 2025 Purple Stride Walk is over, please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's 2025 Team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MYLegacy8 The link will be available until June 30.

What documents need to be notarized?

What can a notary do or sign, or not?

How or when can notarized documents help you to get or remain debt free?

On today's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George interview our friend, Amanda Loeffler, owner of I Need a Notary, a remote online notarization company. That means Amanda can notarize documents anywhere and you do not need to be sitting with her physically to get something notarized (but you do need to prove your identity prior to signing).

Amanda Loeffler is a wife to LCDR Jake Loeffler, USNR. (Go Navy!). Jake and Amanda have 5 awesome kids together. Amanda holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Organizational Leadership and Entrepreneurship from St. Petersburg College.

You can find Amanda and her team at www.ineedanotary.us.

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

Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. www.AttorneysFirst.com.

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.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) Purple Stride Walk 2025 is now over, but you can still support research and education surrounding this disease, by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MYLegacy8 For 2025, we raised over $6,000 as a team, becoming the #7 largest fundraising team in Tampa Bay. Thank you to everyone that participated, walked, or just sent positive thoughts. The link will be active until June 1, 2025. After that, we'll start raising money for the 2026 Purple Stride Walk.

Why are grocery prices so high?

Is it because of tariffs?

Is it because of supply chain costs, or the Bird Flu?

And how can you continue to budget while the cost of most products continue to increase?

On today's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George discuss these issues, including some strategies to deal with the rising cost of goods, including

• Budgeting
• Using Cash Envelopes (or a similar system)
• Buying off-brand products
• Using coupons or loyalty discounts
• Buying in bulk
• Eating everything you buy (no waste)
• Creating a meal plan
• Using a meal delivery service
• Making a list and sticking to it
• and More!

Let us know what budget-conscious tools you use. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends!

Please also visit our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. www.AttorneysFirst.com.

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/MYLegacy8 The Purple Stride Walk is THIS SATURDAY, April 26, 2025.

Spring is when many people spring clean their home. But how many of us Spring Clean our finances?

How many of us declutter our debt?

April is also Financial Literacy Month, and for most of the Country April is the month when income tax returns are due. Did you file on time, or did you file for an extension?

On this week's episode, Shawn & George talk about how to spring clean your debt, which is very similar to spring cleaning your home: (1) declutter - what expenses can you reduce or eliminate, (2) pick your cleaning tools - how do you want to eliminate debt, through consolidation, avalanche, snowball, or something else, and (3) stay organized - it's easier to remain debt free if you remain organized.

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

Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. www.AttorneysFirst.com.

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/MYLegacy8

How does your financial life change when you are childfree?

What is the difference between FIRE and FILE?

How does your investing change when you are childfree?

How does childfree impact your estate planning and long-term financial goals change?

How often have you asked a newlywed couple, "so when are you having kids?" How often have you asked a couple married long-term, "any plans for kids soon?" There is a growing number of married couples who are childfree, sometimes for medical reasons, and sometimes by voluntary choice. How can people with kids be supportive of their friends who have chosen (voluntarily or involuntarily) to live a childfree life.

On this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn and George interview Jay Zigmont, PhD, MFA, CFP. Dr. Jay and his wife are childfree, and it has profoundly shaped how they approach their finances. When Dr. Jay searched for financial advice, he realized that most of it assumes you have kids, which didn't align with their goals. That's why he founded Childfree Wealth®—to offer financial planning tailored specifically to the unique needs of the childfree community.

You can reach Dr. Jay at his website, www.childfreewealth.com, and check out his book, The Childfree Guide to Life & Money, available on the website and wherever your favorite books are sold.

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

Please also visit our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. www.AttorneysFirst.com.

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. The Purple Stride walk is just a few weeks away, on April 26, 2025! You can join Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MYLegacy8.