Debt Free in 30

By Doug Hoyes

What's Debt Free in 30 about?

Each week Doug Hoyes talks to industry experts about debt, money, and personal finance. Don't be confused; listen as the guest experts cut through the jargon and share practical advice.

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Debt Free in 30 episodes:

04.13.2024
502 – Should I Buy or Rent a Home? What Makes Sense in Today's Market
Should you buy a home or rent in Canada? We look at the risks and expenses involved when it comes to purchasing a home. From the unpredictable market trends to steep mortgage penalties and ongoing maintenance costs. As we...
04.06.2024
501 – Things Collection Agents Can and Cannot Do with Your Credit Report
Blair DeMarco-Wettlaufer, the Chief of Operations Officer of Kingston Data & Credit joins Doug to discuss the consequences of unpaid debts and their impact on your credit score. They look at real-life scenarios and provide practical advice to manage your...
03.30.2024
500 – Why Do We Feel Despair? (A Rant)
This is episode 500, and Doug does a solo rant exploring the factors contributing to the despair felt by Canadians. He reflects on how the past four years has affected our economy. He touches on the cost of real estate,...
03.23.2024
499 – How To Protect Yourself from Rising Car Thefts & Financial Costs
Did you know a car is stolen every 5 minutes across Canada? Car thefts and VIN scams are on the rise. Michael Rothe, President and CEO of Canadian Finance & Leasing Association, joins Doug and discusses Canada’s auto theft...
03.16.2024
498 – Save Money with a Micro Wedding Budget | Planning Tips from The Budget Savvy Bride
Planning a wedding on a budget? In this episode, Jessica Bishop, founder of The Budget Savvy Bride, shares expert advice on keeping your big day affordable without sacrificing style. Whether you are dreaming of a traditional ceremony or...
03.09.2024
497 – How to file taxes and get your my CRA account 2024
Top tips on how to file taxes. How to file taxes in Canada, setup your CRA my account, deadlines, government benefits and how to receive your refund with no additional fees. We also discuss tax discounting services, the importance of...
03.02.2024
496 – Why You Should Never Co-Sign a Loan
In this episode, Doug and Ted discuss the risks of co-signing on a loan. They discuss the differences between joint loans and co-signed loans and the impact they can have on your credit. They address common scenarios such as...
02.24.2024
495 – RRSP Withdrawals Before Retirement - Is it Ever a Good Idea?
In this episode of Debt Free in 30, Ted and Doug discuss RRSP early withdrawals. They weigh the pros and cons of tapping into your savings before retirement and discuss tax implications, CPP and exceptions such as the Home Buyer's...
02.17.2024
494 – Habits and Your Financial Health
In this episode, Maureen and Doug explore financial habits and discuss why we spend the way we do and how we can make better choices. Maureen shares how habits form and how you can be influenced to spend money. From...
02.10.2024
493 – Credit Card Balances Lead Many to Bankruptcy: 2023 Joe Debtor Study
In this episode, Doug Hoyes and Ted Michalos discuss the annual Hoyes Michalos Joe Debtor Bankruptcy Study for 2023. They talk about why credit card debt is driving consumer insolvencies, challenges faced by homeowners, and why we are seeing an...
02.03.2024
492 – Learn Price Matching Tips on the Flipp App to Save Big on Groceries
In this episode, Doug chats with Janette Martin, a Credit Counsellor at Hoyes Michalos. Janette shares her tips on saving money while grocery shopping, focusing on the Flipp app. They discuss using the app to review online flyers, price...
01.27.2024
491 – Will Changes to the Criminal Code Make Borrowing More Affordable?
In this episode, Doug and Ted discuss the government's intention to lower Canada's criminal interest rate from 60% EAR to 35% APR and set the maximum cost of borrowing for payday loans at $14 per $100 borrowed. They explore the...
01.20.2024
490 – The Connection Between Coerced Debt and Human Trafficking
In this eye-opening episode of Debt Free in 30 host Doug Hoyes is joined by guest Richard Dunwoody to unravel the often-overlooked connection between human trafficking and coerced debt. With Ontario facing the second-highest rate of police-reported human trafficking...
01.13.2024
489 – The Fight Against Debt Consultants
In this episode of Debt Free in 30, Doug and Ted discuss the ongoing battle against unregulated debt consultants. They dive into the recent developments, including the conversation with Superintendent of Bankruptcy Elisabeth Lang and the release of a...
01.06.2024
488 – 2024 New Years Resolutions: Kickstart Your Best Year Yet!
Get ready for 2024 with our first episode of the year! Join Doug Hoyes as he gives a straightforward take on New Year's resolutions, highlighting the need for a practical plan and figuring out what really matters to you....
12.30.2023
487 – Consumer Insolvencies and Bankruptcies Continue to Rise [Year-End Analysis and 2024 Predictions]
In this year-end podcast, Doug and Ted review their 2023 predictions and share insights on what to expect in 2024. They discuss the accuracy of last year's forecasts on inflation, interest rates, and insolvency rates. Doug predicts a decline in...
12.23.2023
486: Doug and Ted’s Expert Advice for Financial Success in 2024
Join Doug and Ted as they break down simple strategies for financial success in 2024. Whether you're dreaming of starting a business, planning for retirement, or making big purchases, their advice can make a real impact. They discuss the importance...
12.16.2023
485 – Mastering Solo Finances: Navigating the 'Single Tax' with Heather Cudmore
Does the cost-of-living soar when you're flying solo? Join Doug in this episode as he's joined by Heather Cudmore, a Certified Credit Counsellor, and Client Service Specialist at Hoyes Michalos. Together, they delve into the concept of the 'single tax'...
12.09.2023
484 – Debt Duel: Snowball vs. Avalanche with Joel Sandwith
In this episode, Doug sits down with Joel Sandwith, a Licensed Insolvency Trustee based at the Hoyes Michalos London office. Together, they explore effective debt management strategies and delve into optimal approaches for debt repayment. The episode provides a comprehensive...
12.02.2023
483 – Why Are Credit Reports Always Wrong with Richard Moxley?
In this week’s episode of Debt Free in 30, credit expert Richard Moxley returns to tackle the burning question: Why are credit reports always wrong? From the importance of credit ratings to practical tips on finding and fixing errors, we...
11.25.2023
482 – Setting Yourself Up for Success in 2024 with an Annual Financial Checkup!
In this episode, Doug Hoyes is joined by Ted Michalos as they discuss the importance of doing an annual financial checkup. Doug explains the importance of having a plan and touches on various topics such as updating your will, insurance,...
11.18.2023
481 – Will You Ever Be Able to Retire? Exploring Retirement Planning Strategies with Financial Expert Rona Birenbaum
In this episode, Doug Hoyes discusses retirement planning with special guest Rona Birenbaum, a Certified Financial Planner at Caring for Clients. The episode covers various retirement-related topics, including the importance of financial planning, the role of financial advisors, and the...
11.11.2023
480 – Increase in Homebuyers Cancelling Contracts: Here's What You Need to Know!
Doug Hoyes and Ted discuss a pressing issue that many Canadians face: the challenge of closing on a house when real estate prices have taken a hit. They discuss the complexities of the real estate market, particularly the implications for...
11.04.2023
479 – Are We in a Silent Depression? Tackling the Debt Dilemma
Doug Hoyes and Ted Michalos discuss the state of the economy and explore the possibility of a silent depression. Their discussion includes topics such as unemployment rates, the challenges confronted by the Millennial and Gen-Z generations, the recent increase in...
10.24.2023
478 – The State of Mortgages and Real Estate with Ron Butler
Doug Hoyes and special guest Ron Butler from The Angry Mortgage Podcast came together for a live episode on Monday, October 23rd. During this special event, they talked about current mortgage trends, real estate, Bank of Canada interest rates, inflation,...
10.21.2023
477 – The Messy World of Debt Collection and Statute-Barred Claims
Doug Hoyes is joined by special guest, Blair Demarco-Wettlaufer, a collection agent, who serves as the Chief Operations Officer at collection agency Kingston Data & Credit. This marks Blair's seventh appearance on the show! In this episode, Doug and Blair...
10.14.2023
476 – Debt Beyond the Grave: What Happens to your Debt when you Die?
What happens to debt when someone passes away? Host Doug Hoyes is joined by Ted Michalos to discuss a topic that might sound eerie but is incredibly important. They chat about the different types of debt: credit card balances, car...
10.07.2023
475 – AI’s Role in Managing Debt
You've probably noticed that Artificial Intelligence is everywhere these days, but can it help you out with debt and managing your money? Doug Hoyes and Scott Terrio are here to chat about just that! They discuss how AI looks...
09.30.2023
474 – The CEBA Loan Dilemma
Are you a small business dealing with the CEBA loan repayment dilemma? Ted Michalos and Doug Hoyes dive deep into the world of CEBA loans and the crucial decisions you need to make about repaying them. For many small businesses,...
09.23.2023
473 – The Financial Aftermath of the Pandemic in Ontario vs. Newfoundland
Join the conversation with Ian Penney, a Licensed Trustee from Janes & Noseworthy, and Doug Hoyes as they provide insights into managing your finances in the aftermath of the pandemic, with a focus on the distinctions between Newfoundland and Ontario. ...
09.16.2023
472 – Is It Wrong To Spend on Fun?
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...
09.09.2023
471 – Is University Worth All The Debt?
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...
09.02.2023
470 – Season 10 Season Premiere: Are You Hitting The Wall?
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...
08.26.2023
469 – REBROADCAST - Debt Mistakes to Avoid When Cash is Tight
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...
08.19.2023
468 – REBROADCAST - Should Shopping Be a Game? Risks of Apps Like Temu
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,...
08.12.2023
467 – REBROADCAST - How to Earn More Money Without a Second Job
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...
08.05.2023
466 – REBROADCAST - What’s Making Our Groceries So Expensive? w/ The Food Professor
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...
07.29.2023
465 – Has The Recession Started? Where are we headed?
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...
07.22.2023
464 – Getting a Car Loan Today - What NOT To Do
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...
07.15.2023
463 – Want To Buy a Business? Here’s What To Know First
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...
07.08.2023
462 – How To Spot The Bank’s Sales Tricks
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?...
07.01.2023
461 – Can’t Pay Your Mortgage? Options To Keep Your Home
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...
06.24.2023
460 – Top Credit Repair Questions (& Fears) Answered!
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...
06.17.2023
459 – The Pros & Cons of Self-Employment
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...
06.10.2023
458 – Why You May Need More Than One Bank Account
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...
06.03.2023
457 – Gas Costs May Be Higher Than You Think
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...
05.27.2023
456 – Has Tipping Gone Too Far? (Dealing w/ Tip Creep + Your Budget)
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...
05.20.2023
455 – Is Your Emergency Fund Good Enough For Any Crisis?
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...
05.13.2023
454 – Is Raising Your Credit Limit a Bad Sign?
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...
05.06.2023
453 – Should Shopping Be a Game? Risks of Apps Like Temu
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...

What's Debt Free in 30 about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Debt Free in 30 episodes:

502 – Should I Buy or Rent a Home? What Makes Sense in Today's Market

501 – Things Collection Agents Can and Cannot Do with Your Credit Report

500 – Why Do We Feel Despair? (A Rant)

499 – How To Protect Yourself from Rising Car Thefts & Financial Costs

498 – Save Money with a Micro Wedding Budget | Planning Tips from The Budget Savvy Bride

497 – How to file taxes and get your my CRA account 2024

496 – Why You Should Never Co-Sign a Loan

495 – RRSP Withdrawals Before Retirement - Is it Ever a Good Idea?

494 – Habits and Your Financial Health

493 – Credit Card Balances Lead Many to Bankruptcy: 2023 Joe Debtor Study

492 – Learn Price Matching Tips on the Flipp App to Save Big on Groceries

491 – Will Changes to the Criminal Code Make Borrowing More Affordable?

490 – The Connection Between Coerced Debt and Human Trafficking

489 – The Fight Against Debt Consultants

488 – 2024 New Years Resolutions: Kickstart Your Best Year Yet!

487 – Consumer Insolvencies and Bankruptcies Continue to Rise [Year-End Analysis and 2024 Predictions]

486: Doug and Ted’s Expert Advice for Financial Success in 2024

485 – Mastering Solo Finances: Navigating the 'Single Tax' with Heather Cudmore

484 – Debt Duel: Snowball vs. Avalanche with Joel Sandwith

483 – Why Are Credit Reports Always Wrong with Richard Moxley?

482 – Setting Yourself Up for Success in 2024 with an Annual Financial Checkup!

481 – Will You Ever Be Able to Retire? Exploring Retirement Planning Strategies with Financial Expert Rona Birenbaum

480 – Increase in Homebuyers Cancelling Contracts: Here's What You Need to Know!

479 – Are We in a Silent Depression? Tackling the Debt Dilemma

478 – The State of Mortgages and Real Estate with Ron Butler

477 – The Messy World of Debt Collection and Statute-Barred Claims

476 – Debt Beyond the Grave: What Happens to your Debt when you Die?

475 – AI’s Role in Managing Debt

474 – The CEBA Loan Dilemma

473 – The Financial Aftermath of the Pandemic in Ontario vs. Newfoundland

472 – Is It Wrong To Spend on Fun?

471 – Is University Worth All The Debt?

470 – Season 10 Season Premiere: Are You Hitting The Wall?

469 – REBROADCAST - Debt Mistakes to Avoid When Cash is Tight

468 – REBROADCAST - Should Shopping Be a Game? Risks of Apps Like Temu

467 – REBROADCAST - How to Earn More Money Without a Second Job

466 – REBROADCAST - What’s Making Our Groceries So Expensive? w/ The Food Professor

465 – Has The Recession Started? Where are we headed?

464 – Getting a Car Loan Today - What NOT To Do

463 – Want To Buy a Business? Here’s What To Know First

462 – How To Spot The Bank’s Sales Tricks

461 – Can’t Pay Your Mortgage? Options To Keep Your Home

460 – Top Credit Repair Questions (& Fears) Answered!

459 – The Pros & Cons of Self-Employment

458 – Why You May Need More Than One Bank Account

457 – Gas Costs May Be Higher Than You Think

456 – Has Tipping Gone Too Far? (Dealing w/ Tip Creep + Your Budget)

455 – Is Your Emergency Fund Good Enough For Any Crisis?

454 – Is Raising Your Credit Limit a Bad Sign?

453 – Should Shopping Be a Game? Risks of Apps Like Temu