Episodes

  • 508 – Protecting Yourself Online - Best Tips From a Cybersecurity Expert
    May 25 2024

    Doug is joined by Technical Platform Cybersecurity Specialist, Eric Boivin from Flare. They discuss how cyber attacks can target your bank accounts and personal information, leading to money loss or identity theft. How weak cybersecurity can lead to debt, especially for those with student loans, mortgages, or credit card obligations. Eric shares practical advice on how to avoid fraud, choosing the best password using a password manager, and tools for watching financial accounts for suspicious activity.

    Time Stamps:

    00:00 Introduction

    04:46 How can you protect yourself against cyber attacks

    10:00 Passwords

    20:51 What can you do to protect yourself from a cyberattack?

    31:32 Practical advice

    Related Links:

    Flare Website - https://flare.io/

    Flare LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/flare-io/

    Bitwarden Password Manager - https://bitwarden.com/

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    35 mins
  • 507 – Higher Interest Rates and Stubborn Inflation - Are They Here to Stay? With Jeff Rubin
    May 18 2024

    Doug is joined by special guest Canadian economist and author, Jeff Rubin. Jeff discusses his latest book A Map of the New Normal: How Inflation, War, and Sanctions Will Change Your World Forever. They discuss inflation, sanctions and their impact on Canadian wages and employment. The conversation also touches on the Bank of Canada, bond yields, mortgages, interest rates, international trade, and the potential for a recession soon and closes with practical advice for Canadians.

    Time Stamps:

    00:00 Introduction

    03:45 Inflation

    10:47 What does the central bank do to make inflation higher or lower?

    19:33 Mortgages and Interest rates

    24:15 Are we in a recession now?

    26:07 Credit card debt

    27:37 Predictions for the future of Canada’s economy

    Related Links:

    A Map of the New Normal: How Inflation, War, and Sanctions Will Change Your World Forever by Jeff Rubin on Amazon https://amzn.to/4a5dSQI

    The Expendables - How the Middle Class Got Screwed by Globalization by Jeff Rubin on Amazon

    https://amzn.to/3UKTorM

    Globalization, Inequality and Debt with Jeff Rubin – Episode 317 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4vvcQqFuxU

    Jeff Rubin X https://twitter.com/JeffRubin

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    32 mins
  • 506 – Are Subscriptions and Delivery Apps Driving you into Debt?
    May 11 2024

    In this episode, Doug and Ted discuss the subtle ways debt accumulates over time, highlighting the unnoticed expenses that may lead you into debt. Have you ever calculated how much you spend monthly on subscriptions? Consider services like Amazon, Netflix, Disney, meal kits such as HelloFresh or Factor, pet and beauty subscriptions, car subscriptions, book clubs, and newspapers. These examples highlight how your money can slip away without you realizing it and potentially lead you toward bankruptcy. Tune in for practical advice on what to do to reduce these expenses, so you don’t find yourself in debt.

    Time Stamps:

    00:00 Introduction

    03:00 Set it and forget it method

    04:03 Subscriptions

    13:01 Why would a business want you to be on a subscription service?

    16:49 Practical advice

    Related Links:

    The Marketing of Consumer Debt. Avoid The Traps - https://www.hoyes.com/blog/the-marketing-of-consumer-debt-avoid-the-traps/

    52 Tips to Avoid Debt - https://www.hoyes.com/blog/52-tips-avoid-debt/

    5 Debt Lessons Every Student Should Know - https://www.hoyes.com/blog/5-debt-lessons-every-student-should-know/

    How To Minimize Debt as a Millennial - https://www.hoyes.com/blog/how-to-minimize-debt-as-a-millennial/

    How to Minimize Debt as Your Family Grows - https://www.hoyes.com/blog/how-to-minimize-debt-as-your-family-grows/

    How to Minimize Debt Before and After Retirement – https://www.hoyes.com/blog/how-to-minimize-debt-before-and-after-retirement/

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    30 mins
  • 505 – Mental Health and Money with Financial Therapist Amanda Clayman
    May 4 2024

    Doug is joined by Amanda Clayman, a financial therapist specializing in helping clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and past experiences shape their financial choices through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Her expertise has been highlighted in various media outlets including CNBC, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Oprah Magazine.

    In this episode, we look at the emotional aspects of financial challenges and address the impact it can have on our mental health. Amanda shares strategies for achieving financial objectives during times of struggle. We also discuss how financial decisions affect our relationships and the importance of values and goals.

    Time Stamps:

    00:00 Introduction

    01:17 What is a financial therapist?

    03:35 How can a financial therapist help you?

    04:13 Do financial problems cause psychological stress?

    06:07 How does financial therapy work?

    09:01 What’s an example of how someone would describe their financial situation?

    11:53 Advice for couples dealing with difficult financial decisions

    17:00 Client trends in financial therapy

    17:37 Values and goals

    24:13 How many sessions of financial therapy will you need?

    Related Links:

    Are Debt and Mental Health Connected? Understanding Debt Stress: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/are-debt-and-mental-health-connected-understanding-debt-stress/

    About Amanda: https://amandaclayman.com/about

    Amanda Clayman Website: https://amandaclayman.com/

    Amanda’s Podcast, Emotional Investment: www.Audible.com/emotionalinvestment

    Amanda Clayman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaclayman/

    Amanda Clayman Twitter: https://twitter.com/mandaclay

    Amanda Clayman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandaclayman/

    Amanda Clayman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaClaymanFinancialTherapy/

    Amanda Clayman Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/claymanamanda/

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    30 mins
  • 504 – 2024 Federal Budget: Unintended Consquences?
    Apr 27 2024

    Doug and Ted sit down to chat about the 2024 federal budget. Believe it or not Doug actually read the entire budget! They discuss taxes, what a budget means, making tax filing automatic, government single sign-in portal, reducing CRA call centre wait times, NSF fees, free and affordable bank accounts, cell phone charges, credit reports, and payday loans. They also get into detail about how credit for paying rent will impact Canadians.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Documentary announcement

    02:37 Why should you care about the Federal budget?

    03:00 Taxes

    06:28 What is a budget?

    08:07 Automatic tax filing for low-income Canadians

    10:29 Single sign in portal for government services

    11:35 Reduce CRA call centre wait times

    12:07 NSF Fees

    14:23 Free and affordable bank accounts

    17:47 Cell phone fees

    18:38 Credit for paying rent

    24:12 Credit utilization for rent

    26:10 Student housing

    27:45 Credit bureaus

    29:03 Payday loans

    29:55 Final thoughts

    Related Links:

    Should Rent Be a Part of a Credit Score?: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/should-rent-be-a-part-of-a-credit-score/

    Federal Budget 2024: https://budget.canada.ca/2024/home-accueil-en.html

    TurboTax Personal Tax Calculator: https://turbotax.intuit.ca/tax-resources/canada-income-tax-calculator.jsp

    Bretton Woods and Related Agreements Act: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/b-7/index.html

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    32 mins
  • 503 – Pet Ownership Costs & Tips to Avoid Debt
    Apr 20 2024

    How much does it cost to own a pet? Join Doug and special guest Maureen Parent as they break down the expenses, from breeder fees to food, vet bills, travel, dental, training, and more! Maureen offers valuable tips for managing your pet's expenses while avoiding debt.

    Time Stamps:

    00:00 Introduction

    02:05 What are the upfront costs of owning a pet?

    06:11 The regular costs of owning a pet

    16:55 The unexpected costs of owning a pet

    20:33 How much does it cost to board your pet?

    21:55 Practical advice for owning a pet

    24:04 Pet Insurance

    25:42 Smaller pets vs. large pets

    27:30 Can rescue pets save you money?

    27:55 Toy and treat tips to save you money

    29:59 Conclusion

    Related Links:

    The Cost of Dog Parenthood in 2024 - https://www.rover.com/ca/blog/cost-of-dog-parenthood/

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    32 mins
  • 502 – Should I Buy or Rent a Home? What Makes Sense in Today's Market
    Apr 13 2024

    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 weigh at the pros and cons, this episode may make you rethink your views on homeownership, not only as an investment but as a consumer choice. Could renting be the smarter choice in 2024? Watch the episode now to find out.

    Time Stamps:

    00:00 Introduction

    01:00 Reasons you should own a home

    03:38 Is a mortgage a forced savings plan?

    06:10 Reasons not to buy a home

    06:21 Timing is everything in real estate

    08:17 Variable rate interest only mortgage vs. amortization mortgage

    12:03 Moving if you own a home vs. if you rent

    15:29 Maintenance

    18:50 Credit creep

    24:11 Practical advice

    Related Links:

    Homeowners Bankruptcy Index: https://www.hoyes.com/press/homeowner-bankruptcy-index/

    Hoyes Michalos Bankruptcy Study: https://www.hoyes.com/press/joe-debtor/

    Why Does Home Ownership Cause Financial Problems?: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/why-does-home-ownership-cause-financial-problems/

    Think Twice Before You Get a Home Equity Line of Credit: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/think-twice-before-you-get-a-home-equity-line-of-credit/

    Why a House Does Not Guarantee Financial Security: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/why-a-house-does-not-guarantee-financial-security/

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    31 mins
  • 501 – Things Collection Agents Can and Cannot Do with Your Credit Report
    Apr 6 2024
    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 credit report. They also discuss what collection agents can and cannot do when it comes to reporting your debts to the credit bureau and how to dispute old debts, so they don’t affect your credit. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:45 If you don’t pay a collection agent can it affect your credit score? 04:33 The Statute of Limitations Act. 05:30 The Credit Bureau. 09:45 How and when do collection agents report to the credit bureau? 16:20 What collection agents cannot do when reporting to the credit bureau. 18:14 Can a collection agency remove a debt from your credit report? 23:24 What happens if a collection agency keeps calling the wrong number? 26:07 How owing a collection agent can affect your credit score. 27:43 Practical advice from a collection agent. 34:05 How to reach out to Blair DeMarco-Wettlaufer. Related Links: How Old Tickets and Fines Can Destroy your Credit Score: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/how-old-tickets-and-fines-can-destroy-your-credit-score/ 'Insanely old' city ticket wreaks havoc on Ottawa man's credit score: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/insanely-old-city-ticket-wreaks-havoc-on-ottawa-man-s-credit-score-1.7141166 Long-forgotten fines won't linger on credit records, city assures residents: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/city-of-ottawa-parking-ticket-debt-owed-collection-credit-score-1.7152329 Blair Demarco-Wettlaufer’s Blog “Receivable/Accounts - Information for Credit and Collection Issues”: https://receivableaccounts.blogspot.com/ Legislation Links Cited in the Podcast: Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act of Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90c14 The Provincial Offenses Act, section 76: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90p33#BK105 The Limitations Act of Ontario sets a basic limitation period of two years: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/02l24#BK16 The Consumer Reporting Act of Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90c33#BK11 Blair Demarco-Wettlaufer’s Previous Appearance Links on Debt Free in 30: Episode 20 – January 17, 2015 - Stop The Collection Calls: Advice from Blair Demarco-Wettlaufer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tsrKacdx4U Episode 57 – October 3, 2025 Collection Agents: How Did They Find Me?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SMU1R5N0ms Episode 70 – January 2, 2016 – Top 10 Tips for Dealing with a Collection Agent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=736J-IefWrI Episode 264 – September 21, 2019 - How to Negotiate With a Collection Agent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgNWpKfBUwU Episode 296 – May 2, 2020 - Dealing with Collection Calls in COVID-19: Debt Negotiations, Deferrals, and Credit Report Impact: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S86gnBEkeUY Episode 373 – October 23, 2021 - Your Top Collections Questions Answered by a Debt Collector!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue8gFE2Z48w Episode 477 – October 21,2023 The Messy World of Debt Collection and Statute-Barred Claims: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uN82x3ts1k&t=115s
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    36 mins