Debt Free In 30

The Criminal Code of Canada says that it’s a criminal offence to charge an interest rate of more than 60%. The federal government is considering lowering that rate. Is this a good idea? What could go wrong? On today’s podcast, Ted Michalos returns to discuss whether this plan by the Government of Canada will make any meaningful difference, and what the unintended consequences of the proposal may be. Doug and Ted also share their four recommendations to the Government to better protect consumers when it comes to usury laws. Please note that the government will be accepting your comments until October 7, 2022, so tune in to this podcast to understand the issue and then send them an email with your thoughts at consultationconsumeraffairs.consultationconsommation@fin.gc.ca with ‘Predatory Lending Consultation’ as the subject line. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Department of Finance Canada Issues Consultation Paper on Criminal Rate of Interest: https://www.mccarthy.ca/en/insights/blogs/techlex/department-fina

It’s Season #9 of Debt Free in 30! Life is changing fast – there’s no question about it. How can you navigate this crazy economy? How do you deal with an ever-limited budget? Doug Hoyes returns in this short season premiere rant to share what you can expect from our show this season and helpful resources to get you through these tough times. Tune in.   Resources Mentioned in the Show: How One Man Retired Debt-Free at Age 48: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/how-one-man-retired-debt-free-at-48/ Debt Free in 30 Newsletter Archive & Sign Up: https://www.hoyes.com/newsletter-archive/ Insolvency Updates Newsletter Sign Up: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/wAp31r4/insolvencyupdates How to Rebuild Credit course: https://courses.hoyes.com/

It’s our final rebroadcast episode of the summer, and today we rebroadcast episode 400 of the Debt Free in 30 podcast and Doug Hoyes shares his wisdom on how to protect yourself against job loss. If the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that no job is secure. So, what can you do to avoid getting financially burned if you’re out of work? If you’re unhappy with your job, should you switch? What’s the smartest way to go about making a change? On today’s podcast Doug discusses three basic work truths and lots of practical advice you should understand to help you navigate the employment world. Links: Hoyes Michalos Bankruptcy Study: https://www.hoyes.com/press/joe-debtor/ Follow Doug Hoyes on Twitter: https://twitter.com/doughoyes

When the pandemic first started, the Canada Revenue Agency slowed their collection efforts on income tax debt owing. But with the economy reopened, we are starting to see notices filed by the CRA to individuals owing on income tax, including CERB and CRB debts. Is this a sign that the CRA is ramping up efforts again? What are your options if your employer is served with a Requirement to Pay notice from the government? What if you get a notice that you were overpaid for CERB/CRB or ineligible? Tune in to this panel discussion with Ian Martin, CPA, LIT and Scott Schaefer, CPA, LIT (our in-house tax experts) and host Doug Hoyes for lots of practical advice!   Additional Resources:   CRA Collection Letters for CERB Ineligibility or Overpayment. Can You File Bankruptcy? https://www.hoyes.com/blog/cra-collection-letters-for-cerb-ineligibility-repayment/ 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/ Should I Borrow to Pay Taxes to CRA? https://www.hoye

Today we rebroadcast episode #339 (and it’s even more timely today). For many people, a car is a necessary expense to get to work and run errands. But what if you unintentionally bought too much car and your car loan is now creating financial problems? What are your options? Is it possible to get out of a car loan? On today’s podcast, Ted Michalos and Doug Hoyes discuss when you might want to hand your vehicle back, how to do it, and what happens with the loan shortfall. Tune in for lots of practical advice! Related link: Voluntary Surrender: Should I Hand My Vehicle Back? https://www.hoyes.com/blog/voluntary-surrender-should-i-hand-my-vehicle-back/

For the average Canadian family, their largest monthly expense is their rent or mortgage payment, and unless they have a very expensive car, their second biggest expense is often food. If you have a limited income, how can you manage your food budget effectively? Is it possible eat healthy without breaking the bank? On today’s show we welcome Heidi Pola, a Registered Dietician who gives practical advice on how to eat healthy and save money.

The summer is only half over, yet so much has happened to the economy in 2022. Gas prices have started to come down after intense surging, and interest rate hikes are at record highs and may keep going. What can we expect for the next six months of the year? Enter Doug and Ted. On today’s podcast, Doug Hoyes and Ted Michalos give us their mid-year review and share their predictions for consumer debt levels, inflation, bankruptcy filings, and whether CRA collections will intensify in the Fall. Tune in for a lively discussion and practical advice on managing your finances for the rest of the year. Additional Resources: Ontario Consumer Insolvency Statistics: https://www.hoyes.com/press/consumer-insolvency-statistics/ Homeowners Bankruptcy Index: https://www.hoyes.com/press/homeowner-bankruptcy-index/

So far in 2022 the Bank of Canada has raised its overnight lending rate four times. Its most recent hike in July was the biggest one since 1998. If you’re trying to buy a home now, what can you do to make the purchase affordable? Is it a good time to even get a mortgage? Would it be better to rent and wait? On today’s podcast, Doug Hoyes and Ted Michalos walk you through the basics of mortgage borrowing, costs that comes with it, explain common mortgage terms, and discuss the factors to consider before buying a home in the first place. Tune in for lots of practical advice & explainers! Links: CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance Cost: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/consumers/home-buying/mortgage-loan-insurance-for-consumers/cmhc-mortgage-loan-insurance-cost What’s Happening to Mortgages Now That Rates Are Up? With Ron Butler: https://youtu.be/Iw-HtqgOgJM

What options do homeowners have when they’ve got a lot of home equity and a lot of unsecured debt, but the bank won’t let them refinance by borrowing against their home? On today’s podcast, Ted Michalos and Doug Hoyes explain why homeowners often carry so much more debt than non-homeowners, how to deal with your unsecured debts whether refinancing is an option or not, and how an insolvency filing can affect your home. Given today’s economic situation, this may sadly be a reality for many homeowners in the months and years to come. Tune in for lots of practical strategies and advice!   Helpful Links:   Second Mortgage or Interest-Free Consumer Proposal: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/second-mortgage-or-interest-free-consumer-proposal/ Hoyes Michalos Joe Debtor Bankruptcy Study  https://www.hoyes.com/press/joe-debtor/             Hoyes Michalos Homeowners Bankruptcy Index: https://www.hoyes.com/press/homeowner-bankruptcy-index/

We often meet with clients who have struggled with their debt for a lot longer than they needed to. This is often because they feel embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help. But why do we struggle so much to talk about our financial situation? On today’s podcast, Maureen Parent, LIT in our Kanata office returns to give insight as to why we are so afraid to talk about debt. Maureen and Doug draw from their years of experience helping clients and share lots of practical advice to help you overcome the fear of talking debt. Tune in! Additional Links: Is the 50-30-20 Budget Rule Even Do-Able Today? https://youtu.be/hANI5zadF2I Maureen Parent on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaureenParent7 Doug Hoyes on Twitter: https://twitter.com/doughoyes Hoyes Michalos Kanata office: https://www.hoyes.com/ontario-offices/kanata/

One of the most common borrow-to-invest strategies is to take money from your home equity to purchase an investment property. But is this always a good idea? What if you borrow to invest in the stock market instead? Is that riskier? Is it ever OK to take on debt to invest or is it something you should never do? On today’s podcast, Ted Michalos and Doug Hoyes walk you through how to decide when you are ready to invest, the three ways to invest in stocks, what risks are, and the general dos and don’ts of using your hard-earned money to potentially get a return on it. Tune in for lots of practical advice! Resources Mentioned in the Show: Straight Talk on Your Money book by Doug Hoyes: https://www.amazon.ca/Straight-Talk-Your-Money-Financial/dp/1988344034/ Hoyes Michalos Joe Debtor Bankruptcy Study  https://www.hoyes.com/press/joe-debtor/             Residential House Prices, Historical Chart: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/QCAR628BIS

2022 has so far brought rapidly declining real estate prices, record high gas and food prices, and rising interest rates. It’s looking to be a perfect financial storm. So how are all these variables impacting indebted Canadians? On today’s podcast, Scott Terrio, Manager, Consumer Insolvency at Hoyes Michalos, returns to discuss what he’s seeing from individuals struggling with debt, borrowing trends, and the role inflation is playing in household budgets. Scott and Doug also share their thoughts on why homeowner-driven insolvencies may rise soon and give practical advice for what to do if you’re dealing with problem debt in this economic climate. Tune in for a lively discussion!   Links:   Hoyes Michalos Homeowners Bankruptcy Index: https://www.hoyes.com/press/homeowner-bankruptcy-index/ Ontario Bankruptcy and Consumer Proposal Statistics: https://www.hoyes.com/press/consumer-insolvency-statistics/ Podcast 399 – Is the Housing Market Finally Slowing Down? with Nasma Ali https://youtu.be/4XjDd4JOvVc

We are still in unprecedented times. House prices are going down even though inventory is limited. The unemployment rate is at a 40-year low, and yet insolvencies remain at record lows. What’s going on? Will this climate last forever? Enter Ben Rabidoux. Ben returns to the podcast with Doug Hoyes to share his unique insights and research on where housing is heading, whether he sees mortgage rates coming back down, his thoughts on the employment rate and recession, and the show ends with the first-ever Debt Free in 30 wager   Links: Ben Rabidoux on Twitter https://twitter.com/BenRabidoux Edge Realty Analytics: https://edgeanalytics.ca/ Bank of Canada: Mortgage Rates: Bank of Canada: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/2022/06/financial-system-review-2022/#box1 Ontario Consumer Insolvency Statistics: https://www.hoyes.com/press/consumer-insolvency-statistics/ Statistics Canada, Household Savings Rate: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3610011201 Episode #379, Will Housing Ever Be Affordable with Be

If you die with debt, does it get passed on to someone else in your family? Is it possible for an estate to file a bankruptcy or consumer proposal? On today’s podcast, Doug Hoyes and Ted Michalos discuss what happens when you still owe creditors after you’ve passed and the impact on your estate. They provide practical advice on dealing with joint debt when one spouse has passed, how adult children can navigate debt repayment for their aging parents, and other dos and don’ts when it comes to dealing with an insolvent estate, including whether it’s a good idea to file a bankruptcy or consumer proposal post-mortem. Tune in for lots of helpful tips! Links: Does Debt Survive Death? https://www.hoyes.com/blog/does-debt-survive-death/ CPP Death Benefit: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-death-benefit.html CPP Survivor’s Pension: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-survivor-pension.html

You may be wondering if you can strike a debt repayment deal with your creditors without going to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and a formal insolvency filing. Well, it depends on how much you owe, who you owe, your assets, and lots of other factors. On today’s podcast, Doug Hoyes and Ted Michalos walk you through all the different scenarios in which you could deal with creditors by yourself, the risks to that, benefits, and they discuss when filing a consumer proposal or bankruptcy is the better option. Tune in! Related Links: Can I Negotiate a Debt Settlement on My Own: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/can-i-negotiate-a-debt-settlement-on-my-own/ Negotiating Consumer Proposals – What Your Creditors Expect: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/negotiating-consumer-proposals-what-your-creditors-are-expecting/ Bankruptcy Protection in Canada: An Automatic Stay of Proceedings: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/bankruptcy-protection-in-canada-an-automatic-stay-of-proceedings/

We’re facing massive inflation with more and more people turning to debt to make ends meet. Bankruptcies are still at record lows, but perhaps not for much longer. On today’s podcast, Doug Hoyes and Ted Michalos give us an update on what’s going on now and how the rising cost of living is impacting our wallets. They also explain why someone would ever need to file bankruptcy by providing some realistic scenarios that lead one to financial trouble. Doug and Ted also share their predictions for what’s to come and give lots of practical advice for how to manage debt in today’s economy. Tune in!   Links:   Hoyes Michalos Joe Debtor Bankruptcy Study  https://www.hoyes.com/press/joe-debtor/             Why and How Does Someone go Bankrupt? https://www.hoyes.com/blog/why-and-how-does-someone-go-bankrupt/ Statistics Canada. Table 36-10-0112-01 Current and capital accounts - Households, Canada, quarterly https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3610011201

Real estate prices are down in many parts of Ontario after record increases. Not surprising since the Bank of Canada has indicated it will raise rates again. But what has this done to mortgages? What’s happening when people renew? How has mortgage qualification changed? Enter Ron Butler, mortgage broker extraordinaire. On today’s podcast, Ron is back to give us an update on what he’s seeing on the ground with respect to mortgages. He also shares whether now is even a good time to buy. You won’t want to miss this discussion – lots of insight and great advice. Tune in! Links: Butler Mortgage website: https://www.butlermortgage.ca/ Ron Butler on Twitter: @ronmortgageguy https://twitter.com/ronmortgageguy Average Toronto house prices: https://wowa.ca/toronto-housing-market Butler Mortgage (mortgage rates): https://www.butlermortgage.ca/mortgage-calculator/ Podcast 293 Debt, HELOCs, and The New World of Mortgage Lending with Ron Butler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDSd6z5EJzA Podcast 334 Mortgages & Home Eq

A popular budgeting method called the 50-30-20 Rule dictates that you use 50% of your income on necessities like rent, 30% on wants, and 20% to savings and debt repayment. But is this even a realistic money management approach in 2022? With soaring cost of living, many people spend close to 70%-80% on necessities alone. So is this budgeting method a lie now? Enter Maureen Parent, LIT. On today’s podcast, Maureen and host Doug Hoyes discuss how this budget method can be adapted for today’s cost vs. income reality and offer practical tips for managing your money and building savings. Tune in for lots of great advice! Related Links: Top Tips to Help You Create Your First Budget: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/top-tips-to-help-you-create-your-first-budget/ Managing Money on a Variable Income: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/managing-money-on-a-variable-income/ The Secret to Budgeting: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/the-secret-to-budgeting/

Since the pandemic lockdowns, a large number of people became self-employed or started their own businesses. Why? Because of job loss or a desire for more flexibility. Makes perfect sense. But while there are many benefits to being your own boss – you get a lot of independence – is it always the right decision for you? What are the pitfalls and when is it just better to get a new job rather than start your own business? Tune in to today’s discussion with Doug Hoyes and Ted Michalos as they share the ups and downs of being self-employed (including the potential for debt problems), practical advice and personal experience to help guide your decision.   Related Links:   From Employee to Consultant Leads to Personal Debts https://www.hoyes.com/blog/from-employee-to-consultant-leads-to-personal-debts/ Self Employed: Financing Wisely to Avoid Debt Trouble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_lo_0JP46Q Bad Funding Choices for Small Business: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaklFv3eBvI Debt Traps of Buying a Business:

It’s episode 400 of the Debt Free in 30 podcast and Doug Hoyes shares his wisdom on how to protect yourself against job loss. If the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that no job is secure. So, what can you do to avoid getting financially burned if you’re out of work? If you’re unhappy with your job, should you switch? What’s the smartest way to go about making a change? On today’s podcast Doug discusses three basic work truths and lots of practical advice you should understand to help you navigate the employment world.   Links: Hoyes Michalos Bankruptcy Study: https://www.hoyes.com/press/joe-debtor/ Follow Doug Hoyes on Twitter: https://twitter.com/doughoyes