Debt Free In 30

Jonathan Chevreau’s byline has appeared on the National Post for over 20 years writing about personal finance topics.  As he says in today’s interview: “To me, debt is something to be dispensed with as soon as possible.”   It's impossible to be financially independent if you are carrying debt.  Eliminating debt is the first step.  How do you do that?  Mr. Chevreau explains his concept of guerrilla frugality to live as frugally as possible, so that you can pay down debt, and then start saving money.

Heather Cudmore is a credit counsellor with Mosaic Counselling and Family Services, a program of Carizon Family and Community Services in Kitchener, Ontario, and on today's show we discuss credit counselling. Who does a credit counsellor work for?  Is it true that they are just a collection agency for the big banks?  What does it cost?  What are the fees? Isn't a debt settlement better and cheaper?  What about other options?   Answers to those questions and a lot more on today's show, and in the bonus segment Heather shares lots of practical advice for getting the best deal on a loan, and much more.

Today's guest is one of the most well-known personal finance experts in Canada, Gail Vaz-Oxlade. Gail was the host of three popular television shows: Till Debt Do Us Part Princess Money Moron She is also a very prolific writer, having written for many publications, and she is also the author of 12 books.  Her latest book is Money Rules, and it does a great job of debunking some of the rules about money we follow that we should never have followed in the first place.    Gail explains why she no longer has any desire to appear on reality TV, and what she thinks we need to do to improve our money management skills.

The fastest growing age group of people who declare bankruptcy are seniors.  How is that possible?  Isn't it true that seniors are the richest generation, benefiting from high real estate values and company pensions? While some seniors are financially secure, a large group of seniors face serious financial challenges. In today's podcast, Dr. Lee Anne Davies, co-author of When Life Bites You in the Wallet, discusses the financial challenges faced by seniors, and gives practical advice for over-coming Bag Lady Fears.

Host Doug Hoyes talks to Ted Michalos about the new Debt Free in 30 radio show and podcast.  In this first episode they discuss their plan for the show in the first segment. In the second segment Ted explains his biggest "pet peeve": payday loans. In the bonus podcast-only segment Doug and Ted give practical advice on what to do when you have a short term cash flow crunch and you are tempted to use payday loans.