Debt Relief Experts
Top Tips to Help You Create Your First Budget
A budget can be the key to long-term financial success. We show you the steps to creating a realistic first budget which includes your future money goals.
Money Management
7 Reasons Why Budgets Fail and How You Can Succeed
It’s common for people to have a tough time implementing and sticking to a budget. In this blog, we share some of the most prevalent budget “fails” and helpful tips to help you achieve your budget goals.
Needs vs Wants: Create a Budget That Balances Both
The key to creating a sustainable budget is balance and flexibility. In this blog, learn about what defines a need and a want, and how to use the 50-30-20 rule to create a budget that will work for you.
Emergency Fund or Credit Card Debt? What’s the Better Choice?
Many Canadians rely on credit cards for emergency funds. Is this a good idea? Doug Hoyes explores whether credit cards are OK to use in an emergency and whether to pay off credit card debt or create a rainy day fund.
Managing Money on a Variable Income
Managing money when your cash flow changes each month can be a challenge. Read along, as Doug chats with our podcast guest about tips on how to budget with intermittent income.
Want to Beat the Bank? Understand the Basics
Learning how to outsmart a financial institution may be very beneficial to you and your savings in the long run. Read along as Larry Bates shares his top tips on how to make these smart decisions.
Buying and Maintaining an Affordable Car
Owning and operating a car can be a financial drain on your budget often leading to extra debt. We talk with Scott Marshall, car expert, about 8 ways to make car ownership affordable and how to save on vehicle expenses.
Christmas Etiquette When You’re Dealing With Debt
Are you feeling the stress of having to buy gifts during Christmas, while dealing with debt payments? Here is our guide on the etiquette of leaving tips, re-gifting and donating when you are in debt.
Protecting Yourself Financially from Unexpected Life Events
Do you have a financial plan in case any unexpected life events occur? Doug Hoyes discusses your financial risk, how to reduce potential financial trauma and how you can eliminate any financial weaknesses.
Retraining for a Second Career while Dealing with Debt
If you are out of work or laid-off and need to upgrade your skills to improve your employment potential, how can you do this without incurring more debt? The Ontario government has a Second Career... Read more »
What is a Robo-Planner? Automated Financial Planning
The use of computer technology to manage money continues to explode across the financial services industry. Enter the robo-planner. The question is can an online computer platform help answer common financial questions like should you... Read more »
Should You Have a Joint Bank Account?
A joint bank account is an account that allows two or more parties to each deposit, withdraw and manage funds in the account. Whether or not it’s a good idea to get a joint account with... Read more »
Investment Selling is Not Financial Planning
Current regulations allow financial advisors to sell products like mutual funds and give the appearance that they are giving you financial advice that fits your situation. The problem is embedded advisors, like those at your... Read more »
The 80/20 Rule of Money Management
Money management is hard. That’s why so many people don’t do it. Over the years at many credit counselling sessions with clients I’ve explained budgeting, and spreadsheets, and budgeting apps, and lots of other techniques... Read more »
Why You Need an Emergency Fund
What is an emergency fund? An emergency fund is money that is available to meet unexpected expenses. You may be managing your current budget, but life tends to throw curveballs. Emergencies like a job loss... Read more »