Crushing Debt Podcast
The Crushing Debt Podcast is for people who want to eliminate the financial bullies in their lives. It is for listeners who want more money at the end of the month, rather than more month at the end of the money. The podcast provides answers around such topics as real estate litigation, partition, quiet title, chapter 7 liquidation, chapter 13 reorganization, and Chapter 11 business bankruptcies, short sales, loan modifications, creditor harassment and other related topics.
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Building Financial Literacy for Vulnerable Communities - Episode 481
09/18/2025
Building Financial Literacy for Vulnerable Communities - Episode 481
What is the Big Beautiful Bill, and why is it such a pivotal moment for financially vulnerable communities? What are the biggest gaps you see between how legislation is written and how it actually plays out in people’s day-to-day lives? What are the five simple steps anyone can take today to protect themselves financially in light of this legislation? What role does mindset play in becoming financially literate, and how can we help people make that shift? In this week's episode, Shawn interviews Michelle Campbell, the author of Bluebird, a memoir that candidly explores themes of trauma, heartbreak, and the resilience found in life’s struggles. She is also the founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals through financial literacy and fostering economic stability. Michelle was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and began her educational journey in South Dakota before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, to continue her studies. During her academic pursuits, she launched a real estate investment firm, marking the beginning of her entrepreneurial path. Over the years, Michelle expanded her ventures into various industries, including horticulture, where she founded an interiorscape company, and logistics, where she established a commercial trucking business. Drawing on the insights and expertise gained across these diverse fields, she transitioned into a career in the financial services industry. You can connect with Michelle at: We missed George this week, but he'll be back next week! Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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No, You're Not Selling Grandma's House - Episode 480
09/11/2025
No, You're Not Selling Grandma's House - Episode 480
With a reverse mortgage, can you retain title to your home? Are reverse mortgages insured or guaranteed? Do reverse mortgagaes have a maturity date? This week's guest on the Crushing Debt Podcast is Gary Guarino, Vice President with Senior Lending, focusing on the HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage), better known as a reverse mortgage. Gary has been a VP of Senior Lending for the last 26 years and is a Home Equity Retirement Specialist. He is regarded as a leading expert on every aspect of the FHA-Insured HECM Credit Line as well as the proprietary Jumbo Reverse Credit Line. You can reach Gary at , or visit his website at . Shawn, George & Gary talk about Myths (and facts) surrounding reverse mortgages Title theory v. lien theory FHA Insured products Recourse v. Non-Recourse loans What is required to borrow under a reverse mortgage And other questions regarding HECM loans. Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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From Taxes To Treasure - Episode 479
09/04/2025
From Taxes To Treasure - Episode 479
What is the difference between a Tax Certificate and a Tax Deed? What is the investment opportunty in Tax Certificates and Tax Deeds? How do you get started? On this week's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk to Brian Seidensticker, managing partner and founder of Last Best Partners as well as the founder and CEO of Tax Sale Resources. With a strong background in systems engineering and an advanced understanding of the tax sale industry, Brian has been instrumental in transforming the way investors access tax lien and tax deed information. His expertise in design and programming enabled the development of a comprehensive online platform that not only delivers accurate tax sale data but also effectively tracks investor needs, setting a new standard in industry due diligence and efficiency. You can reach Brian at or . Or email him at . Shawn, George & Brian discuss: How to get started with investing in unpaid taxes. The opportunities in vacant land vs. houses. Superiority of liens. Tyler v. Hennepin case (and what it means for tax investors) Please also check out Brian's podcast - The Tax Sale Insiders Podcast, as well as his blog and other free resources! Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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From Allowance to Assets! - Episode 478
08/28/2025
From Allowance to Assets! - Episode 478
Do your kids have a paper route, or sell lemonade, or sell crafts they've made themselves? Did you? How can you help foster an entreprenurial mindset in your kids? How can your kids learn about the basics of business - planning, branding, marketing, sales, goals, operations, inventory, cash flow, profits & losses? On this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk to Kelly Gersonde, Co-Owner of Kids Market, designed to provide kids with the opportunity to develop real-world business skills by creating and selling their own products and services in a supportive marketplace environment. Being a business professional for over 15 years, Kelly has experience with marketing, business plans, sponsorships, and partnerships. Her experience will help grow Kids Market exposure and support so the kids can develop and focus on their businesses. Kelly has a degree in marketing from the University of Wisconsin and is a mom of a little boy and a fur baby. You can reach Kelly at , or checkout Kids Market directly at . Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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Are You Too Nice With Money? - Episode 477
08/21/2025
Are You Too Nice With Money? - Episode 477
Would you give money to friends and family members? Would you loan money to them? Are you "too nice" with your money? What happens when you're out to dinner with a group of friends and the bill comes, but most of them were drinking and you were not? Or you had the steak and one of your friends had chicken. Or you ordered dessert with your dinner and no one else did? How do you split the bill, or do you? What about tipping? On this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk about whether you are too nice with your money and how you can set boundaries around giving and lending. What are some tips and techniques to set reasonable boundaries around loaning or giving money? Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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Helping People Get Debt Free! - Episode 476
08/14/2025
Helping People Get Debt Free! - Episode 476
"Two bankruptcy attorneys go on a podcast to talk about debt!" Sounds like a set up to a bad joke. On this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk to bankruptcy attorney Barry Levine, a graduate of New England Law | Boston (formerly the New England School of Law). Mr. Levine has acted as outside counsel to a number of small businesses in a variety of endeavors along with individuals experiencing financial difficulties. He is experienced in corporate work, the drafting of legal agreements and real estate transactions. Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Levine has represented hundreds of individuals. He has successfully shepherded them through their difficult financial times and enjoyed getting them back on the road to financial well-being. Barry uses the law to stop creditor harassment and lessen your debt burden. We talk about: Unpacking financial fear Real debt management strategies Myths of debt management and Bankruptcy terms (reaffirmations, 341, etc). You can reach Barry at or . Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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The Psychology of Debt - Episode 475
08/07/2025
The Psychology of Debt - Episode 475
How do you talk to your kids about stress? How do you talk to your kids about debt? In today's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk to Iuri Melo, the co-founder of School Pulse, a company dedicated to helping students and parents tackle real challenges - financial, emotional and beyond. Building on last week's episode, we focus on: Stress prevention and proactive prevention Protective factors Positive and growth mindsets Stress growth and reduction Financial stress Iuri has been a licensed Therapist for over 20 years and is a published author of two books - Mind Over Grey Matter & Know They Selfie. He has won awards for his theraputic work with individuals. With School Pulse, Iuri's vision is to inspire youth and young adults e verywhere to live deeply and to such out all of the marrow of life. You can contact Iuri at . Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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Do Kids Have It Easier (Or Harder) Today Financially? - Episode 474
07/31/2025
Do Kids Have It Easier (Or Harder) Today Financially? - Episode 474
Are kids today financially soft? Or are they navigating a nightmare economy with style? In today's episode, in addition to yelling "Get Off My Lawn!" Shawn & George talk about who had it tougher - their generation, previous generations, or the younger generations. Boomers vs. Zoomers: Who Had It Tougher? Social Media Pressure and Lifestyle Creep Financial Education: Still Optional, Still a Problem Side Hustle Culture: Modern Solution or Masking a Broken System? Debt: Old Struggles, New Packaging Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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Happy Birthday George - Episode 473
07/24/2025
Happy Birthday George - Episode 473
Why did George become a financial coach? What is his "Why?" What lessons has George learned in his 48 years on Planet Earth? Revenge is sweet! Episode 351 was George interviewing Shawn about his birthday, what he's learned in his years, why he became an attorney and how he formed Yesner Law. Today's episode is Shawn's revenge on George's birthday (July 20, 1977). Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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Revenge Saving - Episode 472
07/17/2025
Revenge Saving - Episode 472
What is Revenge Saving? What is Revenge Spending? Why is any of this important and how do you use it to your advantage? In this week's episode Shawn & George define Revenge Saving - basically a mindset to save regardless of your personal financial condition. Instead of spending without regard to your budget (Revense Spending), you save without regard to your budget. How do you know if you're Revenge Saving? Take Your Money Temperature Use Reverse Budgeting Create Separate Accounts for Different Savings Goals or Anticipated Expenses Adjust Your Savings Rate. If you want more information, you can read these articles: Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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The Economy is Not Dying - Episode 471
07/10/2025
The Economy is Not Dying - Episode 471
Do you doomscroll? Do you watch the news? Are you excited or nervous about the economy? Despite sensational news headlines and social media panic, most households aren't experiencing a collapse, and many financial indicators remain strong. On this week's episode, Shawn & George talk about terrifying headlines, the actual economic indicators (not what social media wants you to believe), personal economic indicators, and how to doomscroll detox! Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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Bouncing Back. Steps to Overcome Trauma - Episode 470
07/03/2025
Bouncing Back. Steps to Overcome Trauma - Episode 470
Often people burdened with debt feel bullied, hopeless and that there's no way out. But what would you do if you were in a near fatal accident and had to re-learn how to walk, talk or eat? How do you deal with trauma in your life? At 14, Nick Prefontaine suffered a traumatic, life-threatening snowboarding accident and was put in a coma. His parents were told he wouldn't ever walk, talk, or eat on his own again. He did and set a personal goal of not walking, but running out of the hospital. Nick does a lot of speaking work to help those suffering from brain injuries. Today, Nick is a 7-figure business owner, Rhode Island-based real estate investor, speaker, and Partner of Smart Real Estate Coach. Shawn, George & Nick talk about the S.T.E.P. system - Support, Trust, Energy and Persistence. You can download Nick's S.T.E.P. system at and you can check out Nick's Real Estate Coaching website at . Plus, we talk about the costs of hospital bills and the need for medical insurance prior to a major catastrophic event, and how Nick paid off the debt he used to start his business within three years! Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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College Sharks - Episode 469
06/25/2025
College Sharks - Episode 469
When should parents help their high schoolers with College Applications? Should kids stay in state or out of state for college? Private or public schools? What are some of the top things that colleges look for in applicants? Is it better for your kid's application to be involved in extracurricular activities? Scouts? IB Programs? AP Programs? Honors Programs? Today's guest on the show is Lee Norwood, the founder of and . Lee Norwood is a nationally recognized leader in college consulting. College Sharks is a groundbreaking virtual membership program designed to help families navigate the college admissions process with ease. With over 50 years of collective team experience and visits to more than 500 colleges, Lee’s mission is simple: to lower family stress, save time and money, and find the perfect college fit for students academically, socially, and financially. As a peer mentor on the CounselMore Executive Board, Lee contributes to shaping the future of college counseling software while mentoring professionals in the field. Her expertise has been featured in prestigious publications and podcasts, solidifying her reputation as an industry innovator. Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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Financial Consciousness - Episode 468
06/19/2025
Financial Consciousness - Episode 468
Are you ready for retirement? Do you know what you need or need to do, so that you can retire? When my late wife would ask me when I wanted to retire, my answer was normally "yesterday." But are we ready for retirement? Can being a podcast host only support me in retirement? Today's podcast guest is Michael A. Scarpati, co-founder and CEO of who shares a vision in financial empowerment. His platform caters to over 35,000 soon-to-be retirees, providing guidance to help them plan for retirement while also supporting their families. With over 15 years in the financial services industry, Michael aligns perfectly with your podcast's mission of eliminating financial bullies, offering unique insights on achieving financial flexibility across generations. Shawn, George and Michael talk about financial consciousness, the mindset of debt, paying off debt, and retirement. We talk about the four Levels of a healthy mindset: (1) Mindfulness, (2) Basic Planning, (3) Tax Mastery & (4) Wealth Mastery. We also talk about removing red flags, goal planning and cash flow planning during retirement. 'More information can be found on Michael's website, or you can follow him on Instagram and LinkedIn. Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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How To Build and Protect Generational Wealth - Episode 467
06/12/2025
How To Build and Protect Generational Wealth - Episode 467
Have you ever had a bus fall on your house? What is the difference between Passive and Active Income? How do you make money for tomorrow? For the next generation? On this week's show, Shawn & George talk to Whitney Elkins-Hutten, the founder of Ash Wealth Consulting and Director of Investor Education at PassiveInvesting.com. She hosts the Passive Investing Made Simple podcast and is a partner in $800M+ of real estate assets—including 6,500+ residential units, 2,200+ self-storage units, and more than $5M in fix-and-flipped properties. After hitting a home run with her first rental property and nearly losing it all on her second deal, Whitney turned to wealth-creation strategies to build sturdy financial freedom for herself and her family. Whitney is now on a mission to help families implement sound financial principles to create passive income and long-term wealth for generations to come. Whitney currently lives in Boulder, Colorado, and she enjoys trail running, traveling, photography, craft beers, and playing board games with family and friends. In this episode, we talk about her "home run," and her near loss, as well as mindset (turn "I can't" into "How Can I," and how to build wealth for tomorrow. You can reach Whitney at: Get her book, Money for Tomorrow at: Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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The Discontinued Penny! - Episode 466
06/05/2025
The Discontinued Penny! - Episode 466
Have any spare change? Do you still use cash and coins? The US Treasury Department and US Mint announced that it will stop making pennies after it runs out of the blank templates used to make the coins, saving the government $56 million a year in materials costs. There is no indication that pennies will be taken out of circulation, only that new pennies will not be produced. This move should have no impact on electronic purchases - ACH, Wire, Debit, Credit, etc. A few news articles on the subject: This issue is not unique to the United States. Canada, Australia and New Zealand stopped producing their penny-equivalents years ago. The cost to produce $0.01 is now approximately $0.0369 per penny, causing a loss to the US Mint of approximately $85.3 million. And our other coins are similarly expensive to produce: $0.05 nickel costs $0.1378 per coin $0.10 dime costs $0.0576 per coin $0.25 quarter costs $0.1468 per coin It may be time to start using all those pennies we're currently saving in jars and piggybanks. What do you think? How will stopping the production of the penny impact you? Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit .
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We Watched Tik Toks About Getting Out of Debt - Episode 465
05/29/2025
We Watched Tik Toks About Getting Out of Debt - Episode 465
Everything on the Internet is true, right? What can Tik Tok (and social media) teach us about getting out of debt? How much of the advice is legitimate and how much is, shall we say, a bit "out there"? On this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podccast, Shawn & George watch (or listen to) Tik Tok videos from influencers who are trying to help people get out of debt. We'll then comment on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the advice given. As with any social media platform, you have to do your own due diligence and utilize strategies that will work for you. You can listen to similar former episodes of the show like Episode 413 - Tik Tok Money Hacks Episode 388 - Money Lessons from Tik Tok (our Girl Math Episode) The Tik Toks on this weeks episode cover topics such as: What is a normal amount of savings? Bankruptcy Frugal Hacks How to turn $60 into $1,000 Girl Math Why NOT to save money Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders (the link will be live until June 2025):
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How to Haggle Without Looking Like a Jerk - Episode 464
05/22/2025
How to Haggle Without Looking Like a Jerk - Episode 464
Why are garage sales the perfect sales and negotiation training ground? What is the golden rule of negotiating? What are some negotiation tactics that work, and some that don't? Each year, in October and May, Shawn's neighborhood hosts a community-wide garage sale. Shawn has tested and practiced different sales techniques at these bi-annual events in a low-risk, low-pressure environment! Please go back and listen to these previous garage sale episodes, which have covered lessons such as: 68 - negotiations 86 - preparation 118 - patience 168 - preparation 241 - approach 270 - target market 373 - delegate 393 - sales presentation In this week's episode, Shawn & George talk about the benefits of practicing negotiation skills at a garage sale, some negotiation tactics that have worked for them and some that have not worked for them, and getting the younger generations involved early in selling and negotiation (lessons taught to Shawn's kids). Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: This link will be live until June 1, 2025, and then we start on the 2026 team and fundraiser.
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Soft Savings. Rethinking Retirement - Episode 463
05/22/2025
Soft Savings. Rethinking Retirement - Episode 463
What is Soft Savings? Why would you want to embrace it? What are some tips to balance soft savings and hard savings? What are some red flags to avoid with Soft Savings? In this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk about Soft Savings, basically savings practices that may not be measurable or something that can be quantified. It involves spending for experiences, rather than saving for later. Soft savings is really just a mindset around what and how to save. Let us know if you practice soft savings, hard savings, or some combination. And please this episode with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: This link will be live until June 1, 2025, and then we start on the 2026 team and fundraiser.
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Do I Have To Pay Back My Student Loans? - Episode 462
05/08/2025
Do I Have To Pay Back My Student Loans? - Episode 462
Have you been paying your Student Loans? Have you been waiting on forgiveness of your Student Loans? Recently, the Department of Education has begun collection efforts for Student Loan borrowers behind on their payments, who have not repaid their debts or entered into some type of workout plan regarding their Student Loan debts. The government estimates that there are 6.4 million Student Loan borrowers between the ages of 50 - 60, that owe a combined $282 Billion - or $46,000 per borrower. For some history or background, Student Loan payments paused during the COVID pandemic. But in October 2023, Student Loan payments resumed (subject to any workout plan negotiated with the Department of Education). Now, the government is seeking collection against any defaulted Student Loans, and they have as tools, the authority, under certain circumstances, to: (1) garnish wages, (2) intercept and retain tax refunds, and (3) intercept and retain social security payments. Unfortunately, Student Loans are still largely non-dischargeable under Bankruptcy Law, although there have been some in-roads. So how can you manage? There are still options available, including: Income-Driven Repayment. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Modification You can also plan ahead for the costs of Education, by researching the different borrowing programs, Grants, 529 (and similar) plans. Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And although the 2025 Purple Stride Walk is over, please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's 2025 Team at MY Legacy Striders: The link will be available until June 30.
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I Need A Notary - Episode 461
05/01/2025
I Need A Notary - Episode 461
What documents need to be notarized? What can a notary do or sign, or not? How or when can notarized documents help you to get or remain debt free? On today's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George interview our friend, Amanda Loeffler, owner of I Need a Notary, a remote online notarization company. That means Amanda can notarize documents anywhere and you do not need to be sitting with her physically to get something notarized (but you do need to prove your identity prior to signing). Amanda Loeffler is a wife to LCDR Jake Loeffler, USNR. (Go Navy!). Jake and Amanda have 5 awesome kids together. Amanda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Organizational Leadership and Entrepreneurship from St. Petersburg College. You can find Amanda and her team at . Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) Purple Stride Walk 2025 is now over, but you can still support research and education surrounding this disease, by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: For 2025, we raised over $6,000 as a team, becoming the #7 largest fundraising team in Tampa Bay. Thank you to everyone that participated, walked, or just sent positive thoughts. The link will be active until June 1, 2025. After that, we'll start raising money for the 2026 Purple Stride Walk.
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Why Your Groceries Still Cost So Much! - Episode 460
04/24/2025
Why Your Groceries Still Cost So Much! - Episode 460
Why are grocery prices so high? Is it because of tariffs? Is it because of supply chain costs, or the Bird Flu? And how can you continue to budget while the cost of most products continue to increase? On today's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George discuss these issues, including some strategies to deal with the rising cost of goods, including Budgeting Using Cash Envelopes (or a similar system) Buying off-brand products Using coupons or loyalty discounts Buying in bulk Eating everything you buy (no waste) Creating a meal plan Using a meal delivery service Making a list and sticking to it and More! Let us know what budget-conscious tools you use. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: The Purple Stride Walk is THIS SATURDAY, April 26, 2025.
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Spring Clean Your Debt - Episode 459
04/17/2025
Spring Clean Your Debt - Episode 459
Spring is when many people spring clean their home. But how many of us Spring Clean our finances? How many of us declutter our debt? April is also Financial Literacy Month, and for most of the Country April is the month when income tax returns are due. Did you file on time, or did you file for an extension? On this week's episode, Shawn & George talk about how to spring clean your debt, which is very similar to spring cleaning your home: (1) declutter - what expenses can you reduce or eliminate, (2) pick your cleaning tools - how do you want to eliminate debt, through consolidation, avalanche, snowball, or something else, and (3) stay organized - it's easier to remain debt free if you remain organized. Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders:
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Childfree Wealth - Episode 458
04/10/2025
Childfree Wealth - Episode 458
How does your financial life change when you are childfree? What is the difference between FIRE and FILE? How does your investing change when you are childfree? How does childfree impact your estate planning and long-term financial goals change? How often have you asked a newlywed couple, "so when are you having kids?" How often have you asked a couple married long-term, "any plans for kids soon?" There is a growing number of married couples who are childfree, sometimes for medical reasons, and sometimes by voluntary choice. How can people with kids be supportive of their friends who have chosen (voluntarily or involuntarily) to live a childfree life. On this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn and George interview Jay Zigmont, PhD, MFA, CFP. Dr. Jay and his wife are childfree, and it has profoundly shaped how they approach their finances. When Dr. Jay searched for financial advice, he realized that most of it assumes you have kids, which didn’t align with their goals. That’s why he founded Childfree Wealth®—to offer financial planning tailored specifically to the unique needs of the childfree community. You can reach Dr. Jay at his website, , and check out his book, The Childfree Guide to Life & Money, available on the website and wherever your favorite books are sold. Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education. The Purple Stride walk is just a few weeks away, on April 26, 2025! You can join Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: .
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What Is The Cost of Taking Care of Your Parents? - Episode 457
03/27/2025
What Is The Cost of Taking Care of Your Parents? - Episode 457
They took care of us, but what do we do when it's time to take care of them? Can you help care for your aging parents or grandparents, while also taking care of your kids? Do you find yourself a part of the "sandwich generation?" In this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George discuss the hidden costs and other pitfalls of helping the older generation, while still potentially taking care of a younger generation, and all while maintaining your sanity! We discuss topics like: Rising Medical Bills; Preventing Fraud and other Scams; Assisting with Financing and Budgeting; Whether you should be on your parents' bank accounts; Whether you should be on the title to your parents' home; How to responsibly spend savings or retirement; and What to do when siblings are involved. Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders:
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Uncle Sam Wants You! ... to Pay Up - Episode 456
03/20/2025
Uncle Sam Wants You! ... to Pay Up - Episode 456
Did you get your 2024 Company Return filed on time in March, or at least get that extension filed? Did you already file your 2024 Personal Return, or are you waiting until the April deadline? What happens when you owe the IRS? This week's guest is Stephen Weisberg, who has over 10 years of experience representing individuals, businesses, and their owners with tax debt issues, audits, and other problems with the IRS and state taxes. Stephen is the lead attorney and founder of The W Tax Group. He works directly with clients and lead a team of attorneys, accountants, and administrative staff to help those with tax debt and other issues with the IRS or the state obtain the best possible outcomes. Shawn & Stephen talk about how tax obligations are created by: Improper Assessments Audits Unpaid taxes at the Federal and State levels Unpaid payroll taxes and the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty Unfiled Returns Plus we talk about some strategies for relieving the taxpayer from some of that debt, including negotiations with the IRS and Bankruptcy! You can reach Stephen through his website, . Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders:
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Swipe Right on Budgeting ... Dating while Ditching Debt - Episode 455
03/13/2025
Swipe Right on Budgeting ... Dating while Ditching Debt - Episode 455
Are you single and looking to date? How do you manage your budget and expenses while trying to put yourself out there to find a new friend, a new relationship, a new romance? On this week's epsidoe, Shawn & George talk about your budget and dating (whether single or dates with your spouse). Some do's and dont's: DO budget DON'T fake what you cannot afford DO be upfront about your money, your budget and your money goals DON'T loan someone money (regardless of how much you love them) DO take "budget friendly" dates DON'T ignore their red flags when it comes to money Remember, not only does dating require the cost of the date itself, but there are other expenses - like the cost of the dating apps, if you choose that route. There's also the question of when you bring up money - the first date? second? first month? first year? Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders:
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Overcoming Financial Setbacks - Episode 454
03/06/2025
Overcoming Financial Setbacks - Episode 454
How does a single mom, with a minor child, recover from overwhelming debt? Does more income, and multiple businesses solve financial problems? On this week's episode of the Crushing Debt Podcast, Shawn & George talk to Shannon Miller-Lutz, the founder of SML Coaching, who empowers individuals to shift their mindset, overcome obstacles, and take bold action toward success. Known for her natural ability to coach, mentor, and be the “big sister” everyone needs, she combines real-world experience with deep personal development insights. Shannon found herself contemplating the legacy she wanted to leave behind. After building a successful, award-winning real estate business, she experienced burnout and felt a deep yearning for something more meaningful. But her journey wasn’t always smooth—Shannon has started multiple businesses, faced deep financial struggles, and even filed for bankruptcy. Listen to her story of struggle, sacrifice, and ultimately redemption, from a financial, emotional, health and spiritual perspective. You can reach Shannon at . Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders:
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Is Your Credit Card a Toxic Ex? - Episode 453
02/27/2025
Is Your Credit Card a Toxic Ex? - Episode 453
Have you ever had a relationship that started out amazing, made you feel like you had everything you ever wanted, until one day you realized it was ruining your life? No, we're not talking about your ex, we're talking about your credit card! Let's talk about the warning signs of a toxic financial relationship and how to finally break up with debt for good! At first, you go through the honeymoon phase, until the bills start to show up and suddenly the APR is 25%! What red flags do you see with your credit cards? Minimum payments that never make a dent? How do you break up with your credit cards? How do you move on and stay strong? Let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsor, Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders:
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To Sell or Not to Sell - Episode 452
02/20/2025
To Sell or Not to Sell - Episode 452
What happens if you are in a situation where you need to sell your house? You're in foreclosure? Or you've filed a bankruptcy? How can you avoid predators and scams if you're in a situation where you're forced to sell your home, or if you're in financial distress? This week's guest on the Crushing Debt Podcast is Sandra Cantu, who brings over 25 years of real estate expertise and a deeply personal understanding of homeowner challenges. Her journey from facing foreclosure as a single mom to becoming a trusted cash home buyer across New York, Arizona, and Florida has fueled my passion for helping homeowners in distress. You can reach Sandy at or . Please let us know if you enjoy this episode and, if so, please share it with your friends! Please also visit our sponsors: Magic Mind - . Being sick is terrible, but Shawn has been using Magic Mind to focus when the sinus medicine causes some cloudiness! Sam Cohen of Attorneys First Insurance for Attorneys and Title Companies looking to get a quote on Errors & Ommissions (malpractice) Insurance coverage. . Or, you can support the show by visiting our Patreon page: To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at or follow his Tiktok channel - Also check out George's webinar on Money Mindset, on Tuesday, February 25th at 6 PM EST: From Overdrawn to Abundance: To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at or visit . And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders:
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