Laid off or let go? Your first 30 days matter. This is a practical, Canada-specific guide to unemployment, covering everything from applying for EI to discussing when upskilling or a pivot makes sense, as well as the risks of jumping into self-employment and how to handle debt while unemployed. If you're currently employed, treat this episode as a readiness checklist to ensure you feel prepared and confident about whatever comes next.

(00:00) Why the first 30 days of unemployment matter
(02:00) Day-one checklist: severance, benefits, documents
(05:30) EI basics: ROE, timing with severance, applying early
(08:30) Money triage: cut variable costs, protect cash flow
(12:30) Job search that works: résumé/LinkedIn refresh + networking
(17:00) If your field is shrinking: upskill or pivot?
(21:00) Self-employment/freelance: risks, cash needs, taxes
(24:30) Debt decisions: the best time to file bankruptcy or a consumer proposal

How To Check If You Qualify For Employment Insurance (EI Benefits)

Payday Loans Aren't Worth It: How To Break The Cycle

Should I Get a Loan To Pay Off My Credit Cards?

DIY Free Credit Repair Course

Sign Up for the Monthly Debt Free Digest

Hoyes Michalos YouTube Channel

Disclaimer:
The information provided in the Debt Free in 30 Podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not intended as personal financial advice. Individual financial situations vary and may require personal guidance from a financial professional. The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hoyes, Michalos & Associates, or any other affiliated organizations. We do not endorse or guarantee the effectiveness of any specific financial institutions, strategies, or digital tools/apps discussed.

When money is tight, everything feels urgent. Rent, groceries, a credit card bill, and that unexpected car repair. In this episode, we walk through a survival-mode framework for prioritizing essentials, organizing a bare-minimum budget, and avoiding common traps that lead to a deeper debt spiral. We discuss why "loud" debts aren't always the ones you should pay first, and when it makes sense to speak with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee about a consumer proposal. If the math "isn't mathing" this guide helps you focus on stability right now and a path to rebuild next.

00:00 – How to Make Smart Decisions in Survival Mode
03:30 – Inflation Pressure: Why Everything Feels Urgent
06:00 – What Comes First: Rent, Utilities, and Food
09:00 – Organizing Finances: Your Personal Priority Order
12:00 – Grocery Strategies That Stretch a Tight Budget
13:30 – Collections 101: Small Debts Are Loud, Big Debts Need a Plan
15:00 – Shame, Stress, and the Realities Canadians Face
19:00 – Don't Let the Loudest Creditor Set Your Budget
23:00 – Joe Debtor Study: What We Know & Why You Have Options
26:00 – Negotiating with Creditors & How Consumer Proposals Work
28:00 – Survival First, Debt Strategy Second: Keep Moving Forward

Hidden Costs on Food in Canada: The Food Professor on Debt Free in 30 Blows Up Our TikTok

Food Inflation Exposed: The Surprising Truth About Grocery Prices - The Food Professor on Debt Free in 30

Ways To Survive Without A Credit Card

Personal Budgeting Help and Free Spreadsheet

DIY Credit Repair Strategies and Free Course

Sign Up for the Monthly Debt Free Digest

Hoyes Michalos YouTube Channel


Disclaimer:
The information provided in the Debt Free in 30 Podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not intended as personal financial advice. Individual financial situations vary and may require personal guidance from a financial professional. The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hoyes, Michalos & Associates, or any other affiliated organizations. We do not endorse or guarantee the effectiveness of any specific financial institutions, strategies, or digital tools/apps discussed.

Ever feel like the best financial advice sounds... boring and hard to stick to? Doug Hoyes and guest Licensed Insolvency Trustee Maureen Parent discuss why the most effective money habits are often the least exciting. From the myth of quick fixes to the power of slow, steady progress, they explore how consistency, not complexity, builds lasting financial stability. You'll also hear practical, realistic ways to start building better habits today (even when life gets in the way).

(00:00) – Does money management have to be complicated? The myth of the quick fix
(05:00) – Everyday challenges to managing money
(11:00) – Discipline vs. intelligence: which matters more?
(15:30) – The "first three months suck" mindset
(17:00) – Why boring habits beat willpower
(19:00) – Needs vs. wants and being realistic
(21:30) – Starting with just one small habit
(28:30) – Avoiding a financial hangover

How To Find a Credible Financial Planner

Personal Budgeting Help and Free Spreadsheet

DIY Credit Repair Strategies and Free Course

Sign Up for the Monthly Debt Free Digest

Hoyes Michalos YouTube Channel


Disclaimer:
The information provided in the Debt Free in 30 Podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not intended as personal financial advice. Individual financial situations vary and may require personal guidance from a financial professional. The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hoyes, Michalos & Associates, or any other affiliated organizations. We do not endorse or guarantee the effectiveness of any specific financial institutions, strategies, or digital tools/apps discussed.