Happy Halloween!

On October 31, do you give out candy? Do you turn your lights off and pretend not to be home? Do you go to Halloween parties?

What "vampires" are out there sucking your wallet dry?

On this week's episode, Shawn & George take a funny look at those "vampires" that you should avoid, like

• Subscription Vampires
• Convenience Fee Vampires
• Tipping Vampires
• Lifestyle Vampires
• Tax Debt Vampires
• Buy Now, Pay Later Vampires
• Friend / Family Vampires
• Overdraft Vampires
• Store Credit / BOGO Vampires
• Interest Vampires
• And more ...

You can also listen to other Halloween-themed shows like

• Episode 438: Debt Graveyard
• Episode 211: Zombie Cars
• Episode 88: Zombie Debt

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: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at GCFinancialCoach21@gmail.com or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

How are you handling the rising cost of health care for your parents?

How can you talk to your mother & father about the rising costs of health care and senior living?

Should your parents age at home or in an assisted living facility?

This week, Shawn & George talk to Rachel Aguanno, owner of Home Care Assistance Tampa Bay. Rachel's company assists seniors to live at home. Rachel was a HUGE help to Shawn when his wife was in hospice at home at the end of 2023.

Specifically, we talk about:

• Care-giving as a side job;
• What a home care assistance company can or cannot do;
• Any tax breaks, insurance, government programs, or veteran benefits available to help pay for home health care;
• Hospice v. Home Health Care v Assisted Living;
• Expenses people don't think about; and
• other budget considerations.

Rachel can be reached at RAguanno@HomeCareAssistance.com or her website www.HomeCareAssistanceTampaBay.com.

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: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at GCFinancialCoach21@gmail.com or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

When does an entrepreneur make time?

How can an entrepreneur work 27 hours a day?

How hard (or easy) is work-life balance?

On this week's episode, Shawn & George interview Tiffanie Kellog who today (if you're listening on the day of release) releases her FOURTH self-published book, The Entrepreneur's Guide to More Free Time. Tiffanie is the Sock-it-to-'em Success Strategist! Since 2005, Tiffanie has been revolutionizing entrepreneurs' paths, unlocking greater wealth, freedom, and joy! As the creator of "eTiffanies" — epiphanies inspired by Tiffanie — she is known for her signature socks (over 400 pairs!), a charming southern accent, and her unique ability to inspire and empower others. Whether delivering dynamic keynote presentations, training locally and globally (often virtually), writing her next book, or leading her More Abundant Entrepreneurs community, Tiffanie loves helping people create the life they desire.

With a passion for blending fun and strategy, Tiffanie helps her clients focus on achieving their goals while loving the journey. Her secret to success? Loving what she does so much that no one can tell if she's working or playing!

Are you ready to sock it to your challenges, make more money, save time, and have fun?

This is Tiffanie's seventh appearance on the podcast:

• Episode 381 (Talking about the no spend challenge)
• Episode 332 (Making time to crush your debt)
• Episode 242 (More money through masterminds)
• Episode 146 (13 months a year)
• Episode 76 (Referrals for Life)
• Episode 48 (Knock your socks off Speaking)

Now Tiffanie is working on time management, or priority management, and how you can avoid BSO (Bright Shiney Objects) in your day. And rather than Work/Life balance, we focus on Harmony or being "Off Balance On Purpose."

You can get your copy of Tiffanie's new book or her previous three books at www.TiffanieKellog.com. And, Tiffanie is giving all of our listeners a free gift by going to this link: https://moreabundantentrepreneurs.com/moretime

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: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at GCFinancialCoach21@gmail.com or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com or visit www.YesnerLaw.com. And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

What is the real reason 90% of businesses fail?

What are some bookkeeping or CFO mistakes most business owners make that can tank your business?

On this week's episode of The Crushing Debt Podcast, George and Shawn talk to Emily Handren, owner and founder of Besty Bookkeepers (www.BestyBookkeepers.com).

For over two decades, Emily has helped individuals and businesses improve their financial situations through banking, investing, lending, and insurance guidance. She has owned both life/health and P&C agencies, and has plenty of real-world stories about helping people reduce costs and increase their net worth.

Emily recently wrote a book "The Real Reason 90% of Businesses Fail: 101 Bookkeeping and CFO Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make" that hit #1 in three categories: Small Business Bookkeeping, Entrepreneurship Management, and Business Planning & Forecasting. It focuses on practical money management strategies for businesses that could tie perfectly into debt reduction discussions. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out: https://a.co/d/2JDV3So

In this episode, we talk about:

• Fractional CFO
• Bookkeepers v. Accountants
• Tech stacking
• Financial Forecasting
• Some of the 101 Mistakes, like:
  • Exponential growth without a plan or foundation
  • Improperty business structure
  • knowing your expenses and your numbers
  • using an outdated accounting system
  • not paying yourself.

You can reach Emily at her website www.BestyBookkeepers.com or Emily@BestyBookkeepers.com. Make sure you take the "Need a Better Bookkeeper" quiz on her website!

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: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at GCFinancialCoach21@gmail.com or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com or visit www.YesnerLaw.com. And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

What is the test for discharging a student loan in bankruptcy?

Is it even possible?

Student loans are non-dischargeable, right?

WRONG !!

On this week's episode, Shawn is back solo again (we'll hear George back again for next week's episode) interviewing attorney Jeff Hakanson. Jeff has been an attorney for thirty (30) years! He granduating with his J.D. from South Texas College of Law and has practiced bankruptcy for his entire career.

On November 17, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a memorandum on student loan discharges. What normally fell under the Brunner case and a Totality of Circumstances argument has now been streamlined by the US DOJ to assist in discharging student loan debts under certain circumstances, some of which include:

• The borrower is over 65;
• The borrower has a disability;
• The borrower has been unemployed 5 of the last 10 years;
• The borrower has attempted repayment in good faith.

Typically these discharge cases are started with the filing of an Adversary Proceeding (with no fee if related to Student Loans) and then the debtor / borrower and attorney complete a "litigation package" with certain "attestations." If the DOJ agrees, then the student loans can be discharged, or maybe modified in some capacity.

The memorandum was designed to allow borrowers more clarity on discharging federally backed student loans (not private 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: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at GCFinancialCoach21@gmail.com or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

And please consider a donation to Pancreatic Cancer research and education by joining Shawn's team (reactivated for 2026) at MY Legacy Striders: http://support.pancan.org/goto/MyLegacy2026

Image someone, 54 years old with no savings and $90,000 in debt. How can that person admit to their kid that they cannot afford to pay for college?

That is the topic of this week's episode. Shawn & George talk about:

• Facing the reality of the situation
• Honesty with your kids
• Exploring all funding options
• Dealing with the situation
• Reworking income & expenses
• Making a future rebuilding plan
• Small wins
• and other stretegies

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: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at GCFinancialCoach21@gmail.com or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

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:

• ByMichelleCampbell.com
• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Twitter
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

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: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at GCFinancialCoach21@gmail.com or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.

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 GaryG@senior-lending.com, or visit his website at www.senior-lending.com.

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: https://www.patreon.com/crushingDebt

To contact George Curbelo, you can email him at GCFinancialCoach21@gmail.com or follow his Tiktok channel - https://www.tiktok.com/@curbelofinancialcoach

To contact Shawn Yesner, you can email him at Shawn@Yesnerlaw.com or visit www.YesnerLaw.com.