#16 — Kelley Keehn: Breaking Free from Debt, the Psychology of Overspending and How to Avoid Financial Fraud

Our guest this week is Kelley Keehn—best-selling author, personal finance expert and media personality who is on a mission to help Canadians build healthier relationships with money.

In this episode, Dave sits down with Kelley to unpack some of the most pressing financial challenges people face today. From the emotional weight of debt to the psychological traps that make it so easy to overspend, Kelley brings both empathy and expertise to the table. They dive into why debt happens in the first place, practical strategies to get out of it and how to avoid the subtle (and not-so-subtle) pressures that push people to spend more than they should. Kelley also shares crucial tips on how to spot and prevent financial fraud in a world where scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Whether you’re struggling with debt, trying to get a better handle on your spending or simply want to protect yourself from financial fraud, this episode is full of valuable insights.

Show Notes

(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer

(00:55) Intro to Kelley Keehn

(03:57) The Crushing Weight of Debt 

(06:10) Strategies to Get Out of Debt

(08:31) Snowball vs. Avalanche Method

(10:41) Why Do People Get Into Debt?

(12:01) It’s So Easy to Spend Today

(14:23) Everybody Wants You to Spend

(17:24) Spending Summaries

(20:32) How Taking a Timeout Can Help You to Spend Purposely

(21:59) Credit Scores

(25:48) Pay Yourself First, But Revisit the Amount

(27:39) Are FHSAs Always Best?

(29:05) Don’t Chase Discounts on Things You Don’t Need

(32:39) Buying Used Can Come With Opportunity Costs

(34:17) How to Prevent Financial Fraud

(43:45) What’s The Worst Investment Kelley Has Ever Made?

(44:17) What’s The Smartest Investment Kelley Has Ever Made?

(45:39) Conclusion