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Quick Review: The Til Debt Do Us Part Life Planner

January 7th, 2009 ·

[Front Cover of Til Debt Do Us Part Life Planner]

Unfortunately, the personal finances of many Canadians are a mess. Gail Vaz-Oxlade, the popular host of Til Debt Do Us Part, features financial basket-cases in her TV show and teaches them the basics of money management. To bring her message of financial prudence to a wider audience, Gail is out with a Life Planner, a sort-of money management calendar for 2009. The Planner has a built-in monthly budget binder for tracking variable expenses, weekly financial tips and sprinkled with many Gail-isms, such as: “If you don’t know how much you’re spending, you’re like a blind man on a galloping horse heading towards a precipice”. Someone who follows Gail’s plan is likely to be very pleased with the state of their finances at the end of this year. The Til Debt Do Us Part Life Planner is available for $29.99 plus shipping and handling from the Frantic Films website.

Giveaway: I received a review copy of the Life Planner and think that it would be more useful to someone who is just starting to get a handle on their finances. To win a gently-browsed copy of the Life Planner, just leave a comment to this post ( don’t forget your e-mail address) before 8 PM EST on Friday, January 9, 2009.

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101 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Jamie // Jan 7, 2009 at 9:48 am

    Sign me up!

  • 2 Jo // Jan 7, 2009 at 9:49 am

    Gail is one awesome lady. Thanks for the review..

  • 3 Nikole // Jan 7, 2009 at 10:37 am

    With a new business, grad school, and being a newlywed I’ll take all the help I can get :)

  • 4 CJ Harper // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:09 am

    Always enjoyed her show so I would love to get a copy to read.

  • 5 Crystal // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:17 am

    I’d love to enter…I enjoy her no-nonsense attitude. Thanks!

  • 6 Aolis // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:25 am

    The show is great. She has a way of making budgeting easy to understand.

    (Don’t need the planner, thanks)

  • 7 Adam // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:37 am

    Just what my future wife and I need to get started.

  • 8 Snow Man // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:45 am

    I often watch the show. Looks like Gail is “diversifying”!

    Count me in for the prize.

  • 9 Jane // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:49 am

    one of my new year resolution is to be debt free(credit card mainly) and start saving for my kids’ RESP. After reading your blogs about “e-funds RESP” from TD, I would love to have the account set-up ASAP. I’m very frustrated with bills after bills every month and not able to save a single penny at the end of the year.
    Thanks!!

  • 10 Michael // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:56 am

    Just started watching this show. The planner looks interesting!

  • 11 Chris // Jan 7, 2009 at 12:03 pm

    Count me in!

  • 12 Sampson // Jan 7, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    I never win these things…. maybe this time I’ll be lucky!

  • 13 Valerie // Jan 7, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    I’d love a copy…not for me, but for a family member who could really use it.

  • 14 RhysM // Jan 7, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    I’m in :)

  • 15 Monica // Jan 7, 2009 at 12:53 pm

    I love gently-browsed copies of most anything..The Economist, TV Guide, Elle…

  • 16 KC // Jan 7, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    Thanks for the give-away!

  • 17 Martin // Jan 7, 2009 at 1:19 pm

    please add me to the give-away

  • 18 JP // Jan 7, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    Ooo, this would be a great prize for my fiance and I to start 2009 with. I have finally added your blog to my reader.
    Thanks!

  • 19 TM // Jan 7, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    I need this:)

  • 20 Bonnie // Jan 7, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    I am trying to Usher In a New Era of Fiscal Responsibility, and need all the help I can get. Thanks!

  • 21 Geneveieve // Jan 7, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    I need this!

  • 22 Rich // Jan 7, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    My girlfriend and I love this show and we’d love to have the planner too.

  • 23 Philip s // Jan 7, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    Hey CC,

    I don’t need a copy of this book but I know someone who would benefit greatly from this. Can you please enter me in the draw so I can give him a nice post-Christmas present.

    Also, great to see you back. Hope you enjoyed your well-deserved break.

    Phil

  • 24 Maxime // Jan 7, 2009 at 2:14 pm

    Hey, i too like the show and would much like to check this guide up.

  • 25 Mintycake // Jan 7, 2009 at 2:15 pm

    My finances are in good shape (market withstanding) but my sister’s are a mess and she would benefit from something like this. fingers crossed!

  • 26 EconStudent // Jan 7, 2009 at 2:34 pm

    I don’t know if I should consider getting the CFP on top of a CFA.

  • 27 Jose // Jan 7, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    Love the show and will, for sure, love the book.

  • 28 Tesfay // Jan 7, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    Hi,

    I don’t have a very good handle in my finance and i want to manage it. My goal this year is to get out of debt and start investing.

    I have opened an RESP account with TD, and thanks to you that I know how to convert it to e-series account and start investing.

    Tesfay

  • 29 Eric // Jan 7, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    hey hey

  • 30 How to Live in Canada // Jan 7, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    Hi Ram, count me in. Other than the give away, what are your impressions about her book? If possible, I’d like to hear more from you. What about Findependence day? In your opinion, which one should we read first, or it really doesn’t matter?

    Thanks again!

  • 31 Kate // Jan 7, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    I love her show, and would love her book!!

  • 32 Matt Simms // Jan 7, 2009 at 4:48 pm

    Right on.

  • 33 Stacey // Jan 7, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    I love her show so I would love to get a copy to read.

  • 34 Sean Phillips // Jan 7, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    I would love to have a copy of the book.

  • 35 Wannabeinvestor // Jan 7, 2009 at 6:51 pm

    To be quite honest, my mother would love this book.

  • 36 Derek // Jan 7, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    I would love a copy of this book as well.

    But what did you think of it?

  • 37 Chad // Jan 7, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    Would love a copy

  • 38 doots // Jan 7, 2009 at 8:28 pm

    i need help. please enter my name

  • 39 TJ // Jan 7, 2009 at 8:44 pm

    It’s a great show & I’d love a copy!

  • 40 Cash Canuck // Jan 7, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    I’m in too. By the way, congrats on another mention in the Globe and Mail (back page of the Report on Business today, if you didn’t see it)

  • 41 BF // Jan 7, 2009 at 9:20 pm

    Thanks for sharing

  • 42 Natalie Bourdeau-Legris // Jan 7, 2009 at 10:23 pm

    I woud love a copy of this book, so I could give it to my little sister! I think her little family could use all the advise Gail has to offer in this book, I watch Gail’s show frequently and absolutely love it! Pick me! :-)

  • 43 Vaggo // Jan 7, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    That Gail’s a crazy lady! Sign me up….

  • 44 JER // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:15 pm

    we’re diehard fans of Gail V-O on TV and her advice (cash jars) helped us to pay for our wedding and is now helping us with our newborn baby girl..! Every little bit helps - thanks a bunch Gail..! (on behalf of “us three” and the multitude of viewers who benefit from the fantastic on-air advice0

  • 45 deb // Jan 8, 2009 at 6:38 am

    Me too please!

  • 46 Bhupathy Kandasamy // Jan 8, 2009 at 7:40 am

    I would love a copy too.

  • 47 BETTY DOWNES // Jan 8, 2009 at 8:48 am

    I ENJOY YOUR BLOG.

  • 48 Kate // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:27 am

    Have read her blog in the past, but have never managed to catch her show. Thanks for the heads up on the book. Please count me in for the draw!

  • 49 Andrew // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:48 am

    I would like a copy of the book for our home. Good blog, lots of great ideas.

  • 50 Debra // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:50 am

    Love the show, please draw my name for the book!

  • 51 Paul // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:55 am

    Count me in.

  • 52 Abe // Jan 8, 2009 at 11:10 am

    But is it a good book?
    Can’t be sure till …. i get a copy ;-)
    Count me in.

  • 53 donna krastins // Jan 8, 2009 at 11:22 am

    dear gail, im in DEEP debt, would love a copy to try and get out of debt thank you
    donna krastins

  • 54 Jeff // Jan 8, 2009 at 11:38 am

    Pick me! Pick me!

  • 55 Sean // Jan 8, 2009 at 11:46 am

    Thanks for another great giveaway!

  • 56 moneyguru // Jan 8, 2009 at 11:55 am

    count me in . . . luv gail

  • 57 Ron // Jan 8, 2009 at 11:56 am

    Money management should be a compulsory subject for all young students as they leave high school.

    Will pass this on to my daughter should I win.

  • 58 gene // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    Well, I’m not struggling with debt or anything, but I wanted to comment that shows/articles like Gail’s generally focus on people with large incomes and high discretionary spending.

    I worry more about those with small incomes and not enough to meet basic expenses. Not as easy to help those people, though!

  • 59 Vanessa // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    Oh - I love Gail’s show and site… it’s how I found out about yours… sign me up please :) Would love and really could use a planner :)

  • 60 Dorothy // Jan 8, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    I don’t usually win this but let me make it the 60th comment.. and the new year resolution is to manage money better so that I can stay at home longer with my two young kids.

  • 61 Tara // Jan 8, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    Love her show and would love a copy of her book.

  • 62 Lishan // Jan 8, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    I am a big fan of The Til Debt Do Us Part show! Even though I am quite good at saving myself, I always learn some tips from each episode.

    Please let me know if I can get a copy of her Lift Planner as well. Can’t wait. Thanks.

  • 63 kat // Jan 8, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    I sometimes wish I could force my best friend onto Gail’s show. She has $15,000 riding on her line of credit at 12%. She has $40,000 in rrsps earning minimal interest. I can’t tell her that she’d be making more money on her nest egg if she put it against her debt.

    I promise I would give the book to her.

  • 64 Christine Brown // Jan 8, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    Boy do I need this!

  • 65 Jinny // Jan 8, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    Count me in! I’m graduating this year, I could sure use all the help I can get!

  • 66 JoshB // Jan 8, 2009 at 5:33 pm

    Just what my soon to be retired parents need!

  • 67 Krys // Jan 8, 2009 at 5:34 pm

    Count me in! I would love to have a tool like that to help with my finances. Thanks!

  • 68 Remus // Jan 8, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    Count me in as well

    thanks

  • 69 Terrance Tiessen // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    I’m in good shape but know someone who needs this

  • 70 Jordan // Jan 8, 2009 at 9:38 pm

    I don’t want it for myself but sign me up because I know someone else I could give it to. Thanks!

  • 71 Steve // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:26 pm

    Wish me luck!

  • 72 Traciatim // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:38 pm

    Throw my name in this one . . . I wonder if my spouse would be mad if I gave it to her? Kind of like getting a weight loss book for Christmas . . . “But I thought it was the thought that counts!”

  • 73 Melanie Samson // Jan 8, 2009 at 11:45 pm

    I’ve been following her blog. It’s very helpful.

  • 74 Purfectionist // Jan 9, 2009 at 12:56 am

    I have watched Gail for about a year now. Her show is filled with wonderful tips and useful stories.

  • 75 Canadian Personal Finance Blog » Blog Archive » Random New Year Thoughts // Jan 9, 2009 at 2:51 am

    [...] Canadian Capitalist is offering a gently read ‘Til Debt Do Us Part Life Planner which he received, so go over and sign up for his give away (free stuff is best [...]

  • 76 Ryan // Jan 9, 2009 at 2:58 am

    Thanks for the giveaway, CC.

  • 77 Bacon 'n eggs // Jan 9, 2009 at 3:45 am

    I decided to finally take charge of my own investments and get more serious about my own financial planning last summer … just in time before the big market meltdown. That cushioned the blow and now, I want to continue learning and would love to read what Gail has to say (I remember reading her articles in the G&M). Thanks for your great blog. Cheers!

  • 78 Cheryl // Jan 9, 2009 at 10:19 am

    This would be perfect for my son & his fiance who are both still in school & have a child

  • 79 neophyte // Jan 9, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    need help!

  • 80 Krista // Jan 9, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    Love Gail’s financial advice, would love a copy of her financial planner to sort my financial life outl

  • 81 GT // Jan 9, 2009 at 5:40 pm

    That would be awesome and a great start for the year :)

    Please count me in :)

  • 82 Devin // Jan 9, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    I’d love to be part of the give away!
    Looking to actually follow through with my resolutions this year!

  • 83 Theresa // Jan 9, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    Worth a try!

  • 84 Peter // Jan 10, 2009 at 12:40 am

    Would love to get a copy as we are trying to consolidate our credit card debts and start a New Year Budget

  • 85 Canadian Capitalist // Jan 10, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    The giveaway is now closed. I’ll pick a winner at random shortly.

  • 86 Gail // Jan 12, 2009 at 11:49 am

    Hey, CC. Thanks for doing this. Lemme know when I can return the favour. So now you have to write all these names on little pieces of paper and draw them from a hat? Oooh. Cheers, g

  • 87 Gail // Jan 12, 2009 at 11:50 am

    note new email g

  • 88 Canadian Capitalist // Jan 14, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    Place holder for the following email entry by G D’Souza:

    I am enjoying your daily dose of financial prudence. Thanks I need the Life planner for my daughter, who does not seem to know where she is heading to with her finances. Thanks.

  • 89 Canadian Capitalist // Jan 14, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    Place holder for the following email entry by Wayne:

    I’d love to give my wife a copy of the planner!

  • 90 Canadian Capitalist // Jan 14, 2009 at 8:48 pm

    The winner chosen at random by random.org is # 40. Cash Canuck.

    Thanks to everyone for entering. I’ll contact the winner shortly.

    Thanks for your comment Gail. I don’t actually put all the names in a hat. I use the website random.org to pick a winner.

  • 91 Marg // Jan 19, 2009 at 1:39 am

    My hubby and I would love (&need a copy) of Gail’s words of wisdom. We claimed Bankruptcy years ago ( we had a financial planner who was looking out for his interest not ours) and when we lost money when we sold our home; we were once again in debt. I swore we would never be in this position again but since my husband and I are not agreeing on how to tackle our finances; Gail’s book would surely help.

  • 92 Tammy // Jan 19, 2009 at 10:56 am

    Hi,

    I am completely distressed right now with my current financial situation and I said to myself I need help and I was coming online to see what books I could purchase to help me and came across this posting. I am in need of assistance right now and to thinking that using this book will help me have a brighter new year in 2010 is very exciting although far away it is one step in the right direction. I could definetly use this book and it would help my finances as well if I could save the $40.00 to purchase the book. Good luck to all! Thank you,

  • 93 Canadian Capitalist // Jan 19, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    Marg, Tammy: The contest is now closed. I’ve contacted the winner and will be mailing the book shortly. Sorry.

  • 94 Canadian Capitalist // Jan 23, 2009 at 11:12 am

    Cash Canuck: I’ve mailed the book today via Canada Post. The estimated arrival is 4 to 6 business days.

  • 95 Martha , NC // Feb 27, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    Your show is very informal, in finance. It teach young and old
    couple how to save, budget and get best out what they have
    income wise coming into their household. It teach also you don’t have to spend because you have it, but spend wise and smart. Our youth need a lesson in finance before they get 16 years of age and go to college. They need to Know now how
    save and spend money smart. A great show, I tried to watch everyday you are on.

  • 96 Canadian Capitalist // Feb 27, 2009 at 5:26 pm

    Martha: Gail Vaz-Oxlade is the host of this show. You can find her website at http://www.gailvazoxlade.com

  • 97 T. Gordon // Apr 28, 2009 at 11:21 am

    Hi

    love the show. Well we need help with the finance, I want to have money saved for us, but we are still trying to come back from are bankruptcy from years ago. we have to kids now, and work is not looking good. We are trying to sell the house, it just seem like we never feel save. Gail’s book would sure help. Thank for the show!! will watch it , and learn what I can.

    Sincerely T.Gordon

  • 98 Kathy // Apr 30, 2009 at 3:47 pm

    Love Gail, love the show, I wish i could hire her to get my finances in check! But a gently browsed copy of her book would also be nice!

  • 99 Carmen // May 4, 2009 at 10:01 pm

    great show! families are in great need of education in this area! why doesn’t this kind of thing get taught in schools?! keep the creative episodes coming!!
    Please send me a copy - thanks!

  • 100 Vladimir // Jun 18, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    Gail doing amazing job - she awake Canadians from finance dreaming! Actually she saving life of people. Very love her show and always watching with please.

  • 101 Gail // Jun 30, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    Gail does an amazing job in setting people down the right path to financial freedom. I always enjoyed her show so I would love to get a copy to read.

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