Money Talks News: The Podcast

You probably remember the Bernie Madoff saga: His famous Ponzi scheme destroyed the life savings of hundreds of sophisticated investors and money managers. Billions vanished into thin air.

So, how do smart people end up in these situations? More to the point, how can you avoid being the victim of a scam?

There are red flags that you should recognize and today we're going to talk about them.

As usual, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Today, we're joined by one of the show's best friends, Pam Krueger from Wealthramp.

Be aware that anything you hear on this podcast doesn't constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

You can listen with the player at the top of this article or download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:

• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Google Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify

Don't forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you make the most of your money.

Are you watching out for scams and Ponzi schemes?

We review the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme and its fallout. But we do more than talk about that one scam. We give you red flags to watch out for and mention other scams to be on the alert for. Don't get caught off-guard. Here are some of our best articles about scams—and how to avoid them.

• 7 Text Message Scams to Avoid and Report Immediately
• 8 Job Scams and 10 Signs to Watch For
• The 10 Worst Tax Cheats of 2022, According to the IRS
• 6 Ways to Become a Successful Scam Artist
• 9 States Where People Face the Highest Risk of Identity Theft and Fraud
• How You Can Help Your Aging Parents Avoid Financial Abuse
• 6 Things Scammers Do With Your Cellphone Number
• How to Tell If Fraudsters Have Opened Bank Accounts in Your Name
• 7 Ways to Protect Your Retirement From Investment Fraud
• Beware These 8 Signs of Identity Theft
• Trying to Stop Identity Theft? Go Beyond a Credit Freeze

Build wealth—without getting scammedRather than relying on scammers, we've got plenty of other ways for you to build your wealth, including through investing. Try saving, put your money to work for you and avoid the get-rich-quick schemes.

• Investing In Commercial Real Estate with CrowdStreet
• How to Choose Between Active and Passive Investing
• 28 Investing Tips From Today's Financial Geniuses
• 7 Things You Should Know Before Investing in I Bonds
• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investing: Hope or Hype?
• The Lazy Person's Guide to Flawless Investing
• 5 Effortless Ways to Boost Your Retirement Savings
• How the Secure Act Could Make or Break Your Retirement Savings
• 7 Obvious Money-Saving Tips People Often Forget
• 5 Ways to Earn 5% on Your Savings, Guaranteed
• 5 Fast Ways to Turbocharge Your Retirement Savings
• How to Know if You Are Earning or Saving for Optimal Happiness
• Health Savings Accounts and Why They Are Great for Retirement
• How to Prepare Your Savings for a Recession

Meet this week's guest, Pam Krueger

Pam Krueger is a recognized investor advocate and award-winning personal finance journalist and author. She is the founder and CEO of Wealthramp, an advisor matching platform that connects consumers with rigorously vetted and qualified fee-only financial advisors. It is the only advisor referral service that gives people full control over when and how they talk to their referred advisors.

Her perspectives on personal finance regularly appear in Marketwatch, Forbes, PBS Next Avenue, and she is a frequent speaker on fiduciary financial advice. In addition, Pam is an active volunteer member of the Retirement Income Committee at the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (DCIIA), a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the retirement security of America's workers. She has also served on the California Jump$tart Coalition, an organization dedicated to increasing financial literacy among children and teens, where she created one of their most successful curricula available for K-12 teachers called, Investing Pays Off For Kids.

Each year, she spends part of her time in San Francisco, California and lives in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

• Wealthramp
• Podcast: MoneyTrack
• Podcast: Friends Talk Money
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

Don't listen to podcasts?

A podcast is basically a radio show you can listen to anywhere and anytime, either by downloading it to your smartphone, or by listening online. They're awesome for learning stuff and being entertained when you're in the car, doing chores, jogging or riding your bicycle.

You can listen to our latest podcasts here or download them to your phone from any number of places, including Apple, Spotify, RadioPublic, Stitcher and RSS.

If you haven't listened to our podcast yet, give it a try, then subscribe. You'll be glad you did!

About the hosts

Stacy Johnson founded Money Talks News in 1991. He's a CPA, and he has also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options principal, mutual funds, life insurance, securities supervisor and real estate.

Miranda Marquit, MBA, is a financial expert, writer and speaker. She's been covering personal finance and investing topics for almost 2

There are almost 22 million people with a net worth of at least $1 million in the United States. That's a lot of millionaires!

Many of these millionaires aren't flashy. They got rich over long periods of time by owning a home or years of investing.

But what if you want to speed up the process? How can you become a millionaire BEFORE you retire? That's what this week's podcast is about: discussing strategies to build your net worth as quickly as possible.

As usual, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Today, we're happy to have Erin B. Haag, the founder of the website Pricing Overhaul and the author of the book Give Yourself a Raise: The Mindset and Math You Need to Get to Your First Million.

Be aware that anything you hear on this podcast doesn't constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

You can listen with the player at the top of this article or download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:

• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Google Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify

Don't forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you make the most of your money.

What does it take to become a millionaire?

It's one of the most common aspirational milestones: getting that first $1 million. But what does it take to become a millionaire? You need a combination of mindset, luck and hard work. Lots of hard work. We've got some great articles on secrets, habits and practical tips for improving your finances on your own millionaire journey.

• The 10 Golden Rules of Becoming a Millionaire
• 6 Stunning Money Secrets Millionaires Won't Tell You
• 13 Smart Habits of Millionaires You Should Adopt
• Why Only 12% of Adults — and 29% of Millionaires — Feel Wealthy
• 14 Myths About Becoming a Millionaire
• Even Millionaires Share These 4 Retirement Worries
• Where Do Millionaires Keep Their Money?
• 7 Secrets You Should Learn From 401(k) Millionaires
• 6 Money Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires
• How to Become a Millionaire, Guaranteed

How to grow your wealth and become a millionaire

Looking for ways to make the most of your assets to grow your wealth to become a millionaire? We've got you covered.

• 10 Secret Ways Americans Build Wealth
• 6 Clever Ways to Build Wealth Outside the Stock Market
• 7 Things You Should Know Before Investing in I Bonds
• 9 Tips for Sane and Successful Stock Investing
• The Lazy Person's Guide to Flawless Investing
• The 7 Most Popular IRA Investments
• How to Choose Between Active and Passive Investing
• Your Guide to Alternative Investments
• 12 Legit Ways to Make Money Online Right Now
• 7 Ways to Make Money on Your Phone
• How to Make Money from What's Coming: Web 3.0
• 5 Tips to Make Money Management Fun
• Staying Alive: How to Make Money in a Recession
• Side Hustle Success: Financial Freedom From Lipstick and Bras
• 9 Top-Paying Side Hustles Where You Could Earn More Than Full-Time Work
• How to Use the 50/20/30 Rule as Your Budgeting Plan

Meet this week's guest, Erin Haag

Erin B. Haag is the founder of Pricing Overhaul, a company that teaches self-employed women how to overhaul their pricing and make more money than they ever dreamed possible.

Prior to starting Pricing Overhaul, Erin founded a successful Pilates and Yoga studio in Palm Beach, Florida—which she ran for several years before selling the company for 40x her original investment.

Erin brings 20 years of experience to her clients. From calculating your revenue, expenses, owner's salary, profit margin, and beyond, Erin loves crunching the numbers to determine exactly what you need to charge. Her motto is "trust the math" because the numbers never lie.

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Don't listen to podcasts?

A podcast is basically a radio show you can listen to anywhere and anytime, either by downloading it to your smartphone, or by listening online. They're awesome for learning stuff and being entertained when you're in the car, doing chores, jogging or riding your bicycle.

You can listen to our latest podcasts here or download them to your phone from any number of places, including Apple, Spotify, RadioPublic, Stitcher and RSS.

If you haven't listened to our podcast yet, give it a try, then subscribe. You'll be glad you did!

About the hosts

Stacy Johnson founded Money Talks News in 1991. He's a CPA, and he has also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options principal, mutual funds, life insurance, securities supervisor and real estate.

Miranda Marquit, MBA, is a financial expert, writer and speaker. She's been covering personal finance and investing topics for almost 20 years. When not writing and podcasting, she enjoys travel, reading and the outdoors.

Become a member: https://www.moneytalksnews.com/members/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the latest report from Vanguard, looking at the average amount of money saved for retirement, there's a good chance you might not be on track for comfort in your golden years. The average 45-year-old has less than $180,000 saved for retirement.

But how do you change that? How do you even figure out when you have enough to retire? This week's guest is going to help you figure out your retirement number—and how you can reach it.

As usual, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. his week's guest is Chris Mamula, one of the partners at Can I Retire Yet?. He retired at 41 by figuring out his retirement number and working toward financial freedom. He's going to share his process and the steps you can take to retire earlier than you thought.

Be aware that anything you hear on this podcast doesn't constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

You can listen with the player at the top of this article or download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:

• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Google Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify

Don't forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you make the most of your money.

What kind of career do you have?

We tackle some of the main things you need to be aware of when you work in a career that results in a variable income. Barbara's book, Tipped, takes you through what you need to know as well. Freelancers, service industry workers and self-employed business owners know what it's like to deal with these challenges.

If you're looking for a new career or source of income, check out some of our articles on different jobs and side hustle ideas.

• The Ultimate Guide to Building Freelance Income
• Side Hustle Success: Financial Freedom From Lipstick and Bras
• 7 Tips for Getting a Great Part-Time Job in Retirement
• Calling All Night Owls: 14 Jobs for People Who Like to Stay Up Late
• 16 Early-Morning Jobs for People Who Wake Up With the Sun
• 10 Companies That Hire Part-Time Proofreaders and Editors
• 7 Things You Need to Know About How to Get a New Job in 2023
• 4 Tips for a Modern Online Job Search
• 25 Companies Switching to Permanent Remote Work-From-Home Jobs
• 9 Top-Paying Side Hustles Where You Could Earn More Than Full-Time Work
• Why You Can Benefit From a Career Coach

Get more from your money

Don't forget about money moves you can make, no matter what your income looks like. Here are some of our best resources for budgeting, saving, investing and spending your money.

• 6 Things Every Self-Employed Worker Should Know About Taxes
• Money Tight? 4 Legit Ways to Bring in Extra Cash
• Keep Your Money and Health on Track With These 9 Apps
• 32 Inflation Hacks to Save You Money in an Economic Downturn
• 10 Depression Era Hacks and Frugal Living Ideas to Save Money Now
• 10 Ways to Change Bad Spending Habits and Save Money
• The 5 Best Budgeting Apps to Get Your Finances Together
• 8 Surprising Ways to Become Richer Within the Hour
• Your Guide to Alternative Investments
• Where Stocks Are Going in 2023 and Where You Should Invest Now
• 7 Things You Should Know Before Investing in I Bonds
• The 60/40 Investment Mix Is Dead – or Is It?

Meet this week's guest, Barbara Sloan

Barbara Sloan is the author of the book Tipped: The life changing guide to financial freedom for waitresses, bartenders, strippers, and all other service industry professionals.

Barbara was a homeless teen, who danced for dollars, and definitely did not graduate from college. She spent two decades working in every imaginable position in the service industry all over the country and learning about money on her own. In addition to owning and running a construction company in the heart of Manhattan, she is a personal finance expert and coach. She leverages her experience in the service industry to focus on issues that many in the mainstream financial media don't cover. Barbara lives in New York City with her wife of 10 years, an esteemed corporate finance exec, and together they are a couple of adorable money nerds who point out every dog they see.

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Book

Don't listen to podcasts?

A podcast is basically a radio show you can listen to anywhere and anytime, either by downloading it to your smartphone, or by listening online. They're awesome for learning stuff and being entertained when you're in the car, doing chores, jogging or riding your bicycle.

You can listen to our latest podcasts here or download them to your phone from any number of places, including Apple, Spotify, RadioPublic, Stitcher and RSS.

If you haven't listened to our podcast yet, give it a try, then subscribe. You'll be glad you did!

About the hosts

Stacy Johnson founded Money Talks News in 1991. He's a CPA, and he has also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options principal, mutual funds, life insurance, securities supervisor and real estate.

Miranda Marquit, MBA, is a financial expert, writer and speaker. She's been covering personal finance and investing topics for almost 20 years. When not writing and podcasting, she enjoys travel, reading and the outdoors.

Become a member: https://www.moneytalksnews.com/members/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're on a steady salary, creating a spending plan is straightforward, because you know both what's coming in and what's going out every month. ****

But what if you don't have a stable salary? What if you're one of the millions of Americans who do side work or own a business or get paid commission? For you, a variable income is just part of the deal.

Then there are people who depend on tips, like bartenders, Uber drivers, servers: you name it. Even freelancers and gig economy workers can have difficulty budgeting and managing their money, thanks to a variable income.

Today, we're going to tackle the subject of a stable budget with an unstable income.

As usual, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Today's guest is Barbara Sloan, a former exotic dancer and the author of Tipped, a book about financial empowerment for service industry workers.

Be aware that anything you hear on this podcast doesn't constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

You can watch this episode below, or if you'd prefer to listen, you can do that with the player at the top of this article or download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:

• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Google Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify

Don't forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you make the most of your money and our YouTube page for more videos.

This podcast is sponsored by Tellus, the first savings app designed for homebuyers by real estate experts. With Tellus, your savings earn more in one day than up to three weeks in a traditional bank savings account. What's more, there is no stock or crypto exposure, no fees and you can withdraw anytime. Click the link in the show notes and use the code MONEYTALK to get a 5.50% APY for seven days with a $125 minimum deposit.

What kind of career do you have?

We tackle some of the main things you need to be aware of when you work in a career that results in a variable income. Barbara's book, Tipped, takes you through what you need to know as well. Freelancers, service industry workers and self-employed business owners know what it's like to deal with these challenges.

If you're looking for a new career or source of income, check out some of our articles on different jobs and side hustle ideas.

• The Ultimate Guide to Building Freelance Income
• Side Hustle Success: Financial Freedom From Lipstick and Bras
• 7 Tips for Getting a Great Part-Time Job in Retirement
• Calling All Night Owls: 14 Jobs for People Who Like to Stay Up Late
• 16 Early-Morning Jobs for People Who Wake Up With the Sun
• 10 Companies That Hire Part-Time Proofreaders and Editors
• 7 Things You Need to Know About How to Get a New Job in 2023
• 4 Tips for a Modern Online Job Search
• 25 Companies Switching to Permanent Remote Work-From-Home Jobs
• 9 Top-Paying Side Hustles Where You Could Earn More Than Full-Time Work
• Why You Can Benefit From a Career Coach

Get more from your money

Don't forget about money moves you can make, no matter what your income looks like. Here are some of our best resources for budgeting, saving, investing and spending your money.

• 6 Things Every Self-Employed Worker Should Know About Taxes
• Money Tight? 4 Legit Ways to Bring in Extra Cash
• Keep Your Money and Health on Track With These 9 Apps
• 32 Inflation Hacks to Save You Money in an Economic Downturn
• 10 Depression Era Hacks and Frugal Living Ideas to Save Money Now
• 10 Ways to Change Bad Spending Habits and Save Money
• The 5 Best Budgeting Apps to Get Your Finances Together
• 8 Surprising Ways to Become Richer Within the Hour
• Your Guide to Alternative Investments
• Where Stocks Are Going in 2023 and Where You Should Invest Now
• 7 Things You Should Know Before Investing in I Bonds
• The 60/40 Investment Mix Is Dead – or Is It?

Meet this week's guest, Barbara Sloan

Barbara Sloan is the author of the book Tipped: The life changing guide to financial freedom for waitresses, bartenders, strippers, and all other service industry professionals.

Barbara was a homeless teen, who danced for dollars, and definitely did not graduate from college. She spent two decades working in every imaginable position in the service industry all over the country and learning about money on her own. In addition to owning and running a construction company in the heart of Manhattan, she is a personal finance expert and coach. She leverages her experience in the service industry to focus on issues that many in the mainstream financial media don't cover. Barbara lives in New York City with her wife of 10 years, an esteemed corporate finance exec, and together they are a couple of adorable money nerds who point out every dog they see.

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Book

Don't listen to podcasts?

A podcast is basically a radio show you can listen to anywhere and anytime, either by downloading it to your smartphone, or by listening online. They're awesome for learning stuff and being entertained when you're in the car, doing chores, jogging or riding your bicycle.

You can listen to our latest podcasts here or download them to your phone from any number of places, including Apple, Spotify, RadioPublic, Stitcher and RSS.

If you haven't listened to our podcast yet, give it a try, then subscribe. You'll be glad you did!

About t

So let me ask you: Got debt? If so, you're not alone. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 28% of consumers have an account in collections. Think about that. More than one if four of us are getting hounded on a past-due bill!

Maybe you're not to that point yet, but you can probably relate to the feeling of the bills piling up. Or maybe you're wondering how you'll pay off your part of the more than $1.7 trillion in student loan debt.

Bottom line? Getting out from under debt can be daunting. Like marriage or car leases, debt's a lot easier to get into than to get out of.

So this week we're going to look at different solutions to destroy that debt.

In this week's podcast, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. We have two special guests this week, Natalia Brown and Jeff Biesman from National Debt Relief. They'll walk us through options like debt consolidation and debt settlement.

Before we start, two things: First, MoneyTalksNews has an advertising relationship with National Debt Relief. But that's not going to influence our panel's opinions. Second, be aware that anything you hear on this podcast doesn't constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

OK, let's dive in.

You can watch this episode below, or if you'd prefer to listen, you can do that with the player at the top of this article or download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:

YouTube version:
https://youtu.be/uxI8Pr40cgM

• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Google Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify

Don't forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you make the most of your money and our YouTube page for more videos.

Debt Consolidation vs. Debt Settlement

It's important to understand the difference between debt consolidation and debt settlement. We take you through all of that in this episode. Our special guests help you understand how their services work, and we also offer you some ideas for what is likely to work best for you. Depending on your situation, one solution might work better than another. Before you decide, check out this episode where Miranda gets real about how she messed up her credit big time.

Here are some resources from Money Talks News about debt settlement and debt consolidation, as well as information about dealing with debt collectors:

• 2-Minute Money Manager: Should I Get a Debt Consolidation Loan?
• 9 Tips for Finding Trustworthy Debt Help You Can Afford
• 3 Powerful Tools to Destroy Your Debts and Renew Your Credit
• 5 Ways to Deal With Debt Collectors if You're Afraid to Pick Up the Phone
• 10 Debt Management Tips for New College Grads
• How I Slashed $25,000 in Credit Card Debt to Zero
• 9 Tips for Finding Trustworthy Debt Help You Can Afford
• 2-Minute Money Manager: Should I Use a Credit Counselor for Debt Help?
• Ask Stacy: Where Can I Find Help With Credit Card Debt?

How to pay down debt

If you're interested in paying down debt on your own, we have a lot of great resources on how to create a plan to pay down debt.

• 5 Things You Need to Know About Paying Off Debt This Year
• How to Destroy Your Debt and 3 Things to Do Next
• Tips and Tricks to Help You Destroy Debt
• 7 Great Tools to Help You Get Out of Debt
• The Best Way to Kill Off Credit Card Debt
• How to Pay Off $10,000 in Debt Without Breaking a Sweat
• 10 Steps to Get Out of Debt Now and Stay Out of Debt Forever
• The Fastest Proven Ways to Destroy Debt
• 2-Minute Money Manager: What's the Best Way to Pay Down Debt?
• 7 Easy Ways to Stay Out of Debt

Natalia Brown joined National Debt Relief (NDR) in 2010 and has served as Chief Client Operations Officer since 2019. Natalia is also an Executive Board Member of the American Fair Credit Council (AFCC).

Natalia volunteers at New Women New Yorkers, a nonprofit that focuses on supporting immigrant women in New York. She also sits on the advisory board for Four Steps Forward, a program that aims to financially educate one million black women over the next five years.

Natalia is a native New Yorker and has two sons who inspire her to be the best she can every day. She is a certified debt specialist and holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Lehman College and a master's in operations and project management from Southern New Hampshire University.

Jeff Biesman is the Chief Marketing Officer at National Debt Relief and Reach Financial. In this capacity, Jeff is responsible for the brand, PR, partnerships, and all direct-to-consumer marketing activities for both companies. Jeff's career spans a wide range of organizations including AT&T Interactive, Shoedazzle, Bank of America, Sony Pictures Digital, The Walt Disney Company and others.

Jeff grew up in Texas and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he received a B.A. in Political Science and MBA with a concentration in marketing. Jeff currently resides in Agoura Hills, California.

Don't listen to podcasts?

A podcast is basically a radio show you can listen to anywhere and anytime, either by downloading it to your smartphone, or by listening online. They're awesome for learning stuff and being entertained when you're in the car, doing chores, jogging or riding your bicycle.

You can listen to our latest podcasts here or download them to your phone from any number of places, including Apple, Spotify, RadioPublic, Stitcher and RSS.

If you haven't listened to our podcast yet, give it a try, then subscribe. You'll be glad you did!

About the hosts

Stacy Johnson founded Money Talks News in 1991. He's a CPA, and he has also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options principal, mutual funds, life insurance, securities supervisor and real estate.

Miranda Marquit, MBA, is a financial expert, writer and speaker. She's been covering personal finance and investing topics for almost 20 years. When not writing and podcasting, she enjoys travel, reading and the outdoors.

Become a memb

About 30% of people have experienced financial infidelity: things like:

• Keeping purchases secret: 31.4%.
• Hiding debts or accounts: 28.7%.
• Lying about income: 22.6%.
• Draining money from savings: 10.4%.
• Lending money without consent: 6.9%.

All bad stuff, right? Even worse, financial infidelity can be a sign of other relationship issues.

So, how do you avoid this stuff…or if you're already doing it, how do you stop?

Let's find out.

In this week's podcast, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. This week's guest is Tarra Jackson, Madam Money. She will help us learn how to set better money goals with our partners so we can stop that financial cheating.

Be aware that anything you hear on this podcast doesn't constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

OK, let's dive in.

Episode 182 webpage.

YouTube version.

You can watch this episode below, or if you'd prefer to listen, you can do that with the player at the top of this article or download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:

• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Google Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify

Don't forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you make the most of your money and our YouTube page for more videos.

This podcast is sponsored by Tellus, the first savings app designed for home buyers by real estate experts. With Tellus your savings earn more in one day than up to three weeks in a traditional bank savings account. What's more, there is no stock or crypto exposure, no fees, and you can withdraw anytime. Click the link in the show notes and use the code MONEYTALK to get a 5.50% APY for 7 Days with a $125 minimum deposit.

What is financial infidelity?

We talk about financial infidelity and the signs you should watch out for. Our guest, Tarra Jackson, wrote a book Financial Fornication, that tackles this issue.

It's important to note that we're talking about common issues that can crop in a non-abusive romantic or partnership relationship. If you're experiencing abuse, including financial abuse, we encourage you to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

We have some great resources that can help you as you work on your relationship with your partner—and your money.

• 10 Best Cities for Budget-Friendly Dating
• Money Fibs Put Millions of American Relationships at Risk
• 7 Social Security Spousal Benefit Rules Every Married Couple Should Know
• This Is the No. 1 Money Worry of Couples of All Ages
• Study: Debt Takes a Toll on Couples' Relationships
• 12 Steps to Protect Your Finances When Leaving an Abusive Relationship
• Money Can't Buy Love, but Sharing It Strengthens Relationships
• 4 Tips to Keep Smartphones From Ruining Your Relationships
• 7 Money Mistakes That Can Doom Your Relationship

Managing money with your partner

We also tackle how to stop engaging in financial infidelity, as well as what you can do to become better partners with your money. Tarra's book, 4 Financial Languages, can help you learn how to communicate with your partner about money. We also have a number of great resources that can help you manage your money better as a couple.

• 4 Money Conversations to Have With Your Partner When You Budget
• The 5 Best Budgeting Apps to Get Your Finances Together
• Talking About Money With Your Honey: How to Do It Painlessly
• How to Maximize Social Security Benefits for a Married Couple
• 5 Ways Couples Can Maximize Credit Card Rewards
• 8 Key Steps to Planning for Retirement as a Couple
• What Is a Joint Bank Account and How Does It Work?
• 10 Financial Moves That Keep You Sane During a Divorce
• 20 Myths About Divorce and Money

Meet this week's guest, Tarra Jackson

Tarra Jackson, known as Madam Money®, is the best-selling author of the three cult favorite books "Financial Fornication," "4 Financial Languages: The Secrets to Communicating about Money," and "The DUALpreneur Bible: 10 Commandments to Starting a Successful Side Business." Tarra is a personal finance expert and animated International Speaker.

Tarra is the founder of DUALpreneur®, an organization that provides support services, resources, and events for people with side gigs, like the International Hybrid conference called #SIDEGIGCON. This conference connects attendees with successful business owners and experts, as well as like-minded entrepreneurs to help them turn their side gigs into profitable businesses.

• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Don't listen to podcasts?

A podcast is basically a radio show you can listen to anywhere and anytime, either by downloading it to your smartphone, or by listening online. They're awesome for learning stuff and being entertained when you're in the car, doing chores, jogging or riding your bicycle.

You can listen to our latest podcasts here or download them to your phone from any number of places, including Apple, Spotify, RadioPublic, Stitcher and RSS.

If you haven't listened to our podcast yet, give it a try, then subscribe. You'll be glad you did!

About the hosts

Stacy Johnson founded Money Talks News in 1991. He's a CPA, and he has also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options principal, mutual funds, life insurance, securities supervisor and real estate.

Miranda Marquit, MBA, is a financial expert, writer and speaker. She's been covering personal finance and investing topics for almost 20 years. When not writing and podcasting, she enjoys travel, reading and the outdoors.

Become a

Are you familiar with it the SECURE Act, and its update, SECURE 2.0? If you're not, maybe you should be. It was recently signed into law, and while it may sound boring, as we're about to explain, there are provisions in this bill that could make you richer. So, let's take a minute and see what's in this thing.

In this week's podcast, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. This week's guest is Ed Slott, the founder of IRAhelp.com. Ed is one of the top retirement planning experts in the country. He's poured over the contents of this bill and is ready to help us understand the key provisions.

Remember, anything you hear on this podcast doesn't constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

OK, let's dive in.

You can watch this episode below, or if you'd prefer to listen, you can do that with the player at the top of this article or download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:

• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Google Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify

Don't forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you make the most of your money and our YouTube page for more videos.

Also, don't forget to check out our podcast sponsor, Tellus, for the opportunity to supercharge your savings with an account backed by real estate. Use the code MONEYTALK and get a special APY for seven days with a $125 minimum deposit.

Changes to retirement saving

There have been a lot of changes to retirement savings in recent years, starting with the SECURE Act of 2019, which started taking effect in 2020. SECURE 2.0 updates some of the provisions from the original version and adds a few more.

We talk about the main changes with our guest, and what you need to know about making the most of the approaches to investing. We also have some great articles on how to get the most from your retirement strategy.

• 5 Fast Ways to Turbocharge Your Retirement Savings
• Over 50? Here's How to Catch Up on Retirement Savings
• 4 Genius Ways to Protect Your Retirement Savings
• How to Add $1.7 Million to Your Retirement Savings
• How to Protect Your Retirement Savings After Quitting Your Job
• 7 Types of Retirement Savings Accounts
• The Pros and Cons of Dividend Stocks for Retirement Savings

Build wealth for the future

As you put together your retirement savings strategy, we have plenty of resources designed to help you create a nest egg that will live after you're gone.

• 10 Amazing Ways to Build Wealth at Any Age
• 6 Clever Ways to Build Wealth Outside the Stock Market
• How Net Worth Tracking Makes You Wealthier
• 65 Tips for a Healthy, Wealthy and Happy Retirement
• How Trying to Time the Stock Market Destroys Your Wealth
• Can an Investment Policy Statement Make You 5 Times Wealthier?
• 28 Keys to Building Wealth — Even in Your 50s

Meet this week's guest, Ed Slott

Ed Slott is a nationally recognized IRA distribution expert, television personality, and best-selling author who has dedicated his life to educating Americans on the intricacies of IRAs.  He was named "The Best Source for IRA Advice" by The Wall Street Journal. Slott is the author of numerous highly acclaimed books, including his latest, The New Retirement Savings Time Bomb (Penguin Random House, 2021)and Ed Slott's Retirement Decisions Guide: 2022 Edition (IRAHelp, 2022).

He has also hosted several public television programs, including his latest, Ed Slott's Retirement Freedom!, and is a Professor of Practice at The American College of Financial Services*.*

• Website

Don't listen to podcasts?

A podcast is basically a radio show you can listen to anywhere and anytime, either by downloading it to your smartphone or by listening online. They're awesome for learning stuff and being entertained when you're in the car, doing chores, jogging or riding your bicycle.

You can listen to our latest podcasts here or download them to your phone from any number of places, including Apple, Spotify, RadioPublic, Stitcher and RSS.

If you haven't listened to our podcast yet, give it a try, then subscribe. You'll be glad you did!

About the hosts

Stacy Johnson founded Money Talks News in 1991. He's a CPA, and he has also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options principal, mutual funds, life insurance, securities supervisor and real estate.

Miranda Marquit, MBA, is a financial expert, writer and speaker. She's been covering personal finance and investing topics for almost 20 years. When not writing and podcasting, she enjoys travel, reading and the outdoors.

Become a member: https://www.moneytalksnews.com/members/

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According to at least one survey, as many as 80% of Americans prepare a budget.

Even if you don't believe that statistic, it's probably safe to say that 80% of Americans have at least thought about having a budget. So, why don't they actually do it? You probably already know the answer: Because budgets are hard to stick to.

And why is so hard to stick to a spending plan? Because they feel so restrictive! Who wants to go on a dollar diet? Nobody.

How do we fix this? How do we convert from budget hater to budget lover?

Let's find out.

In this week's podcast, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. This week, money and happiness guru Jason Vitug returns to talk about how you can learn to love budgeting. Jason has a new book out, Happy Money Happy Life, and he's ready to share some insight.

Remember, anything you hear on this podcast doesn't constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

You can watch this episode here, you can download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:

• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Google Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify

Don't forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you make the most of your money and our YouTube page for more videos.

Also, don't forget to check out our podcast sponsor, Tellus, for the opportunity to supercharge your savings with an account backed by real estate. Use the code MONEYTALK and get a special APY for seven days with a $125 minimum deposit.

Financial values and money mindset

When setting a budget that works for you, start with your financial values and money mindset. Stacy talks about this in his book Life or Debt and we tackle the subject in this episode. We also have other articles about finding your values and improving your mindset at Money Talks News.

Discover a one-stop-shop for all your financial needs with MoneyTalksNews Solutions. Save money on car insurance, switch to a higher yielding savings account, simplify debt with consolidation options, and find the best travel credit card. Stay on top of tax debt, home equity lines of credit, mortgage refinancing, personal loans, and compare cellphone plans all in one convenient location. Visit the MoneyTalksNews Solutions page now.

• How and Why to Pass On Financial Values to Your Heirs
• 5 Powerful Mental Tips to Accomplish Your Goals
• 9 Tips to Tackle Your Financial Goals and Still Have Fun
• 7 Actions to Take Now to Get the Life You Want
• 3 Mental Blocks Preventing Your Secure Retirement
• What to Do If You're More Frugal Than Your Spouse
• Set Financial Goals: It's the Secret to a Prosperous and Secure Future
• How to Set Financial Goals for Short-, Medium- and Long-Term Prosperity

Create a budget and save money

One of the reasons to create a budget or spending plan is to allow you to do the things you want to do.

If you're looking for ways to save money and then redirect those resources, these articles can help:

• How to Create a Realistic Retirement Budget
• 9 Small Expenses That Are Bleeding Your Budget Dry
• 4 Tips for Setting (and Sticking to) a Vacation Budget
• 4 Money Conversations to Have With Your Partner When You Budget
• 21 Items to Cut From Your Budget That You Won't Even Miss
• 10 Tips to Travel Abroad on a Budget (for Weeks at a Time)
• 9 of the Best Ways to Save Money on a Tight Budget
• 9 Small Splurges That Won't Break Your Budget
• 10 Ways to Change Bad Spending Habits and Save Money

Track your spending, manage your money and save for the future

Don't forget to visit our Solutions Center for links to tools that can help you make the most of your money. We also recommend the following tools:

• WhistleOut: Save money by comparing mobile plans.
• [link id="101" text="Acorns"]: Set aside money for goals using round-ups and automatic investing.
• [link id="30" text="Stash"]: Invest toward your short-term and long-term goals
• [link id="113" text="YNAB (You Need A Budget)"]: Set your budget and give every dollar a job.
• [link id="244" text="PlayBook"]: Get a financial plan that helps you get the most from your money through helpful tax savings.

Meet this week's guest, Jason Vitug

Jason Vitug is an award-winning creator, author, speaker, entrepreneur, and producer. He is the founder of the personal finance website phroogal.com, creator of the Road to Financial Wellness, and champion of #theSmileLifestyle, a community devoted to experiential and purposeful living.

His TEDx about breaking the money taboo is one of the most viewed talks on money, and he recently released his second book, Happy Money, Happy Life.

Jason received his bachelor's at Rutgers University and MBA at Norwich University. He's an avid traveler, having been to all US states, explored 45 countries, and stepped foot on five continents. He is also a certified yoga teacher and breath work specialist.

• Website
• Twitter
• Instagram

Don't listen to podcasts?

A podcast is basically a radio show you can listen to anywhere and anytime, either by downloading it to your smartphone, or by listening online. They're awesome for learning stuff and being entertained when you're in the car, doing chores, jogging or riding your bicycle.

You can listen to our latest podcasts here or download them to your phone from any number of places, including Apple, Spotify, RadioPublic, Stitcher and RSS.

If you haven't listened to our podcast yet, give it a try, then subscribe. You'll be glad you did!

About the hosts

Stacy Johnson founded Money Talks News in 1991. He's a CPA, and he has also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options principal, mutual funds, life insurance, securities supervisor and real estate.

Miranda Marquit, MBA, is a financial expert

Last year was terrible for stocks, with the Dow, S&P and tech-heavy Nasdaq all posting double-digit losses. And that showed up in retirement accounts.

According to Fidelity, In the third quarter of 2022, 401(k) balances were 23 percent lower than the year before.

That's a lot of loss.

This makes for stressful savers, especially those nearing retirement. So, what's an investor to do?

Let's find out.

In this week's podcast, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. This week, we're joined by Robert Gilliland, the managing director and senior wealth advisor with Concenture Wealth Management. He's going to help us navigate our retirement accounts during a bear market.

Remember, even though we sometimes talk about money and specific investments on this show, don't take them as recommendations. Before investing in anything or making any other money moves, do your own research and make your own decisions.

You can watch this episode below, or if you'd prefer to listen, you can do that with the player at the top of this article or download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:

• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Google Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify

Don't forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you make the most of your money and our YouTube page for more videos.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/L1pl3i8yduw

Also, don't forget to check out our podcast sponsor, Tellus for the opportunity to supercharge your savings with an account backed by real estate. Use the code MONEYTALK and get 6.00% APY for 7 days with a $125 minimum deposit.

Is your retirement in trouble?

For many Americans, their only exposure to the stock market is what's in their 401(k)s. This can feel extremely frustrating after a year like 2022. However, the good news, Robert points out, is that down years are usually followed by recovery. There might be a setback, but if you don't panic and lock in your losses, chances are that your portfolio will recover.

We'll talk about specific ways you can prepare yourself and your portfolio to avoid a retirement setback during a down stock market.

If you want to learn more about planning for retirement, check out these additional resources from Money Talks News:

• 10 Ways the New Retirement Law Helps Savers of All Ages
• Retirement, Real Estate and I Bonds: We Answer Your Questions
• What Happens If I Really Do Run Out of Money in Retirement?
• 11 Retirement Funding Goals Everyone Ought to Hit by Age 50
• 13 Bad Investments for Your Retirement
• 5 Fast Ways to Turbocharge Your Retirement Savings
• Health Savings Accounts and Why They Are Great for Retirement
• Is a Bond Ladder Strategy Right for Your Retirement?
• Is a Retirement Bucket Strategy Right for You?
• The Pros and Cons of Dividend Stocks for Retirement Savings

Worried about what's next for the stock market?

Even if you stay the course and aren't worried about your retirement, you might still be nervous about the stock market and a coming recession. We look at what we think might be on the way and what you can do about it.

(Check out our podcast episode recapping the biggest financial stories of 2022—and how they might impact your pocketbook.)

Don't forget to check out the Money Talks News Solutions Center, where you can find links to high-yield bank accounts, financial advisors and other helpful tools for making the most of your money. Make sure you check out our other great articles and podcast episodes on making the most of your investments, no matter what's happening in the markets.

• Where Stocks Are Going in 2023 and Where You Should Invest Now
• How to Prepare Your Savings for a Recession
• 3 Ways Recessions Can Make You Rich
• Stocks Are Tanking: What You Need to Know Now
• How to Invest When Both Stocks and Bonds Are Falling
• 7 of the Best Ways to Invest That Don't Involve Stocks
• 7 of the Best Dividend Stocks to Help Fund Your Retirement
• How to Pick Winning Stocks, Step by Step
• 7 Things You Should Know Before Investing in I Bonds
• 15 Money Moves for a Richer New Year

Meet this week's guest, Robert Gilliland

Robert G. Gilliland CRPC®, CEPA®, is the managing director and senior wealth advisor of Concenture Wealth Management and has more than 25 years of experience serving residents in the Houston area.

Throughout his career, Gilliland has developed extensive money management and leadership expertise. While attending Stephen F. Austin State University, he ran a franchise of restaurants where he learned valuable organizational, interpersonal and time management skills. This experience would serve him well as he accepted a job at Merrill Lynch after graduation and would hold various leadership roles, including Sales Manager, Resident Director, and later, a member of the Advisory Council to Management. With a strong desire to serve local residents without the constraints of corporate mandates and to offer a wider variety of products and solutions to help them better achieve their financial goals, Gilliland founded his own independent financial advisory firm, Concenture Wealth Management.

Gilliland is an investment advisor representative (IAR) who holds both the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®)and the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) designations. He has been named to Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list in both 2019 and 2020.

Outside of the office, Gilliland is an avid hunter and fisherman. He serves on several boards and foundations, including the Board of Trustees for Northland Christian School in Houston and volunteering at Warrior's Weekend, an annual outdoor community event supporting combat veterans.

• Website

Don't listen to podcasts?

A podcast is basically a radio show you can listen to anywhere and anytime, either by downloading it to your smartphone, or by listening online. They're awesome for learning stuff and being entertained when you're in the car, doing chores, jogging or riding your bicycle.

You can listen to our latest podcasts here or download them to your phone from any number of places, including Apple, 

We've all heard the dismal statistics. Most people who set New Year's resolutions abandon them by February. What gives? Why is it so hard to follow through on our goals? And most important: What can we do to succeed?

Let's find out.

In this week's podcast, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. This week's special guest is Dr. Brad Klontz, psychologist, professor and Managing Principal of Your Mental Wealth.

Brad's is going to help us understand why we sometimes get in our own way when it comes to money and building financial health.

Remember, even though we sometimes talk about money and specific investments on this show, don't take them as recommendations. Before investing in anything or making any other money moves, do your own research and make your own decisions.

You can watch this episode below, or if you'd prefer to listen, you can do that with the player at the top of this article or download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:

• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Google Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify

Don't forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you make the most of your money and our YouTube page for more videos.

Also, don't forget to check out our podcast sponsor, Tellus for the opportunity to supercharge your savings with an account backed by real estate. Use the code MONEYTALK and get 6.00% APY for 7 Days with a $125 minimum deposit.

Understanding your mental wealth and money scripts

One of the things Dr. Brad talks about on his website is "money scripts." We cover some of the realities surrounding why it's so difficult for us to set realistic money goals and then accomplish them.

Listen to the episode to learn how to beat your evolutionary programming and become better with your money.

In the meantime, here are some resources about money mistakes—and how to avoid them.

• 10 Embarrassing Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes
• 15 Mistakes People Make With Roth IRAs
• 10 Dumb Mistakes Nearly Everyone Over 40 Makes
• 9 Costly Mistakes to Avoid While Grocery Shopping
• The 3 Mistakes Nearly Every Investor Makes
• 5 Costly Mistakes People Make When Paying Bills
• 5 Big Financial Regrets That Haunt Older Americans
• 6 Things You're Wasting Your Money On– and How to Stop
• 5 Medicare Mistakes to Avoid for a Healthy Retirement
• 7 Mistakes Guaranteed to Ruin Your Retirement
• 6 Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid
• 9 Common and Costly Tax Mistakes

How to make the most of your money

You don't have to set resolutions to succeed with your money. Instead, it's about figuring out what matters to you and then building a plan around that. If you're interested, Miranda has a post about how she still has a purpose for her money without setting financial new year's resolutions.

Here are some other resources to learn about financial planning, setting money goals and building your wealth.

• 15 Money Moves for a Richer New Year
• Your Top 6 Money Moves for 2023
• 9 Tips to Tackle Your Financial Goals and Still Have Fun
• 5 Critical Money Moves to Make Before Your 40s Are Over
• The 17 Best Retirement Investments to Achieve Your Financial Goals
• Set Financial Goals: It's the Secret to a Prosperous and Secure Future
• How to Set Retirement Goals by Age
• How to Set Smart Goals for Your Investments
• 6 Competing Retirement Investing Goals and How to Balance Them
• 10 Tips to Help You Keep Your New Year's Resolutions
• 15 Products That Will Help You Keep New Year's Resolutions
• 4 Reasons People Stuck to Their Money Resolutions in 2022

Meet this week's guest, Dr. Brad Klontz

Bradley T. Klontz, Psy.D., CFP® is an expert in financial psychology, financial planning, and applied behavioral finance.  He's an Associate Professor of Practice at Creighton University Heider College of Business, Co-Founder of the Financial Psychology Institute, and Managing Principal of YYMW Advisors.

Dr. Brad is co-author/co-editor of 8 books on the psychology of money, and is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, and a Former President of the Hawaii Psychological Association. He was awarded the Innovative Practice Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association for his application of psychological interventions to help people with money and wealth issues and his innovative practice in financial psychology for practitioners across the country.

• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

Don't listen to podcasts?

A podcast is basically a radio show you can listen to anywhere and anytime, either by downloading it to your smartphone, or by listening online. They're awesome for learning stuff and being entertained when you're in the car, doing chores, jogging or riding your bicycle.

You can listen to our latest podcasts here or download them to your phone from any number of places, including Apple, Spotify, RadioPublic, Stitcher and RSS.

If you haven't listened to our podcast yet, give it a try, then subscribe. You'll be glad you did!

About the hosts

Stacy Johnson founded Money Talks News in 1991. He's a CPA, and he has also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options principal, mutual funds, life insurance, securities supervisor and real estate.<