Financial Freedom Podcast

The cost of a college education is getting higher and higher. Students are graduating with crushing debt and are either unable to find a job or can't get one that will earn them enough money to pay the loans. Parents often get into debt by cosigning loans, or sacrifice their retirement.

That's why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk to someone who could provide advice and strategies on approaching the cost of higher education and making sure that parents and students have a plan in place way before they decide on a school.

In this episode you will learn:

- Where (and when) to begin the planning process
- How to find out the true cost of a school before picking it
- How parents can help their children without sacrificing their retirement
- Can private schools be as affordable as public ones?
- Is there a different strategy for graduate school?

As the holiday season approaches, we're all thinking about the celebrations, gift giving, and general joy that we experience during this time. But as the year comes to a close, we should also be thinking about our finances and the tax bill that may come in the new year.

Thant's why in this episode of the podcast, although it isn't as exciting and uplifting as the holidays, I wanted to talk about some tax planning you can do now that may reduce that tax bill next April.

In this episode you will learn:

- How to maximize retirement contributions for tax benefits.
- About contributing to HSAs and FSAs for healthcare tax deductions.
- Why you should regularly review and update your tax withholdings.
- Why you should explore family and education tax credits.
- About reviewing your investment portfolio for tax-efficient strategies.

No matter the size of a family business, the owner is an entrepreneur. This is an important realization, as having an entrepreneurial mindset is key to the success and growth of any business.

That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk to Danielle Hayden of Kickstart Accounting about the entrepreneurial mindset, how to create a financial vision for your small business, and how to make sure that business weathers bad times.

In this episode you will learn:

- How to transform your money mindset
- About creating a financial vision for your business
- About achieving financial fluency so you can interpret your financial data
- How to recession-proof your business

As people get older and closer to retirement, they start to worry about whether they are ready and whether they can afford to retire. Do they have enough money set aside? How much is enough?

That's why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about how many people think they're behind, how much they think they need to retire, how to tell whether you really ARE behind, and how to catch up if you are.

In this episode you will learn:

- How many people think they're behind
- How much people think they need to retire
- How to find out if you are behind
- Jow to get caught up if you are

If someone is having emotional, mental, or social problems, you might send them to therapy. But what if they are having financial problems? Is there any such thing as financial therapy?

Well according to Wendy Wright, a therapist and money coach, there is! That's why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk to her about what financial therapy is and how it can help people change their thinking about money, communicate it better with their spouse, and get out of debt.

In this episode you will learn:

- What financial therapy is
- How it can improve your relationship with money
- How to talk to you loved ones/partner about money
- How financial therapy can help you stop the debt cycle
- How to deal with sudden wealth

When it comes to retirement savings and investing, or any long term investing goal, there are many options for where to put your money. There are mutual funds, individual stocks, bonds, and the like. One option is something called Exchange-Traded Funds.

These funds with the rather mysterious name can be a good option for investors. That's why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about these funds, what they are, and whether you should consider them for your investment portfolio.

In this episode you will learn about:

- What ETFs Are
- The different kinds of ETFs
- How to buy them
- Tax Implications
- Factors to consider in choosing ETFs

According to the authors of the book The Millionaire Next Door, self-employed people make up less than 20 percent of the workers in America but account for two-thirds of the millionaires. So for those who want financial freedom on the millionaire level, being their own boss is something that should at least be looked into.

But starting a business isn't easy, and most of them fail within the first 3 years. This has some people thinking about owning a franchise instead. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk to Giuseppe Grammatico about the franchise model, and whether it's right for you.

In this episode you will learn about:

- The freedoms that come with business ownership
- The secrets to starting (and scaling up) a lucrative side hustle
- Why you should consider the franchise model for your business
- The risks of owning a franchise

Treasury bonds can be a key part of your long term investment strategy. There's been a lot of talk about Series I bonds, which were created to protect you against inflation (something we've all been struggling with over the past couple of years). But are they still a smart choice in today's economy?

In this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about this classification of treasury bond, how it can help you in your portfolio, and whether now is a good time to buy them.

In this episode you will learn:

- What Series I Bonds Are
- Whether They're a Good Investment
- How to Buy I Bonds
- Whether You Should Buy I Bonds
- What the Risk Factors Are

Although student loans continue to be a hot topic in personal finance news, there are many interesting articles and tips out there that can help you on your path to financial freedom. These include a new repayment plan for student loans, a better place to put your savings, tips on saving on wedding costs, and tips on making your children financially independent.

Thant's why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about these various news items, many of which are cause for optimism in the latter half of this year. I hope they can help you build your emergency fund, pay down your student loans, and make your child financially independent.

In this episode you will learn:

- Whether to Move Your Savings to a Money Market Account
- Tips on Cutting Wedding Costs
- How paying with cash helps you to forget "guilty pleasures"
- Information on President Biden's new student loan plans
- How to help yor child become financially independent

Your personal finances are never "set it and forget it." Even if you have set up a budget, have autopay on your bills, and a good retirement savings strategy, you still need to check in periodically to be sure that your financial ship is sailing in the right direction.

That's why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about how to do a mid-year checkup. You need to do this now (better yet every quarter) to make sure that your financial ship doesn't need a course correction.

In this episode you will learn:

- Why a Mid-Year Checkup is Important
- The Importance of Tax Planning Now
- How Reviewing Your Budget at the Halfway Point Helps
- About Reviewing Your Net Worth