Dumb Questions for Smart Money

Paul Lane and co-host Brendan Hayes are getting ready for the new year and so should you! On this episode, Paul and Brendan walk you through 10 important tasks you can do prior to the new year to save more in 2022.

On this episode, Paul and Ema review the bumpy ride for markets during the third quarter, including a volatile September. What were some of the major factors behind this volatility? And what can we expect for the final quarter of the year?

Chinese property giant Evergrande and their debt crisis has been dominating headlines recently. What exactly is going on? Paul and Ema dive into the Evergrande situation and the implications their debt issue may have on global markets.

On this episode, Paul and Ema run through the latest numbers that show an uptick in the country's credit card debt and also discuss their best methods on how to minimize credit card debt. Plus, what strategies are available to help build a monthly budget?

If you've worked hard to save for retirement, you might be in the fortunate position of considering buying a vacation home. However, there are several pros and cons that come along with owning and maintaining a vacation home. Paul and Ema will cover all the bases associated with purchasing a vacation home and will also help you determine if this is an investment you can truly afford.

We have received several inquiries from listeners regarding the latest happenings on Capital Hill, including the $1 trillion dollar Infrastructure bill and the potential $3.5 trillion Budget Plan. Are potential tax increases on the way as a result of these bills? What goes into them? Where are the funds coming from? Paul and Ema tackle all of these items in more in our latest podcast.

What are the basic benefits of annuities? Paul and Ema run through how an annuity may be a solid option for an investor who cannot stomach market volatility and also break down the different types of annuities, along with their pros and cons.

The Biden administration has expanded the child tax credit from $2,000 to as much as $3,600 per child and has began distributing to more than 35 million eligible families in July. Who is eligible? How will your 2021 tax refund be impacted? And should you possibly opt out? Paul and Ema dive into the new details of the child tax credit in this latest podcast.

We all know how wild the housing market has been over the past year. But what factors are causing a red-hot car market, where used cars are going for top dollar? And why are new car lots looking so bare? Paul and Ema fill you in here!

Homeowners may be looking to dive head first into the red-hot housing market and sell their home. One question that is frequently asked during this process: is it better to renovate your home before you list? Paul and Ema provide their insight through real life experiences, and also provide key factors that homeowners need to consider before moving forward with any renovation.