Money Guy Show

I personally make use of both credit cards and the large sum of equity that I have in my personal residence. I responsibly pay my credit cards off each month, but thoroughly enjoy the $1,200 to $1,500 of annual rewards and cash back that I receive. I also use my home equity as a tool that allows me not to keep huge sums of cash sitting on the sidelines just in case I need money for an emergency. I want as much of my money working for me at all times, so that eventually my army of working dollars earns more than I can make with my back, hands, and brain. Let’s face it: Investment income that is automatic and pays your monthly bills can open your life to many more opportunities as well as complete financial independence.

However, I am quickly realizing that many have gone too far in the use of debt. Just as Alan Greenspan spoke of the late 90s equity markets with the words, irrational exuberance, I think that we can use the exact the same logic and apply it to the average person’s use of debt. Many have taken the tool of debt to levels that are now causing them to sink into financial ruin.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2007/08/financial-devastation-through-debt

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the benefits of using Long/Short Funds.

A long/short fund takes advantage of a technique that many hedge funds use that allows them to make money in both a rising and falling market. Long/short fund managers divide their funds’ assets into two types of positions (long and short holdings).

Long positions – meaning they buy stocks expecting that they will rise in value and can be sold at some point in the future at a gain (this is the traditional form of investing that most investors are use to… buy value priced stocks with the anticipation of selling for a gain)

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2007/08/act-rich-and-protect-yourself-from-a-down-market

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I have spent the last two weeks preparing for the IRS. Unfortunately, I still do a small number of business tax returns (old habits are hard to get away from). One of my small business tax clients was selected for a full examination (Audit). I have over over 10 years of experience in completing tax returns, and this is the first business return that has been selected for an audit. I guess it was my turn to sit on the hot seat. We had the IRS agents here in the office on Wed. and then we met at the client’s business on Thursday for a site evaluation and Q&A session. I am elated that we made it through the audit without any problems and the client did not have to pay any additional taxes, but as you can imagine it has been a stress that has caused a few nights of restless sleep. I knew that we had nothing to hide, but you never know where there might be a difference of opinion on deductions.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2007/07/attn-small-business-owners-a-legal-way-to-hide-money-from-the-tax-man

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I’m a straight talker, so please don’t hate me for a harsh, but true statement: when people are falling short of their financial goals, it’s almost always because of their own actions and decisions.

Examples:

• Putting off investing in your Roth IRA or maximizing your 401k at work (“I need the extra money to fake success for my friends and family”)

THE SECRET TO SUCCESS IS THROUGH DEFERRED GRATIFICATION AND TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2007/07/are-you-on-the-road-to-wealth-and-independence

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A quick review of your financial health is today’s topic.  I am taking a brief break from talking about investments.  Instead I am going to load you up with planning ideas and even tools that I use to keep my financial house in order.

Estate Planning & Risk Management (I know that it is dark to talk about death or other bad events that could occur in your life, but it is important to discuss).

Wills – If you have children you must have a Will.  Otherwise, you are leaving their future in the hands of the state.  I find it hard to believe that the state would be better at determining your families future instead of you.  DON’T PLAY WITH FIRE….. GET A WILL!!!

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2007/06/the-30-minute-financial-plan

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First you guys need to know my thoughts on what is known as Efficient Market Theory

Efficient Market – Since everyone has the same information about a stock, the price of a stock should reflect the knowledge and expectations of all investors. The bottom line is that an investor should not be able to beat the market since there is no way for him/her to know something about a stock that isn’t already reflected in the stock’s price.

I feel that this Theory holds true for Large Cap. US Companies. There are really only 1,000 Large Cap Companies (Cap Value > $10 Billion). Meanwhile there are pundits, analyst, and advisors like myself on every street corner to evaluate these 1,000 stocks. With the vast amounts of information and the speed that information now reaches us through the Internet, Cable Business Channels, AM Business Talk Radio how could you know anymore than anyone else?

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2007/06/how-to-choose-mutual-funds

For more information, visit http://www.moneyguy.com/2007/06/how-to-choose-mutual-funds 

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There are tons of podcasts out there that explain how to spend less than you make, and how credit card debt can drain financial freedom. How many actually have the training and know how to help you with the crucial portion of your extra cash flow and retirement funds? I would dare to say not many because most either do not know what to tell you or they are trying to sell you a product so they will never tell you (unless you invest $2k into their proprietary system). I am here to help by focusing the next few shows on investing.

Today is the first part of our investment series and we are getting back to the basics, but before I get into the details I wanted to mention an article I read this weekend:

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2007/05/when-where-and-how-to-invest-investing-101

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Tax Refund Challenge:

Now that you have filed your taxes it is time to evaluate where you are financially. Say what you will about filing tax returns they at least allow you to take inventory on how much you earned in 2006. I am always talking about saving for the future and making sure that you are locking away 15%-20% of your gross wages for the future. That is easy to say when you earn a good living, but I know from emails that I receive that many out there are struggling financially. The average refund was estimated to total $2,480 for 2006 up from $2,371 for 2005. I would challenge you to look at your return and if you are not happy with your income level do something about it. Success is easier than you think… You just have to believe and figure out where your passion is. Use the refund money as your initial savings for starting a business, or for going back to school. It is very fulfilling and can be financially rewarding to make a big change and have success that leads you to a better life.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2007/04/lazy-investing-can-be-good-investing

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The financial markets have been very choppy this quarter. We started off 2007 with day after day of the stock markets hitting new highs. Then one crazy Tuesday in February (27th to be exact) the bottom fell out of the market (I blame it on my producer Heidi; she was off that day spending time with her dentist and a root canal). Ever since it has been up and down to the point that many of you are wondering what in the world is going on.

On today’s show I am going to share with you the resources that help me determine what is going on in the financial world.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2007/03/free-professional-advice-and-research-my-little-blackbook

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There is a storm of concern that has been building for quite some time, and it is finally getting the attention that it deserves…. 401K FEES:

CNNMoney.com “Lawmakers to take close look at hidden 401(k) fees”

US Deprtment of Labor “A Look at 401(k) Plan Fees”

MarketWatch “More fee disclosure could save 401(k) owners money, Congress told”

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2007/03/are-401k-fees-robbing-you-of-your-retirement

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