Episode webpage with links.

Kids are expensive! It costs $310,000 to raise a child from birth to age 17. At some point, the goal is for them to become financially independent and stop needing you for money.

And that's what we're talking about today. If you want to live your best financial life as an empty-nester and make sure your kids are ready to fly on their own, we're here to help.

Today Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit, producer Aaron Freeman, and our special guest is Bobbi Rebell, a financial journalist and author of the book Launching Financial Grownups.

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Episode 163 Webpage and Show Links

This episode we’re talking about ... happiness

So here’s the question: Can you put a price on happiness?

In 2010, Princeton research suggested that people’s day-to-day happiness tops out when they make $75,000.

More recent research, however, indicates that [there is no dollar value at which having more money doesn’t contribute to well-being](https://www.nysscpa.org/news/publications/nextgen/nextgen-article/study-finds-strong-relation-between-income-and-happiness-does-not-max-out-at-75k#:~:text=The new study says that,which point it tops out.). So, really, money can buy happiness. Especially if you use it well. Because the happiness you derive from money depends completely on what you spend it on.

I’m Stacy Johnson. As usual, my co-host will be financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. This week’s special guest is Jason Vitug, a former bank executive and financial wellness expert. His forthcoming book, Happy Money Happy Life, is due in early 2023.

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Episode 162 Show Webpage and Show Links

Don't you wish you could go back in time and be one of the first investors in the Internet? You'd make a killing.

Well, you can't go back and invest in Web 1.0: That was just static web pages—read-only.

And you can't go back and invest in Web 2.0: That's what we have today, creating content and interacting with each other on sites like Facebook.

But what about Web 3.0? That's the latest version of the Internet, still on the drawing board, being built on blockchain technology.

Don't know what the heck I'm talking about? Then you're in the right place.

Because today we're talking about Web 3.0: what it is, how it works, and most important, how you can make money from it.

As usual, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Today's special guest is Robert Farrington, a Web3 expert and founder of digital asset education website Cult of Money.

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

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Podcast webpage with show links 

The stock market is falling — and could even end up in a free fall. With rising inflation and worries about the stock market, where should you put your money?

This week, we're talking about how you can take advantage of a stock market crash. It's not all bad. You might even get some great deals!

As usual, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Today's special guest is Jason Vitug, a former bank executive and financial wellness expert. His forthcoming book, Happy Money Happy Life, is due in early 2023.

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

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is almost $1.75 trillion — that's TRILLION with a T — in outstanding student loan debt in the United States. People of all ages and walks of life are impacted by student loan debt. In fact, you might be surprised that 22% of that debt is owed by people 50 years and older. Well, no matter your age, student loan forgiveness is now on the table. The Biden Administration recently announced a program to forgive up to $20,000 in debt for borrowers. Today, we're going to talk about who qualifies for this student loan forgiveness program and what you need to do to claim your slice of the pie.

Episode 160: How to Get Student Loan Forgiveness - Webpage with Links.

What's in Biden's student loan forgiveness package?

You might be surprised to learn that Baby Boomers have a lot more student loan debt than you might think. No matter your age, you might be eligible for student loan forgiveness due to the recent move by the Biden Administration.

If you want to get rid of some of that debt, your first step is understanding what's in the student loan forgiveness package. Check out the fact sheet offered by the Biden Administration.

• Up to $20,000 for those with Pell Grant and up to $10,000 for others who qualify.
• Income requirements: Up to $125,000 for single filers, up to $250,000 for joint filers, and those designated Head of Household.
• Other proposals in the package include a new income-driven repayment program, earlier forgiveness for some borrowers, and higher Pell Grant amounts.
• No interest accrual on income-driven plans as long as you're making payments.
• Before you get student loans, make sure to read our article on what you need to know before you borrow.
• We also have a quick primer on how student loans work.
• Check out our article on what you should know as you get ready to resume student loan payments.

Steps for getting student loan forgiveness

If you're looking for forgiveness, our guest has the information, step by step. Some resources mentioned and steps to take include:

• Go to StudentAid.gov and sign up to receive notifications when the forgiveness application opens.
• Double-check your student loan information at the National Student Loan Database System.
• This won't be like other loan cancelations. Chances are, you will need to fill out the application.
• Don't forget about the PSLF Waiver, which is available through October 31, 2022. Learn about the details and how to apply.
• You can apply for a refund for your student loan payments since the CARES Act was enacted. Our guest Robert offers a great article on how to do that.
• Looking for help on student loans? We've got an article detailing getting help with student loans.
• Don't qualify for forgiveness? We have an article on how you can speed up your student loan repayment.

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

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This show's webpage with all the links.
Today's special guest is Chris Hutchins, founder of the podcast All the Hacks.

Other episodes you may love:
Ep 158: How to Make Better Financial Decisions Guest: J.D. Roth
Ep 153: 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Beat Inflation Guest: Farnoosh Torabi

You need to build an emergency fund, but you also want to go to Burning Man.

You need to save for retirement, but you also want a Corvette.

You need to buy a house, but you also want to go on a cruise.

At first glance, it seems like you can either do what you should do, or you can do what you want to do. But there's not enough time or money to do both.

Or is there? Today, we're going to talk about how you can tackle multiple financial goals and still not miss out on having some fun.

Hosts:
Stacy Johnson
Miranda Marquit
Aaron Freeman

Remember, should we mention specific investments, they’re never recommendations. Do your own research and make your own decisions. 

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MoneyTalksNews: The Podcast 158 Episode Page: https://www.moneytalksnews.com/how-to-make-better-financial-decisions/ 

Should you buy or lease your car? Where should you live? Is college worth it? Should you invest in stocks? If so, what kind? How much insurance do you need?

These are the kinds of decisions we're faced with every day. And the answers you choose can literally change your life.

And that's why today's topic is how to make better financial decisions. Because better decision-making results in a richer you.

As usual, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is our producer Aaron Freeman. Today's special guest is J.D. Roth, the dean of personal finance bloggers and the founder of the uber-popular website Get Rich Slowly.

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If you appreciate what we do, do something for us: share this show with your friends and family on your favorite social platforms and subscribe to this podcast! It’ll take you 2 seconds, but it can really help us.

More Awesome Travel Shows
Ep 29: 5 Countries Where You Can Retire on $2,000 a Month or Less
Ep 137: 10 Tips to Travel Abroad on a Budget (for Weeks at a Time)

Have you tried to get away this summer? If so, you’ve noticed that travel prices are through the roof.

• Domestic airfare has taken off: is up 34% this year compared to 2019.
• Car rental prices have hit the gas: Up 20% between January and May of 2022
• Hotels are producing sleepless nights: Up 36% from last year.

So, what can a frugal traveler do? That’s what we’re going to discuss today: getting the biggest bang for your travel buck.

I’m Stacy Johnson. As usual, my co-host will be financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is our producer, Aaron Freeman. And this week’s special guest is Lee Huffman, from BaldThoughts.com and the host of the podcast We Travel There.

 

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Podcast Links and Show Downloads

According to the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey, 25.6 million people borrowed from friends and family this year, up from 19.1 million a year ago.

So here's the question: If a friend or family member came to you for money, would you give it to them?

It's been an issue for hundreds of years. Take this line from Shakespeare's Hamlet: "Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend."

And it's true. A Bankrate survey found that nearly half of those who lend to friends and family say it doesn't end well.

So, when you're approached or are about to approach, what's the right way to do it? That's what we're going to talk about today.

This week, Stacy Johnson and financial journalist Miranda Marquit are joined by producer Aaron Freeman. Our special guest this week is Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, known as America's Money Coach.

Remember, even though we sometimes talk about specific investments on this show, don't take them as recommendations because they're not. Before investing in anything, do your own research, and make your own decisions.

 

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

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Social Security is important. It provides the majority of income to most retirees. According to The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, it provides at least 50 percent of total income for half of retirees and 90 percent for about a quarter of them.

Unfortunately, according to research, most people don't understand exactly how Social Security works. In fact, the average person overestimates their monthly benefits by $300 or more.

Navigating the Social Security Administration is no picnic. That's why we're going to answer some of your questions about Social Security in this podcast.

This week's guest is Devin Carroll, an advisor and the founder of the Social Security Intelligence blog.

Remember, even though we sometimes talk about specific investments on this show, don't take them as recommendations because they're not. Before investing in anything, do your own research, and make your own decisions.

Podcast 155 episode article with links.

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