Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast.

In this episode, we're talking about investing in artificial intelligence, as well as using AI tools to become a more successful investor.

The hype around artificial intelligence has been insane, with some calling it the greatest game-changer since the invention of the internet or even electricity!

Is it true? Is AI that big a deal? And if so, should we be investing in the companies developing it? And how do we go about harnessing AI to make better investment decisions?

We're going to answer both those questions, and more, in this podcast.

As usual, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. This week's guest is Kevin Matthews, a former investment advisor and the founder of Building Bread, an investment education website.

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 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.

Is AI going to change your life?

We talk about AI and how it's starting to permeate various aspects of life. It could change how you live and work—and even how you manage your money. Check out some of our resources on using AI in your finances and other parts of your life.

• 20 Jobs That Are Safest From Artificial Intelligence
• Will Robots and Artificial Intelligence Take Your Job?
• 8 Ways AI Can Help Plan Retirement — and 12 Risks From Using It
• Using AI to Build Your Resume: Tips and Prompt Examples
• How to Use AI to Generate Your Cover Letter
• Hear a Loved One's Voice Calling for Help? It Might Be a Scam
• How to Invest in AI as ChatGPT Takes Tech by Storm
• 5 Ways AI Is Changing Your Life, and 5 Ways to Profit From It

Resources for better investing

You don't have to assume that AI is the only way to invest. We have plenty of resources for better investing—no matter how you go about it.

• Why Index Fund Investing Is Good for Your Retirement
• How to Start Investing — No Matter How Much Money You Have
• The Top 4 Investing Blunders and How to Avoid Them
• The Investing Combo Linked to a Better Retirement Lifestyle
• Investing in Gold and Gold IRAs: 5 Things You Need to Know
• How to Choose Between Active and Passive Investing
• 28 Investing Tips From Today's Financial Geniuses
• What Does a Bull Market Mean for Retirement Investing?
• 7 Things You Should Know Before Investing in I Bonds

Meet this week's guest, Kevin L. Matthews II

Kevin L. Matthews II is a Plutus Award winner and number one bestselling author. He has helped hundreds of individuals plan for their retirement in addition to managing more than $140 million in assets during his advisory career. In 2017, he was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Financial Advisors by Investopedia.

Kevin launched BuildingBread in 2010 to inspire millennials to set, simplify and achieve any financial goal. Kevin regularly speaks to young adults across the country and has been featured in several media publications and productions including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, Black Enterprise, CNBC, and many others.

Kevin holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Hampton University, a certificate in financial planning from Northwestern University and a certificate in disruptive strategy from Harvard Business School. In 2020, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business with a Master's in Technology Commercialization (MSTC).

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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.

Today, we're talking about things people wish they'd known before retiring.

Planning for retirement is a tricky business! Lots of moving pieces and parts. Today we're going to share some things real retirees said they wish they'd known before they retired.

We're going to focus on five high-impact areas that can add tens of thousands of dollars to your retirement savings.

Host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Friend of the show, Pam Krueger from Wealthramp, returns to share real stories of retirement regrets.

Before you listen, remember: This isn't financial advice. So make sure to do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

You can listen to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

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

Watch out for these money mistakes

In this episode, we discuss specific retirement mistakes, but they're not the only money mistakes you could make. Check out these resources that cover some of the most common money mistakes—not just retirement—and how to avoid them.

• 5 Surprisingly Costly Mistakes We Make at Gas Stations
• 15 Common Thrift Store Shopping Mistakes to Avoid
• 12 Home-Selling Mistakes You'll Regret
• 16 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes To Avoid
• 7 of the Worst Car-Buying Mistakes You Can Make
• 27 Big Financial Mistakes That Most People Make — and How to Fix Them
• 14 Mistakes That Are Running Up Your Water Bill
• 6 Mistakes That Can Cost You a Job Offer in No Time
• 9 Money Mistakes Setting Fire to Your Future
• 6 Medicare Mistakes To Avoid for a Healthy Retirement
• Don't Make These 6 Expensive Financial Mistakes
• 15 Mistakes People Make With Roth IRAs
• The 3 Mistakes Nearly Every Investor Makes
• 6 Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Helpful tips for a better retirement

Ready to take the next steps for a better, more successful retirement? We've got you. Check out our retirement resources:

• How Much Do You Need for Retirement If You Live to Age 100?
• 12 Simple Ways To Save Money in Retirement
• Over-Saving for Retirement: Advice From People Who Saved Too Much
• Your Year-End Retirement Checklist: Prepare for a Great 2024 and Beyond
• 6 Ways to Keep a Stellar Credit Score in Retirement (and Why)
• 15 Tips to Successfully Downsize in Retirement
• The Right Advisor Can Double Your Retirement Savings: 4 Tips to Find One
• The Top 8 Sources of Retirement Income, According to Retirees
• The Top 10% of Retirement Savers Share These 4 Traits
• 98 Tips for a Healthy, Wealthy and Happy Retirement
• 8 Ways AI Can Help Plan Retirement — and 12 Risks From Using It
• 11 Retirement Milestones Everyone Should Know
• 12 Hard Truths About Retirement

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.

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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 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.

In this episode we're talking about how just about anyone can start investing.

When Stacy was an investment broker 40 years ago, investing was a colossal pain in the butt. You needed thousands of dollars to pick up the phone and talk to someone like me; you couldn't just do it yourself.

Today, though, things have changed. Did you know you can start investing with as little as $5? And you don't even need anyone's help. Just do it online.

And investing is important. Stocks and other risk assets are one of the best ways to build wealth over time. So today we're going help you get started, whether you've got $5 or $5 million.

Host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Today's special guest is Marko Zlatic, founder of Whiteboard Finance.

Before you listen, remember: This isn't financial advice. So make sure to do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

You can listen to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

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

Investing is one of the best ways to build wealth

If you want to build wealth, you need to invest. We have lots of resources on investing in different types of assets, and ideas to help you get started.

• Investing in Gold and Gold IRAs: 5 Things You Need to Know
• 5 Simple Tips to Make Money With Stocks
• Why Index Fund Investing Is Good for Your Retirement
• 7 of the Best Dividend Stocks to Help Fund Your Retirement
• The Investing Combo Linked to a Better Retirement Lifestyle
• Investing In Commercial Real Estate with CrowdStreet
• How to Choose Between Active and Passive Investing
• 7 Things You Should Know Before Investing in I Bonds
• 9 Tips for Sane and Successful Stock Investing
• 7 of the Best Ways to Invest That Don't Involve Stocks
• Financial Wisdom: What Is the Best Investment?

Find the money to start investing

Sure, you can start investing with pocket change. And you should start as soon as you can. But if you're trying to figure out where to find the money to invest more, we can help you with savings articles. Use the knowledge you gain to put more into your nest egg.

• 25 Tips for How to Save Money If Your Paycheck Is Stretched Thin
• 51 Fast Ways to Score $1,000 or More
• 7 Secret Ways to Put More Money in Your Pocket
• Frugal Living Guide: How to Have Less Stuff and Save Money
• 21 Products That Will Help You Save Money
• 11 Ways To Save Money on Food Without Using Coupons
• 10 Depression Era Hacks and Frugal Living Ideas To Save Money Now
• 11 Ways to Save Money Using Social Media
• 12 Ways to Save Money on Health Care
• How to Use Gift Cards to Save Money
• 10 Ways to Change Bad Spending Habits and Save Money
• How to Position Your Investment Portfolio for Tax Advantages
• 9 Side Hustles Where You Could Earn More Than Full-Time Work
• 10 Shockingly Simple Ways to Make More and Spend Less

Meet this week's guest, Marko Zlatic

Marko has been investing since 2006.

In 2010, he earned his Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Akron. Marko has worked for multiple publicly traded companies in capital markets, risk analysis, and commercial real estate development.

In 2017, he started his YouTube Channel, WhiteBoard Finance, which now has over 60 Million views and 975,000+ subscribers.

His life's mission is to teach financial literacy and enable people of all backgrounds to become financially independent.

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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 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.

In this episode, we're talking about the top four mistakes investors make.

When it comes to stocks, we all know we're supposed to buy low and sell high, but for many of us, that's a lot easier said than done. Many investors tend to buy when the market's topping, then panic and sell at the bottom.

That's one common mistake investors make, but it's far from the only one. Today, we're talking to a behavioral investing expert about how simple mistakes can lead to big losses, especially during times of economic uncertainty. He's going to help us avoid falling into behavioral traps and make us all better investors.

Host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Our guest is Jason L Smith, CEO and founder of C2P Enterprises and author of The Bucket Plan.

Before you listen, remember: This isn't financial advice. So make sure to do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

You can listen to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

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

We all make money mistakes

It's impossible to get through life without making a mistake or two. Whether it's listening to the wrong financial guru or even if you make a big mistake (like Miranda) that ruined your credit, we've all been there. We talk specifically about investing mistakes, but we have plenty of resources to help you identify and avoid other money mistakes.

• 12 Home-Selling Mistakes You'll Regret
• 7 of the Worst Car-Buying Mistakes You Can Make
• 6 Mistakes To Avoid When You Turn 65
• 27 Big Financial Mistakes That Most People Make — and How to Fix Them
• 14 Mistakes That Are Running Up Your Water Bill
• 16 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes To Avoid
• 10 Embarrassing Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes
• 5 Retirement Planning Mistakes You'll Regret Forever
• 9 Money Mistakes Setting Fire to Your Future

Investing for the future

Don't let the fear of making mistakes keep you from investing. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes is not getting started. Here are some articles that can help you become a better investor.

• 3 Myths That Successful Investors Wish You'd Stop Believing
• Saving Is Not Enough: Why You Need to Invest
• 5 Simple Tips to Make Money With Stocks
• Investing in Gold and Gold IRAs: 5 Things You Need to Know
• How to Choose Between Active and Passive Investing
• 7 Things You Should Know Before Investing in I Bonds
• 9 Tips for Sane and Successful Stock Investing
• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investing: Hope or Hype?
• How to Invest When Both Stocks and Bonds Are Falling
• 7 of the Best Ways to Invest That Don't Involve Stocks
• How to Find the Best Dividend Stocks, Step by Step
• How to Position Your Investment Portfolio for Tax Advantages

Meet this week's guest, Jason L. Smith

Jason L Smith, CEP®, BPC is a nationally acclaimed speaker, financial planner, best-selling author, coach, and entrepreneur. He is the Founder and CEO of C2P, as well as JL Smith, his own holistically run financial services practice.

Jason is the author of the best-selling book, The Bucket Plan: Protecting and Growing Your Assets for a Worry-Free Retirement, which was recently named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Top 10 Retirement Planning Books; the only one based on a financial planning process. He also wrote Clarity 2 Prosperity: An Advisor's Guide to Charging Planning Fees for Holistic Planning, and co-authored The Hiring Advantage. Jason's Bucket Plan philosophy inspired a children's book designed to teach kids responsible spending, saving, and earning principles, Days Can Be Sunny for Bunnies and Money.

Jason and his wife, Holly, have a daughter, Jordan, and two sets of twins: Berkeley and Wyatt, and Lincoln and Lennon. Jason enjoys reading, grilling, yoga, strength training, and anything that gets him outdoors.

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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 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.

In this episode, we predict what will happen to your money in 2024.

Israel…Ukraine…a presidential election…inflation…possible recession. A lot is going on that could affect the global economy, as well as your personal economy.

It's always dangerous to make predictions, but we're going to do it anyway, as we have for decades here at Money Talks News.

Today, we will focus on three main areas: The stock market, the housing market, and interest rates.

More than likely, you've got a dog in at least one of these fights, right? So, in addition to predicting what's ahead, we're going to make suggestions on what you should be doing now to prepare.

 

Host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. This week our special guest is Marc Lieberman, the founder of Shorepine Wealth Management. Friend of the show, Pam Krueger from Wealthramp, is also joining us to talk about what's next.

Before you listen, remember: This isn't financial advice. So make sure to do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

You can listen to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

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

2024 money forecast

Are you ready for 2024? What do you think is coming? Our panelists share what they think will happen in various parts of the market—and why.

First of all, take a look at what some of the experts are saying from around the web:

• Business Insider's story on stock market predictions for 2024
• U.S. News shares insight into what might happen with stocks due to the presidential election
• Reuter's reports on potential interest rate cuts in 2024
• Bankrate has a housing market prediction for the coming year
• The Economist shares ten predictions for 2024

And what about our own predictions from past years at Money Talks News? Compare our past performance and check out some other information on the 2024 money forecast:

• Where Stocks Are Going in 2023 and Where You Should Invest Now
• Top Money Predictions for 2022
• 7 Reasons 2024 Could Be the Year Homebuyers Catch a Break
• 4 Key Financial Goals Everyone Should Have for 2024
• 7 Ways the Social Security System Will Change in 2024
• 6 Ways Shopping Could Change in 2024
• 7 Ways Retirement Laws Will Change in 2024
• Off the Beaten Path: 10 Trending Travel Destinations for 2024

Position your finances for a better 2024

As you prepare for the coming year, you can take steps now and early in the new year to set yourself up for better financial success.

• 6 End-of-Year Money Moves You Should Make Right Now
• 8 Holiday Gifts To Help Friends and Family Manage Their Money
• Mind Over Money: How Thoughts Create Wealth
• 7 Proven Ways to Get Free Money
• 25 Tips for How to Save Money If Your Paycheck Is Stretched Thin
• How to Find the Top Entry-Level, High-Paying Jobs
• 20 High-Paying Part-Time Jobs With Flexibility
• 9 Energy-Efficient Home Improvements That Save You Money
• 8 Ways to Get Some Fast Financial Wins
• 10 Reasons Why Talking About Money Can Give You a Better Future
• 4 Reasons People Kept Their Money Resolutions in 2023 — and 1 Reason They Failed
• 10 Bad Money Habits That Are Robbing You Blind

 

Meet this week's guest, Marc Lieberman

Marc Lieberman is the founder of Shorepine Wealth Management, a fee-only financial advisor based in Tiburon, CA serving clients across the country. Marc has spent more than 20 years in the investment industry. He embodies a unique combination of skills that includes managing portfolios ranging in size from less than $1 Million to over $600 Million As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Marc Lieberman is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.

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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.

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• Podcast: MoneyTrack
• Podcast: Friends Talk Money
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• 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 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.

In this episode, we're talking about the top scams you're likely to see in retirement and how you can avoid them.

Did you know that more than $28 BILLION—that's a billion with a B—is stolen from those aged 60 and older each year?

So, how do you avoid becoming a depressing statistic if you're in retirement or approaching retirement? Today, we will talk to an expert on banking for retirees. He's seen it all, and he's ready to talk to us about what you're likely to see—and how to avoid falling victim.

Host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Our special guest is Tony Brancato, the Head of Product at Charlie, a company that focuses on 62+ banking.

Before we start, remember this isn't financial advice. So make sure to do your research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here. Additionally, we need to acknowledge our advertising relationship with Charlie. Even though they are one of our partners, it doesn't affect our opinions.

You can listen to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

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

Scam and fraud can be anywhere — what you need to know

Scams are plentiful and fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated. It's important to be vigilant. Our guest talks about some of the most common scams and what you need to know about avoiding them. Plus, he'll share some tools available for those over the age of 62 with the help of the banking product Charlie. In the meantime, check out our resources and further information about scams and frauds:

• FOMO, Fraud, and Financial Ruin: Lessons From the Crypto Craze
• Avoid These 14 Holiday Scams and Frauds
• How to Tell If Fraudsters Have Opened Bank Accounts in Your Name
• 7 Ways to Protect Your Retirement From Investment Fraud
• Don't Fall for These 5 Types of Costly Small-Business Scams
• Free Program Uses AI to Spot Scams Before They Trap You
• How to Avoid Mail Delivery Phishing Scams
• 7 Text Message Scams to Avoid and Report Immediately
• 8 Job Scams and 10 Signs to Watch For

Money tips, tricks and resources for financial freedom

If you want non-scammy help with various aspects of your finances, we've got you covered. Check out our website for money tips and resources:

• How to Raise Your Credit Score Without Getting Ripped Off
• Debt Consolidation vs. Debt Settlement: 5 Things You Need To Know
• 7 Ways to Get Your FICO Credit Score for Free
• How to Save on Shopping Using Credit Card Perks
• How I Slashed $25,000 in Credit Card Debt to Zero
• 5 Tips to Deal With Debt When Interest Rates Are Rising
• Good vs. Bad Debt: A Quick Guide to Borrowing Wisely for Financial Success
• The Right Advisor Can Double Your Retirement Savings: 4 Tips to Find One
• 5 Tips to Reduce Your Retirement Savings Anxiety
• 5 Fast Ways to Turbocharge Your Retirement Savings
• 9 Safe and Smart Investments for Retirees
• Your Guide to Alternative Investments
• The Investing Combo Linked to a Better Retirement Lifestyle

Meet this week's guest, Tony Brancato

Tony Brancato is the Head of Product at Charlie, the new standard for 62+ banking.

Tony has developed digital products in the healthcare, media, and fintech industries for over 20 years.

He held product leadership positions at several media companies, including Patch.com, Time Inc., and most recently, served as VP Product and Audience Development at The New York Times.

Tony also served in a senior product role at Amazon, as General Manager, Advertising at IMDB.com, Chief Product Officer at Renew Health, and Executive Vice President, Platform at Olive, the automation and intelligence company working to bridge the divide in healthcare.

Tony is the founder of The Influence Project, a data-driven cultural preservation initiative, and a lecturer at UCLA.

He is a graduate of Brown University.

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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 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.

In this episode, we're talking about how money FOMO, among other things, can make you vulnerable to scams and how to avoid being a victim.

Cryptocurrency was all the rage for a couple of years, and it seemed nothing could go wrong. It was a very social experience. In 2022, 31% of new crypto investors got started with advice from a friend. On top of that, 10% of investors cited the fear of missing out, or FOMO, as a reason to get into the market.

When inexperienced investors flood into fad investments like crypto, scammers aren't far behind. And that's exactly what happened with crypto. The market collapsed, and thousands of would-be millionaires had their savings wiped out.

Let's make sure crap like this doesn't happen to you.

 

Host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Today investigative reporter Zeke Faux, author of the book Number Go Up, just named a book of the year by the Washington Post, will join us to talk about how the fear of missing out can lead to scams.

Before you listen, remember: This isn't financial advice. So make sure to do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here.

You can listen to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

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

Watch out for scams

Scams are everywhere. Even smart people can fall for scams. As we talked about with our guest, there are many reasons people fall prey to fraudsters. Here are some scams to watch out for, as well as resources on avoiding scams:

• 9 States Where People Face the Highest Risk of Identity Theft and Fraud
• Hear a Loved One's Voice Calling for Help? It Might Be a Scam
• Don't Fall for These 5 Types of Costly Small-Business Scams
• 24 Costco Scams Going Around Right Now
• 7 Text Message Scams to Avoid and Report Immediately
• Free Program Uses AI to Spot Scams Before They Trap You
• How to Avoid Mail Delivery Phishing Scams
• How to Tell If Fraudsters Have Opened Bank Accounts in Your Name
• 6 Things Scammers Do With Your Cellphone Number
• 4 Beliefs That Make You Easy Prey for Scammers

How to invest—without being scammed

Investing is still one of the best ways to build wealth over time. And, just because cryptocurrency ended up being ripe for fraudsters, it doesn't mean all investments are scams. Here are some resources for making money with investments:

• The Investing Combo Linked to a Better Retirement Lifestyle
• Why Index Fund Investing Is Good for Your Retirement
• 7 of the Best Dividend Stocks to Help Fund Your Retirement
• 5 Simple Tips to Make Money With Stocks
• Investing in Gold and Gold IRAs: 5 Things You Need to Know
• How to Choose Between Active and Passive Investing
• 7 Things You Should Know Before Investing in I Bonds
• 9 Tips for Sane and Successful Stock Investing
• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investing: Hope or Hype?
• How to Invest When Both Stocks and Bonds Are Falling
• 7 of the Best Ways to Invest That Don't Involve Stocks
• How to Find the Best Dividend Stocks, Step by Step

Meet this week's guest, Zeke Faux

Zeke Faux is an investigative reporter for Bloomberg Businessweek and Bloomberg News, and a former National Fellow at New America. He's a winner of the Gerald Loeb award and the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel award and a National Magazine Award finalist. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, and the anthologies The Year's Best Sportswriting and The Best Business Writing. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and three children.

• Website
• Twitter

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 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.

In this podcast episode, we're talking about how the way you think can make you richer…or poorer.

We've all heard the stories: people win the lottery, then lose it all. Or a millionaire who loses everything and then rebuilds their fortune seemingly overnight.

These examples illustrate that financial success isn't just determined by your income and expenses, just like success as an athlete isn't all about talent. A significant part of winning, physical or financial, comes from things like your attitude and beliefs.

So today, we will talk about how you can flip your mental script to unleash your potential.

Host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Our guest today is Yanely Espinal, the author of the book Mind Your Money. She's going to help us figure out how to change your money mindset and position yourself for success.

Before you listen, remember: We're not offering financial advice. So make sure to do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here. Additional disclosure: Co-host Miranda has a freelance writing relationship with Student Loan Planner.

You can listen to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

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

Money mindset is a big part of financial success

Often, the stories we tell ourselves about money hold us back. Overcoming some of these money mindset issues can be a big part of moving on to the next stage of financial success. How we view money and our financial values can shape our budgets and how we plan for the future. Here are some of our resources for planning, values, financial wellness and updating your money mindset.

• How a Planning Mindset Can Impact Your Finances
• 5 Tips to Make Better Financial Decisions
• How and Why to Pass on Financial Values to Your Heirs
• 9 Ways to Be More Financially Aware and Successful
• What Is Financial Wellness? Have You Achieved It?
• 17 Financial Micro Habits for More Peace of Mind
• Financial Therapy: What It Is and Why You Might Benefit From It
• The Most Important Long-Term Financial Goal Has Nothing to Do With Money
• 5 Tips for Boosting Your Income to Reach Your First $1 Million
• 6 Tips for How to Manage Money for Happiness
• How to Create a Budget You Love: 5 Things You Need to Know

Financial resources for taking those first money steps

While working on your money mindset is a big part of moving forward, you also need the ability to take actionable steps. Here are some of our best resources for mastering the basics so that you can go on to build wealth.

• 10 Top Budgeting Lessons to Improve Your Money Management
• The 5 Best Budgeting Apps to Get Your Finances Together
• How to Build a Family Emergency Fund
• Health Savings Accounts and Why They Are Great for Retirement
• Saving Is Not Enough: Why You Need to Invest
• Congrats on Saving $1000: Now Do These 5 Things to Make it $10,000
• How Much Should You Have in Emergency Savings?
• 11 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Slash Your Expenses
• 8 Small Expenses That Are Bleeding Your Budget Dry
• Financial Wisdom: What Is the Best Investment?
• Why Index Fund Investing Is Good for Your Retirement
• Become an Overnight Financial Whiz With These 5 Simple Tools
• 3 Powerful Tools to Destroy Your Debts and Renew Your Credit

Meet this week's guest, Yanely Espinal

Yanely is a Brooklyn-born ball of energy with an intimate knowledge of financial education, culture, and politics in America. Known on the internet as MissBeHelpful, she's a millennial financial educator who started her career as a teacher, and now serves as the Director of Educational Outreach at Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF.org)

Over the last four years, Yanely has worked with governors and state legislators to pass laws requiring personal finance education for a full semester before high school graduation. Bills that Yanely has championed have been signed into law in Florida (SB1054), Michigan (HB5190), Georgia (SB 220), Rhode Island (H 5491), and North Carolina (HB 924).

The stories in her debut book, Mind Your Money, detail her journey from food stamps to financial freedom and her experience navigating the Ivy League as a first-generation daughter of immigrants.

• Website
• YouTube
• 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 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.

Today’s podcast is a replay of a popular show we did a few months back. So if you didn’t hear it the first time, or want to hear it again, now’s your chance. Thanks for listening to Money Talks News…the podcast!

If you're an avid investor…or even if you're not…at one time or another you've probably considered investing in individual stocks. I've been doing it for 40 years, and over that time have made well over a million dollars investing in the stocks of individual companies.

But stock picking isn't for everyone, and it comes with risks. Even the best stock pickers periodically lose money. The trick is to learn a few rules that will increase your odds.

And that's what we're going to talk about today.

Stacy Johnson and financial journalist Miranda Marquit are joined by producer and novice investor Aaron Freeman. This week's guest is a friend of the show, Kevin Matthews, a former investment advisor and the author of Starting Point: How To Create Wealth That Lasts.

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.

You can download this 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.

Don't Miss

We're talking about investing this week, so you don't want to miss out on an opportunity to learn more about investing in alternative assets.

• You can easily diversify and build a portfolio of private assets like real estate, private credit, and venture capital in less than 5 minutes, with as little as $10, by opening an account with this next-generation portfolio manager.

More on investing in stocks

One of the best ways to build wealth is through stock investing. There are many different ways to invest in stocks, and we can help you figure out how to make the most of your investing dollars. Here are some resources from Money Talks News to help you learn about stock investing, including ideas for where to put your money:

• Saving Is Not Enough: Why You Need to Invest
• 9 Tips for Sane and Successful Stock Investing
• People Who Work Hard May Be Bad Investors, Study Shows
• I Asked AI for Stocks That Could Outperform for the Rest of the Year. Here's What It Said.
• 7 of the Best Dividend Stocks to Help Fund Your Retirement
• Stocks Are Tanking: What You Need to Know Now
• The Market is Low: Time to Buy Stocks?
• How to Invest When Both Stocks and Bonds Are Falling
• How to Find the Best Dividend Stocks, Step by Step
• How to Pick Winning Stocks, Step by Step

Learn more about investing

Stock investing isn't the only way to make money as an investor. We've got a lot of great articles about other ways to invest—and about investing in general. Get more bang for your buck after learning about the resources.

• 9 Safe and Smart Investments for Retirees
• Why You Shouldn't Look at Your Investments During a Bull Market
• Top Alternative Investments for Diversifying Your Portfolio
• Your Guide to Alternative Investments
• Investing in Gold and Gold IRAs: 5 Things You Need to Know
• Investing In Commercial Real Estate with CrowdStreet
• How to Choose Between Active and Passive Investing
• How to Know When the Bear Market Is Over — and Why You Shouldn't Wait to Invest
• What Is Socially Responsible Investing?
• 7 Things You Should Know Before Investing in I Bonds
• 7 of the Best Ways to Invest That Don't Involve Stocks

Meet this week's guest, Kevin Matthews, II

Kevin L. Matthews II is a Plutus Award winner and number one bestselling author. He has helped hundreds of individuals plan for their retirement in addition to managing more than $140 million in assets during his advisory career. By 2017, he was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Financial Advisors by Investopedia.

Kevin launched BuildingBread in 2010 to inspire millennials to set, simplify and achieve any financial goal. Kevin regularly speaks to young adults across the country and has been featured in several media publications and productions including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, Black Enterprise, CNBC, and many others.

Kevin holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Hampton University, a certificate in financial planning from Northwestern University and a certificate in disruptive strategy from Harvard Business School. In 2020, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business with a Master's in Technology Commercialization (MSTC).

• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

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 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.

In this episode, we're talking about how parents help finance their kid's education. Specifically, we're going to discuss Parent PLUS loans and how they impact millions of Americans hoping to retire.

Americans above the age of 60 are drowning in student loan debt, both their own and that of their kids.

The number of people over the age of 60 who have student loan debt has sextupled since 2004, now at $125 billion.

Part of that debt is made of Parent PLUS loans: loans taken out by parents to help students. 3.7 million people of varying ages owe $108.5 billion in Parent PLUS debt.

If you're one of those parents, there's stuff you need to know. Because some options you now have to deal with PLUS loans will soon be going away. It's so serious, it's being called the PLUS loan cliff.

Sounds ominous!

Host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and sometimes contributing is producer Aaron Freeman. Today's guest is Travis Hornsby, the founder and CEO of Student Loan Planner. He's going to help us navigate this confusing topic and tell us how to handle this debt.

Before we start, remember: We're not offering financial advice. So make sure to do your own research and consult your own experts before acting on anything you learn here. It's also important to note that Miranda has a freelance relationship with Student Loan Planner. She provides content for them on a contract basis.

You can listen to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts:

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Google Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Let's talk about paying for college

Parent PLUS loans are a type of Direct loan. When loans for undergraduate students fall short of meeting funding needs, Parent PLUS loans can fill the gap. The student loan system is complicated, and it's important to understand how you can pay for college, whether you get loans or not.

Here's more information about student loans and paying for college, including ideas for getting a better return for your tuition buck in terms of jobs.

What to Know About Student Loans Before You Borrow
7 Ways to Get Free Money for College
5 College Majors With the Worst Employment Rates — and 5 With the Best
Top 20 Colleges and Universities That Hire for Flexible Jobs
10 Colleges Where Tuition Is Free
10 Things College Students Should Learn About Money
Good Jobs That Don't Require a College Degree
9 Colleges That Offer Free Tuition for Seniors
8 Ivy League Colleges That Offer Free Online Courses
Free College Courses for Seniors in Every State
Can't Afford a College Degree? Consider Certification and a New Job
What you need to know about student loans, including Parent PLUS loans

Student loan debt can feel overwhelming. However, there are programs for forgiveness. It's also important to understand the difference between private and federal student loans. Here are some resources you can use to learn more, both on Money Talks News and on other websites.

13 States That Could Tax Forgiven College Loans
11 Ways to Pay Off Student Loans Fast
5 Ways to Avoid Drowning in Student Loan Debt if You Drop Out of College
How to Get Free Help With Your Student Loans
How to Prepare for the Parent PLUS Cliff in 2025 (Miranda's article for Student Loan Planner)
Parent PLUS Loans: You might be eligible, but should you take one? (Miranda's article for Britannica Money)
Federal loans vs. private loans: Understanding student loan issuer types (Miranda's article for Britannica Money)
Federal student loans: Subsidized vs. unsubsidized loans (Miranda's article for Britannica Money)
Meet this week's guest, Travis Hornsby

Travis Hornsby is a speaker and the founder of Student Loan Planner, which he launched after helping his physician wife navigate ridiculously complex student loan repayment decisions. To date, Student Loan Planner has consulted on over $1 billion in student debt. Travis is a Chartered Financial Analyst and brings his background as a former bond trader trading billions of dollars. Trying to solve the student loan crisis brought him out of his first retirement at the age of 25.

He brings that same intensity to analyzing the best repayment paths for graduate degree professionals with six figures of student debt. Travis and his team have helped over 13,000+ clients save over $783 million dollars on their student loans, and he's been featured in NPR, New York Times, Bloomberg, U.S. News, Business Insider, Forbes, Rolling Stone, ChooseFi, Bigger Pockets, Money, and more.

Website
Podcast
Instagram
TikTok
Twitter
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.