Money Talks

This blog post a too long to post here. Please follow the link above to read about Bitcoin.

https://www.newper.com/

Money Talks expert hosts are Chartered Financial Analysts from New Perspectives. They’ve posted a new blog on their website new per.com

Money Talks can be heard live on MPB Think Radio Tuesdays at 9am. Or listen to the podcast.

Our website is moneytalks.mpbonline.org.

Email us your questions: [email protected]

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Diversification is a buzz word for your investment portfolio. We’ll talk about two ways you could do that: mutual funds and ETFs – exchange traded funds. Are they the same? How are they different? 

New Perspectives puts up a new blog post. Here's the latest. It's about Inflation:

https://newper.blogspot.com/2021/11/chicken-little.html

http://moneytalks.mpbonline.org/episodes/money-talks-inflation-blog

Discussion:

• inflation
• cash back credit cards
• Medicaid premiums

Mutual Funds:

• What are they?
• How are they managed?
• What types are there?
• How can they make us money?
• Can they lose money?

Exchange Traded Funds - ETFs

• How do they compare to mutual funds?
• How easy is it to invest?
• Bit Coin ETF

Call - how are advisor's are paid

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https://newper.blogspot.com/2021/11/chicken-little.html

Money Talks expert hosts are Chartered Financial Analysts from New Perspectives. Their firm has researched additional information about inflation in 2021. Please read their post here. Money Talks can be heard live on MPB Think Radio Tuesdays at 9am. Or listen to the podcast. moneytalks.mpbonline.org is our website. Email your questions: [email protected]

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Or is it?

We just got the latest numbers on inflation. The data show that inflation increased 6.2% for the 12 month period ending in October of this year. That’s WAY beyond the historical average of 3% annually and stirred up the inflation ghosts of the 80s.  While we take inflation pressures seriously, we find there are some mitigating factors here and some variables that mean these numbers will moderate.

First, this is being measured against the twelve months ending in October, 2020, when we were, mostly, in pandemic mode. Much of the twelve months from November, 2019, through October, 2020, were spent in full or partial lockdown. That means we are measuring from a low point. The previous inflation rate for that period is 1.2%, much lower than the historical average.

And what determines prices? Supply and demand. And we have some weird things going on for both sides of the equation.

On the supply side, we our seriously bogged down. Factories are trying to gear back up to full steam. Ships are backed up at ports. There are not enough drivers to deliver goods. There is a multitude of variables contributing to the mess, but it’s not permanent. Gradually, we will see  the chain unkink, but, right now, inventory levels are low. Want the hottest Christmas toy? You’re going to pay big bucks.

And what of the demand side? We’ve all been hunkered down, spending less and accumulating more. As my mother used to say, “The money is burning a hole in our pockets.” And we’re not just buying stuff. Now, we are buying experiences—booking travel like there’s no tomorrow.

More people chasing fewer goods/services. It’s a recipe for classic inflation. But will we keep spending like drunken sailors? Probably not. Things will slow down. We’ll get it all out of our system and settle back into normal patterns.

And what about the biggest cost of business? Labor. Well, we are waiting to see how this pans out. Yes, the labor market is tight, and wages are increasing. Will they stick? In some cases, yes. In areas with a lot of turnover, maybe not.

Ultimately, we believe prices will moderate, but don’t expect to go all the way back down to earth. For the last decade, inflation has been in the 2% range or less. We expect it to go above historical levels in the next year or two and hover in the mid 3% range. That’s highER inflation but not HYPER inflation.

So, when it comes to inflation, it’s a little cloudy, but we don’t think the sky is falling.

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We hope our listeners are familiar with some of the different types of financial institutions. Many in Mississippian aren’t. Many of us are un-banked. Money Talks going to talk about Credit Unions today with our guests from Hope Credit Union.

Felicia Lyles, HOPE Senior Vice President of Retail Operations and Carrus King, HOPE Vice President and a Branch Manager of Hope Credit Union will tell us how they are trying to help educate Mississippians against predatory lending and the benefits of having a banking relationship. Ryder will be taking your general personal finance questions.

Jackson branch of Hope Credit Union 601-965-7100

https://hopecu.org/

https://www.mycreditunion.gov/

Discussion:

• GE stock
• Hope history
• Transformational deposits
• Member benefits
• Services availalble
• Unbanked
• Predatory lending

Calls:

• infrastructure
• home loans with student loan debt
• how to invest

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Money Talks loves bringing in expert guests to bring you a variety of topics but sometimes we just sit back and encourage you to call in about anything you’d like to discuss when it comes to your personal finance. We do have a selection of stories that have been in the news to discuss between your questions.

Discussion:

• "Stay the course" - S & P up this year
• Meta -verse

On April 13th, 2021 Money Talks hosted Executive Director for Mississippi Home Corporation, Scott Spivey. We learned about the Rental Assistance For Mississippians Program known as RAMP. You can find our podcast from April 13th 2021 for additional information. http://moneytalks.mpbonline.org/episodes/money-talks-ms-home-corp

 https://ms-ramp.com/

NPR recently reported that a California man in 2014 bought a season pass at Six Flags for $150 that included two meals a day. He has eaten nearly every meal at Six Flags over the last 6 years. He says with all his savings, he paid off his student loans and bought a house.

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/26/1049222059/california-man-has-eaten-nearly-every-meal-at-six-flags-over-the-last-6-years

The head of the office of Federal Student Aid told lawmakers that his agency is preparing for federal student loan repayments to resume early next year. https://www.npr.org/2021/10/28/1050110273/4-things-to-know-about-possible-changes-to-your-student-loan-debt

If you are employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

According to various websites, here are recommendations

On what TO buy in November:

• Smart home devices, Cookware and small kitchen appliances, Smartwatches and wearables, Smartphones, wine, baking ingredients, travel - other than Thanksgiving, tools, and cookware

Here’s what NOT TO buy in November:

• Doorbuster TVs – wait to buy before the Superbowl, Ultra-low-price laptops (There is disagreement about these items. Some say the electronics offered aren’t the best quality.) Jewelry, Holiday merchandise – buy after Christmas, A new car – there’s a tight supply due to chip shortage, Large appliances and mattresses – buy these Independence Day, Labor Day and Memorial Day sales. 

Mississippians enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are eligible for a supplemental benefit in November. Similar benefits were offered over the previous months to assist certified SNAP households during the pandemic, Mississippi Department of Human Services officials said last week. Check for eligibility for SNAP benefits https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/economic-assistance/snap/

 Calls:

• debt ceiling
• meta money
• IRAs and Roth IRAs

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As you age or your parents age, discussions and planning may need to take place concerning paying for nursing home care. Our guest, attorney Kelly Kyle from Kyle Wynn and Associates http://www.kyle-wynn.com/ will answer your questions about how to protect your family’s assets from nursing home costs.  

Kelly Kyle even helped write the book: How to Protect Your Family’s Assets from Devasting Nursing Home Costs – the Mississippi Edition. 

It's Open Enrollment - now to Dec 7 for Medicare. The website medicare.gov might answer your questions. The Social Security Administration’s website: ssa.gov also has Medicare information for you. 

Discussion:

• covid economy recovery
• supply of goods

Calls:

• how to protect your assets
• Medicaid with a home

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We’re covering 3 topics today: Cryptocurrencies, Required Minimum Distributions, signing up for Health Care. This is a special Money Talks. We didn't take your personal finance phone calls because we’re giving you the opportunity to call and make a contribution to support Money Talks and MPB. The contribution phone number is 1-888 – 372 – GIVE. 1-888-372-4483 or contribute online at mpbonline.org or click the support button on the MPB Public Media App.

Fall 2021 Drive Time link: https://donate.mpbfoundation.org/mspb/podcast 

Discussion

• Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment
• How the finanical markets are doing

Healthcare.gov

Who needs to sign up

How to sign up

Cryptocurrencies

Extra info: New Exchange-traded fund tied to Bitcoin futures begins trading on Wall Street https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-morning-report/new-exchange-traded-fund-tied-to-bitcoin-futures-begins-trading-on-wall-street/

Required Minimum Distributions

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Want to save money while you travel? Will you be traveling during the holidays? Whether it’s traveling around town, the state, or the country, we’ve got some tips to discuss that will help you stretch your dollars. 

https://www.ytravelblog.com/

Free things:

• Catch a magnificent sunset or sunrise
• Take a walk or bike ride.
• Play in the park.
• Swim at the beach or lake.
• Visit a state park and walk their trails
• Visit a market.

If you like libations on your vacation - purchase your alcohol from a store. Or take advantage of any happy hours and don’t drink expensive import stuff – give the local stuff a go. 

• Eat out for Breakfast, Lunch or Brunch: Try and avoid dinner as restaurants raise prices. OR, have brunch instead of 3 meals a day.
• Eat Away from the Tourist Streets: Just go one street or one block over and it will usually be much cheaper and more authentic!
• Have Picnics:  Purchase food in a local grocery store or a market and arrange a picnic in one of the city’s parks with great views.
• Self-Cater Where You Can: Purchasing your own supplies and cooking-in can save you big bucks while you travel. 
• Use Coupons: Do your research to find travel discounts and coupons for the areas you are visiting. Check out the brochure shelf in the lobby of your hotel. Visit the local tourist information offices for free maps and ideas. Tourist booklets and brochures. Back of supermarket receipts.
• Websites (local tourist boards and businesses and coupon sites).
• Have Breakfast Included: When booking a hotel or hostel look for one with breakfast included.
• Eat Street Food: The reasons are because it’s cheap, you help the locals, and it’s safe – you can see what is actually being cooked and is cooked fresh right in front of you. 

SHOP AROUND FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE – it can vary by company and how inclusive the insurance it is. Will it cover pandemics? Check and see – IF you want to pay for that level of coverage. 

Calls:

• IRS tracking your money
• tourist vs. local
• beware of skimming
• camping, eat local
• eat local

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What do you need to know to invest in the stock market? How does an investor pick a stock? Are stocks that pay dividends better than those that don’t? We take your stock questions and your personal finance questions.

Seven things an investor should consider when picking stocks:

• Earnings growth
• Stability
• Relative strength in industry
• Debt-equity ratio
• Price-earnings ratio
• Management
• Dividends

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We’ve got one of our most popular shows each year for you today. Our guest, Shawn Mercer from Social Security will answer your questions. Ryder Taff can take your personal finance questions.

https://www.ssa.gov/

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