Money You Should Ask

Renee Horton Ph.D., our guest this week, is a children's book author, a compelling and international inspirational speaker who brings her epic personal story, expertise, and incredible personality to each of her award-winning presentations. Dr. Renee also serves as a NASA Space Launch System (SLS) Quality Engineer at Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans. She is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and works diligently in the community for STEM education and STEM outreach.

She is also the founder of Unapologetically Being, Inc., a nonprofit for advocacy and mentoring in STEM. Dr. Renee is also the proud mother of three and grandmother of two.

Dr. Renee and Bob discuss:

• Being jobless and homeless at a pivotal time in her life.
• Accidentally becoming a children's book author.
• Long term benefit of investing over buying shoes.
• Jar savings strategy for self-pampering.
• Keeping it real and being authentic.

To learn more about Renee Horton Ph.D., click here, or to buy Dr. Renee's children's books Series, click on Dr. H. Explores the Universe: Mercury to Mars & Jupiter to Uranus.

@reneehortonphd, @drhexplores

Our next guest, Sandra Beck, is an Author, Coach, Speaker, Radio Host, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist. Sandra, a single mother of two, has created a virtual empire of successful companies entirely staffed, managed, and implemented using a host of virtual assistants and on-line resources. Sandra also strives to make the world a better place for today's and our future's children.

Sandra and Bob chat about:

• Divorce, financial hardship, and the emotional roller coaster ride as a single mom.
• Changing the focus from "why did this happen" to "what can I do today to get to where I want to be?"
• Teaching kids the value of money with Mommy Bucks.
• How reframing her thinking changed her relationship with money.
• Making a difference in kids' lives with philanthropy.

Sandra is the President and Author of Motherhood Incorporated, Author of Blogphoria, and is a powerful voice in the social media arena as a popular Internet Brand Strategist. She also hosts two Radio Shows: Military Mom Talk Radio and Motherhood Talk Radio.

Our next guest, Trudy Goodman, Ph.D., is the founding teacher of InsightLA and cofounder of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. She has taught at universities and retreat centers worldwide for 25 years. She has trained in mindfulness and Zen and is one of the senior Buddhist teachers in the U.S. She holds a graduate degree in developmental psychology from Harvard. And best of all, Trudy is a mother, wife, and grandmother.

Bob and Trudy discuss:

• The need for emotional self-care and mindfulness at a time with so many distractions.
• How our childhood stories shape our adult beliefs about money.
• Strengthening your inner trust fund.
• Adopting an attitude of cheerful confidence.

Learn more about Trudy at trudygoodman.com, and to discover more about meditation and mindfulness, visit InsightLA.org

Facebook: @therealtrudygoodman, @insightlameditation Instagram: @trudy_goodman, @insightlameditation Twitter: @trudygoodman, @insightLA YouTube: InsightLA Meditation

After getting out of $30k of debt in 11 months, Diania Merriam, founder of The EconoMe Conference, podcaster & entrepreneur, used her newfound financial freedom to negotiate a remote working arrangement with her employer. She took a 2-month sabbatical to walk 500 miles across northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago, where she was inspired to create her own business.

Bob and Diania chat about:

• FIRE Movement misconceptions, assumptions, and criticisms.
• Why we need F#@k YOU money.
• The difference between being rich versus being wealthy.
• Adjusting your money mindset without feeling you are depriving yourself.
• Increasing your income while decreasing your expenses and investing the gap.

Diania is the host of the popular Optimal Finance Daily podcast, where she narrates articles from the best personal finance blogs on the internet. Take your financial literacy up a notch, check out the EconoMe Conference, (an event centered around financial independence and is known as the "Ted Talks" of the FIRE movement) and invest in your financial future.

@EconoMeCon, #diania_merriam

Our next guest, Eric D. Brotman, CFP™, is the CEO of BFG Financial Advisors with over 25 years of experience as a trusted advisor. He believes financial literacy is the key to well-being and is the author of multiple books on personal finance, including his latest book, Don't Retire…Graduate!, and the host of the Don't Retire…Graduate! podcast. Eric's approachable and actionable financial advice has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes.com, Yahoo! Finance, The Baltimore Sun, and others.

Bob and Eric talk about -

• Business relationships versus business transactions.
• The power of making intentional financial & life choices.
• The importance of legacy and your impact on the world.
• The difference between work/life balance and work/life integration.
• And not waiting until retirement to start living your life!

Listen to more of Eric's advice on his podcast or grab a copy of his book, Don't Retire...Graduate! @DontRetireGraduate, @brotmanplanning

Dow Janes, Laurie-Anne King and Britt William Baker and team, are a financial education company empowering women+ to get in control of their money. They believe that women+ with money have more choices and louder voices, and they're on a mission to build the financial confidence of women+ around the world.

Laurie-Anne is a financial coach and serial entrepreneur who runs two 7-figure companies. As a self-made businesswoman, Laurie-Anne knows what it takes to ensure financial success is possible for anyone.

Britt is a Harvard Business School graduate, expert investor, and money mindset coach. She is on a mission to serve those who have been traditionally left out of the financial world.

Bob and the Dow Janes have an awesome, full conversation about:

• Being aware of the systemic issues as well as the personal mindset of the individual.
• Some startling statistics on women+ and finances.
• Their own-personal financial journeys.
• The value of looking at the "you now" making decisions that will benefit the "future you."

To learn more about the Dow Janes (and team) or to take part in their free training event, 'Art of Feminine Finance,' visit their website.

Facebook: @thedowjanes Instagram: @dow.janes

Tanya Fox, accountant/bookkeeper extraordinaire, quickly realized that entrepreneurship and helping entrepreneurs would be lifelong passions. She currently owns three different businesses and also spends her time speaking and recording her weekly podcast.

Bob and Tanya talk about

• The importance of fun, because if you're not having fun, why are you doing it?
• Net worth versus self-worth and your investment return on happiness. Is it worth it?
• Looking into your assumptions.
• Benefits of family meetings and teaching your children about finances early on.
• Not being afraid of asking questions and being curious.

Catch Tanya as she shares her pearls of wisdom on her podcast FoxTalks Business. @foxtalksbusiness

Our next guest, Roger Edwards is an author, speaker, podcaster, yoga instructor, and marketing professional helping people and businesses with marketing strategies, content, and social media. Roger uses his expertise to guide his clients in designing engaging campaigns. He clocked up many years in the 'big corporate' world as a marketing director for several UK financial services brands before getting out of all that and starting his own consultancy.

Bob and Roger talk about:

• Marketing is more than just advertising products and services.
• The lack of simple marketing techniques tends to over complicate the marketing process.
• How setting strategic financial goals is often overlooked as a critical aspect of successful marketing campaigns for businesses.
• Today's hustle culture can lead to burn out. Finding a balance between work and play as you strive toward your goals helps keep you fit, healthy, and happy.

Roger is the host of the popular and award-winning Marketing and Finance Podcast. Grab a copy of his new book Cats, Mats & Marketing Plans and learn how simple marketing doesn't have to be complicated. @roger_edwards

Bethany Bayless is a speaker, podcaster, writer, and professional emcee, known for her unique comedic style and high-energy presentations. She has hosted 50+ conferences and events, including Heroes at Home Events, Military Influencers Conference, The Plutus Awards, and #FinCon18 + #FinCon19. She is also Director of Communications for Heroes at Home.

You can catch Bethany on her upbeat podcast #TheMoneyMillhouse, where she and her co-host, Ellie Kay, have enlightening conversations about personal finance. Bethany is in the process of launching her new podcast, Motherhood and Money Show. @bethanybayless, bethanybayless.org

Ahmed Ahmed immigrated to America with his parents when he was one month old. He settled in Riverside, California until he took the call of Hollywood. Ahmed, a stand-up comic, actor, producer, director and Hollywood mogul of sorts, Ahmed Ahmed has stayed busy since taking the entertainment plunge.

Some of Ahmed's film and television credits include Iron Man, Executive Decision, You Don't Mess With The Zohan, Roseanne, Weeds, Sullivan and Sons, and many more. When free from the pandemic restrictions, Ahmed tours his stand-up comedy across the US, and internationally. He was also the winner of the first annual Richard Pryor Award for ethnic comedy at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. @ahmedcomedy