Money You Should Ask

College can be a scary prospect, especially when it comes to budgeting for it. How much is tuition? How much should I save up each month? What can I live without? What other options do you have? These are all valid questions that require careful consideration.

Have you ever considered living and studying abroad? Our next guest, Liza-Jean Miezejeski is an international student currently living in Brussels, Belgium, and grew up 4,000 miles away in a small town in Connecticut, USA.

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Liza has traveled to 60 cities (give or take) in 23 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. And did it all it all while studying abroad and on a student budget. Unfortunately for Liza, Google didn't have all the answers for navigating life as a student in a different country and now, Liza has become a go to resource for many young adults wanting to learn more about the ins and outs of studying and living abroad.

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In this episode, Liza and I discuss the path less travelled when it comes to going to college. She explains how she was able to attend an international college in a foreign country, obtain a degree for much less that it would cost in her home country, and at the same time, immerse herself in a different culture.

Start thinking outside the border and awaken your inner spirit for adventure. For more, tips, tools and hacks on living and studying abroad on a budget, visit Liza's website and, follow her on TikTok and Instagram.

For more info about this episode, visit https://go2.money/abroad

Episode 224. Do you feel like you're constantly being marketed to? That's because you are. Big brands and corporations spend millions of dollars each year to influence your purchasing decisions. These tactics of influence and persuasion are all around us. And most consumers are not consciously aware of them. What can you do to protect yourself and your money?

In this episode, marketing consultant Ryan McNeill shares some of the tactics used by brands to get us to buy their products and services. And let's just say the next time you walk into a supermarket, you might begin to see shopping for groceries in a whole new way.

Follow , Ryan on TikTok and Instagram under the handle @invisibleinfluence and on YouTube as @ryanmcneill where he educates his followers about marketing tactics big brands use to influence your buying habits.

For more info on this episode visit: https://go2.money/persuasion

Episode 223. Is your mindset about money passed down from generation to generation? Do you think your current money mindset was influenced by your ancestors? Researchers have recently found that a parent or guardian's financial attitude can be inherited by their children, putting them at risk for life-long insecurity. So what can you do to break the cycle and give your children the best chance for a successful future?

In this episode CEO, Investor and Money Coach, Lari Finance and I talk about building generational wealth. We discuss the importance of creating curiosity around your own money story. Learning about the financial beliefs that you may have inherited from family or past generations, helps you decide if they serve you or not in the present. And if you decide they no longer serve you, you can flip the script and make new financial choices that DO serve you, your values and those of future generations to come.

Take one step closer to Unshakeable Wealth with Lari's free blueprint, Untapped Secret Roadmap to Mastering Money.

For more info on this episode and our guest Lari Finance visit: https://go2.money/generations

Episode 222. There is no way to sugarcoat it: getting a college degree is expensive. Between tuition, room and board, and other associated costs, the price of a higher education can be daunting. However, there are ways to make it more affordable. Scholarships, grants, and work-study programs can help lessen the financial burden.

In this episode I talked with Shellee Howard, Founder of College Ready Plan where we discuss some strategies on affording college without taking on large student debt and potentially attend college debt free. We also dive into some of the common mistakes parents and students encounter when applying for colleges. Is college the right option? What is the potential return on your investment if college is an option?

Wouldn't it be nice to have someone hold your hand and walk you through the complicated maze of how to get your student into the best college at the lowest price? Shellee's best selling book, How to Send Your Student to College Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money presents insider strategies and secrets for helping students and families understand how important knowledge and planning are to the success of the complex college planning process. And Shellee is giving you a free copy. Grab a copy now!

More on this epiosde at https://go2.money/college-ready

Most people have one big passion in life. Something they love so much that they can't imagine not doing it. For many, this is their career. They pour everything they have into it and hope for the best. But what happens when your passion turns out to be financially unsustainable? You need to have a strategy in place for your financial well-being. This doesn't mean giving up on your passion but it does mean being realistic about the financial limitations.

In this episode we explore how best selling author of Millionaire Teacher, Andrew Hallam began investing on a modest income. His passion wouldn't provide financial security but didn't want to to give it up. So he made a financial plan. We discuss how you can follow your passion AND be financially literate. We also delve into the pitfalls of comparing yourself to others.

Learn more about how to make the most of your money while living a joyful life, your way. Grab a copy of Andrew's latest book Balance: How to Invest and Spend for Happiness, Health and Wealth and explore how to bring more balance into your life.

More on this episode at: https://go2.money/teacher

Episode 220: What if happiness was the solution to all of our money problems? It may sound too good to be true, but believe it or not, it's true. Money can't buy happiness, but happiness can solve all of our money woes. So how do we find happiness? That's a question that has been asked by philosophers and scientists for centuries, and there is no easy answer. But one thing is for sure: you have to find what makes you happy and focus on that. If you can do that, you'll be well on your way to finding financial success and happiness in life.

In this episode, Happiness Mentor, Karyn Seitz and I discuss self-accountability, self-awareness & self-acceptance. Karyn shared her struggle of having to let go of the façade & risk losing everyone & everything. She candidly shared her personal journey around finances as a woman and a wife. We also talked about gender impact when it comes to finances and relationships.

You deserve to be happy and live your best life, and Awakened Grace is here to help you get there. Karyn's premium online happiness program is here to empower you with the tools and resources you need to heal your relationship with yourself.

For more information on this episode visit: https://go2.money/happy

Episode 219: Let's get one thing clear, I'm not a financial advisor, nor do I play one on TV. But I have been investing in the stock market for years - and I've learned a lot along the way. I remember the first time I ever invested, my heart was racing and my palms were sweaty. I had no idea what I was doing and I was scared that I was going to lose all of my money. Fast forward a few years and I've now become a bit more savvy when it comes to investing. And while I'm still not immune to the occasional wave of anxiety, I've learned how to invest without being too scared. So if you're feeling anxious about investing, don't worry – you're not alone!

And remember: when it comes to investing no one has all the answers, so always consult with a financial advisor before making any big decisions. Shoot! Now I sound like an infomercial...but seriously, this is important stuff!

In this episode Erik Smolinski of esInvests.com joins me as we discuss some simple strategies to become more confident with investing. We talk about associating yourself in a community of people who are committed to breaking out of the status quo financially and finding your own idea of what financial success looks like for you.

If you're looking for a more in-depth guide on investing without all of the BS, then I'd recommend subscribing to Erik's YouTube channel. He has great videos on investing for beginners, and how-to's and tips that will help any level investor perform better in their portfolio building.

To learn more about this episode and our guest Erik visit: https://go2.money/esinvests

Episode 218: Financial education is an important life lesson that all children can benefit from. By teaching kids about money early on, they can develop good financial habits that will serve them well throughout their lives. There are many ways to teach children about money, and the best way to do it depends on the child's age and level of understanding.

When I was a child, my parents didn't have the tools to have conversations with my siblings and me about money and we didn't receive some of those foundational financial skills that I needed later in life. In talking with clients, people and kids, I discovered there's a lot lacking when it comes to financial literacy and financial education. It has been a mission of mine to normalize conversations around money and finances. And I believe "It's never too early to empower kids to learn about money."

I am so excited about this special edition of MYSA, as I have invited Dr. Philip McAdoo, my new friend and fellow co-author of our new children's book, Darius Wants a Dog. Philip and I talk about the challenges and rewards of adoption, his love of dogs, financial literacy for children and his experiences with his son Zaden. I invite you to listen to this powerful conversation.

Darius Wants a Dog is the perfect book to teach your children about money! This engaging book teaches young readers about Darius. Darius decides that he desperately needs to have a dog and quickly learns that wanting new things can also require time, money, being responsible, and sometimes, deciding it's okay to change your mind! To learn more about Darius Wants a dog, visit: https://go2.money/kidz or grab a copy at your favorite online bookstore.

Episode 217: NEFE in November. Part 5

Financial shame is one of the most debilitating and personal forms of pressure that an individual can feel. It can prevent people from making critical decisions about their financial future which leaves them feeling hopeless about their ability to ever improve their situation.

While there are certainly personal choices that can contribute to financial shame, it's important to remember that there are also outside forces at play. For example, the way that financial institutions are structured creates a built-in disadvantage for consumers. These companies invest millions of dollars to develop systems that ensure profits continue to flow in ways that best serve them. As a result, people who are struggling to make ends meet often find themselves up against an insurmountable force.

By taking the time to learn about the external factors that may be outside of your control, you can begin to make choices that best serve you. You don't have to like the game but if you don't know the rules, you certainly won't be able to play the game to your advantage.

This month we're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the National Endowment for Financial Education. I've invited some of the staff from NEFE to discuss some of the most recent topics and statistics from polls they have conducted that are impacting the personal finance space.

In the fifth and final part of our "NEFE in NOVEMBER" Series I welcome back President and CEO of NEFE, Dr. Billy Hensley to discuss Financial Shame and the impact in the personal finance space and how NEFE is proactively shining a much needed light on FinLit and financial education for all.

To learn more about NEFE's article "Understanding Racial Trauma's Impact on Financial Literacy" visit nefe.org.

Episode 216: NEFE in November. Part 4

Have you experienced bias, discrimination, or exclusion by or from organizations, institutions or individuals within the financial services sector? A recent NEFE poll found that minority households are more likely to experience discrimination or feel blocked from the financial sector. It could be having a loan declined or offered less favorable terms than white households. These are just some of the many ways that financial discrimination presents itself. So what can we do about it?

This month we're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the National Endowment for Financial Education. To honor this special event, I've invited some of the team from NEFE to discuss some of the most recent topics and statistics from polls they have conducted that are impacting the personal finance space. We also talk about how financial literacy helped shape their personal lives.

NEFE"S Managing director of marketing and engagement Chelsea Norton, joins me for a second time as she explains what financial discrimination looks like and how to recognize some of the signs. Chelsea and I also discuss what steps you can take if you feel that you have been unfairly treated or discriminated against by a financial institution or service provider.

To learn more about NEFE's recent article, New Polling Shows How Race, Income Play a Role in Discriminatory Practices by the Financial Services Sector, visit NEFE.org