Not everyone wants to spend their entire day trying to hack their credit card rewards. But that doesn't mean there aren't a few tips you can use to maximize your cards and save money and time.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Top Credit Card Partner Programs

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/guide-to-major-credit-card-rewards-programs/ 

01:08 Maintaining Your Credit Score

03:54 Optimizing Credit Utilization

05:54 Lowering Credit Card Fees

08:47 Credit Card Hacks and Offers

11:18 Travel Rewards and Perks

14:46 Maximizing Travel Points

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EPISODE RESOURCES

Buy Toni's New Book

From Trauma to Triumph: The Inspiring Journey of Toni Collier

In this episode we dive deep into the life and money story of Tony Collier. Toni shares her journey from a challenging childhood to building a global ministry that has touched millions. She opens up about her personal traumas, including a very public divorce, and how these experiences have shaped her approach to life, ministry, and financial stability. Toni shares how in spite of her trials, her resilience and entrepreneurial spirit that have helped her rebuild and thrive. She also talks about her new book, 'Don't Try This Alone,' which focuses on the importance of community in the healing process. We hope you enjoy the conversation!


01:25 Meet Toni
01:42 Toni's Early Life and Challenges
07:31 Navigating Adolescence
11:00 College Years and Career Aspirations
12:04 Entering Ministry
14:17 Public and Private Trauma
18:16 Healing and New Beginnings
21:12 The Power of Vulnerability in Writing
22:27 Financial Struggles Amidst Personal Trauma
25:16 Rebuilding After Financial Devastation
30:21 Childhood Influences on Financial Mindset
34:20 Unexpected Benefits of Transparency
36:55 Toni's Multifaceted Career and Future Plans
37:47 Final Reflections and Personal Insights

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Check out this (still relevant) blast from the past!

Why the Holidays Are a Bad Time to Discuss Finances with Family

In this episode of the New Money, New Problems podcast, we explore why the holiday season may not be the ideal time to discuss finances with family. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, we explains the common pitfalls and emotional triggers that can derail these sensitive conversations during family gatherings. Instead, we offer a strategic approach to planning these discussions effectively by separating parties into two camps – the planning generation and the potential beneficiaries – and setting clear parameters and dates for future conversations. This episode aims to provide listeners with tools to navigate these complex financial topics while minimizing conflict and ensuring peace of mind for all family members.

00:00 Introduction: Why Holidays Aren't Ideal for Financial Talks
00:07 Podcast Overview and Host Introduction
00:46 Setting the Scene: Holiday Season and Financial Conversations
01:21 Common Financial Advice and Its Limitations
02:13 Personal Experiences with Family Financial Discussions
03:45 Challenges of Discussing Finances During Holidays
04:29 Rethinking Holiday Financial Conversations
10:08 Planning for Future Financial Conversations
11:26 Steps to Prepare for Financial Talks with Family
15:50 Addressing Elder Generations About Financial Planning
19:20 Conclusion: Importance of Financial Preparedness

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EPISODE RESOURCES

Principal Samuelson's Business Insider Feature

Preparing Children for College and Beyond: A Conversation with Principal Joseph Samuelson

In this episode, we talk about exposing your kids to different paths, including ones that may NOT lead to college. We're joined by Principal Joseph Samuelson from Upton, Wyoming, who offers unique perspectives on exposing students to various career options, including non-traditional paths. 

Principal Samuelson details his school’s personalized learning approach, which tailors education to individual student interests and needs, ensuring students are prepared for life after high school. The episode highlights the significance of valuing lifelong learning and adaptability in an ever-changing world.

00:00 Introduction: Preparing Your Child for College and Beyond
00:48 Reflecting on Past Conversations and Future Prospects
01:08 Exploring Alternatives to Traditional College Paths
03:02 Introducing Principal Joseph Samuelson
04:21 Principal Samuelson's Approach to Personalized Learning
04:53 Implementing Non-Traditional Pathways
06:58 Balancing College and Career Readiness
13:46 Parental Guidance and Future Outlook
18:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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EPISODE RESOURCES

Smart College Buyer Podcast

Connect with Jack

Optimizing Your Child's College Journey with Jack Wang

In this episode of the New Money, New Problems podcast, we interview special guest Jack Wang, a financial advisor specializing in college planning. 

Jack discusses strategies for optimizing your child's journey to college, focusing on how to maximize financial aid and minimize student debt. The conversation covers the importance of aligning extracurricular activities with intended majors, the differences between getting accepted to college and securing financial aid, and the timing of college planning. 

We also explore the advantages of less well-known but excellent colleges and the factors to consider when choosing schools. This episode is packed with valuable information for parents looking to plan their children's educational futures effectively.

00:00 Introduction: Navigating Schooling Costs
01:42 Special Guest Introduction: Jack Wang
04:06 Jack's Journey into College Aid Specialization
06:10 Understanding College Admissions and Aid
14:01 Public vs. Private School Strategies
24:33 When to Start College Planning
30:51 Creating a Realistic College List
36:33 Alternative College Options and Financial Strategies
42:13 Conclusion and Contact Information

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EPISODE RESOURCES

2025 Tax Tables and Guidelines

Essential End-of-Year Tax Planning Tips for Employees

In this episode, we delve into crucial end-of-year tax planning strategies specifically tailored for W2 employees aiming to optimize their finances before the new year. We cover the importance of proper withholding to prevent unexpected tax bills, highlights the impact of bonuses and equity compensation on taxes, and illustrates how the Social Security bonus can help mitigate underpayments. 

The episode further explores calendar year vs. tax year deadlines for retirement contributions and employee benefits, along with strategic charitable giving under recent tax law changes.

02:22 Understanding Withholding and Its Impact
04:14 Strategies for High-Income Earners
07:23 Social Security Bonus and Tax Benefits
13:11 Maximizing Charitable Contributions
18:03 Filling Up Lower Tax Brackets
20:33 The Importance of Professional Tax Help

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PAST EPISODES TO HELP

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5 Signs You Need to Reassess Your Credit Card Debt + 2 Proven Strategies to Get Out

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Optimizing Debts As You Build Your Emergency Fund

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EPISODE RESOURCES

Joint Case Update

Essential Updates on Federal Student Loan Forgiveness

This episode covers significant recent updates concerning the forgiveness of federal student loans. Key highlights include the impact of the lawsuit between the American Federation of Teachers and the Department of Education on loan forgiveness processes, the phasing out of certain Income Driven Repayment plans, and the importance of timely switching from plans like the SAVE plan to income-based Repayment plans to avoid tax implications. The Department of Education's agreement to process loan cancellations under original repayment plans and to remove partial financial hardship requirements for IBR plan eligibility is also discussed. The episode concludes with a critical overview of tax considerations and the timing of loan forgiveness procedures.

01:33 Context and Background on Student Loan Forgiveness
03:00 Legal Challenges and Department of Education's Response
07:02 Joint Status Report and Its Implications
10:24 Important Deadlines and Tax Implications
15:17 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

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NASEEMA'S FAVORITE RESOURCES

Check out her platform!

Journey To Launch 

Clever Girl Finance

Choose FI

From Nursing to Financial Freedom: Naseema McElroy’s Inspiring Journey

In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Naseema McElroy, a nurse who turned her income into a path toward becoming a multimillionaire and a financial literacy educator. 

Naseema shares her story of growing up in Oakland with financial responsibilities from a young age, transitioning from healthcare administration to nursing, and eventually leveraging her nursing income to achieve financial freedom. 

She discusses her pivotal moment in realizing the importance of financial education, her quest for knowledge through various podcasts, and books, and her diligent effort in paying off nearly a million dollars in debt. 

Naseema also delves into the development of her Instagram platform, initially created for friends, which grew to educate and inspire hundreds of thousands. The episode covers her strategies for budgeting, investing, and setting financial goals, emphasizing her commitment to sharing knowledge as a driving force for her platform’s success.


01:46 Meeting Naseema: Oakland Beginnings
02:02 Naseema's Early Life and Financial Lessons
05:36 Transitioning to a Nursing Career
09:09 Discovering Financial Independence
12:17 The Million Dollar Debt Payoff
18:14 Building a Financial Literacy Platform
21:31 Reflecting on Financial Lessons and Success
25:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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EPISODE RESOURCES

Mortgage Forbearance 101

Credit Card Assistance

#30MoneyMoves Challenge

Upwork

Navigating Financial Hardships: Practical Tips When Emergency Reserves Run Out

In this episode, we discuss strategies for managing your finances when you've planned ahead but still find yourself running out of money. We share insights from a recent conference and highlights a common challenge faced by many: even those who have thoroughly prepared with substantial emergency reserves are finding their resources depleted after prolonged periods of unemployment or financial strain. The episode provides various actionable tips for alleviating financial pressure, such as communicating with lenders for debt forbearance, utilizing balance transfer credit cards, pausing automatic contributions to investment or retirement accounts, and evaluating subscription services for potential cuts. Additionally, options for income generation through freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are explored, as well as potential avenues for accessing Roth IRA contributions, 401k loans, and leveraging non-qualified investment accounts through securities-backed lines of credit. 

00:00 Introduction: Facing Financial Challenges
00:46 Personal Reflections and Industry Insights
01:10 Understanding the White Collar Recession
02:19 Emergency Financial Advice: Breaking the Glass
02:36 Caveats and Considerations
04:01 Debt Management Strategies
04:39 Exploring Forbearance Options
06:09 Credit Card Hardship Programs
07:25 Student Loan Relief Options
10:12 Balance Transfer Cards
11:13 Pausing Contributions and Evaluating Subscriptions
14:08 Leveraging Gig Economy Platforms
17:26 Accessing Retirement Funds
19:56 Non-Qualified Investments and Lines of Credit
23:31 Conclusion: Extending Your Burn Rate

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