Popcorn Finance

Is an income-driven repayment plan keeping you in debt longer?

Nika Booth, student loan expert and creator of Debt Free Gonna Be is back on the show to talk about income-driven repayment plans. Are they your best option? Is the possibility of student loan forgiveness worth it? 

Nika has a wealth of knowledge about student loans, so check out our other student loan episodes covering updates on Biden’s student loan forgiveness plans and the student loan payment pause.

Other episodes with Nika: 385 & 377

Connect with Nika

Debt Free Gonna Be | Instagram | Twitter

Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance

Want to submit a question to the show?

Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259

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Will closing my credit card negatively affect my credit score?

This week we hear from a listener who wants to close a credit card but they are afraid of what this might do to their credit score. There are 5 different components that determine credit scores and I’m breaking those down from most to least important to determine whether closing a credit card could result in any short or long-term negative impacts to your score. 

Read my Men’s Health article: The 'Avocado Toast’ Effect of Spending Is Totally Overblown

Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance

Want to submit a question to the show?

Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259

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Student loan forgiveness has been canceled, so now what are your options?

It’s official, student loan forgiveness has been canceled and although this is not the outcome many people hoped for, this news probably won’t come as a big surprise if you listened to ep.385 with Nika Booth. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the Biden administration's response to the supreme court’s decision and what steps you should start taking now in order for you to be prepared for when repayments resume. Also, be sure to look out for an upcoming episode with Nika Booth about repayment plans and keep up to date with Popcorn Finance for any new updates about student loans.

Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance

Want to submit a question to the show?

Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259

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Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify!

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What do you do when you go out to eat with your parents and they are the world's worst tippers? 

Today I’m sharing an awkward story I’m sure a lot of us can relate to from my other podcast, This is Awkward. This listener’s dilemma centers around the fact that their parents haven’t changed their tipping habits in over 20 years. They don't want to offend their parents but also don't want their poor tipping habits to continue. They've tried dropping hints and leaving extra cash to no avail. Listen to find out how me and my cohost, Allison Baggerly would approach this awkward situation.

Happy 4th of July! From everyone at Popcorn Finance, we hope you all have a safe and fun day however you choose to spend it. 

Links This is Awkward: Episode 70 My cohost: Allison Baggerly 

Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance

Want to submit a question to the show?

Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259

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Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify!

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Could AI soon be used to help you make your next important financial decision?

If you’ve had a chance to try out AI tools like ChatGPT you know just how powerful they are. Today we're taking on the hot topic of AI and discussing whether or not I think we’ll see it used in future financial planning. There’s a lot of talk about the ethics of AI and I’ve previously explored that in episode 364, but could there also be some positive benefits to it being used more in personal finance? 

Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance

Want to submit a question to the show?

Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259

Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok

Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify!

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Are you prepared for student loan payments to resume this summer?

Back at the beginning of the year, Nika Booth aka Debt Free Gonna Be, gave us an update on where Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness plan currently stands. She's back on the show to share some updates, including the date the payment pause will end and what the newest news about the potential Supreme Court ruling could mean for your unpaid student loans. Nika also shares her predictions for the coming weeks and how you can better prepare for payments to resume.

Connect with Nika

Debt Free Gonna Be | Instagram | Twitter

Latest Student Loan Updates: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment

Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance

Want to submit a question to the show?

Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259

Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok

Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify!

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Are you finding it hard to stick to a budget?

You’re not alone and the reason could be you’re just not using the best method for your lifestyle. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to budgeting. You have to find what works best for you. That could mean that you like to use pen and paper instead of Excel like my guest and co-host of This is Awkward podcast, Allison Baggerly. In today’s episode, Allison shares her top tips on creating a budget that makes you excited and helps to keep you motivated to stick to it. Plus, I’m also sharing some lesser-known and more unusual methods that could be the answer to your budgeting woes.

Listen to my other podcast with Allison: This is Awkward 

Follow AllisonWebsite | Instagram | Twitter | Podcast

Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance

Want to submit a question to the show?

Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259

Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok

Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify!

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Who else has been inundated with scam calls lately?

Fraud and scam calls are nothing new but they are becoming more prevalent nowadays. They’re getting more clever by using tactics like phone spoofing or impersonating reputable businesses. That’s why in this episode of Popcorn Finance, I’m sharing my tips on how to stay safe and avoid getting swindled by scam callers. 

Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/PopcornFinance

Want to submit a question to the show?

Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259

Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok

Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify!

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Is aggressively paying off your debt causing other areas of your life to suffer?

Years ago my wife and I accumulated over $27k worth of debt and it haunted me every day until I paid it off. Credit card interest rates are some of the highest and debt can feel like a dark cloud hanging over you until it's paid off. However, after reading an article from Elizabeth Gravier that outlines four signs that you’re paying off your debt too fast, it made me think about that time in my life and what I might’ve done differently. Hopefully, today’s episode helps give you a new perspective on how you can pay down your debt without going broke or unnecessarily suffering.

Elizabeth Gravier's article: 4 Signs You’re Paying Your Debt Down Too Fast 

Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/c/PopcornFinance

Want to submit a question to the show?

Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259

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Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify!

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What happens to the money saved in my 529 plan if my kid doesn’t go to college?

This episode is all thanks to a question I received from a listener from my recent episode with Marc Russel (378) asking about what happens to the money saved in a 529 plan if your child decides they don’t want to go to a 4-year college or higher education at all. The good news is, you have options, and that money doesn’t have to go to waste. Find out all the different ways you can use this money, plus how the newest version of the Secure Act can help set up your kid for retirement.

Listen to that episode with Marc: 378

Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/c/PopcornFinance

Want to submit a question to the show?

Send an email to [email protected] Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-200-8259

Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok

Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices