The Free Retiree Show

Over the past several years, digital currencies have become increasingly important to the portfolios of both individual and institutional investors. Cryptocurrency investments have a high degree of uncertainty, but some projects have a promising future. 

Despite the rising popularity of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, there are certain important facts you should know before putting your money into them.  The value of even the most popular cryptocurrencies has been erratic. The market needs increased transparency, consumer safeguards, and regulation.

Erica Standford joins our hosts in this week’s episode of The Free Retiree Show. She is the founder of the Crypto Curry Club, the UK's no. 1 rated networking and educational events for crypto, blockchain and FinTech. Erica is also the author of the bestselling award-winning book Crypto Wars: Faked Deaths, Missing Billions and Industry Disruption. 

She shares the common cryptocurrency scams and how to avoid them, and gives an update on the current status of cryptocurrency and what you should know if you are considering investing in the space. 

What You’ll Learn In This Episode: 

• Is cryptocurrency a good investment? 

The ballooning federal student loan debt of over 45 million borrowers is putting a heavy toll on the middle class in the United States. Borrowers in the middle class face challenges in accumulating wealth due to high monthly payments and growing debt, which makes it more difficult for them to do things like buy homes, save for retirement, and establish businesses. 

In this week's episode of The Free Retiree Show we have student debt attorney, Joshua Cohen. Josh explains the recent developments surrounding student debt forgiveness, and gives some invaluable advice to those who are having difficulty repaying their school loans. Joshua also shares advice on student debt forgiveness eligibility requirements.

Tune in to The Free Retiree Show! With hosts, wealth manager Lee Michael Murphy and career advisor Sergio Patterson, join this week’s episode of The Free Retiree Show.

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• What do you need to know about Biden's student loan forgiveness plan?

No one wants to be average. Most people aim to be above average and achieve greater things. The major problem is that most people don't know how to be above average.  People always look up to high achievers. There are a number of characteristics shared by people who consistently achieve their goals. Society tells us that if we put forth maximum effort, success will follow. Is this true or just a saying that justifies all the time and energy we put into our careers?

What is it that sets the most successful people apart from the rest of the pack? If you answered "hard work," "natural ability," or "luck," you should reconsider your answer. Working hard, having natural abilities, and even having some luck on your side are all critical, but they're only pieces of the success puzzle.  Numerous studies over many years have shown that it is not so much a person's inherent abilities that allow them to succeed, but rather their actions and mindset.

We are honored to have Dr. Ruth Godian on The Free Retiree Show. She is the Mentoring Academy's Executive Director, former Assistant Dean of Mentoring, and Assistant Professor of Education in Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine. As a current contributor to Forbes and Psychology Today, she writes about how we can optimize ourselves for success. She is a semi-finalist for Forbes' 50 Over 50 list and was one of only 30 people in the globe to make Thinkers50's Radar List in 2021. She has also received various mentorship honors. She is the author of the best selling book, The Success Factor: Developing the Mindset and Skillset for Peak Performance. 

After coaching prolific high achievers, Dr. Ruth shares how highly successful people set themselves apart from the crowd, the importance of mentorship and how to become above average. 

This is a value-packed episode you shouldn’t miss! Listen now. 

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• Tips from high achievers

When it comes to professional networking, LinkedIn is by far the most prominent and widely used platform.  It's no secret that using LinkedIn will help you land a job faster; the site has over 800 million users and 99% of recruiters use it daily to discover the next promising candidate. 

Developing your personal branding is vital in today’s job market. A simple approach to getting your name out there in the professional world is to optimize your LinkedIn profile. Create an engaging LinkedIn summary that highlights your abilities and showcases your personality and upload a professional profile picture.  Recruiters, employers, coworkers, and managers should be able to learn a lot about you and what abilities you bring to the company by just reading your profile. 

If you want to know more about the career and networking opportunities LinkedIn has to offer, tune in as career advisor and LinkedIn Senior Program Manager, Sergio Patterson shares the benefits of optimizing your LinkedIn profile. Discover how LinkedIn can help speed up your job-hunting process. 

Listen now to The Free Retiree show!

• Benefits of LinkedIn for your career

With the new year approaching, there is no better time to review your finances and make the necessary adjustments to ensure you're on the right track for 2023. The big question is whether or not economic conditions improve or worsen in 2023.

The Fed has rapidly raised interest rates to make personal loans and credit cards more expensive. As borrowing costs rise, consumers may cut back on spending, lowering demand and preventing it from exceeding supply. It may take some time for the Federal Reserve's activities to impact consumer spending. 

Inflation may be more manageable sometime in 2023, but we are obviously not there yet. Therefore, the best thing consumers can do for the time being is to reconsider their spending and cut back on non-essentials while simultaneously seeking ways to save on necessities.

Tune in to The Free Retiree show and stay updated on what you should expect from the economy and your investments in 2023!

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• Bad and good things to expect in 2023 economic status 

Currently, there are over 30 million small enterprises in the United States, and that number is growing rapidly. However, not all new businesses survive. In fact, an overwhelming majority of these small businesses will fail in the first five years. 

There are several reasons why a business could fail, including the state of the economy, the absence of a viable product, ineffective marketing, and poor management. This is why it's important for new business owners to be familiar with the procedures involved in launching a company so that their venture is properly positioned for success. Starting a successful business isn't about luck, finding angel investors, or finding the perfect motivational quote to post on Instagram.

To help aspiring business owners thrive in their venture, The Free Retiree Show hosts venture capital podcaster and  influencer, Grace Gong. She is the founder of Smart Venture Capital. She has done many interviews with the top-level executives of Silicon Valley like Craig Newmark - Founder of Craigslist, Chris Slowe - CTO of Reddit and Todd Kaplan - CMO of Pepsi. Grace is also the author of the Last Keys Success Interview with 21 Founders featuring the Forbes 30 under 30. 

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• Three success tips from successful multi-millionaire business owners

Layoffs and hiring freezes are expected in a troubled economy. Changes in the economy force companies to adjust their workforce. According to a late September Crunchbase News tally, more than 42,000 workers in the U.S. tech sector have been laid off in mass job cuts this year. Even big companies like Netflix were impacted.

It's not surprising that a lot of employees are concerned about losing their job. The loss of one's job can be a devastating experience for many people. Planning ahead for a possible layoff makes it easier to find new work and less impactful to your finances.   The economy and the job market are highly unpredictable, and while it's tough to know for sure who will be laid off,  taking precautionary actions as early as now is beneficial. 

Whether you’re suspecting layoffs in your company or received a layoff letter, career advisor, Sergio Patterson shares the 3 tips to prepare for job loss. Be updated with the current situation of the job market during this economic downturn. 

Tune in to The Free Retiree Show! 

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• 3 tips to prepare for a recession 

Livelihoods are vulnerable during an economic downturn. A recession is beyond your control, but you can take charge of how you respond or prepare for a recession.  It's always a good idea to put yourself in the best possible financial position. The best way to combat personal financial decline during a recession is to be proactive. 

In order to weather a potential economic downturn, it is essential to save some money in the event that you suddenly lose your job or receive a significant reduction in income. If money is tight right now, look at your budget to see where you can cut back on non-essential expenses like entertainment, trips, or dining out. Staying on top of your finances provides a safety net to fall back on whether your hours have been cut, you've lost your job, your business isn't earning any money, or you've made some poor financial mistakes. Before the next financial downturn hits, make sure to follow these steps to recession-proof your finances.  

In this week’s episode, wealth manager, Lee Michael Murphy shares seven strategies you can do to protect your money during a recession. He also shares the importance of taking advantage of the current economic condition by investing. 

Tune in to The Free Retiree show! 

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Five money-saving tips to survive a recession

With the stock market in disarray, interest rates at record highs, and the pain of inflation, many Americans are wondering if the economy is in a recession. How can we tell if we’re in one? The country is technically in a recession when its GDP decreases for two consecutive quarters. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis' advanced estimate, GDP fell 1.6% in Q1 and 0.9% in Q2. Despite the overwhelming evidence, the National Bureau of Economic Research has not yet declared a recession. As the cost of living continues to rise, interest rates increase, and layoffs multiply. However, the job market and corporate earnings  numbers appear strong.

There has been a significant slowdown in the real estate market, income and spending are struggling to keep up with inflation, and layoffs have begun to increase. Is the United States in recession?

In the new episode of The Free Retiree Show,  Wealth manager,  Lee Michael Murphy gives the current economic update for September 2022. Discover the risk of a potential economic downturn or recession and how long it will last.  Learn how to stay wise and calm despite the economic weakness. 

Tune in to The Free Retiree Show!

• Is the United States in a recession? 

The impression on your job interview can sometimes outweigh your credentials and strong educational background. Candidates are assessed not just on their education and work history but also their demeanor, social skills, and communication abilities. 

Whether you are searching for an entry-level job or a managerial position, you will likely need to go through an interview process. A job interview is a chance to showcase your skills and experience to a potential employer. Therefore it's crucial that you produce a stellar performance. 

Wondering how to ace that upcoming job interview? Career advisor and LinkedIn’s Senior Program Manager, Sergio Patterson, outlines five Cs to remember during a job interview. Learn how to stand out, build rapport with the hiring manager, and make an impact. 

Tune in to the recent episode of The Free Retiree Show! 

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• 5 Cs to succeed in your next interview