When was the last time you checked your credit score? Some of us would probably rather not know what our number is, but credit is tied to pretty much everything we do and buy today. Let's explore credit on this episode by looking at how your score is calculated and discuss ways to improve that number.

Show Notes: https://yourmoneypuzzle.com/podcast/whats-credit-got-to-do-with-it/

It seems like a silly question at first, do returns really matter? At first, the obvious answer is, YES, of course they do! It makes sense - if your investments get 8% instead of 6%, or 5% instead of 3%, your money will grow faster and you’ll be better off so, yes, returns matter! While the simple math of better returns makes sense, there is more to it than just simple math.

Check out the full show notes for the episode by clicking here: https://yourmoneypuzzle.com/podcast/money-puzzle-30-do-returns-really-matter/

Last week we started down the road towards better fitness – both physically and financially – and we went over three tips to help us be more fit. The first three were: 

1. Repetition Is Key

We also talked about what it means to be motivated (properly) as well as the importance of choosing a good lifestyle vs. trying extreme diets, whether they be physical or financial. Now, it’s time for three more tips (numbers 4,5,6) to better fitness, with your wallet AND your waistline!

See the full show notes and video here: https://yourmoneypuzzle.com/podcast/money-puzzle-29-financial-fitness-part-2-3-more-lessons-ive-learned/

Living a long, prosperous life requires you to have both your physical and financial health in order. With both working in unison, you'll be able to fully enjoy each day all the way through retirement. This two part series will discuss the importance of wellness in health and finance. 

Show notes: https://yourmoneypuzzle.com/podcast/money-puzzle-28-…ially-fit-part-1/

If you’ve listened to any of the shows with my business partner on as my co-host, you’ve probably figured out we’re pretty different from each other. He’s a mountain man, I’m a city guy. I like to take place in action sports and high-adrenaline activities (outside of the office), and Brian likes to hunt and fish and hike. I’m an empty nester and Brian still has 4 kids at home (and they home-school their kids). But for all of our differences, we’ve got quite a few things in common too!

We are both from Michigan. We both dealt with some poverty as children as well as some prosperity. We both fell in love with financial planning at young ages and we both believe that our job is to help each individual client reach their specific goals for their family.

Brian and I have been working “around” each other for almost 20 years, and we always had an appreciation for how the other does business and cares for their clients. So, when the opportunity to partner up and work more closely together, it made sense to both of us immediately.

If you’re curious about how either Brian Johnson or myself, Robert Edgin, got into the business or about some of our early failures and learning experiences in life, this episode will get you all caught up on the story of us!

Video Version of Podcast: https://yourmoneypuzzle.com/podcast/money-puzzle-27-the-story-of-us/

Today's News Story:

https://news.yahoo.com/report-petty-crooks-5m-lottery-win-raises-suspicions-111119951.html

It’s easy to think, “it’ll never happen to me” or “I’m too young for life insurance.” But what if it does happen to you, regardless of how young or old you are?

Eryn has a personal and moving story about a new relationship, an illness, way too much time in hospitals and, you guessed it, some advice about life insurance!

See the show notes and video here: https://yourmoneypuzzle.com/podcast/money-puzzle-26-a-cautionary-tale-about-life-insurance/

After the past two weeks of talking about life insurance, you might be on the verge of making a decision on a policy. We've already talked about what life insurance is and what types of policies are available. Now let's talk about the situations where your insurance policy might not actually pay you out. These are scenarios you need to be aware of before making a decision.

Read more and see the video here: https://yourmoneypuzzle.com/podcast/times-when-life-insurance-doesnt-always-pay-out/

So, you’ve decided you need some life insurance and, after listening to last week’s episode, you know how much you need and what kind to buy. Great, but now that you know how much overage you need, what do you do about it and where do you get your shiny new life insurance? There are other places you can get the coverage you need BESIDES a life insurance company. The first place to look for coverage is where you work!

Read everything about today's episode in the show notes here.

This week let's talk Liam. No, not the actors Neeson or Hemsworth but Life Insurance Awareness Month. There are two types of life insurance that most people think about - Term and Permanent - and that will be our focus on this episode. 

Click here to see the full show notes for this episode. 

Long-term care might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about retirement, but it's often an important part of the puzzle that impacts both time and money. This is part 5 of a series that dives into the topic and discusses how you might be affected. In this episode, we talk about some of the options you have to get assistance with payment.

Click here for the full show notes.