Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast. In this episode, we're talking about how you can have a good time without breaking the bank. Hey, we all need a little fun in our lives, right? What's the point of grinding it out at work, going home, fretting about money, and then sleeping? But here's the rub: The cost of having fun continues to rise at a f…

Here's one of our best podcasts from the archive that you may have missed. Thanks for listening to Money Talks News…the podcast! Let's start with a question: Do you have enough in your retirement account? According to a recent report from Vanguard, the average American has around $140,000 saved for retirement. For those 65 and older, that average b…

Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast! In this episode, we're talking about paying off your mortgage early so you can put that money to better use. Fewer than half — 40% — of homeowners are mortgage-free, according to a Bloomberg analysis. And many of those are baby boomers. Being mortgage-free is often seen as a big milestone on the journey to f…

Here's one of our best podcasts from the archive that you may have missed. Original air date: February 27th, 2021 Not long ago, the phrase "working in retirement" was an oxymoron, much like "bittersweet" or "act naturally." After all, if you're working, you're by definition not retired. But that was then. These days, working at least part-time whil…

Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast. This podcast is all about making you richer. And at the end of the day, there are only two ways to do that: either you make more, or you spend less. In this episode, we're going to talk about ways to spend less, BUT, doing it without sacrificing your quality of life. That's right: I'm talking financial gain …

Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast. In this episode, we're talking about how asking the right money questions can help you find your own version of financial freedom. When it comes to money, most people want answers. But sometimes getting ahead isn't about getting answers, it's about asking the right questions. Like WHY we're doing what we're …

Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast. In this episode, we're talking about investing in artificial intelligence, as well as using AI tools to become a more successful investor. The hype around artificial intelligence has been insane, with some calling it the greatest game-changer since the invention of the internet or even electricity! Is it tru…

Today, we're talking about things people wish they'd known before retiring. Planning for retirement is a tricky business! Lots of moving pieces and parts. Today we're going to share some things real retirees said they wish they'd known before they retired. We're going to focus on five high-impact areas that can add tens of thousands of dollars to y…

In this episode we're talking about how just about anyone can start investing. When Stacy was an investment broker 40 years ago, investing was a colossal pain in the butt. You needed thousands of dollars to pick up the phone and talk to someone like me; you couldn't just do it yourself. Today, though, things have changed. Did you know you can start…

In this episode, we're talking about the top four mistakes investors make. When it comes to stocks, we all know we're supposed to buy low and sell high, but for many of us, that's a lot easier said than done. Many investors tend to buy when the market's topping, then panic and sell at the bottom. That's one common mistake investors make, but it's f…

In this episode, we predict what will happen to your money in 2024. Israel…Ukraine…a presidential election…inflation…possible recession. A lot is going on that could affect the global economy, as well as your personal economy. It's always dangerous to make predictions, but we're going to do it anyway, as we have for decades here at Money Talks News…

In this episode, we're talking about the top scams you're likely to see in retirement and how you can avoid them. Did you know that more than $28 BILLION—that's a billion with a B—is stolen from those aged 60 and older each year? So, how do you avoid becoming a depressing statistic if you're in retirement or approaching retirement? Today, we will t…

In this episode, we're talking about how money FOMO, among other things, can make you vulnerable to scams and how to avoid being a victim. Cryptocurrency was all the rage for a couple of years, and it seemed nothing could go wrong. It was a very social experience. In 2022, 31% of new crypto investors got started with advice from a friend. On top of…

In this podcast episode, we're talking about how the way you think can make you richer…or poorer. We've all heard the stories: people win the lottery, then lose it all. Or a millionaire who loses everything and then rebuilds their fortune seemingly overnight. These examples illustrate that financial success isn't just determined by your income and …

Today’s podcast is a replay of a popular show we did a few months back. So if you didn’t hear it the first time, or want to hear it again, now’s your chance. Thanks for listening to Money Talks News…the podcast! If you're an avid investor…or even if you're not…at one time or another you've probably considered investing in individual stocks. I've be…

In this episode, we're talking about how parents help finance their kid's education. Specifically, we're going to discuss Parent PLUS loans and how they impact millions of Americans hoping to retire. Americans above the age of 60 are drowning in student loan debt, both their own and that of their kids. The number of people over the age of 60 who ha…

Dave Ramsey has long been considered "the man" when it comes to financial advice—especially if you want to get out of debt. In recent years, though, controversy has dogged Dave's heels. He had to settle a discrimination lawsuit for his employment practices, and he's facing a $150 million lawsuit from disgruntled followers who took his advice to use…

If you're one of the millions of Americans eligible for Medicare, you're likely familiar with open enrollment. That's the stretch from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 every year when you're allowed to make changes to your coverage. And for most people, that's the only time you can. In order to get the best Medicare coverage for your personal situation, you need …

In this episode, we're talking about credit repair. Your credit matters. A lot. Nearly every financial transaction involves your credit: getting an apartment, buying a house, getting cell service…how much you pay for car insurance…sometimes even getting a job. And your credit can determine not just whether you can get various services, but how much…

In this episode, we're talking about dealing with retirement anxiety. According to a recent Gallup survey, 60% of people approaching retirement think they're not going to have enough money, even when they probably do. Who wouldn't feel anxious? What if Social Security goes away? What about inflation, rising rates, falling stocks, recessions and bal…

Today’s podcast is a replay of a popular show we did a few months back. So if you didn’t hear it the first time, or want to hear it again, now’s your chance. Thanks for listening to Money Talks News…the podcast! Stacy's been offering money guidance for 41 years: 10 as a financial adviser and 31 as a personal finance reporter. Miranda's been writing…

In this episode, we're talking about growing generational wealth: in other words, leaving money to your heirs. According to the Census Bureau, baby boomers are nearly 9 times wealthier than their kids, the millennials. Which means as baby boomers, like me, die off, there's going to be one of the biggest wealth transfers in history. Want to create t…

Today’s podcast is a replay of a popular show we did a few months back. So if you didn’t hear it the first time, or want to hear it again, now’s your chance. Thanks for listening to Money Talks News…the podcast! Let's start with a question: Do you have enough in your retirement account? According to a recent report from Vanguard, the average Americ…

This has been a very odd year. Lots of pundits were predicting a bad stock market for the first part of this year as inflation and high interest rates pushed the economy into a recession. Nope. At the end of July, the S&P 500 was up nearly 20%, and the tech-heavy NASDAQ was up 30%. Another thing the pundits advised: The Fed would stop raising inter…

If you're an avid investor…or even if you're not…at one time or another you've probably considered investing in individual stocks. I've been doing it for 40 years, and over that time have made well over a million dollars investing in the stocks of individual companies. But stock picking isn't for everyone, and it comes with risks. Even the best sto…

Did you know that most wealthy people don't drive luxury cars? It's not all Lamborghinis and Bentleys. For many, the most likely cars are Toyotas, Hondas and Fords. You might be surprised at other millionaire habits more frugal than you'd expect. In this podcast, we're going to talk about the habits of millionaires, because understanding what milli…

Are you familiar with Roth IRAs? If you're not, you should be, because Roth IRAs are a great way to get tax-free income after you retire. There is a potential fly in the ointment, however. Namely, not everyone qualifies for a Roth. If you make too much money, Uncle Sam says you can't use em. But there's a way around that rule: Fund a regular retire…

In this episode, we're talking about protecting your kid's identity and building their credit. You might be surprised to learn that 1 in 50 children is affected by child identity fraud, costing consumers nearly $1 billion per year. So, how do you make sure your child isn't the one whose identity is stolen? Glad you asked, because that's the questio…

In this episode of the Money Talks News podcast, we're talking about how organizing your money can make you richer and how to get there with the least possible pain. This will probably come as no surprise, but according to a recent survey, only 23% of Americans have a formal financial plan. And you can probably guess why: 76 percent of those withou…

You probably have long-term money goals: You know, the money you're saving for something that's years, even decades away, like retirement savings. But you also want money for things that are just weeks or months away, like creating an emergency fund or saving for a vacation. The trick is finding the right balance, so you can hit both your short and…

In this episode we're talking about the dangers of debt in a rising rate environment, and how to deal with it. The Federal Reserve has now raised interest rates nine times in the last year. The idea of higher rates is to put the brakes on the economy in order to slow inflation. All good, until someone gets hurt. And who gets hurt by higher rates? C…

In this episode, we're tackling a real-life retirement situation. Maybe you've experienced it yourself. You open your statement, and there it is: a shrinking balance. Maybe it's because the stock market has fallen. Or interest rates have risen, and your bond fund is losing ground. Either way, what happens when you feel like you're losing a huge chu…

In this episode, we're talking about the Midas metal. Gold has long been known as a store of value and a hedge against both inflation and global uncertainty. This is why it's also a part of many well-diversified savings strategies, including retirement accounts. Yes, you can actually hold gold in your IRA—as long as you follow the rules. But should…

You probably remember the Bernie Madoff saga: His famous Ponzi scheme destroyed the life savings of hundreds of sophisticated investors and money managers. Billions vanished into thin air. So, how do smart people end up in these situations? More to the point, how can you avoid being the victim of a scam? There are red flags that you should recogniz…

There are almost 22 million people with a net worth of at least $1 million in the United States. That's a lot of millionaires! Many of these millionaires aren't flashy. They got rich over long periods of time by owning a home or years of investing. But what if you want to speed up the process? How can you become a millionaire BEFORE you retire? Tha…

According to the latest report from Vanguard, looking at the average amount of money saved for retirement, there's a good chance you might not be on track for comfort in your golden years. The average 45-year-old has less than $180,000 saved for retirement. But how do you change that? How do you even figure out when you have enough to retire? This …

If you're on a steady salary, creating a spending plan is straightforward, because you know both what's coming in and what's going out every month. **** But what if you don't have a stable salary? What if you're one of the millions of Americans who do side work or own a business or get paid commission? For you, a variable income is just part of the…

So let me ask you: Got debt? If so, you're not alone. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 28% of consumers have an account in collections. Think about that. More than one if four of us are getting hounded on a past-due bill! Maybe you're not to that point yet, but you can probably relate to the feeling of the bills piling up. Or …

About 30% of people have experienced financial infidelity: things like: Keeping purchases secret: 31.4%. Hiding debts or accounts: 28.7%. Lying about income: 22.6%. Draining money from savings: 10.4%. Lending money without consent: 6.9%. All bad stuff, right? Even worse, financial infidelity can be a sign of other relationship issues. So, how do yo…

Are you familiar with it the SECURE Act, and its update, SECURE 2.0? If you're not, maybe you should be. It was recently signed into law, and while it may sound boring, as we're about to explain, there are provisions in this bill that could make you richer. So, let's take a minute and see what's in this thing. In this week's podcast, host Stacy Joh…

According to at least one survey, as many as 80% of Americans prepare a budget. Even if you don't believe that statistic, it's probably safe to say that 80% of Americans have at least thought about having a budget. So, why don't they actually do it? You probably already know the answer: Because budgets are hard to stick to. And why is so hard to st…

Last year was terrible for stocks, with the Dow, S&P and tech-heavy Nasdaq all posting double-digit losses. And that showed up in retirement accounts. According to Fidelity, In the third quarter of 2022, 401(k) balances were 23 percent lower than the year before. That's a lot of loss. This makes for stressful savers, especially those nearing retire…

We've all heard the dismal statistics. Most people who set New Year's resolutions abandon them by February. What gives? Why is it so hard to follow through on our goals? And most important: What can we do to succeed? Let's find out. In this week's podcast, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journalist Miranda Marquit. Listening in and someti…

Side hustles are increasingly a part of life, even if you're just trying to survive. In 2022, 45% of Americans said they had a side hustle, with an average monthly income of $483. While that might not seem like much, it's possible to use your side hustle as the basis for building financial freedom. In this podcast, we're going to meet someone who d…

Well, here we are: a brand new year! Chances are, you're one of the 81% of Americans with a financial new year's resolution. The most common financial resolution this year? Like many other years, it's paying off debt. But how do you make it happen? Obviously, with a plan. So, let's make one! As usual, host Stacy Johnson is joined by financial journ…

Episode 175 webpage. It's been a wild year. Crypto has fallen 70%. The stock market has been horrible. Bonds have had the worst year since 1700s! And we've watched inflation hit levels not seen since Reagan was in the White House. What does this mean as we move into a new year? Today, we're going to take a look at some of the biggest money stories …

Episode 174 webpage with links. Here we go again: A brand new year is right around the corner. And even if you're not among the 68% of people that make financial New Year's resolutions, you should still look ahead and plan some money moves for the new year. At least, if one of your goals is to get richer. As usual, host Stacy Johnson is joined by f…

Episode 173 webpage with all the links. Death and taxes. They say they are the only certain things in life. Certain or not, though, taxes are definitely stressful, which is probably why 1/3 of Americans procrastinate when tax time rolls around. And that can be an expensive mistake. Example: Now's the time to focus on year-end tax moves and take adv…

Episode 172 Webpage and Links. This week we're talking about alternative investments. If you're like us, stocks, bonds and savings accounts make up the foundation of your investments. And that's a good thing: all three are important for a comfortable, secure retirement. But guess what? They're not the only game in town. As it happens, there are inv…

Episode 171 Webpage and Links Stacy's been offering money guidance for 41 years: 10 as a financial advisor and 31 as a personal finance reporter. Miranda's been writing and podcasting about money since 2005. But they still learn more every day. We hope you want to learn new things, too! And that's why we periodically answer YOUR questions: the ones…