Info

Financial Freedom Podcast

A semi-monthly podcast that brings you advice and interviews with experts on various important topics to help you make better and smarter financial decisions in order to improve or maintain your financial situation.
RSS Feed Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
Financial Freedom Podcast
2024
March
February
January


2023
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2022
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: Page 4
Feb 12, 2021

One of the budget line items I often discuss with my bankruptcy clients is their utility bill. The gas, electric, water, and sewer bills can get out of hand and threaten their fresh start after they get their discharge. But even if you aren’t filing bankruptcy, getting a handle on that expense can help balance a budget and free up funds for more long-term financial goals.

That’s why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about ways in which you can get these numbers down. I wanted to provide guidance on how to negotiate your bill as well as how to implement some tips and tricks around the house to reduce usage, and therefore your bill.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Tips on Negotiating Your Bill
  • Home Tweaks and Hacks
  • Tips on Lowering Your Water Bill
Jan 22, 2021

In Episode 96, I talked about getting your money ready for marriage. But what if you’re already married and have been for years? If you are both of the same mind when it comes to money, then great! But what if you have different money mindsets? What if you are having trouble coming to agreement on spending?

That is why, as we round out a series of episodes on preparing personal finances for 2021, I wanted to address this issue and discuss ways in which you can come to an agreement going forward and end up going in the same direction together.

In this episode you will learn:

  • The Importance of Communication in Financial Decisions
  • 7 Great Tips for a Healthy Financial Relationship
  • Whether You Should Split Finances or Keep Them Joint
  • How to Reconcile Your Spending Differences
Jan 8, 2021

In previous episodes I’ve talked about budgeting and how it’s important to have one to keep your spending in line with your income and help you towards your long-term financial goals. I also discussed in the last episode setting goals and being more strategic in how you handle your finances.

In the process of researching that episode, I ran across personal finance coach Tim Jordan who, by his own admission and branding, takes an atypical approach to the subject with his clients. After learning more about what he does, I knew I just had to have him on the show to talk about why you should be atypical in handling your finances.

In this episode you will learn:

  • The 5 Best Budgeting Methods
  • Why No One Budgeting Method is Right for Everyone
  • How to Pick the Best Budget
  • How to Think About Your 2021 Financial Goals

 

Dec 25, 2020

As the year 2020 comes to a close, it’s time to start thinking about our financial goals for 2021. This year has presented some challenges and shown us how important it is to plan for bad times, so that when they come, we are ready, and our financial freedom isn’t threatened.

That’s why in this episode of the podcast I step you through what you need to do to look over this past year, learn from it, and use that information to create a solid financial plan going forward.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Strategies and Goal Setting for 2021
  • The Importance of "Finding Your Why" in Your Finances
  • Tips on Reducing Income Taxes in 2021
  • Tips on Increasing Income
Dec 11, 2020

In Episode 114 I started a series of episodes around reducing expenses in your budget in order to help you live within your means and have money left over to save for the future. It was also in follow up to Episode 113 in which I talked with “Tightwad Todd” Miller about living below your means.

That’s why in this episode of the podcast I take on that expense that seems to get bigger, your cell phone bill. It’s a budget line item I discuss a lot with my bankruptcy clients, and one that can be tough to keep under control. But with these tips and tricks, you should be able to tame that beast.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Ways to reduce the monthly payment with your carrier
  • Smarter strategies for getting a new phone
  • How changing your usage can save you money
Nov 27, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have lost their jobs because their employer had to close up shop; the work could not be done remotely. Some of them were able to pivot successfully to other jobs or transfer their skills to one that can be done from home.

Unfortunately, many others are still looking. That may be because they haven’t been able to figure out how to apply their skills in a different context, or they aren’t looking in the right places. That’s why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about where to look for remote work, who’s looking for remote workers, how to handle the application process, and how to succeed at that job once you get it.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Where to Look for Work from Home Jobs
  • What Kind of Jobs Are Available
  • How to Apply for Them
  • How to Succeed at Them
Nov 13, 2020

Way back in Episode 13 of the podcast I did a review of an app from personal finance guru Dave Ramsey called EveryDollar. It is an app my wife and I have been using since then, and it’s great! But there are a lot of other apps out there that can help you keep your finances straight, and one of them might be better for you than EveryDollar.

Which is why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to look at three other apps that might be more up your alley: Pocket Guard, YNAB (You Need a Budget), and Personal Capital. There are even more out there, and that could be the subject of another episode, but hopefully one of these will be just right for you!

In this episode you will learn about:

  • Three different personal finance apps of varying complexity and sophistication
  • How to choose a good personal finance app
Oct 23, 2020

People trying to achieve personal financial freedom are often initially struggling with debt and trying to get out of a financial hole. They are getting letters from collection agencies and law firms that are demanding that the debt be paid. They have to get out of debt before they can ever hope to achieve their goal.

But people in debt, in my experience, are often dealing with collection lawsuits that result in judgments, and these judgments can be very problematic when the lawyers who obtained it start trying to enforce it. That’s why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about the three biggest collection tools the lawyers have, and what you can do once they start to use them.

In this episode you will learn:

  • What an Information Subpoena Is and How to Deal with It
  • How to Fight Back When Your Bank Account is Levied
  • How to Deal with a Wage Garnishment
Oct 9, 2020

In Episode 113 of the podcast I talked with “Tightwad Todd” Miller, a personal finance consultant and coach on the subject of spending below your means. I did this because reducing spending as much as possible to free up money to save and invest for the future is a key part of achieving long term financial independence and freedom.

So, I thought it might be a good idea to follow up with some episodes on how to reduce spending in various budget categories. One big one is the cable bill, and with a technological revolution going on in how we consume video content, there are lots of opportunities to cut costs while not sacrificing entertainment value.

In this episode you will learn about:

  • Hardware Options (Smart TVs and Boxes)
  • Cable Replacement Services
  • Streaming Services
  • Sports Watching Options
Sep 25, 2020

Achieving financial freedom in the short term requires living within your means. In other words, your monthly expenses need to total no more than your monthly net income, so that you don’t sink into debt. But achieving long term financial freedom requires even more discipline; you need to live below your means.

By doing this you generate unused income every month to put towards savings and long-term investing, so that you will have a net worth to support you in retirement. But how do you do that? To give you some tips, I brough personal financial services consultant Todd Miller onto the show to tell you about them.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Ideas on setting up a budget
  • How to cut your expenses
  • How to handle unexpected expenses
  • How to track your spending to stay on budget
  • How to resist the “urge to splurge”
Sep 11, 2020

Every business should have a web site to promote its goods and services and attract new customers, especially as more of them are functioning virtually. Despite this, so many of them don’t have a web presence, or just have a domain name for e-mail. By not having one they are leaving money on the table and passing by an opportunity for growth.

That’s why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about getting on the web with a great site and using it to attract and covert new customers for your business. These tips can help you grow your business and help ensure your personal financial freedom.

In this episode you will learn:

  • The first thing you need to do to get started
  • The biggest mistakes made with DIY web sites
  • How to choose a web design company
  • How to turn web site visitors into customers
Aug 28, 2020

With the COVID-19 pandemic going into its sixth month, many businesses have either filed bankruptcy, closed for good, or have shed employees to slim down. No matter the cause, a lot of people are now out of work and looking for a new job. This has become especially urgent with the end of the supplemental unemployment benefits under the CARES Act.

Looking for a job during a pandemic presents a special challenge. That’s why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about some tips and ideas to increasing your chances of employment and getting back on your financial feet.

In this episode you will learn:

  • How to Network Online
  • How to Prepare for an Informational Virtual Interview
  • How to Boost Your Job Skills and Showcase Your Strengths
  • How to Create a Job Hunting System

 

Aug 14, 2020

A major part of the American Dream is to strike it rich, to become a millionaire. However, for the vast majority, that is just a dream. 3.5% of our population holds nearly half of our wealth. Back in 1996, a couple of Ph.D.s, Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko, decided to do some research into America’s millionaires. The surprising answers they got are reflected in the title of their book, The Millionaire Next Door.

That book provides all sorts of great information about what millionaires look like, how they got to be millionaires, and why so few of them successfully pass on their wealth to their children. That’s why in this episode of the podcast, I wanted to talk about this book (which has been updated over the years), how it lays out how these people became millionaires (or at least wealthy), and how you can use this information to become wealthy (and maybe even a millionaire) as well!

In this episode you will learn:

  • What an American Millionaire Looks Like
  • What Does It Take to Become a Millionaire?
  • How to Know If You Are Wealthy
  • How to Pass Wealth On to Your Children
Jul 24, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has now reached over 3.9 million cases in this country (with over 179,000 in New Jersey) and has caused over 144,000 deaths (with over 15,000 in New Jersey). Even those who have survived the illness have had a tough time, with many having lengthy hospital stays.

This taste of our own mortality has been sobering for all of us; something like this hasn’t happened for over 100 years! But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be prepared for its eventual arrival. Way back in Episodes 18 and 21 I talked about the importance of having an estate plan and how to go about doing it. But with all that is going on in the world today, I thought I would revisit the subject, as the pandemic has emphasized its importance.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Why it is important to have an estate plan
  • The documents you need to create to have one
  • What you need to think about to prepare them
  • Federal and NJ tax issues
Jul 10, 2020

Due to the pandemic, lots of people are either working from home or have lost their jobs because they cannot be done from home. Those in the latter group may be looking for a job that allows them to do so. On the other hand, many small businesses are looking for help, but are unsure whether hiring someone (and taking on the payroll and other administrative tasks that go along with doing so) is the right move.

That’s why in this episode of the podcast I talk with Connie Gray, the owner of Virtual Solutions 4U on how to be a virtual assistant, whether that’s the right career for you as an employee, and whether taking one on is the best move for your small business.

In this episode you will learn:

  • Things you should consider in whether to hire a VA or an employee for your business
  • The tasks that VAs can perform for your business
  • The skills you should have if you want to become a VA

 

Jun 26, 2020

On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law to help people deal with the devastating economic effects of the coronavirus. Many of the provisions help student loan borrowers, and while they provide some welcome relief, the law doesn’t address all of the problems that student loan borrowers face.

In addition, these provisions are set to expire on September 30, 2020, so the relief is a short-term solution. Therefore, anyone with student loans, whether they are federal, state, or private, need to act soon to have a plan by the deadline. That’s why in this episode of the podcast I talk about some strategies you can look into to use this breather as an opportunity to get your loans back on track!

In this episode you will learn:

  • Ways to get out of default on federal and NJ CLASS student loans
  • How to get an affordable, income driven loan repayment plan
  • How to pay off your loans sooner if you are a public employee
Jun 12, 2020

Social distancing orders in light of the coronavirus pandemic have forced companies to send workers home and have them work remotely. The trend might continue. According to a Gartner survey of 317 finance executives on March 30, 3 out of 4 chief finance officers and finance leaders are considering moving at least 5% of their on-site workforce to remote positions permanently after the pandemic.

In addition, many people have reported an increase in quality of life and a shift in the work-life balance after having worked from home for a while. But all of this can raise tax issues for you that could come back to haunt you. That’s why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about those issues, so that if you’d like to make your kitchen, your spare bedroom, or your beach house  your permanent office, you will know what it might mean for your taxes.

In this episode you will learn:

  • What bordering states have reciprocal tax agreements
  • How being taxed by two states can work for or against you
  • The good and bad news about home office deductions
May 22, 2020

Being in debt is stressful, no question! It can weigh on your mind with constant worry about how you will ever be able to pay the debts and avoid bankruptcy. It can have you afraid to open your mail or answer the phone.

But there are helpful and constructive ways to deal with this stress, which is why in this episode of the podcast I talk to psychologist Dr. David Weiman on how you can address that stress head-on and keep it from ruling your life!

In this episode you will learn:

  • How financial stress can affect your health and mental state
  • Key steps to lowering financial stress
  • What you can learn from people who handle stress well
  • How knowing your risk tolerance can lower stress in retirement planning
May 8, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a huge disruption in our economy, as millions of people experience job loss or pay reduction, leading to great difficulty (or outright inability) to pay their bills. Congress responded with the CARES Act in March that gave aid in several different sectors, including student loans.

As a student loan attorney, I have been following these developments and was encouraged by the help given in that area by this legislation. But as the assistance provided in the CARES Act doesn’t solve everyone’s problems, I wanted to talk in this episode about what you need to do during the pandemic to keep your student loans on track, whether they are federal or private.

In this episode you will learn:

  • What the CARES Act covers and what it doesn't
  • How to deal with federal loans not covered by the Act
  • How to deal with your CLASS loans from HESAA
  • How to deal with your private loans
Apr 24, 2020

With the coronavirus pandemic forcing non-essential businesses to work virtually, the needs of those businesses have changed. Many may even discover that a virtual business model is better and change forever how they operate.

This is made possible by a growing number of cloud services that can allow companies to run smoothly with a distributed workforce. Some may realize that they can run with a reduced workforce and outsource some tasks to outside vendors.

But can that be done with things like your accounting department? To answer that question, I invited Frank Lunn of Kahuna Accounting, a virtual firm with clients all over the country, to talk to us on how it can be done!

In this episode you will learn:

  • How cloud accounting services can integrate with your other cloud platforms
  • How accounting services can be molded to your strategic financial goals
  • How accounting services can help you grow your business and reduce overhead
Apr 10, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has shut down a lot businesses and forced many others to operate virtually, often times with reduced staff. Revenues have dropped, and businesses are looking for ways to pay their expenses until the crisis is over.

Our situation today is a much bigger example of what happens to businesses every year, where they are going through tough times and need financing to keep going until things get better. That’s why in this episode of the podcast I talk with Ty Crandall, CEO of CreditSuite, on how you can get business credit for bridge financing to make sure your business stays in business.

In this episode you will learn about:

  • Tips on Bridge Loan Financing Programs
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the SBA
  • Payroll Protection Program
  • General Tips & Advice on How to Apply for and Get Bridge Financing
Mar 27, 2020

The outbreak of the Corona Virus and the recent drop in the stock market has a lot of people worried about their retirement investments. What does the current bear market mean for their retirement? Should they stop investing or keep going? Or if they are already retired, will they be okay, or will they have to go back to work?

To answer these questions, I invited back financial planner Michael Karwic to talk about what this means to 20-somethings who have just started investing, 50-somethings who are starting to see retirement on the horizon, and retirees, who are already living on their retirement investments.

In this episode you will learn:

  • How the 2020 market drop happened
  • How to deal with a market drop in your 20s
  • How to deal with a market drop in your 50s
  • How to deal with a market drop when you are already retired
Mar 13, 2020

I started this podcast in January of 2016 with the hope of providing helpful information to folks either after I had assisted them through a difficult financial situation to keep them moving towards a better financial future or to prevent them from having a difficult financial situation in the first place. 

Many of the episodes were solo ones where I would discuss a topic in detail in a short enough period of time that you could listen to the whole thing on your way to work. But I also interviewed local businesspeople to elicit their expertise and show how they could help people in my area. This then grew to experts and authors further flung from my office in Woodbury, but still ones that had some great information for listeners.

Now that I have reached the milestone of 100 episodes I wanted to look back at some of those interviews and provide some highlights from them that will take you down a path from getting on a good financial track yourself through building wealth, and then doing what's necessary to pass success on to your children.

In this episode, you will get a taste of information on:

  • Personal Credit Reports & Scores  (2:01)
  • Negotiating Tax Debt with the IRS  (13:13)
  • Getting the Most from the Sale of Your Home (20:33)
  • Retirement Investing & Financial Planning (25:59)
  • Business Credit and How to Get It  (38:45)
  • Expanding Your Business (49:05)
  • Selling Your Business  (55:53)
  • Saving for Your Children's Education (1:04:34)
  • Choosing the Right School & Thinking Like a Rich Person  (1:13:58)

Listen straight through or skip ahead to the time codes!

 

Feb 28, 2020

Many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make ends meet, and having no plans, or hope for the future. Their only goal is to make it to the next payday, so they can pay the next bill. But unless something changes for them, they will never achieve financial freedom.

Which is why in this episode of the podcast I talk about the steps you need to take to break the cycle, pay down debt, plan for unexpected expenses, and be able to dream about the future.

In this episode you will learn about:

  • Cutting back in spending and increasing income
  • Breaking out of the debt cycle
  • Developing delayed gratification on non-essential purchases
  • Creating an emergency fund against unexpected expenses
Feb 14, 2020

There is a popular saying among entrepreneurs that most people don’t go out of business, they grow out of business. This can be due to several factors, including whether to expand at all or just raise prices with demand, whether or not the proper systems are in place pass off effectively to employees those things the owners did themselves, and whether the markets they’re expanding into have the requisite demand to produce the desired profits.

That’s why in this episode of the podcast I talk to Somnath Sikdar who, along with his business partner Lonnie Beck, successfully expanded their martial arts school, Dragon Gym, from one location in Exton, PA, to two more in Berwyn and Malvern.

1 « Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next » 8