MILMO Show

Mortgage rates continue to be a hot topic that impacts our ability to purchase or sell a home. A while back, I had Kevin Parker on the show to talk about what we should know about the true cost of a mortgage and how to take that information and make a decision that's best for you. As we're moving into homebuying season for the military, I thought it would be great to bring this episode back. Here...

Earning income is a critical part of building your wealth. For most of us, that is either having a job or starting a business, but what if there is a hybrid way?  In this episode, I talk to Kirby Williams about her journey of going from an employee to buying and running the business she worked at.  Kirby is the owner of Advantage Publications, an educational publishing company where she was former...

I was recently asked the question of what are the life insurance options for infants. I think my answer was not what was expected, which made me think, this might be something that should be discussed more. In this episode, I'm going to go over life insurance for infants, the life insurance coverage available on active duty, and what and who it can cover. The show notes can be found here: https://...

Caring for elderly parents is an often overlooked budget item but one that can come with high expenses in the future. If caring for your older parents, grandparents, or loved one is important to you, make it a priority in your finances now.  In this episode, John Osarczuk shares tips for financially preparing to pay for elder care costs, what that looks like each month, and mistakes to avoid that...

Home buying and renting homes come with the territory in the military. Frequent moves lead many of us to buy or rent out of necessity, not because it's our first choice. But how can you turn that lack of control into a way to make money?  In this episode, Army veteran Joe Riley shares how you can use short-term house rentals to make money during and after your military career.  Joe and his wife ar...

Buying a car can be a big undertaking and feel overwhelming because it greatly impacts your finances. If you're not careful, you can make mistakes or miss opportunities that can cost you.  In this episode, Brendan Duebner shares tips and advice to avoid costly car-buying mistakes, the resources you can use, and the best time to buy. Brendan is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business, a Captai...

Military spouses face career challenges at every turn impacting their ability to make money and build their earning power. There's a lot of career pivoting involved for milspouses but what if you already have a skillset that can help you make money no matter where the military sends you. In this episode, military spouse Molly Rose Speed shares skills military spouses can leverage to make money, ho...

Guard and reserve members face some unique financial and career challenges compared to active duty. And there are many things to consider when deciding to go from active duty to guard or reserve.  In this episode, Certified Financial Planner, Sam Lewis discusses the financial hurdles guard and reserve members and their families face and provides advice on navigating them. He also discusses things...

Understanding the economy or not understanding can help or hurt you financially. Inflation is impacting your quality of life, but do you know how it's going to impact your retirement savings and ability to build wealth? In this episode, Certified Financial Planner™, Bryan M. Kuderna shares tips on how to handle inflation, why it's important to increase your economic literacy, and how to maximize y...

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20% of small businesses fail in their first year, and about 50% of small businesses fail in their fifth year. With stats like that, I can understand why some might be scared of taking the leap into business, but that fear could be holding you back from the potential to do something you love and earn more. Entrepreneurship is filled with twist...

Stock trading can help you build wealth, but for many, it's can be intimidating. If you haven't been taught a trader skillset, where do you start, and what are the mistakes to avoid?  In this episode, I talk to Jason Brown, about how you can learn and grow your stock knowledge to become a confident stock trader. Jason has over a decade of stocks and options trading experience and is a graduate of...

Debt is a drag on your finances now and in the future. For many military families, debt is one of the top stressors. When your credit is maxed out, it can make extra expenses that are molehills seem like mountains you have to climb. When you're in the thick of debt, it can seem impossible to overcome, but great news, there are steps you can take to get out of debt. In this episode, I talk to Georg...

I can't believe it's almost here. MilMoneyCon23 is about a month away. I'm excited! I've been working on the conference all year, so I'm ready to get to see everyone, attend the events, and the sessions and just see it all come to life.  In this episode, I'm going to do a deep dive on MilMoneyCon23 and what attendees and sponsors can expect from the conference.  The show notes with episode links c...

Making change can be difficult. It's usually something new that takes time and motivation to stick with. But what if you created a system to help you make the changes you want in life and keep them for the long haul? In this episode, Dr. Ryan Law breaks down why change is difficult, the human behaviors behind it, and the systems you can create to improve your finances.  Ryan Law is award-winning e...

Helping others improve their financial lives can be rewarding. Do you have a passion for personal finance and want to make it a career? If you're a military spouse, now is a good opportunity to get started. In this episode, Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) candidate Dr. Brandon Shurn discusses the 2023 FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship. We discuss what it is, employment opportunities...

If it comes down to paying taxes or getting a return, we can all say, get a tax return, hands down. But if you're getting a big fat return every year, is that the best use of your money? In this episode, I talk with tax expert, Dr. Simon Karmarkar about what getting a tax return really means for your finances, how you can better plan your finances, and taxes and resources to use.  Dr. Karmarker is...

Something rare is going on in the military community. Right now, until the end of 2023, there is an Open Season for the Survivor Benefit Plan. It's part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) enacted by Congress. The SBP is one of the biggest decisions you make retiring from the military, one that can have a lasting impact on your retirement money. If you weren't happy with the deci...

Setting and creating a plan to accomplish your goals can greatly increase your chances of being successful with your desired outcome but too often, people feel like goal setting is pointless or don't end up not sticking with it.  In this episode, I talk to Certified Financial Planner Matt Miner about how you can take your goals to the next level, how to stay with them, and the resources and techni...

Building a career around military life is challenging for military spouses. Out of frustration, many spouses choose an entrepreneurial path to take control of their career path and earning power. But being a military spouse entrepreneur comes with its own unique set of challenges. In this episode, I talk with Attiyya Ingram about the things military spouses should know about being an entrepreneur,...

I think most of us have daydreamed about making or winning a bunch of money. I mean, who wouldn't want to come into money? It's a thrilling thought. The lottery or gambling is built on the dream of hitting it big. But what happens when it goes too far and impacts your finances and life? In this episode, I talk to Dave Yeager, a recovering gambling addict, about how gambling addiction took hold of...

January is financial wellness month and a time to remember the importance of your financial well-being. You'll always work on financial well-being, like your physical health, but what are some best practices to stay in top financial shape? In this episode, Dr. Megan Ford shares tips on how to develop and maintain financial wellness for the long haul. Dr. Ford is a financial therapist and consultan...

Many parents struggle with saving for their own future while paying for their children's education. It's a tough call, your future or theirs. The decision doesn't have to be all or nothing.  In this episode, I talk to Matt Meline about how you can balance saving for retirement while paying college expenses for your kids and how to prepare for life after your kids leave the nest.  Matt is the Found...

If life throws curve balls, military life throws wrenches. No joke, It seems like the unexpected happens at a higher frequency in the military. And it's often things we don't have experience with. Because of that, it can be hard to figure out how to handle the challenge or situation put in front of you. In this episode, I talk with fellow milspouse and Accredited Financial Counselor Kate Horrell a...

Veterans are no different from service members regarding being targets of predatory financial practices and fraud. According to a 2019 report put together by the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust and the Association of Military Banks of America, called the Military Consumers & Marketplace Trust: An Analysis of Marketplace Challenges Facing the Military Community, of the scams reported, the milit...

Being in the position to give money to help others is amazing. To be able to give to those in need can have a lasting impact on a person, family, or organization. But how do you give in a way that aligns with your values and where it will have the greatest impact? In this episode, I talk with Michael Thatcher about how to make smart, informed financial decisions regarding charitable giving.  Micha...