Money Making Sense

Going overseas for your vacation doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.  Kate Davis , Associate Producer for KSL Newsradio , says her two week vacation to Peru cost about $1500 - including airfare. Kate says her best advice is to be open to places you may not have considered as  'bucket list' items to visit. You can follow this show on  Instagram  and on  Facebook . And to see what Heather does wh...

Life insurance isn't always Death insurance.  Vivian Weyll , found of Aria Financial Group , says a life insurance policy designed the right way with the right benefits can provide college funds for kids or retirement funds -- TAX FREE. Weyll says you can also get a "Cash Back" policy which returns all the money you paid in if you don't die at the end of the policy's term. You can follow this show...

Are you getting the best deals at a Costco or Sam's Club over a regular food store? Dan Spindle , news anchor for KSL 5 TV , says there are 3-things you need to do to save money, no matter where you shop. Dan and Heather also discuss if food delivery services are worth the cost. You can follow this show on  Instagram  and on  Facebook . And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go...

S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and math) is touted as the they way for education and careers.  Tami Goetz , director of Utah STEM Action Center , and Susan Speirs , CEO of Utah Association of CPAs , discuss why it's important to start teaching kids as young as 7-years old these courses. They also discuss some of the negative problems associated with STEM.  And where people of all ages...

Surviving our capitalist system requires having true joy and purpose.  Quinn O'Briant , the "Joy Boss," says she faced a life of poverty and failure until she became INTENTIONAL about finding a different way to survive.  Now she has a six figure income. O'Briant teaches that the link between joy, money and purpose are closely related.  She's offering $200 off her 10-week course on her website .  U...

Insurance companies don't want you know this Hack.  David Rosell *, president of Rosell Wealth Management says selling your policy is better than surrendering it, and losing all it's value. David wrote the book " In the Know: Turning your Unwanted Life Insurance into Serious Cash " and explains what a 'Life Settlement' is and how it works. You can follow this show on  Instagram  and on  Facebook ....

Estate planning doesn't have to be intimidating.  David York, attorney, CPA and estate planner with York Howell , says most of the time it simply comes down to taking a few steps. David also discusses how to avoid probate -- or expensive costs surrounding settling an estate. You can follow this show on  Instagram  and on  Facebook . And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to...

National and statewide studies show women and girls are not thriving in critical areas.  Emily Darowski , associate director of Utah Women in Leadership Project , and Susan Speirs, the CEO of Utah Association of CPAs , discuss why it's important to your pocketbook and companies bottom lines, to have more diversity, equity and inclusion. Emily says "as more and more women and girls thrive, so will...

Scammers use your emotions, instead of logic, to gain your trust.  That's from Rob Woellhaf , vice-president of fraud management at Mountain America Credit Union .  He says awareness of the tricks fraudsters use will help prevent you losing your money. HACK:  NEVER give out your user name and password to any person for any reason, whatsoever. You can get more information at scams.utah.gov . You ca...

You MUST enroll in Survivor Benefit Plan THIS year if you are a military retiree and haven't already.  Retired Brigadier General Mike Meese , says this is a one-time allowance Congress has approved. Mike Meese is also President of AAFMAA ( American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association) and explains what the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is and how military 401k programs work.  Children of deployed serv...

True wealth isn't always about money.  Financial expert, Debra Schatzki , co-founder of BPP Wealth , says most of the time it's about your values. Debra also explains if you don't identify WHY you want financial change in your life and align your values to match, your wealth cannot grow. You can follow this show on  Instagram  and on  Facebook . And to see what Heather does when she's not talking...

As if personal scamming attacks weren't bad enough, author Rob Doctors, says Corporate Greed is taking advantage of consumers as well.  As author of the book " Ethics and Hidden Greed " Rob discusses five strategies of greed to understand in order to avoid getting scammed. HACK: Social media makes it easier to become a victim. You can follow this show on  Instagram  and on  Facebook . And to see w...

Doing your homework is the key to getting the best price on airfare, hotels, or even deciding if a 'stay-cation' is best for your budget.  That's from Susan Speirs , CEO of Utah Association of CPA' s.   Susan also explains when it's ok to write vacation expenses off on your taxes. You can follow this show on  Instagram  and on  Facebook . And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money,...

Prenuptial agreements will help set expectations so no one is surprised after the wedding.  That's from Teddi Ann Barry , family law attorney with Divorce in Colorado .  She says we need to think of prenups as an insurance policy, not as a guarantee a marriage won't work. Teddi Ann also discusses when you should update a prenup and getting a postnup agreement after the wedding. &nbs...

The finance office of car dealerships make the most money off you when selling vehicles.  Kevin Hunter , a consumer advisor in the car industry, says they are trained to throw on thousands of dollars of junk fees -- like window etching and destination costs -- when typing out your contract. Don't fall for the lies many salespeople and finance officers try to get away with the next time you need to...

We don't get into debt by doing the math -- that's from finance guru Dave Ramsey who says getting out of debt, and then creating wealth, is about your behavior.  Dave, and co-host of the Ramsy Show , George Kamel , explain how tens of millions of people have turned their lives around financially by taking 'baby steps.' George also goes over the questions you need to ask yourself before making...

Not being prepared for life finances will get you into trouble, no matter what stage you're in.  Jay Wells , with Drive Wealth Advisers and Susan Speirs , the CEO of Utah Association of CPA s say the worst thing you can do is pull out money early from a retirement fund to pay for everyday needs. Learn which type of 'retirement ratio' your advisor is talking about and if starting a Roth IRA in high...

Whether your just starting to lower your spending or feel stuck in the process, Andrea Woroch , a money saving expert, has some quick ideas to get you going -- from reducing your household bills to lowering your car insurance.  Andrea and Heather have some ideas to spark your creativity into keeping more money in your wallet.  Andrea also recommends checking out the Experian webpage for more hints...

Know where your money is going is one of the top ways to be financially healthy.  That's according to Christine Channels , head of community banking with Bank of America .  She says you need to get educated about personal finances. She also discusses how to know if your bank is secure and why using one that states they are FDIC Insured is so important.  You can learn more about your own financial...

FREE help is available to help with your rent, pay for groceries and child care assistance -- but you have to ask.  McKenzie Walsh , certified financial counselor at NeighborWorks Salt Lake , says if you don't know how to fix your car you go to a mechanic.  You should think of your finances the same way -- but payday loan centers are predatory and will steal even more of your money. Susan Speirs ,...

Replace $4.50 lb beef with $0.99 lb lentils at least once a week.  That's just one tip to save money at the grocery store from cookbook author Toni Okamoto .  In this episode Toni discusses how to save while shopping, meal planning, and storage tips to not waste food. You can get more information about how to get past living paycheck-to-paycheck in her cook book " Plant-Based on a Budget, Quick &a...

You should respect debt, not fear it.  That's from Chris Miles , a cash flow expert.  He says getting rid of duplicate types of insurance you may be paying for is one way to free up extra cash.   In this episode you'll hear several other tips Chris, who calls himself an anti-financial adviser has for finding money you didn't know you had.  You can get more info on his podcast . You can follow this...

Historical stories can teach people how to invest better.  That's according to Patrick Huey , the owner of Victory Independent Planning .  Huey says one lesson we have not learned is "making more money creates inflation."  The adage comes from a story 600 years ago about mathematician Copernicus in his book " History Lessons for the Modern Investor ." Huey also discusses his 7-Pillars of Financial...

What you believe about money affects your financial decisions.  That's from Ben Hockema , founder of Illiuminate Wealth Management .  He says you need to know yourself better to understand how you deal with money. Ben also explains the "FIRE" movement, five categories to better manage your cash slow, and why financial planners have the same love-hate relationship with budgets the rest of us do. Yo...

It's more important than ever to find ways to save as much money as possible.  Marlo Oaks, the Utah State Treasurer and Susan Speirs, CEO of Utah Association of CPAs , say paying down debt and changing your behavior about spending are key. Oaks also says Utah revieved $77 MILLION dollars in unclaimed property last year  ( mycash.utah.gov ).  The U.S. has over $68 Billion dollars of money that peop...