It's What You Keep

In this episode, we continue our discussion of the new versus repair car decisions and some of the emotional and financial factors that come into play. For most people, a car is the 2nd biggest expense in their budgets behind rent or a mortgage payment. And, unfortunately, it is one of those items that loses value with every passing day, so making sure we control that expense is important. Join us...

In this episode, Dave and Ken discuss one of the most challenging and potentially financially damaging decisions that people make: Buying a new car versus repairing the car I already have. Any car discussion can go many different ways, but here we are focusing on a decision many people face when they've had a car long enough that they've paid it off, and now are faced with repair bills and - wait...

This episode, we put our money where our mouths are and commit to using ROUND UP features of our respective bank accounts to save money. In previous episodes, we have discussed the importance of saving money and suggested ways to make it a priority. With a round-up feature, saving money can not only be easy and consistent, but also almost invisible! Round-up savings leverages your normal, everyday...

In this episode, we talk about ways to make growing your savings a priority while keeping it painless and nearly invisible! Too often, people tend to make savings a low priority or an afterthought behind paying bills, giving money away and spending on non-essentials like restaurants and clubs! The best way to make sure you are saving is to not only treat your savings account as a BILL that HAS to...

In this episode, we revisit the use of credit cards. Only this time, we talk about ways they can be used to enhance your life as long as you practice discipline and control. Used wisely, credit cards can actually HELP you to save money and enjoy life without "breaking the bank"!

This week, we answer 4 questions from our listeners about topics we've covered in previous weeks. Tune in to this episode to get some valuable tips on paying down your mortgage, keeping some "spare" cash and getting comfortable to ask for help!

This episode, we build on the budget planning discussed in previous episodes. Once you have a solid budget mapped out, you can use technology to make your bill payments and savings happen without even thinking about it! We'll just touch on a few of the ways to make this happen and will dive deeper in future episodes. Thanks for joining us as we offer ways to help you make your path to financial he...

Here, we discuss three of the top ways aggressive marketing works to separate us from our income and how being AWARE can help resist the urges to buy things we really don't need. Succumbing to marketing ploys can cause you to abandon your savings and budgeting plans!

In our last episode, we talked about payday and title loans—and how quickly they can damage your financial health. Today, we’re taking the next step. We’re sharing five alternatives to those high-cost loans that can help you get through a tough spot without digging a deeper hole. Some of these options come with their own challenges—whether that’s timing, patience, or having conversations that migh...

In this continuation of our loans and credit series, we discuss why payday and title loans are so potentially damaging to your credit and overall financial health.

After covering 10 ways to improve your credit rating in our last episode, we focus on what we think are the 3 most effective of those methods.

In this episode, we cover what we believe are the top 10 things you should do to improve and maintain your credit score and rating at credit agencies. Your credit rating is used by potential creditors, utility providers and even insurance companies to determine whether to extend credit or open accounts for you, and whether they should charge a premium or extra fees to do so. Establishing and maint...

Here we discuss credit ratings, credit reporting agencies and what it means to have "bad credit". Most lenders rely on an individual's credit rating or "score" to determine whether to extend loans or credit and how favorable... or unfavorable... the terms of that credit extension should be. Many consumers are surprised to learn what factors impact their scores and how many ways it can make their e...

We start a series of episodes on credit and loans and how their misuse can severely damage one's financial health.

In this episode, we answer a few questions from our listeners.

This episode goes a little deeper into how to create a budget for the first time.

In this episode, we discuss setting goals with a focus on the S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting method and how having goals supports success.

In this episode, we discuss life expenses and, specifically, “frivolous” spending… spending money on things or activities or for reasons that hurt your long-term financial health.

This episode explores the question “Where am I today?” and how to take an honest look at our current financial situation as a base for planning to improve.

Welcome to It's What You Keep! This first episode introduces the listener to Dave Berry and Kenny Evans, and how they came about creating this podcast.