Money Talks News: The Podcast

Editor's Note: This episode initially aired on July 20, 2022. It may contain some details that are out of date. According to one recent survey , only 4% of Americans have $1 million or more in retirement savings, which means 96% of us don't. Of course, depending on your situation, a million bucks may be overkill: Many people could fund their retirement years for a lot less. Still, it's a nice, rou...

Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast. In this episode we're talking about steps you should be taking right now to achieve financial freedom. No doubt you've imagined being financially independent: No job necessary, no money worries, no debt and plenty of savings. Of course, "financial freedom" means means different things to different people, but one thing's for sure: Not many of us are there y...

Editor's Note: This episode initially aired on July 13, 2022. It may contain some details that are out of date. Even with talk of a cooling housing market, prices are still high, and inventory is still low. If you're looking for a good deal, what are you supposed to do? This week we're going to find out how to find a great real estate deal no matter the market. As usual, co-hosts  Stacy Johnson  a...

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 faster pace than inflation , and that's keeping som...

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 balance is about twice that, or $280,000. Sounds...

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 financial freedom. So, how do you become one of th...

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 while retired is increasingly common. According to one...

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 without lifestyle pain. As usual, host  Stacy John...

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 doing and where we want to end up when we do it. A...

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 true? Is AI that big a deal? And if so, should we be...

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 your retirement savings. Host  Stacy Johnson  is jo...

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 investing with as little as $5? And you don't eve...

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 far from the only one. Today, we're talking to a be...

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. Today, we will focus on three main areas: The st...

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 talk to an expert on banking for retirees. He's se...

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 that, 10% of investors cited the fear of missing...

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 expenses, just like success as an athlete isn't al...

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 been doing it for 40 years, and over that time have...

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 have student loan debt has sextupled since 2004, now...

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 a company now being investigated for fraud. So, s...

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 to understand your options. And that's exactly wha...

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 you'll pay for them. So, what happens if you have...

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 ballooning health care costs? Anything could turn yo...

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 and podcasting about money since 2005. But they s...

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 the kind of wealth you can pass down to the next g...