Popcorn Finance

Will closing my credit card negatively affect my credit score? This week we hear from a listener who wants to close a credit card but they are afraid of what this might do to their credit score. There are 5 different components that determine credit scores and I’m breaking those down from most to least important to determine whether closing a credit card could result in any short or long-term nega...

Student loan forgiveness has been canceled, so now what are your options? It’s official, student loan forgiveness has been canceled and although this is not the outcome many people hoped for, this news probably won’t come as a big surprise if you listened to ep.385 with Nika Booth. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the Biden administration's response to the supreme court’s decision and what steps yo...

What do you do when you go out to eat with your parents and they are the world's worst tippers?  Today I’m sharing an awkward story I’m sure a lot of us can relate to from my other podcast, This is Awkward. This listener’s dilemma centers around the fact that their parents haven’t changed their tipping habits in over 20 years. They don't want to offend their parents but also don't want their poor...

Could AI soon be used to help you make your next important financial decision? If you’ve had a chance to try out AI tools like ChatGPT you know just how powerful they are. Today we're taking on the hot topic of AI and discussing whether or not I think we’ll see it used in future financial planning. There’s a lot of talk about the ethics of AI and I’ve previously explored that in episode 364, but c...

Are you prepared for student loan payments to resume this summer? Back at the beginning of the year, Nika Booth aka Debt Free Gonna Be, gave us an update on where Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness plan currently stands. She's back on the show to share some updates, including the date the payment pause will end and what the newest news about the potential Supreme Court ruling could mean for your unp...

Are you finding it hard to stick to a budget? You’re not alone and the reason could be you’re just not using the best method for your lifestyle. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to budgeting. You have to find what works best for you. That could mean that you like to use pen and paper instead of Excel like my guest and co-host of This is Awkward podcast, Allison Baggerly. In today’s epis...

Who else has been inundated with scam calls lately?   Fraud and scam calls are nothing new but they are becoming more prevalent nowadays. They’re getting more clever by using tactics like phone spoofing or impersonating reputable businesses. That’s why in this episode of Popcorn Finance, I’m sharing my tips on how to stay safe and avoid getting swindled by scam callers.  Join Me on YouTube! https:...

Is aggressively paying off your debt causing other areas of your life to suffer? Years ago my wife and I accumulated over $27k worth of debt and it haunted me every day until I paid it off. Credit card interest rates are some of the highest and debt can feel like a dark cloud hanging over you until it's paid off. However, after reading an article from Elizabeth Gravier that outlines four signs tha...

What happens to the money saved in my 529 plan if my kid doesn’t go to college?   This episode is all thanks to a question I received from a listener from my recent episode with Marc Russel (378) asking about what happens to the money saved in a 529 plan if your child decides they don’t want to go to a 4-year college or higher education at all. The good news is, you have options, and that money do...

How should we be thinking about risk when it comes to our investments?   Investing has been a major topic of discussion these past few years with the rise and fall of crypto, NFTs, and the Gamestop saga of 2021. It can be hard to cut through all the noise of get-rich-quick investment tips, so how do we know how much risk we ACTUALLY should be taking with our investments? Jill Schlesinger, a certif...

Have you heard of the recent closure of First Republic Bank? Similar to Silicon Valley Bank, First Republic was placed under FDIC control and then quickly sold. In this episode we'll cover why this happened, who bought First Republic, and what happens next.   Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/c/PopcornFinance   Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfina...

Do you have a child in your life that you want to help pay for their college tuition?   Tuition costs can range anywhere from $10k-$40k depending on if you attend a public or private college. Even on the lower end of the scale, that’s a lot of money to save and as someone who doesn’t have any kids but has a niece, I wanted to pick the brain of Marc Russell, the founder of BetterWallet to see if th...

Things are not looking good for student loan forgiveness. It looks like widespread student loan forgiveness might not be happening. But there's still some good news on the horizon. In this episode, we're diving into the latest developments on public student loan forgiveness (PSLF) and what they could mean for you with Nika Booth.   Connect with NikaDebt Free Gonna Be | Instagram | Twitter Learning...

Have you been getting inundated with scam calls or fraudulent emails lately?   Scammers are constantly finding new ways to try and get your personal and banking information. That’s why in today’s episode of Popcorn Finance I’m sharing the common scams found in your inbox and what to do when you get a scam call. Additionally, find out my top tips for how you can better protect yourself against thes...

If you need more time to file your taxes there is a simple and free option. Let's talk about why you'd want to file a tax extension, when you should make a payment, and the things you need to know if you decide to ask for some more time to get your taxes in.   Today's bag of popcorn is brought to you by H&R Block! Get 15% off Do-It-Yourself Online Tax Filing Products with H&R Block through April 1...

How has your budget strategy changed since inflation kicked in?  Allison Baggerly, the creator of Inspired Budget and my cohost on the This is Awkward podcast is joining me today! She’s on the show to talk about how to budget amidst rising costs and how to avoid getting caught in comparison traps when it comes to our money. Allison also has a new book Money Made Easy: How to Budget, Pay Off Debt,...

It feels like we get a million tax forms in the mail every year. In this special bonus H&R Block Tax Tip episode lets breakdown 3 of the most common 1099 forms that you should be on the look out for each year.   Today's bag of popcorn is brought to you by H&R Block! Get 15% off Do-It-Yourself Online Tax Filing Products with H&R Block through April 18th, 2023!  https://PopcornFinance.com/HRBlock  ...

Have you ever quit your job in pursuit of your dreams? The idea is great in theory, but what if your dreams don’t work out or you run out of money? Jill Schlesinger, a certified financial planner CFP® and the host of the Jill On Money podcast is back on the show to talk about how she did her own money reset and how she made the leap as a risk-averse person. Listen to find out more about her story...

How did the pandemic change your perspective on work, money, and life?  It’s been 3 years since the start of the pandemic and my guest today, Jill Schlesinger, a certified financial planner CFP® and the host of the Jill On Money podcast, is sharing how the pandemic became a catalyst for people to change all aspects of their personal and financial lives. Jill shares real-life examples of these chan...

It felt like Silicon Valley Bank Failed so quickly, what happened?   In this special bonus episode let's break down three big factors that led to the seemingly overnight forced closure of Silicon Valley Bank.   Today's bag of popcorn is brought to you by H&R Block! Get 15% off Do-It-Yourself Online Tax Filing Products with H&R Block through April 18th, 2023! https://PopcornFinance.com/HRBlock  Joi...

Let's talk about Silicon Valley Bank and what happened over the weekend. The FDIC has stepped in and along with the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve to try and stabilize a rough few days for the banking industry. In this episode I will lay out what we know so far.   Today's bag of popcorn is brought to you by H&R Block! Get 15% off Do-It-Yourself Online Tax Filing Products with H&R Bloc...

Be honest, do you only use a handful of passwords for everything in your life?  This episode is a reminder that you probably need to take a look at the passwords that you are using! Robb Dunewood from the Tech Jawn podcast is back on the show to share just how important it is to keep your information safe online and how password managers work to outsmart hackers and sophisticated computers from fi...

Can your financial problems manifest into physical health problems if left unaddressed?  My guest today is Jason Vitug,  wellness advocate, author, and CEO of Phroogal and he believes that there is a clear correlation between mental health and financial wealth. In today’s episode, Jason talks about his new book, Happy Money Happy Life, and how everything in our life is connected. Jason is passiona...

Do rising interest rates mean we should abandon our investment plans?  The short answer is no and in this week’s episode, I’m sharing a snippet from a recent interview from my weekly segment on NBCLX where I explain why. Higher interest rates could mean you’re paying more on your mortgage or credit card debts however, it also means potential for higher returns on your short-term investments. Liste...

Are you up-to-date on the changes being made to our tax system this year?  This week we’ll be discussing 4 changes going into effect this tax season. These changes include a new tax filing deadline, updates to tax credits and charitable donations, plus a warning for all crypto investors. Today's bag of popcorn is brought to you by H&R Block!  Get 15% off Do-It-Yourself Online Tax Filing Products w...