Popcorn Finance

Is an algorithm the reason your rental applications aren’t getting approved? Robb Dunewood, the host of the popular podcast The Tech Jawn, is on the show today to talk about algorithms and the ways in which they are created that can negatively affect black and brown communities. Robb helps define what an algorithm is and breaks down a recent lawsuit against one of the leading algorithm-based tenan...

What are your money goals for 2023? In today’s episode, listeners sent in their personal finance goals they hope to achieve this year. The goals range from wanting to save for a family home to finally paying off credit card debt. I hope this episode serves as a reminder that you can set yourself goals any time of year and 2023 is the perfect year to start your personal finance journey!   Today's b...

What is happening with student loans in 2023? Are student loan payments still paused and when does the student loan forgiveness plan start? If you’ve been wondering why there hasn’t been any news on student loan forgiveness then you’re not alone. Debt expert, personal finance content creator, and the Founder of Debt Free Gonnabe, Nika Booth is on the show this week to explain what’s going on. Nika...

How can we avoid the comparison trap when it comes to our finances? In today’s episode Shannah Game, host of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money podcast, and Certified Financial Planner is on the show to discuss how we can avoid getting stuck in a comparison trap and how to find what we truly want for our lives. Connect with ShannahEveryone’s Talkin’ Money | Instagram | Twitter Join Me on YouTube! https://ww...

Does making more frequent credit card payments actually make a difference? That's what two listeners wanted to know this week. In this episode we will take a look at how credit card interest is calculated and if the timing of your payments can actually save you money on interest. Sources https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-does-credit-card-interest-work https://www.valuepenguin.com/how...

Some changes are coming to Popcorn Finance in 2023!   Send Me Your 2023 Goals! Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail Call 707-200-8259 Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com   Connect with me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok Thank you for listening to today’s episode! Help support the show by leaving Popcorn Finance a rating or review on Apple or Spotify! Learn...

What do you do if you parents don't have enough saved for retirement and you're stating to feel the pressure? This week I'm joined by Marsha Barnes, founder of the The Finance Bar, to help a listener find a way to balance her mom's financial needs and her own financial future. Connect with Marsha The Finance Bar | Instagram | Twitter Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/c/PopcornFinance Wan...

Has homeownership become another unattainable aspect of the American dream? For decades owning a home has been dubbed a right of passage in your adult life. However, with prices of homes skyrocketing over the past few years, owning a home might not even be possible for many young people. To add some perspective to this age-old debate of whether you should rent or buy a home, I’m sharing some key f...

Should you believe the hype around I Bonds? In episode 355, Marc Russell of Better Wallet joined me on the show to discuss 529 plans and whether or not they’re a good option for an education fund for your child. In today’s episode, Marc is sharing whether or not the recently popularized I Bonds are worth the hype or if your college savings is better off in a 529 Plan. Listen to my previous episode...

Are you a new parent, who’s already thinking about your kid’s future education and where to put the savings for it? No need to worry because I’ve got you covered in today’s new episode with Marc Russell, the founder of BetterWallet and the BetterWallet podcast. Marc previously worked as a licensed stockbroker and financial advisor and is now a full-time entrepreneur and financial educator. He’s on...

Have you ever had a friend or family member conveniently forget to bring their wallet when out to dinner? It’s Thanksgiving Week here in the US, and this marks the start of the holiday season which is always filled with some of the most awkward conversations of the year.  To mark this occasion I’m sharing one of my favorite awkward stories from my other podcast, This is Awkward. In today’s episode...

Why are interest rates STILL rising and how long can we expect this to keep happening? Listen to today’s episode to find out, plus hear what the Federal Reserve Chairman has to say about the state of inflation.  Previous Episode on Rising inflation Rates: 339   What is a Basis Point?: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci1E0nnJx6j  Sources Fed Fund Rate History https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypoli...

Have you been limiting your job opportunities because you don’t have a personal brand? Building a personal brand is not just for influencers and celebrities, in fact, my guest today thinks we should all have one in order to further our careers. Mandi Woodruff-Santos of Mandi Money Media and the Brown Ambition Podcast is back on the show to share why having a strong professional brand is just as im...

Why are hospitals pushing for you to pay with a Care Credit Card more now than in recent years? Find out the sneaky tactic hospitals are using to stop you from negotiating your medical bills with Christy Snodgrass, former RN turned healthcare activist. Christy talks about both the allure and potential danger these cards pose for people unable to pay off their medical bills. Listen to my previous e...

Is it an empty threat when a hospital says it will send your medical bill to collections? Find out the answer in today’s new episode with Christy Snodgrass, healthcare activist and former registered nurse. In this episode, Christy outlines the big changes coming in January 2023 concerning the collections process, including how your credit score could be affected. Listen to my previous episodes wit...

Why are healthcare professionals leaving the industry in droves? To shed some light on why that may be is returning guest, Christy Snodgrass, a former registered nurse turned healthcare activist. In this episode, Christy shares what led her to leave her job and instead work towards changing our broken healthcare system. Look out for more upcoming episodes with Christy, as there is so much more to...

Did you know that the IRS adjusts tax brackets annually to offset inflation? So why is it making headlines right now? Find out the answer, plus how and when your taxes could be affected in the final installment of my mini tax series.  Listen to my previous episodes on taxes here: 346 & 347 Links Article: America's tax brackets are changing thanks to inflation Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtub...

Did you know that 9 states don’t have state income tax? We’re continuing the tax talk in today’s episode because honestly, taxes in the US are ridiculously over-complicated. So in order to help get your head around them easier, I’m going over federal income tax and its tier system.  Links Tax calculators IRS - https://apps.irs.gov/app/tax-withholding-estimator H&R Block® - https://www.hrblock.com/...

Did you know this one tax deduction could save you tons of money on your taxes? Tax season may seem far away but after getting sent an article on how tax brackets are changing because of inflation, I thought we could all brush up on how taxes work in the U.S. Today we’re talking about tax brackets, deductions, and returns. Look out for future episodes about taxes since it’s a subject that needs mo...

How far are you willing to go to lower your medical bills? This episode is part 2 of my conversation with Christy Snodgrass, a registered nurse turned advocate and activist. Christy shares how to avoid getting price gouged and what tactics hospitals use to shake down patients into paying higher fees. She also shares her favorite resources to help you better negotiate your medical bills. Listen to...

Did you know that 80% of hospital bills have errors? Me neither! Christy Snodgrass, a registered nurse turned advocate and activist, knows first-hand how stressful unexpected and large medical bills can be. That’s why she’s on the show today to share her step-by-step guide on how to negotiate your medical bills and potentially not have to pay a dime.  Keep an eye out for Part 2 of my conversation...

Do you remember your first thought or feeling about money? In today’s episode, Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, a Financial Therapist, is sharing how the language and messages we received about money as kids can affect how we interact with money as adults. Plus, listen to find out Lindsay’s advice on how to best approach talking about money with your kids. Check out the rest of my conversation with Lindsay f...

Will your state be taxing student loan forgiveness? The student loan situation is constantly changing so this week I’m giving you an update on how each state is handling taxing forgiven student loans. This is a follow up to Episode 335: Popcorn To-Go: Could Student Loan Forgiveness Have a Big Tax Surprise? https://pod.fo/e/13dcfb    Resources The College Investor https://thecollegeinvestor.com  De...

Could consolidating your credit card debt into a personal loan hurt your credit score? This is the question we are discussing today as we tackle part 2 of a question sent in from a listener. Join Me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/c/PopcornFinance Want to submit a question to the show? Send an email to questions@popcornfinance.com Send me a message at PopcornFinance.com/Voicemail or Call 707-2...

With interest rates rising paying down credit card debt is a great idea. But is using a personal loan a smart way of eliminating credit card debt. This week a listener wrote in with this exact question so I will help walk them through what they should know before paying off their credit cards with a personal loan. Sources Average credit card APR - https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/aver...