The Free Retiree Show

The ballooning federal student loan debt of over 45 million borrowers is putting a heavy toll on the middle class in the United States. Borrowers in the middle class face challenges in accumulating wealth due to high monthly payments and growing debt, which makes it more difficult for them to do things like buy homes, save for retirement, and establish businesses.    In this week's episode of The...

No one wants to be average. Most people aim to be above average and achieve greater things. The major problem is that most people don't know how to be above average.  People always look up to high achievers. There are a number of characteristics shared by people who consistently achieve their goals. Society tells us that if we put forth maximum effort, success will follow. Is this true or just a s...

When it comes to professional networking, LinkedIn is by far the most prominent and widely used platform.  It's no secret that using LinkedIn will help you land a job faster; the site has over 800 million users and 99% of recruiters use it daily to discover the next promising candidate.    Developing your personal branding is vital in today’s job market. A simple approach to getting your name out...

With the new year approaching, there is no better time to review your finances and make the necessary adjustments to ensure you're on the right track for 2023. The big question is whether or not economic conditions improve or worsen in 2023.   The Fed has rapidly raised interest rates to make personal loans and credit cards more expensive. As borrowing costs rise, consumers may cut back on spendin...

Currently, there are over 30 million small enterprises in the United States, and that number is growing rapidly. However, not all new businesses survive. In fact, an overwhelming majority of these small businesses will fail in the first five years.    There are several reasons why a business could fail, including the state of the economy, the absence of a viable product, ineffective marketing, and...

Layoffs and hiring freezes are expected in a troubled economy. Changes in the economy force companies to adjust their workforce. According to a late September Crunchbase News tally, more than 42,000 workers in the U.S. tech sector have been laid off in mass job cuts this year. Even big companies like Netflix were impacted.   It's not surprising that a lot of employees are concerned about losing th...

Livelihoods are vulnerable during an economic downturn. A recession is beyond your control, but you can take charge of how you respond or prepare for a recession.  It's always a good idea to put yourself in the best possible financial position. The best way to combat personal financial decline during a recession is to be proactive.    In order to weather a potential economic downturn, it is essent...

With the stock market in disarray, interest rates at record highs, and the pain of inflation, many Americans are wondering if the economy is in a recession. How can we tell if we’re in one? The country is technically in a recession when its GDP decreases for two consecutive quarters. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis' advanced estimate, GDP fell 1.6% in Q1 and 0.9% in Q2. Despite the ov...

The impression on your job interview can sometimes outweigh your credentials and strong educational background. Candidates are assessed not just on their education and work history but also their demeanor, social skills, and communication abilities.    Whether you are searching for an entry-level job or a managerial position, you will likely need to go through an interview process. A job interview...

Whether your love or hate social media, it’s here to stay. More than 33% of consumers have asked investment companies and financial advisors about the information they have discovered on social media. Scammers and fraudsters can now more easily take advantage of consumers seeking financial advice online because of the latest FinTok or MoneyTok fad on social media sites like TikTok. Social media is...

Career clarity is the most important yet overlooked aspect of job searching. Maybe you've hit a roadblock in your professional life and are uncertain if you're in the right job.    We all face career uncertainty at some point, regardless of where we are in our journey or how much experience we have, choosing a profession can be both thrilling and terrifying. It might be exhausting and upsetting to...

We look up to high achievers. They are prepared to go above and beyond to make things happen. Do you wonder how these individuals manage to reach levels of achievement most of us just dream about ? They are in charge of the most effective teams, produce remarkable results, and are regularly promoted. You're having a hard time and wondering what you need to do differently.   These individuals undou...

How frequently do you think about leaving your job? You don't have to love your job, but it shouldn't make you unhappy on a regular basis. If finding happiness at work seems impossible, you may be trapped in a toxic workplace culture or a job that is not a good fit for you.   While some of us may view monetary compensation as equivalent to job satisfaction, others may seek external validation for...

Do you feel like you don’t deserve that new role? Or that you’re fooling  everyone when you landed the promotion? Feeling like your achievements are due to luck rather than hard work and innate skills? If so, you may be suffering from imposter syndrome. You’re not alone. Approximately 70 percent of the United States population suffers from imposter syndrome.   Imposter syndrome is an overwhelming...

There are numerous ways to get wealthy. Whether it’s investing in stocks, real estate, bonds, or starting a successful company. However, this leaves out a crucial piece of the jigsaw.  What about the personality needed to become wealthy? Are there some internal characteristics that increase your likelihood of being rich? Studies claim that being wealthy resides not just in what you do but also in...

​​There are many reasons we can't focus, from exhaustion and distractions to a lack of motivation. Whatever the cause, our inability to focus is a major drain on our productivity and lessens our chances of succeeding.    People are easily distracted in today's digital world. You can easily lose your train of thought with distractions like phones, social media notifications, unscheduled meetings, a...

Are you aiming for new responsibilities or promotions? If you want to advance your career, you need to master the art of managing up. Career success can become dependent on the reputation and connection you have with your boss and upper level management. However, it isn't always a walk in the park. No matter what type of manager you have, you need to get a grasp on their goals and demonstrate your...

Is the housing market starting to show signs of a slow down? Although the housing market has remained robust, it is not immune to the impact of inflation and other external economic factors.  For the first time in more than 40 years, the Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates by 75 basis points on June 15 in an effort to rein in inflation, which has been above 8% in recent months.   The...

Career change brings excitement because of the higher salary, different workplace environments, and potential career advancement. The Great Resignation is a term coined at the height of Covid-19 when many people resigned.  Even as predictions of an impending economic recession rise, many individuals are still contemplating whether now is still a good time to test the job market. Workers continue t...

Everyone probably heard about inflation in the news and experienced it firsthand. For some, they notice it when purchasing items at the grocery store, others notice it at the gas pump. In all our purchasing activities the latest inflation surge appears to be evident.    Historically, a two percent inflation rate has been considered a healthy indicator of a growing economy. The consumer price index...

Purpose and passion are the driving forces behind any successful business. Many people are fascinated with the possibility of financial gains that come with becoming an entrepreneur. Start-up entrepreneurs are amazed at the overnight success and rags to riches stories they see. The reality is successful entrepreneurs are not driven merely by the desire to make money. Most successful entrepreneurs...

MONEY MANAGEMENT EDITION   Do you want to escape from the rat race and experience true freedom?  Passive income can be the answer.   There's a reason why so many people are drawn to the idea of passive income- it's the key to true freedom. You can't rely on someone else for your financial security, you have to create it for yourself. And that's exactly what passive income allows you to do.   It's...

BUSINESS & THOUGHT LEADER EDITION   Are you feeling lost in your career? Are you not sure what you want to do with your life? It might be time to recreate and reinvent yourself. It's a big decision, but it's definitely worth considering.   There are a lot of different ways to go about this process. You could take classes to learn new skills or network with people in your industry. You could also s...

MONEY MANAGEMENT EDITION   In 2021, CNN wrote that US economic growth was already starting to slow, and the economy would keep decelerating in the coming months.    Growth in year-over-year GDP has already shown signs of slowing, with quarterly GDP growth dropping from 12.2% in the second quarter of 2021 to 3.5% this past January. The Bureau of Economic Analysis, which determines the annualized pe...

CAREER ADVANCEMENT EDITION   In this episode we discuss:   How to build a personal brand using LinkedIn Why it’s important to have a goal when using social media What most people get wrong when creating a personal brand   You've probably heard that personal branding is important, but you're not sure where to start.   It can be tough to figure out how to build your personal brand and make it stand...