Financial Freedom Podcast

Most people have a checking account with a traditional bank, while a majority of those also have savings accounts. But what about credit unions? Should some people use those rather than traditional banks? What are the benefits?

To answer those questions, in this episode of the podcast I talk with Grant Gallagher of Affinity Federal Credit Union about the benefits of credit unions and why you should consider putting your money there...

Having an estate plan is very important. It ensures not only that your legacy is protected, but that you've planned for disruptions in your health and well being while you're alive. It's part of making sure that you are prepared for life's challenges (and the ultimate end of your life).

But how you draft and prepare that plan can make a difference in avoiding problems when those documents are needed, especially your will. To tell u...

According to research done by the authors of the book *The Millionaire Next Door,* 70% of American millionaires are first generation. This means that in most instances wealth is not being effectively passed down to the next generation, as it is not being preserved. That generation doesn't know how to handle that much money (how many lottery winners are broke a year or two later?)

So to talk about how to deal with inherited wealth, ...

There are only so many hours in a day, and sometimes, even with a second job, it can be hard to make enough money to achieve financial freedom for yourself and your family.  One way to get past this problem is to disconnect time from money and start generating passive income.

That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with former practicing lawyer Tanisha Souza about what she calls an "Income Snowball" that can get you that e...

No matter how hard they try, a majority of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and even more don't feel secure with money. With no money left over after the bills are paid, it makes it nearly impossible to save for the future and reach long term financial independence.

That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with financial expert Bill Westrom on how folks can break the paycheck to paycheck cycle, save for the future...

The sooner kids learn about financial literacy the better. They have a greater chance of maintaining financial freedom and independence in their adult lives. But this goes beyond budgeting, spending, and knowing how credit works; it includes saving for short and long term goals.

So to find out more about what parents can do to educate their children on saving I talked with personal finance expert and podcaster Timothy Smith, who ho...

Tax time can be very stressful for folks, especially if they owe money. For those struggling with debt and trying to pay the bills, it is even worse. But it may not always have to be.

Tax planning throughout the year is a good idea if you want to minimize your taxes (or maximize your refund) when you ultimately file your return. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with financial advisor Frank Buchholz about strategies ...

President Trump's efforts to downsize the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency has a lot of federal workers nervous. Many of them have built a career with the government and spent years in public service. The thought of transitioning to the private sector, should they receive a pink slip, can be very stressful.

That's why in this episode of the podcast I bring back Certified Career Coach Bonnie Negron ...

One of the first steps on the path to financial freedom is getting your spending under control and creating a budget that has you living within your means. But determining **why** you overspend is an important part of the process if you want to stick to that budget.

That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with certified financial coach Scott Yamamura on the psychology behind overspending and how you can use it to identify ...

The ultimate goal of retirement savings is to have a source of income once you leave the workforce for good. One of the scariest things about retirement is that leap of faith that you will still have the money to pay the bills once there's no longer a paycheck.

One way to address this is to plan for streams of income in advance, like annuities, which I discussed in Episode 218. But it's good to have options, which is why in this ep...

One of many financial tools in the retirement savings toolkit is the annuity. Most people have heard about them, and that they provide a stream of income, but beyond that, not much is known.

That's why in this episode of the podcast I bring back repeat guest Michael Karwic to talk about what annuities are, how many types they have, and how they can fit well into your retirement investment strategies. 

In this episode you will learn...

Young people starting out, and especially young families, need to have a good handle on their finances in order to reach and maintain financial freedom. They need to spend below their means and and save for short term and long term goals.

To talk about the importance of doing this, and his new book that discusses **how** to do this, I talked to financial planner and previous guest Joe Okaly, to get the solutions you need to succeed...

Long term investing and saving is key to building wealth and financial independence. However, that wealth should also have meaning to you. Aligning your financial goals with a cause that resonates with you can transform your life, shifting your focus from mere accumulation to creating positive change.

That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk to repeat guest Derrick Kinney about how you can get clarity on the purpose of the ...

Lots of people dream of owning their own business. They have that entrepreneurial itch that needs to be scratched. But most start-up businesses fail because they are hard to get started and grow.

But what if you were to buy an already thriving business? How would that work? To answer those questions I spoke with CFO and business advisor Karl Maier. He has some great tips and ideas on how to be successful in buying a business.

- How...

Financial literacy is an important part of anyone's education and should start before the student graduates from high school. In Episode 151, I talked with Jake Cousineau on how he teaches it to high school students.

But this is a topic that needs to be discussed more. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with Aaliyah Kissick about her efforts to promote financial literacy, especially among the Gen Z.

In this episode yo...

Achieving financial freedom and meeting long term savings goals like retirement can seem beyond reach. This is often because the concepts of personal finance and investing can seem mystifying, or that myths out there have you thinking that these goals are beyond reach.

Misty Lynch, a Certified Financial Planner, has been helping people demystify the process and bust the myths that may be holding them back. Once I heard about her, I...

We all hope to retire some day. The thought of being able to do what you want with your life without having to worry about having the money to pay the bills is the very essence of financial freedom.

But figuring out the path to get there is often the hard part. Where (and how) do you start? When should you start (and what if you're starting later in life)? To answer these questions, I talk with certified financial planner Stephen K...

Many people dream of starting their own business and being their own boss. It is something they built and can be their legacy. But most businesses fail at some point; it's only a matter of time.

To increase your chances of success, you need the right money mindset, not only for your business, but yourself as well. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with Justin Buonomo of Journey to Financial Freedom about how to form ...

A big part of achieving financial freedom is having the right mindset about money. If you don't think about money in a way that aligns with your financial goals, you will find it difficult to succeed.

That's why on this episode of the podcast I talk with financial advisor Amy Cook about what she calls your money narrative and how the right one can help you achieve your financial goals and, ultimately, financial freedom.

In this epi...