#274 Cleaning out the In-Box

It's that time of the year...when all of your questions need attention! In addition to hearing your voices, we also love your e-mails. Unfortunately, they can start to pile up awfully quickly. That's why from time to time, we need to plough through them. If we went too fast, just nudge us again with another note. We also want to hear about your wedding guest etiquette!

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If you missed the great episode with James Altucher, check it out here.

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer/Music Curator in the World. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#273 Exploring a Minimalist LIfe with James Altucher

I recently listened to a podcast that prompted me to say aloud, “I need to interview this guy!” Thankfully in the social media age, I was able to tweet the host, James Altucher to let him know: Apr 30, 11:29am via Twitter for iPhone

@jaltucher I just listened to your minimalist podcast and it blew me away...would you consider being a guest on my podcast?

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From that tweet, “Jill on Money” history was made…for the first time in over five years of doing the show, we decided to have just one guest – James Altucher – for the ENTIRE show.

Even jaded Mark fell in love with James--here's a selfie we took in the studio.

Mark, Jill and James

If you are not familiar with James, you are in for a treat. He is a serial entrepreneur, investor, trader, writer and now podcaster. What drew me to James was his authenticity and willingness to talk about not just success, but also his failures. As you hear about his life, you may think, “How can I be more like this guy?” If so, you should read James’ book, “Choose Yourself”. You should also check out this post about minimalism as well as these posts that I think will be of great interest:

How to Be the Luckiest Guy on the Planet in 4 Easy Steps

How I screwed Yasser Arafat out of $2mm (and lost another $100mm in the process)

It’s Your Fault:

I’m Guilty of Torturing Women

The Girl Whose Name Was a Curse

The 100 Rules for Being a Good Entrepreneur:

The Easiest Way to Succeed as an Entrepreneur.

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer/Music Curator in the World. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#272 How to be a Smarter and Richer Mom

Financial journalist, author and speaker Kimberly Palmer joins the show to discuss her new book "Smart Mom, Rich Mom" (order it here!). Kimberly says that the biggest problem families face is not preparing for the financial impact of kids. That’s amazing considering that raising a child costs $250,000-- not including college! How will you pay for it?

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Kimberly is the Features Editor of AARP and throughout her career, she has been covering the issues that confront women of her own generation. Our conversation highlighted many of the themes of her new book, including how women are navigating the financially challenging career/parenting years.

"Smart Mom, Rich Mom" is filled with relevant stories, checklists, action steps and planning tools to help moms (and dads!) prepare financially for parenthood, like balancing college saving and retirement saving, despite increased expenses; planning for unexpected events, like a layoff or illness; and adopting healthy habits--and making hard decisions--that pay off in abundance.

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer/Music Curator in the World. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#271 Will the Market Crash if Trump is Elected?

Investors spend a lot of time worrying about the market implications of the political season. Guest Taylor Tepper, who is a writer at Money, says that's a mistake. Despite all of the worries about a Trump presidency, Taylor says that the stock market will NOT crash if Donald Trump were elected president. That's just one of the topics we covered in a great conversation that ranged from market implications of elections to the national debt, to a lightning round on how to reform the U.S. tax code.

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I met Taylor through my work at Money, where we have shot some great videos, including this one on the Department of Labor Fiduciary rule, this one about working in retirement and the one about bonds can be riskier than you think, which is when I discovered that Taylor likes this money and investing stuff as much as I do!

Here are Taylor's two recent articles that we reference during our interview:

"No, the Stock Market Won’t Crash if Trump Is Elected President"

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer/Music Curator in the World. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#270 Stop Being a Lousy Investor

We are wired to be lousy investors, says guest Dan Egan, the Director of Behavioral Finance and Investments at Betterment. Dan explained that the very cognitive behaviors that distinguish human beings from other forms of life, can lead us astray. Unlike traditional economists, who believe that incentives, along with logical thought processes, will ultimately dominate our decisions, behavioral economists acknowledge that human beings are not always rational and want to help people make better decisions by using their emotions to their advantage.

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Behavioral economists want to make it easier for us to do virtuous things, like saving for retirement and harder to do harmful things, like blowing our paychecks on fleeting, short-term pleasures.And if you ever wondered why it's so hard to stay on your diet, go to the gym or adhere to a financial plan, it is because willpower is actually a deplete-able resource - and making virtuous decisions can actually cause fatigue. The answer is to automate as much as possible. “Doing the right thing should be effortless,” says Egan, which is why Betterment uses behavioral science concepts to help people overcome their very natures.

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer/Music Curator in the World. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#269 Behind the Curtain of Hedge Funds

What's behind the curtain at those often-discussed, murky hedge funds? According to our guest Mark Spindel, the managers of these risky investment vehicles for the rich pretty much do what we do: try to figure out what's going on in the world (aka assess the macro economic outlook), weigh the risks that exists and put money to work. In addition to being one of my oldest friends in the world, Spindel is the founder, Managing Member, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer for Potomac River Capital, LLC.

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Prior to launching the firm a decade a ago, Mark spent nearly ten years at the World Bank where he was Deputy Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer of the International Finance Corporation managing $15 billion in fixed income reserves and was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the World Bank’s $14 billion pension fund where he oversaw strategic asset allocation across investment classes including equities, bonds and alternative investments (hedge funds, private equity and real estate).

Mark described where he thinks the economy stands right now: we are in a slow growth world, where the U.S. looks better than most of the alternatives. He says that being an investor in the post-crisis era is harder than it used to be--primarily because central banks are taking such unusual steps to spur their economies and it is hard to know what the impact of unwinding the policies will be. His recommendation for any investor? Own a large US stock index fund along with a bond fund that invests in inflation protected bonds or "TIPS".

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer/Music Curator in the World. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#268 Father of 401k Wants a Simpler Retirement Plan

When Ted Benna, aka The Father of the 401(k), examined Section 401(k) of the tax code after it became effective in 1980, he realized that there could be a way for workers to save more money for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. The extra benefit that he saw was that employers could add a match, which would be a perfect way to incentivize all employees to forego some of their weekly pay and divert it towards retirement. The largest companies started the trend, but soon smaller companies, which previously had not offered any retirement savings vehicles, also got into the act. You know what happened after that--deferred savings plans replaced most pension plans and retirement savings became just one more thing that Americans had to do on their own.

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The first iteration of the 401(k) was pretty simple--just a couple of investment choices. Benna said that as plans introduced lots of investment choices, they became more confusing. Unfortunately, that opened the door for the financial services industry to pile on fees and also to make itself indispensable in the process. Benna believes that with the DOL's new fiduciary rule, participants should hopefully see a return to simpler plans with far more reasonable fees.

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer/Music Curator in the World, except when he picks Rod Stewart (#NeverAgain). Here's how to contact us:

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#267 How to Sell Your House

It's spring real estate season and if you're preparing to sell your house, don't miss this episode! Our guest Denise Rothberg, a realtor at Julie B. Fee/Sotheby's International Reality in New York discusses how to transform the emotional process of selling a home into a business transaction.

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As you start the process of listing your home, you need to choose the right realtor, who has experience with your neighborhood and price range. During the realtor interview process (you should talk to three agents), determine who has leapt into the digital age with a variety of ways to reach potential buyers.

Once you have your realtor, Denise says setting the right price is essential. The first three weeks of a home’s entrance on the market are the most critical for creating interest and attracting buyers. She also said that buyers often dismiss a listing that is “old and stale”, which means that the longer the home stays on the market, chances are the selling price will be lower, both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of list price. The corollary to overpricing is not recognizing when you need to reduce the price. Generally speaking, if there hasn’t been a bite for three to four weeks, it’s probably time for a price cut.

Additionally, first impressions matter, so identify the important home improvements that must occur before the open house. If you haven’t done so in a while, you will probably have to paint the house, replace the broken windows, clean or replace old carpets, cut the lawn, plant the flowers and tend to the garden. Even the small stuff counts, so make sure all light bulbs in the house are working, remove all clutter from closets and surface areas, fix leaky faucets, re-caulk the showers and tubs. If all of this prep sounds like too much work, you can hire someone to “stage” your home, which takes the process to a more professional level. Some sellers, especially those with older homes are choosing to schedule a pre-inspection for their own benefit. While this increases the costs associated with the sale, it may identify a potential problem earlier in the process.

If you are fortunate enough to get a bid, lean on your realtor to skillfully and calmly handle the negotiations. Your reactive or emotional responses can impede the process or worse, kill a deal.

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer/Music Curator in the World. Mark is back in the US and makes another appearance on the show. Here's how to contact us:

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#266 Kids and Money: How to Have the Talk

Kids and money can be a thorny topic for parents. Luckily, personal finance expert, author and architect of the great MoneyAsYouGrow web site, Beth Kobliner joins us to celebrate Financial Literacy Month. According to research, money habits start to form by age 7, so we need to start talking to kids between the ages of 3 and 5.

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Start by identifying coins and their value and discuss the difference between something that is free, like playing with a friend, and an item that costs money, like an ice cream cone. You should also introduce the concept of work and the idea that you may have to wait for something you want.

You can start paying your child an allowance as early as age 6. Most experts agree that an allowance should not be based on household chores, rather it’s better to choose an amount based on what you already spend on small discretionary items your child likes but doesn’t need — like a toy. Make it clear that the amount you’re giving replaces what you would have been spending on her. You should encourage kids to save 10 percent of their allowance by opening a savings account and explain the concept of earning interest. To reinforce the savings habit, consider a "matching plan" for your child's savings: You put in 25 cents for every dollar she saves.

When it comes to teenagers and young adults, you should have the first of many conversations about debt. Explain why it’s important to avoid using credit card cards to buy things you can't afford to pay for with cash. As kids get to high school, you can start talking about the cost of college and about whether or how much the family plans to contribute towards education.

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer/Music Curator in the World. Mark is back in the US and makes another appearance on the show. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#265 Navigating Financial Aid and Student Loans

As college acceptances roll in, how can families navigate the web of financial aid and student loans? Guest  Kelly Peeler, the Founder & CEO of NextGenVest.com joins the show to help you scoop up some of the $2.7 billion left on the table every year. She notes that families are befuddled by the complex and time consuming student loan application process, highlighted by the dreaded FAFSA form.

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NextGenVest can help by providing key financial aid deadline reminders, form annotations, and on-demand help over text message to get more financial aid in high school and beyond.

NextGenVest's "Money Mentor" will connect students and their families with someone who can coach them through the process. Just dial 646-798-1745 and text "I WANT HELP" and you will be connected. Kelly also discussed the student loan bubble, which could be the next financial crisis. Check out Kelly's TED talk "How to Change the World as a Millennial - Don't Be Stupid with Your Money"

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer/Music Curator in the World. Mark is back in the US and makes another appearance on the show. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#264 Fiduciary: The F-Bomb About to Hit Retirement Plans

As the Department of Labor prepares to roll out new rules, which would require investment companies, brokers and advisors to put the interest of retirement savers first, our guest Ray Ferrara, former Chair of the CFP Board, joins us to discuss the fiduciary standard and why the financial services industry should embrace, not fight it. Ray has been one of the key players involved in the national debate surrounding the rules that should govern financial advice and was one of the experts who testified before The Employee Benefits Security Administration, the DOL division responsible for spearheading the change. We began the conversation with an explanation of the proposal, which would require that retirement investment professionals not only be held to a higher standard of putting clients first, but they would also have to fully disclose and eliminate conflicts of interest that exist.

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The Financial Planning Coalition, a collaboration of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board), the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), strongly supports the DOL’s proposed rule and notes:

"Retirement investors face a perfect storm in the financial services marketplace. With ever-increasing responsibility for their own retirements and the need to choose from an increasingly complex set of financial products and services, retirement investors more than ever need competent financial advice that is in their best interest. Yet the current regulatory framework allows advisers’ interests to be misaligned with the interests of retirement investors; it does not require advisers to clearly and openly disclose the standard of conduct under which they operate or their actual or potential conflicts of interest; and it permits market practices under which retirement investors are simply unable to distinguish advisers who provide fiduciary-level services from those who do not."

This rule could be a game-changer for the industry. No longer will companies be able to sell opaque, expensive products that once were deemed "suitable" but will not pass the fiduciary smell test. And if you hear complaints from the industry, saying that the rule will mean that they will no longer be able to serve the middle class, I say, THANK GOODNESS! That means that they can no longer peddle their expensive, clunky products, like variable annuities or non-traded real estate investment trusts. And if they choose to raise minimums or fees, consumers have plenty of choices, like services offered by Betterment or Rebalance-IRAwhich offer ease and simplicity at a fraction of the cost that those big firms charge.

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer in the World. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#263 Robo Advisors are Cheaper and Maybe Better than Humans!

ReBalance-IRA.com CEO Mitch Tuchman, who pioneered America’s first online investment advisory service, joins the show to discuss how the advent of robo advisors is helping to force down fees in the financial services industry and why an algorithm may be a better investment option than a conflicted salesperson. Mitch conceived of and built a service for do-it-yourself investors to manage their own retirement portfolios with MarketRiders and then enhanced the service for those who wanted a human touch with ReBalance-IRA. Robo advisors are poised to be the beneficiaries of the Department of Labor's soon-to-be-released rule on fiduciary, which Mitch believes will be a turning point for the industry.

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Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer in the World and the worst LinkedIn User. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#262 Identity Theft Protection with Adam Levin

As the incidence of identity theft rises, our guest Adam Levin says “You’re going to get got,” so it’s best to assume the worst and learn how to protect your personal information. Adam is consumer advocate with more than 30 years of experience and is a nationally recognized expert on security, privacy, identity theft, fraud, and personal finance. A former Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Levin is Chairman and founder of IDT911 (IDentity Theft 911) and co-founder of Credit.com.  In Adam’s new book “Swiped” he discusses the threats associated with identity theft.

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Here's the problem: Creative and determined hackers can piece together snippets of information from a variety of sources to re-create your profile and use it to undermine your credit score or learn when and where you’re on vacation, which leaves your house vulnerable to theft. That means that you need to guard your information, including Social Security Numbers, phone numbers, email and physical addresses, credit reports, medical records -- basically thieves are trying to create a well-rounded dossier on who you are!

Adam's "Three Ms" - Minimize your exposure (guard your information), Monitor your accounts (keep an eye on credit scroes, consider instant alerts from credit card companies and banks, as well as a credit freeze) and Manage the damage (there are sopecific steps to follow if your information is compromised) - are essential for every consumer

Common types of identity theft sources include credit card scams, data breaches, social media posts, healthcare fraud, and even "smart TVs. Adam also discussed tax theft and social media do’s and don’ts

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer in the World and the worst LinkedIn User. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#261 Tax Prep Boot Camp with Ed Slott

Ed Slott CPA is a nationally recognized IRA expert, television personality and best-selling author who has dedicated his life to educating Americans on saving for retirement and the intricacies of IRAs.  He was named “The Best Source for IRA Advice” by The Wall Street Journal and is the author of numerous best-selling books. His web site www.IRAHelp.com. He started our conversation with an overview of what has changed for this year's tax filing season (not too much) and then explained why well-prepared taxpayers should not be afraid of an audit. (NOTE: Ed says that the key to the entire  tax preparation process is to keep flawless records and documentation throughout the year!)

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Ed also focused on the need for retirees to shift gears in retirement. While there may be some lucrative opportunities, there are also challenges/minefields, like those thorny stealth taxes, which can trip us up.

The old favorites include the whopping 50 percent penalty for not taking your required minimum distribution (RMD) and not making estimated tax payments, but last year's change about IRA rollovers is also causing a new headache among some retirees.

As much as everyone complains about paying taxes, Ed says that tax rates are still the lowest they have been in years. That means that now could be a good time to move funds from tax-deferred vehicles, like 401 (k)s and IRAs into tax free Roth IRAs. Ed also noted that the very best retirement strategy is to work as long as you can. Extra income can prevent you from dipping into your nest egg; with earned income, you can continue to make Roth and spousal Roth IRA contributions (though once you turn 70 1/2, you can NOT make traditional IRA contributions); you may be able to delay your RMDs from your company-sponsored retirement plan; and most importantly, working longer will help you combat the reality of longevity!

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer in the World and the worst LinkedIn User. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#260 How to Change Careers

Career Expert Caroline Ceniza-Levine, author of the new book "Jump Ship: 10 Steps to Starting a New Career" and co-founder of Six Figure Start, joins us to discuss how to contemplate a big change in your work life. Caroline, a former classical pianist is no stranger to extreme career changes, but cautions that there are specific steps to take before giving your notice.

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Caroline also outlined how best to use LinkedIn, why each of us needs to think about branding and how networking can be your friend.

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer in the World and the worst LinkedIn User. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#259 Revolutionizing Fin Services with Betterment CEO Jon Stein

Betterment CEO and founder Jon Stein is revolutionizing the way financial services are delivered and consumers are the beneficiaries of his vision. Jon founded Betterment, a so-called "Robo-Advisor"  in 2008 in order to help consumers invest the way they should, rather than trying to beat the market. Jon notes that "We tend to think we’re better than average, on average. We intuitively think we can outperform. The whole brokerage and investment industry has grown to serve these irrational behaviors—and as a result, they don’t serve the individual consumers’ best interests. I started Betterment to re-invent the investing industry." Boy, has he ever--Betterment allows users to rationally approach investing by seeking the best return (factoring costs) for the least risk.

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It was great to have Jon on show, especially after appearing on CBS This Morning to discuss "When is the Right Time to Hire a Financial Advisor".

While Betterment started as an automated platform to help investors create a customized asset allocation plan, it has now evolved into an advice-driven organization. (For those who want a deep-dive on the evolution of financial services, check out this LinkedIn webcast, where Jon appeared with other leaders in the industry.) If I sound like I am fawning over Jon's business, I AM! After years in this business, it is terrific to see people like Jon (and Hart Lambur of Open Folio, Hardeep Walia of Motif Investing and Mitch Tuchman of MarketRiders) shaking up the industry. Jon also discussed how the Department of Labor's new rule, which will require any advisor managing retirement assets to be held to the Fiduciary standard, is likely to force the industry to FINALLY put clients first.

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer in the World. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#258 Valentine's Day with Dynamic Duo of CFPs

Sameer Somal, CFA, CFP and Marguerita ("Rita") Cheng, CFP are the future of the financial planning profession...they bring smarts and passion to the table! Thankfully, Rita is the Social Security Queen, so she helped answer a number of your most pressing SS questions.

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Rita notes that the best time to call Social Security is in the middle of the month, mid-week and mid-day. She also reminds those who are still eligible for SS File and Suspend that your Full Retirement Age (FRA) is when "claiming magic happens!"

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer in the World...and yes, I owe Mark a bottle of scotch for correctly selecting the Broncos as Super Bowl Champions. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#257 Super Bowl Show with Mohamed El-Erian

It doesn't get any better than spending an hour with the great economist, Dr. Mohamed El-Erian, author of the new book, "The Only Game in Town: Central Banks, Instability, and Avoiding the Next Collapse". Mohamed is Chief Economic Advisor at Allianz and chair of President Obama’s Global Development Council and if that doesn't keep him busy enough, he is a columnist for Bloomberg View, a contributing editor at the Financial Times and an influencer at LinkedIn.

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Mohamed started our conversation by explaining the role of central banks and how that role changed dramatically during the financial crisis, as bankers relied on a “Whatever it Takes” mentality to help rescue the economy. While he was supportive of those actions, Mohamed also recognizes that there have been serious consequences that have occurred.

During our conversation, he outlined some big problems that the global economy faces, including how to sustain inclusive growth, how to address income and wealth inequality and the yawning gap between markets and economic fundamentals.

Mohamed says that we are coming to a "T-Junction": on one end, we are destined for a low growth economy, plagued by high unemployment, increasing income inequality and political extremism. On the other end, we see a resumption of growth and broad-based job creation, with decreasing income inequality and a drop in financial instability. While we all hope for the more positive outcome, Mohamed says that there is an  equal probability that either scenario plays out.

For more, you can snag a copy of his new book, "The Only Game in Town: Central Banks, Instability, and Avoiding the Next Collapse".

Schlesinger and El-Erian at LinkedIn FinanceConnect15

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer in the World. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#256 Which Candidate is Best for Your Money?

The political season finally kicks off with Monday's Iowa Caucus. But for months, all of the candidates from both parties are talking about how they would improve your bottom line. To help us figure out what's going on, we invited Money Magazine's Senior Writer Ian Salisbury to parse the rhetoric. If you want more information, check out Ian's article, "Which Candidate is Best for Your Portfolio?"

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Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer in the World. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 
#255 Personal Finance Doesn't Have to be Complicated

Special guest Helaine Olen, co-author of "The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn't Have to Be Complicated" returns to the show to discuss her new book and what ten steps you can take to simplify your life. Helaine's previous book, "Pound Foolish" is a must-read for anyone who wants to know about the dark side of the personal finance personal finance industry:

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Helaine tells us how she and future co-author University of Chicago professor Harold Pollack stumbled onto a fantastic idea for a new book by accident.

When Pollack interviewed Olen about Pound Foolish, he made an off­hand suggestion: everything you need to know about managing your money could fit on an index card. To prove his point, he grabbed a 4″ x 6″ card, scribbled down a list of rules, and posted a picture of the card online. The post went viral.

The Index Card by Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack

I love the simplicity and elegance of the book and the advice offered...and of course, Helaine is a terrific guest!

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer in the World. Here's how to contact us:

  • Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE