Money Guy Show

It is absolutely amazing the things we can learn from history. Even more amazing is how, very ofter, history appears to repeat itself. No, not in the deja-vu type fashion; but more of a, "Hmm, I think I've been here before". Today's show comes from the minds of two great thinkers and theorists, Milton Friedman and Adam Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's show is kind of unique. Due to all of your positive feedback, I decided to sit back and let Bo take the lead. I asked him to come up with a topic that he felt was timely and even related to his life. The topic he landed on (which is no surprise if you the know the guy), was Creative Ways to Save a Few Bucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have probably noticed that we are slightly off of our 2-week routine of getting you guys a new show this week. The reason is, well, because sometimes life just happens. So, over the last two weeks, life has been happening and it had me temporarily out of whack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An unfortunate truth is that all of us, most likely, at some point in our lives will have to deal with being in a car accident. Of course the safety and well-being of all those involved is the most important thing. Assuming, however, there are no irreplaceable losses or injuries, the next thing most of our minds go to are 1) costs and 2) dealing with the insurance companies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To say that 2010 and 2011 are going to be 'unique' tax years would be quite an understatement. With all of the changes, or potential changes, heading our way, I thought it would timely to discuss what some of these changes are and how they may potentially affect you and your family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have received a number of emails lately asking what steps can young people take to start getting their financial houses in order from the very beginning. In today's show, Bo addresses what decisions can be made early on to begin on the right track to financial independence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if I told you there was an investment where you had a guaranteed rate of return when the stock market was doing poorly, but then you could make even more when the stock market goes up? Sound too good to be true? Well, it just may be... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While it comes as no surprise that it is a little harder to sleep at night when the stock market is bouncing all over the place, is there actually a way you can harness these big swings to benefit your portfolio and still get a decent night's sleep? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So we head to Chicago for a conference and the market decides to misbehave! The Euro-Zone deteriorates, there is an oil spill that can't be stopped, and the Korea's are fighting. Sure sounds like an emergency to me... But wait, is there hope? My answer is yes... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's show is about debt, plain and simple. It builds off of two shows we did last year titled "Legacy of A Generation...Not the Millionaire Next Door" and "Bringin' Simple Back". Our hope is to bring attention to the destructive nature that debt can have and potentially come up with solutions before we... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All of us at some point in our lives have bought, or are planning on buying, an automobile. For many, however, this is not a very pleasant experience. This comes as no surprise when, according to Forbes, "Of the top 10 industries that received the most consumer complaints last year, three were auto related". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's show is a fun one! With it being the day after tax day, we thought we would do a very light-hearted and entertaining show. Don't worry, though, our next episode is back to the "meat". Our topic today is based off of an article in this month's Readers Digest titled "The Cheapest People in America". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With all of the media coverage concerning the new health care legislation, it would be easy to focus on the ins and outs of the new bill. However, we thought we would go a different route and talk about your financial health. Just like you keep track of your blood pressure, weight, what you eat, and how much you exercise; you should also keep track of how well your finances are doing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's show was spurred by two things: 1) it's tax time and, therefore, thinking about taxes and tax planning is fresh on most people's minds, and 2) a letter we received from one of our Premium Subscribers. In the letter, he stated he would like to hear a show on the tax efficiency of mutual funds and how you select a fund that is tax efficient. So, we set out to answer his questions... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's show is on an issue that we all face, yet not many people know how to handle. It's happened to every one of us. You start a folder to house all of your "important documents", then maybe your folder turns into a binder, the binder turns into a drawer, the drawer becomes a filing cabinet, and next thing you know, you're up to your ears in "important documents". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's show isn't exactly one of those that gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. The topic is, however, one of those that is a necessary evil and is a very real issue that needs to be addressed. The unemployment rate is, and has been, one of those statistics that the mainstream media has inundated us with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well here it is; we finally did it. You have been writing, calling, and asking for us to explain and go through the nuts and bolts of the Roth conversion and why 2010 is such an important year. You can't really turn on any financial media or read any financial literature and not come across something that at least mentions or alludes to the this planning opportunity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, I've missed you guys. We took a few weeks off for the holidays, and I can only hope that absence has made the heart grow fonder. I thought a great way to start out this new year of financial topics was to touch on an area that I think a lot of people are probably thinking about right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we wind down 2009, what sort of things should you be thinking about? Well, in my life, it seems like every December there are a million things going on both on the personal side and on the business side. In today's show, I want to focus on two things that I bet you and your family are thinking about, and if you're not thinking about them, maybe now is a good time to start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some people love Christmas or Thanksgiving or maybe New Year's or Valentine's day, but, while I do enjoy these holidays very much, there is one day each year that holds special significance for me. You probably guessed it... that day is Black Friday. [What do you expect? I'm the 'Money-Guy' :) ] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you pay attention to any piece of news, you no doubt have heard SOMETHING about health insurance over the last few months. Coincidentally, in the midst of potential health care reform, it is open enrollment for many individuals covered under employer sponsored health plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's show is on a topic that I feel is very easy to understand, but, for some reason, very often overlooked. While overlooking this seemingly small concept may not seem like a huge deal, the impact it can have on your investment portfolio as well as your ability to reach your long term goals in monumental! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you watch any piece of news, read any bit of financial commentary (which you probably do since you listen to this show), or have any sense of how financial markets work, then inflation has no doubt been a thought on your mind. If you go a little deeper, then you've probably come across many conflicting view points of inflation. Is inflation good? Is it bad? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There was a great article in my November edition of Consumer Reports. The title of the article was Take Control of Your Credit Cards: How to Fight Back Against Higher Rates, Fees, and Abusive Practices. It is no secret that credit card companies are not the public's favorite "service provider", especially over the past 6 to 12 months... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So it has been about two weeks since our last show and, if you have listened to the most recent shows, you know that the reason for this temporary absence is because my wife and I have recently added a new member to the Preston family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every so often we stumble across something so moving and so compelling that we feel we MUST share it with those around us. Well that is exactly what has happened to me over the past week. In today’s show I want to share a documentary done by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation titled “I.O.U.S.A”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's show is one of those nitty-gritty topics that may not always be the most fun or most exciting, but it is definitely one of the most important. Today I wanted share the significance of making sure that your beneficiary designations are up-to-date and still reflect your posthumous wishes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bo and I will be traveling to South Carolina for a conference this week, but I didn't want you to be without sound financial information for two whole weeks. This, combined with how excited I get about FREE money, made this week's show topic a no-brainer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So here we find ourselves. I won't go so far as to say that things feel good, but at least it doesn't appear as though the sky is falling any longer. Will we remain at this "comfortable" level? I'm not sure and I don't think that anyone knows for sure. What I do believe, however, is that we have made it through the worst of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is a prime example of how quickly things change in our current economic environment! We recorded this show on Thursday afternoon, 07/30, and planned on releasing it Friday morning, 07/31. To our amazement, when we came into the office on Friday, one of the very topics we did the show on no more than 24 hours before was no longer in existence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you have been listening to this show for any length of time at all, you have no doubt heard me sing praise of the Roth IRA. The Roth IRA is an amazing planning tool for those individuals who qualify. Not only do you get tax deferred savings for retirement, but all of those earnings actually become tax FREE if certain requirements are met! For more, visit the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2009/06/why-a-roth-401k-may-be-your-best-bet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes individuals have those moments where they wake up in the middle of the night, and it hits them! It's that thought, or idea, or realization that is so thought-provoking and so revolutionary that they can't shake it. This is what happened to me a few nights ago! For more information, see the show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2009/06/legacy-of-a-generartion-not-the-millionaire-next-door Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s show comes from two of my most favorite newsletters, Consumer Reports’ Money Adviser and Kiplinger’s Retirement Report. These publications are great and I thoroughly enjoy reading them each month. The three topics are some of the best bargains that have happened as a result of the recession plus some buying tips, the increase in litigation against brokers and money managers and why the process might not be as easy and straight forward as you think, and then remind you that part of reaching financial independence is optimization. Show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2009/06/bear-bargains-broker-battles-and-searching-for-yields Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a good week around here. We’ve been pretty busy with client and prospect meetings, but things are starting to calm down and get back to normal. I’ve received many interesting emails and articles over the past week, and I feel like some of them are definitively worth sharing with you. Complete show notes are at http://www.moneyguy.com/2009/05/social-security-charity-fraud-and-credit-card-deadbeats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So once again this week's show topic was inspired by real life events. You would have to be living under a rock to not notice the gains we have been experiencing in the stock market over the past few weeks. But is it real? Complete show notes and more information can be found in our show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2009/05/dca-maybe-the-most-important-investment-decision-you-will-ever-make Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though the economy has shown some signs of life over the last month and a half, I feel it is safe to say we are still in or around the low-point of the economic cycle, the trough if you will. Many individuals are feeling that because things have gotten so bad, now may be a good time to 'start over'. This starting over can mean many different things for many different people. Check out the extensive show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2009/04/is-now-the-time-to-be-taking-risks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As many of you are aware, I have been harping on how low mortgage rates have been over the past few months and how much of an opportunity we all have to lock in a long-term low interest rate right now. So let us assume you have decided to heed my advice, gotten all of your ducks in a row, and have gone to the bank or mortgage lender to negotiate a refinance. BAM! They offer you a refinance somewhere between 5.5% and 6.5%. But, but, but.... Brian, I thought you said mortgage rates were around 4.5% to 5%? For more of this story, go to http://www.moneyguy.com/2009/04/how-to-build-your-credit-score Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So here you are. You have been listening to the show for a while. You understand efficient markets. You understand asset allocation. You even understand equity-risk premium and risk/reward trade-off. Now, how do you implement? This is a problem I see all too often. Many individuals possess the knowledge and understanding of the financial marketplace, but have no idea how to put it into practice. So what is next step in developing a portfolio to assist you in reaching your long-term goals? Selecting the assets to use. More information at http://www.moneyguy.com/2009/04/mutual-fund-screeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You couldn't turn to a major network or listen to a major broadcast in the past week without hearing about the ongoing feud between the Daily Show's Jon Stewart and Mad Money's Jim Cramer. Due to all of the media attention, and considering that there were some very good points made, I felt like I would use this opportunity to share some of my opinions and insights on the matter. If you haven't had a chance to watch the interview in full yet, please do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In trying times, it isn't enough to just be an intelligent investor. To truly get your financial house in order, you must also be a good consumer. It is so important today to make sure you can stretch your dollars as far as possible. This doesn't just mean seeking out great deals, but it also means protecting your purchases. In the show today, I share a story that has recently happened with my associate Bo and his encounter with an Ebay purchase, as well as my father-in-law's flat-screen woes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s show is brimming with information. In the first half of the show, I share a research study done by Consumer Reports in their Consumer Reports Money Adviser. In the report, they compare some of the best and the worst 529 college savings plans around the nation. I then go on to discuss the 2009 […] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s show is a hodge-podge of information. You guys have been instrumental in providing me with great feedback as well as some very good questions, so today I felt the need to let you all know that I am reading your emails and I do appreciate your input. As you listen, I will share some […] Full show notes at http://www.moneyguy.com/2009/02/money-guy-q-a Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That’s right. We’re bringin’ simple back. 2008 provided us with a wonderful opportunity to step back and ask, ‘what in the world are we doing?’ If you were an adult and had a pulse over the last decade, it would have been impossible to not notice all the complexity in the financial markets. I’m not just talking about the stock market. I am alluding to every aspect of your financial life. So often individuals feel like to make money or be successful, it has to be a very intricate and complicated process and only the super intelligent can achieve it. We were all tempted to invest in things we didn’t understand, buy products we couldn’t comprehend, and implement strategies that made our heads spin. In today’s show I walk through a few areas where simple is not a bad thing. For more, visit the show notes on our site at http://www.moneyguy.com/2009/01/bringin-simple-back Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, so far the beginning of 2009 has felt quite similar to the last part of 2008. That, however, does not mean that there aren’t opportunities out there for us to take advantage of. Two common questions I’ve been getting from you are ‘should i still do this whole re-balancing thing?’ and ‘what do I […] Read more at http://www.moneyguy.com/2009/01/year-of-the-re-refinance-and-rebalance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As if the financial markets weren’t scary enough in 2008, here comes the story of a snake who decided to take advantage of people and subsequently make millions and millions of dollars doing it. Bernard Madoff, ole’ Uncle Bernie, created one of the largest Ponzi schemes ever. Basically, a Ponzi scheme is one in which […] Read more at http://www.moneyguy.com/2009/01/protecting-yourself-from-fraud Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 2009 Challenge: 2008 is coming to a close and this is the time of the year where we start planning those Resolutions on how we are going to make 2009 better than 2008. Below I have provided a few thoughts and links: If you are Unhappy… Make a Change If you are not happy […] Read more at http://www.moneyguy.com/2008/12/lazy-investing-can-be-good-investing-update Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next week is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a great time to catch-up with friends and family, but I am worried that this year’s big point of discussion is going to be the economy and the stock market. In this volatile time I wanted to provide you with some objective and analytical data that will help you […] Read more at http://www.moneyguy.com/2008/11/unusual-times-require-creative-solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With all of the doom and gloom in the financial markets right now, surely you are asking: why in the world would I be talking about spending money? Especially when shows over the past few weeks have been concerned with ways to save money! Even bad situations can have a good side. In this economy […] Read more at http://www.moneyguy.com/2008/11/how-to-spend-a-little-money Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Life insurance is one of the most controversial and, in my opinion, convoluted personal finance topics today. Even once you get past the eternal debate of term vs. permanent life insurance, then you must move on to determining how much life insurance you need, what method do you use to calculate that amount, and who […] Read more at http://www.moneyguy.com/2008/11/unusual-times-require-creative-solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have been riding this wave of volatility long enough that 7%-9% market swings do not have the same shock and awe impact they had a few weeks ago. This acceptance of the wild swings has provided me with an opportunity to step away from the initial emotional feelings that came from this roller coaster…. […] Read more at http://www.moneyguy.com/2008/10/time-to-buy-buffett-vs-cramer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices