Are you falling for financial fake news? A recent survey shows many Americans have wildly inaccurate views of our economy, potentially costing them big bucks. From believing we're in a recession to thinking unemployment is sky-high, these misconceptions could keep you from making smart money moves. But here's the kicker: the economy's actually grow…

Are you ready to cast your vote but still unsure how each candidate might affect your wallet? This week's Money Talks News podcast dives deep into the economic policies of Trump and Harris. From tax plans to tariffs, energy policies to job transitions, we break down the key differences that could impact your family's finances. Our diverse panel of …

We've all heard the saying "money can't buy happiness," but is that really true? This week's podcast explores the connection between money and happiness, diving into Maslow's hierarchy of needs and its financial implications. While some studies suggest there's a plateau to how much happiness money can bring, today's guest, Jim Wang from Wallet Hack…

Who Doesn't Want to Be a Millionaire? This week's 'game show' style Money Talks News podcast might just hold the key to your financial future. Host Stacy Johnson, worth over $10 million, shares his wealth-building secrets with two contestants aspiring to become millionaires. Ready to test your knowledge on how to become a millionaire? Play along wi…

Are you throwing your hard-earned cash down the drain? You might be if you're falling for these common money traps. In this Facebook Live episode, Stacy Johnson, founder of Money Talks News, breaks down five financial pitfalls that could be costing you big time. From timeshares to car leases, gambling to subscription services, and investment scams,…

Your Instagram and TikTok are full of them: Influencers trying to convince you to part with your hard-earned cash and spend it on some trendy item that you won’t be using two weeks from now. While conspicuous consumption has been all the rage in recent years, with influencers sharing their massive hauls, there’s been a shift. In fact, the latest tr…

🔔 Subscribe for more money-saving tips: https://www.moneytalksnews.com/podcasts/ Youtube video of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ7g3mgZ8d8 In this episode of Money Talks News, Stacy Johnson tackles the age-old question: "How much money should you have when you retire?" Spoiler alert: There's no one-size-fits-all answer! Join Stacy …

In this week's Finance Friday host Stacy Johnson shares personal reflections and tackles key financial topics: Social Security: When to claim? Waiting until 70 maximizes benefits, but isn't right for everyone. Consider your health, job satisfaction, and financial needs. Stock market outlook: Currently overvalued, but timing the market is risky. Ins…

Last year, a NerdWallet survey found that 84% of Americans with a monthly budget spend beyond it. So what gives? If you have a budget, shouldn't that help you stay on track? Maybe it's less about creating a budget and more about understanding your cash flow or how money moves through your personal economy. To help us tackle our cash flow, we've inv…

Join financial expert Stacy Johnson as he breaks down the recent Federal Reserve interest rate cut and its impact on your wallet. In this engaging live session, recorded on September 20, 2024, in the Money Talks News Retirement Facebook Group, Stacy explains: Why the Fed lowered rates and what it means for the economy How falling interest rates aff…

The great wealth transfer of trillions of dollars in assets – approximately $72.6 trillion over the next 20 years – has begun. Among those assets are inherited properties, but it's tough to deal with the baggage that comes with an inherited house. Pam Krueger from Wealthramp is back to go over essential questions to ask when you inherit a house. Yo…

In this episode of Money Talks News, Stacy Johnson and his team dive into the economic promises and potential impacts of the upcoming presidential election. With characteristic wit and skepticism, Stacy cuts through the campaign rhetoric to examine what Trump and Harris are really saying about the economy - and why much of it may be "bullsh--." Fro…

You've undoubtedly met people who have made a lot of money in the stock market and dreamed you could become one, too. If that's you, I've got great news. You can learn to be a successful stock investor, make some money and maybe some friends while you're at it. How? By joining an investment club. Today we welcome Ionnie McNeill, a member of the non…

Today we’re tackling a hot topic in the world of finance—the possibility of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates in September. That’s right, the market is buzzing with speculation about what the Fed might do, and we’re here to break down what a rate cut could mean for your investments, your retirement plans, and the economy as a whole. Could …

Americans owe more than $1.1 trillion in credit card debt—and a good portion of that is because too many of us are using plastic to pay for basic necessities like rent and food. But no matter where your debt comes from, one thing's for sure. It's stressful. According to one survey, more than half of U.S. adults with debt say they feel stressed beca…

In this episode, we're talking about the top four mistakes investors make. When it comes to stocks, we all know we're supposed to buy low and sell high, but for many of us, that's a lot easier said than done. Many investors tend to buy when the market's topping, then panic and sell at the bottom. That's one common mistake investors make, but it's f…

Americans are worried about retiring, with 61% concerned they won't have enough money to support their lifestyle. On top of that, 20% of those over the age of 50 don't have ANY retirement savings. This is a ticking time bomb for many people. But there's help on the horizon. Now, savers can supercharge their retirement savings now that more provisio…

Editor's Note: This episode initially aired on March 15, 2023. It may contain some details that are out of date. According to the latest report from Vanguard, looking at the average amount of money saved for retirement, there's a good chance you might not be on track for comfort in your golden years. The average 45-year-old has less than $180,000 s…

Gen X is often considered the overlooked generation, but we're looking right at YOU today. Gen X is people born between 1965 and 1980, so this is a group that should be starting to think about retirement. But will they be ready? As the Baby Boomer generation aged, they figured they'd need just under a million – $990,000 to retire. Gen X? Different …

If you're on a steady salary, creating a spending plan is straightforward, because you know both what's coming in and what's going out every month. But what if you don't have a stable salary? What if you're one of the millions of Americans who do side work or own a business or get paid commission? For you, a variable income is just part of the deal…

Welcome to Money Talks News, the podcast making you richer one day at a time. Close to 61% of Americans have a business idea, but it can be tough to actually take the next step. Plus, what happens if you make a major mistake and fail? In this episode, we're talking about how to avoid major blunders when starting a business with special guest Jaspre…

In this episode of the Money Talks News podcast, we're talking about how organizing your money can make you richer and how to get there with the least possible pain. This will probably come as no surprise, but according to a recent survey, only 23% of Americans have a formal financial plan. And you can probably guess why: 76% of those without a pla…

Most people expect to retire one day, and while they may have images of their future selves perfecting their golf game and hitting Wimbledon-worthy serves, let's face it: There's only so much golf and tennis you can play before becoming bored. In fact, if you don't find some purpose beyond work after you retire, you could literally be at risk of dy…

Episode 165 webpage and links. What if you could live in your home while someone else pays the mortgage? That's the idea behind house hacking. House hacking refers to living in a home or multi-unit while renting out part of it. Dedicated house hackers say it's a great way to lay a foundation for a real estate empire—one that can catapult you to fin…

In this episode of Money Talks News, the podcast explores the history and importance of financial independence, particularly for women, with special guest Jannese Torres. Jannese shares her personal journey from a toxic marriage to financial independence and discusses her award-winning podcast 'Yo Quiero Dinero,' which aims to educate women about f…

Editor's Note: Here's one of the best podcasts from the archive that you may have missed. This episode initially aired on March 06, 2021. When my wife and I joined households 11 years ago, we combined our kitchen stuff, our furniture, our linens and just about everything else. The one thing we didn't combine? Our money. When it comes to money, she …

In this episode of Money Talks News, the podcast dives into the challenging housing market as Stacy Johnson and Miranda Marquit discuss strategies for buying a home despite high rates and low inventory. They are joined by real estate expert Mindy Jensen from BiggerPockets. Mindy shares insights on preparing finances, creative financing options, and…

Editor's Note: This episode initially aired on June 22, 2023. It may contain some details that are out of date. Are you familiar with Roth IRAs? If you're not, you should be, because Roth IRAs are a great way to get tax-free income after you retire. There is a potential fly in the ointment, however. Namely, not everyone qualifies for a Roth. If you…

No doubt you've imagined being financially independent: No job necessary, no money worries, no debt and plenty of savings. Of course, "financial freedom" means means different things to different people, but one thing's for sure: Not many of us are there yet. One recent survey found that only about 11% of Americans are living their definition of fi…

Editor's Note: This episode initially aired on July 20, 2022. It may contain some details that are out of date. According to one recent survey, only 4% of Americans have $1 million or more in retirement savings, which means 96% of us don't. Of course, depending on your situation, a million bucks may be overkill: Many people could fund their retirem…

Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast. In this episode we're talking about steps you should be taking right now to achieve financial freedom. No doubt you've imagined being financially independent: No job necessary, no money worries, no debt and plenty of savings. Of course, "financial freedom" means means different things to different people, bu…

Editor's Note: This episode initially aired on July 13, 2022. It may contain some details that are out of date. Even with talk of a cooling housing market, prices are still high, and inventory is still low. If you're looking for a good deal, what are you supposed to do? This week we're going to find out how to find a great real estate deal no matte…

Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast. In this episode, we're talking about how you can have a good time without breaking the bank. Hey, we all need a little fun in our lives, right? What's the point of grinding it out at work, going home, fretting about money, and then sleeping? But here's the rub: The cost of having fun continues to rise at a f…

Here's one of our best podcasts from the archive that you may have missed. Thanks for listening to Money Talks News…the podcast! Let's start with a question: Do you have enough in your retirement account? According to a recent report from Vanguard, the average American has around $140,000 saved for retirement. For those 65 and older, that average b…

Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast! In this episode, we're talking about paying off your mortgage early so you can put that money to better use. Fewer than half — 40% — of homeowners are mortgage-free, according to a Bloomberg analysis. And many of those are baby boomers. Being mortgage-free is often seen as a big milestone on the journey to f…

Here's one of our best podcasts from the archive that you may have missed. Original air date: February 27th, 2021 Not long ago, the phrase "working in retirement" was an oxymoron, much like "bittersweet" or "act naturally." After all, if you're working, you're by definition not retired. But that was then. These days, working at least part-time whil…

Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast. This podcast is all about making you richer. And at the end of the day, there are only two ways to do that: either you make more, or you spend less. In this episode, we're going to talk about ways to spend less, BUT, doing it without sacrificing your quality of life. That's right: I'm talking financial gain …

Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast. In this episode, we're talking about how asking the right money questions can help you find your own version of financial freedom. When it comes to money, most people want answers. But sometimes getting ahead isn't about getting answers, it's about asking the right questions. Like WHY we're doing what we're …

Welcome to the Money Talks News Podcast. In this episode, we're talking about investing in artificial intelligence, as well as using AI tools to become a more successful investor. The hype around artificial intelligence has been insane, with some calling it the greatest game-changer since the invention of the internet or even electricity! Is it tru…

Today, we're talking about things people wish they'd known before retiring. Planning for retirement is a tricky business! Lots of moving pieces and parts. Today we're going to share some things real retirees said they wish they'd known before they retired. We're going to focus on five high-impact areas that can add tens of thousands of dollars to y…

In this episode we're talking about how just about anyone can start investing. When Stacy was an investment broker 40 years ago, investing was a colossal pain in the butt. You needed thousands of dollars to pick up the phone and talk to someone like me; you couldn't just do it yourself. Today, though, things have changed. Did you know you can start…

In this episode, we're talking about the top four mistakes investors make. When it comes to stocks, we all know we're supposed to buy low and sell high, but for many of us, that's a lot easier said than done. Many investors tend to buy when the market's topping, then panic and sell at the bottom. That's one common mistake investors make, but it's f…

In this episode, we predict what will happen to your money in 2024. Israel…Ukraine…a presidential election…inflation…possible recession. A lot is going on that could affect the global economy, as well as your personal economy. It's always dangerous to make predictions, but we're going to do it anyway, as we have for decades here at Money Talks News…

In this episode, we're talking about the top scams you're likely to see in retirement and how you can avoid them. Did you know that more than $28 BILLION—that's a billion with a B—is stolen from those aged 60 and older each year? So, how do you avoid becoming a depressing statistic if you're in retirement or approaching retirement? Today, we will t…

In this episode, we're talking about how money FOMO, among other things, can make you vulnerable to scams and how to avoid being a victim. Cryptocurrency was all the rage for a couple of years, and it seemed nothing could go wrong. It was a very social experience. In 2022, 31% of new crypto investors got started with advice from a friend. On top of…

In this podcast episode, we're talking about how the way you think can make you richer…or poorer. We've all heard the stories: people win the lottery, then lose it all. Or a millionaire who loses everything and then rebuilds their fortune seemingly overnight. These examples illustrate that financial success isn't just determined by your income and …

Today’s podcast is a replay of a popular show we did a few months back. So if you didn’t hear it the first time, or want to hear it again, now’s your chance. Thanks for listening to Money Talks News…the podcast! If you're an avid investor…or even if you're not…at one time or another you've probably considered investing in individual stocks. I've be…

In this episode, we're talking about how parents help finance their kid's education. Specifically, we're going to discuss Parent PLUS loans and how they impact millions of Americans hoping to retire. Americans above the age of 60 are drowning in student loan debt, both their own and that of their kids. The number of people over the age of 60 who ha…

Dave Ramsey has long been considered "the man" when it comes to financial advice—especially if you want to get out of debt. In recent years, though, controversy has dogged Dave's heels. He had to settle a discrimination lawsuit for his employment practices, and he's facing a $150 million lawsuit from disgruntled followers who took his advice to use…

If you're one of the millions of Americans eligible for Medicare, you're likely familiar with open enrollment. That's the stretch from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 every year when you're allowed to make changes to your coverage. And for most people, that's the only time you can. In order to get the best Medicare coverage for your personal situation, you need …