Jocko

Better Off BONUS call 026 - Student Loans

This week on the BONUS call it's yet again the all too familiar question about heavy, heavy student loan debt. This time it was Alida in Florida looking for some advice as to how she and her husband can attack roughly 200k in loans.

This week on the BONUS call it’s yet again the all too familiar question about heavy, heavy student loan debt. This time it was Alida in Florida looking for some advice as to how she and her husband can attack roughly 200k in loans. Even though that is a serious amount of debt, I have a pretty good feeling about these guys.

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"Better Off" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Ep. 032 - How the Best Leaders Inspire People Every Day

What is life without inspiration? To me it sounds a bit boring. Of course inspiration can come from anywhere, but because we spend the bulk of our time in the workplace, it is a natural setting to seek it out. Conversely, if you're the boss, don't you want to be seen as somebody who inspires?

What is life without inspiration?  To me it sounds a bit boring. Of course inspiration can come from anywhere, but because we spend the bulk of our time in the workplace, it is a natural setting to seek it out. Conversely, if you’re the boss, don’t you want to be seen as somebody who inspires?

It’s easier said than done, but thanks to our guest this week, executive coach Kristi Hedges, there are everyday actions that any leader can take to be an inspiring and motivating force.

In her latest book, The Inspiration Code: How the Best Leaders Energize People Every Day, Kristi shows how to become a leader who builds commitment and fosters greatness in others.

Having spent years studying exactly what inspiring leaders do differently, Kristi likes to think of inspirational people as the four Ps:

  • PRESENT: investing their full attention and letting conversations flow
  • PERSONAL: speaking genuinely, listening generously, and acknowledging the potential of those around them
  • PASSIONATE: exhibiting sincere emotion and exuding energy attuned to the situation
  • PURPOSEFUL: helping others find meaning and see their place in the bigger picture

If you think your boss might be missing one of the Ps, maybe it’s time to pull him or her aside and have a friendly chat…

For more workplace and leadership tips, you can follow Kristi on Twitter.

“Better Off” is sponsored by Betterment.

Have a finance related question? Email us here or call 855-411-JILL.

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"Better Off" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Better Off BONUS call 025 - Asset Allocation

Last week on the BONUS call the question was about when to start diversifying. This week Ashley from Florida is asking if there's such a thing as being too diversified? With a few different retirement accounts in the works, does she need all of them? Or does less really equal more in this scenario?

Last week on the BONUS call the question was about when to start diversifying. This week Ashley from Florida is asking if there’s such a thing as being too diversified? With a few different retirement accounts in the works, does she need all of them? Or does less really equal more in this scenario?

“Better Off” is sponsored by Betterment.

Have a finance related question? Email us here or call 855-411-JILL.

We love feedback so please subscribe and leave us a rating or review in iTunes!

Connect with me at these places for all my content:

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"Better Off" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Ep. 031 - Hot Housing: How to Buy and Sell

Prices are up, inventories are down which means the housing market is hot again. It's not like the crazy days of 2005, but conditions are a bit frenzied. To prepare for what is likely to be the biggest asset purchase or sale you'll make in life, we turn to Stephen Gasque, host of Real Estate Today, a weekly radio program presented by the National Association of Realtors.

Prices are up, inventories are down which means the housing market is hot again. It’s not like the crazy days of 2005, but conditions are a bit frenzied. To prepare for what is likely to be the biggest asset purchase or sale you’ll make in life, we turn to Stephen Gasque, host of Real Estate Today, a weekly radio program presented by the National Association of Realtors.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or seller, Steven is full of tips to help you navigate the process.

One of the topics we spent some time on is the current inventory crisis and why it’s seemingly harder than ever for potential buyers to get the home they want. Why is the competition among buyers more intense than ever?

Some of the other topics we discussed:

  • What are the most common mistakes people make when buying or selling?
  • What’s the most important step for a potential buyer?
  • How to successfully invest in real estate as a rental property
  • The future of mortgage interest deductions
  • Renting versus buying

If you’re planning on going to an open house this weekend, give this one a listen for some tips that could increase your odds of landing the house before you walk through the front door.

“Better Off” is sponsored by Betterment.

Have a finance related question? Email us here or call 855-411-JILL.

We love feedback so please subscribe and leave us a rating or review in iTunes!

Connect with me at these places for all my content:

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"Better Off" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Better Off BONUS call 024 - Asset Allocation

This week on the BONUS call we're talking asset allocation with David from Virginia. For years David has been saving and not really paying attention to his various accounts. Now that he's a little older, he recently checked in on them and was pleasantly surprised to see how much his accounts have grown.

This week on the BONUS call we’re talking asset allocation with David from Virginia. For years David has been saving and not really paying attention to his various accounts. Now that he’s a little older, he recently checked in on them and was pleasantly surprised to see how much his accounts have grown. Up until now everything David has saved has been 100% invested in stocks. Now that he’s in his 30s is it time to start diversifying?

“Better Off” is sponsored by Betterment.

Have a finance related question? Email us here or call 855-411-JILL.

We love feedback so please subscribe and leave us a rating or review in iTunes!

Connect with me at these places for all my content:

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"Better Off" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Ep. 030 - Pop Culture and Technology with Jeff Bakalar and Russ Frushtick

When it comes to money and personal finance, I like to think I know a thing or two. But when it comes to technology and gadgets, I turn to experts Jeff Bakalar and Russ Frushtick. Jeff and Russ host The 404 Show, a popular CNET podcast that focuses on pop-culture, tech, movies, comics, video games and more.

When it comes to money and personal finance, I like to think I know a thing or two. But when it comes to technology and gadgets, I turn to experts Jeff Bakalar and Russ Frushtick. Jeff and Russ host The 404 Show, a popular CNET podcast that focuses on pop-culture, tech, movies, comics, video games and more.

It’s a good arrangement: When Jeff and Russ have questions regarding their financial lives, they know who to call—and they really do, from time to time. When I need help purchasing a new phone or want to understand what lies ahead on the tech landscape, I return the favor.

The technology world changes so fast it’s almost impossible to keep up with it. Every month it seems, there’s some new announcement—a hot new app, a popular gadget, a hopeful tech IPO, a disruptive innovation—it’s never ending.

In this latest episode of “Better Off,” we touched on a variety of topics that we once thought we’d only see in a Hollywood movie:

  • Artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Virtual reality (VR)
  • Self-driving vehicles
  • UPS using drones to deliver packages

We also talked about current issues:

Uber versus the cab companies? Is the competition a good thing? Will it force the cab industry to reinvent itself?

Will buying an Amazon Echo cause me to become incredibly lazy? Call me old fashioned but I actually like turning on the lights myself.

I think I get points for being active on Twitter and Instagram…though I’m not sure you’ll see me wearing a virtual reality headset anytime soon.  That said, give this episode a listen, especially if you’re wondering if you really need to upgrade your phone every year or two.

“Better Off” is sponsored by Betterment.

Have a finance related question? Email us here or call 855-411-JILL.

We love feedback so please subscribe and leave us a rating or review in iTunes!

Connect with me at these places for all my content:

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"Better Off" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Better Off BONUS call 023 - Real Estate

This week on the BONUS call we're talking to Brian from Los Angeles. Brian and his wife have lived overseas for a while and in the process built up a nest egg of about 600k. Now back in the States they have to find a house and are wondering how to do it without blowing through all the money they've accumulated.

This week on the BONUS call we’re talking to Brian from Los Angeles. Brian and his wife have lived overseas for a while and in the process built up a nest egg of about 600k. Now back in the States they have to find a house and are wondering how to do it without blowing through all the money they’ve accumulated.

“Better Off” is sponsored by Betterment.

Have a finance related question? Email us here or call 855-411-JILL.

We love feedback so please subscribe and leave us a rating or review in iTunes!

Connect with me at these places for all my content:

https://twitter.com/jillonmoney

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillonmoney/ 

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jill-... 

http://betteroffpodcast.com/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

"Better Off" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Ep. 029 - The Secret History of the iPhone with Brian Merchant

On June 29th, 2007 Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled a new product, which he described as "a revolutionary mobile phone," and a "breakthrough Internet communications device." Indeed, the iPhone has changed our lives. We do EVERYTHING on our phones.

On June 29th, 2007 Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled a new product, which he described as “a revolutionary mobile phone,” and a “breakthrough Internet communications device.”

Indeed, the iPhone has changed our lives. We do EVERYTHING on our phones. We text, we surf the web, we bank, we book vacations, we get directions, we book cars, we play games, and we even make the occasional phone call.

In the process, Apple has become the most profitable public company in the world, with a market cap of about three quarters of a trillion dollars – that’s more than twice as much as Exxon Mobil and three times as much as General Electric. Over the past ten years, Apple’s business has grown by 10 times and its stock price has increased by nearly 720 percent, dwarfing the 134 percent rise in the NASDAQ Composite Index.

But just how close did we come to not having the iPhone? How did it actually happen? Our guest Brian Merchant, technology journalist and author of the new book, The One Device: The Secret History of the iPhone takes us back to the mid-2000’s to tell the iPhone origin story.

Brian reveals the inside story of the device, based on his exclusive interviews with the engineers, inventors and developers who guided every stage of the iPhone’s creation. He also discussed what life is like for the workers in China who assemble the phones. As you’ll hear, Brian doesn’t paint a very pretty picture.

If you’re a techie and live for the latest Apple rumors and news, definitely follow Brian on Twitter.

“Better Off” is sponsored by Betterment.

Have a finance related question? Email us here or call 855-411-JILL.

We love feedback so please subscribe and leave us a rating or review in iTunes!

Connect with me at these places for all my content:

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http://betteroffpodcast.com/

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"Better Off" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Better Off BONUS call 022 - Retirement Planning

This week on the BONUS call we chatted with John from Philadelphia. The call started with John wanting to know how he and his wife can find a financial advisor. By the time the call was over, let's just say the game plan changed for John.

This week on the BONUS call we chatted with John from Philadelphia. The call started with John wanting to know how he and his wife can find a financial advisor. By the time the call was over, let’s just say the game plan changed for John. Remember folks, there are certain things that need to be happening before you’re ready to take the next step. This call will help walk you through the process.

“Better Off” is sponsored by Betterment.

Have a finance related question? Email us here or call 855-411-JILL.

We love feedback so please subscribe and leave us a rating or review in iTunes!

Connect with me at these places for all my content:

https://twitter.com/jillonmoney

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http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jill-... 

http://betteroffpodcast.com/

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"Better Off" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.

Ep. 028 - How to Buy a Car with Consumer Reports Auto Specialist Mike Quincy

If you live in a big city, it can be easy to forget what it's like to depend on a car. Urbanites tend to walk, take the subway or bus, ride a bicycle, or hop in a cab to get virtually everywhere.

If you live in a big city, it can be easy to forget what it’s like to depend on a car. Urbanites tend to walk, take the subway or bus, ride a bicycle, or hop in a cab to get virtually everywhere.

But I grew up in the suburbs and know the vast majority of you listening to this podcast have a deep, personal relationship with your car. After all, next to your home, your car is one of the biggest assets you’ll purchase in life, which is why you are likely to have a ton of questions that need to be answered.

Where does one turn to learn the best car buying tips? Maybe you have used the Consumer Reports Annual Auto Issue, but, today on Better Off, we go one better… we have Mike Quincy, Automotive Specialist at Consumer Reports, one of the pros behind all things car-related at the magazine.

Mike may have the coolest job in the world. He gets to race, I mean drive, basically every car imaginable around a test track and then write the reviews you read…a dream job for a total car geek. With almost 30 years under his belt, Mike has the answers to the most-frequently asked car questions:

  • Buy or lease?
  • Sedan or SUV?
  • Which model has the best crash test ratings?
  • Do I need to buy the extended warranty?
  • Which manufacturers should I avoid?

We also discussed which cars are safest for young adults, the reliability of high end cars like Mercedes and BMW, what the future holds for Tesla and the current state of the legacy automakers here in the U.S.

So as you hit the road this summer and fantasize about a new set of wheels, this episode is a must listen before you walk into that dealership.

“Better Off” is sponsored by Betterment.

Have a finance related question? Email us here or call 855-411-JILL.

We love feedback so please subscribe and leave us a rating or review in iTunes!

Connect with me at these places for all my content:

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http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jill-... 

http://betteroffpodcast.com/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

"Better Off" theme music is by Joel Goodman, www.joelgoodman.com.