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.

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

https://www.facebook.com/JillonMoney

https://www.instagram.com/jillonmoney/

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. 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:

https://twitter.com/jillonmoney

https://www.facebook.com/JillonMoney

https://www.instagram.com/jillonmoney/

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. 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:

https://twitter.com/jillonmoney

https://www.facebook.com/JillonMoney

https://www.instagram.com/jillonmoney/

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:

https://twitter.com/jillonmoney

https://www.facebook.com/JillonMoney

https://www.instagram.com/jillonmoney/

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. 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:

https://twitter.com/jillonmoney

https://www.facebook.com/JillonMoney

https://www.instagram.com/jillonmoney/

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. 027 - Summer Travel Tips with Peter Greenberg

Summertime is officially upon us which means millions of Americans will be hitting the roads and taking to the skies to enjoy their summer vacations. Whether you want to hit the beach, blaze a trail off the beaten path or explore one of the major tourist destinations, there's a smart way to do it.

Summertime is officially upon us which means millions of Americans will be hitting the roads and taking to the skies to enjoy their summer vacations. Whether you want to hit the beach, blaze a trail off the beaten path or explore one of the major tourist destinations, there’s a smart way to do it.  That’s where Peter Greenberg, this week’s guest on Better Off, enters the picture.

Peter, the Travel Editor for CBS News, is full of tips and suggestions to help you get the most bang for your buck as you plan and book your trip.

Where to go? Where not to go? Drive, train or fly? From South Africa to Chile to Tokyo and Thailand, as well as hidden gems here in the States, we circle the globe with Peter and provide you with useful tips to easily reach your destination, with a few bucks left in your pocket.

Give recent attacks in London, Paris and Istanbul, is there any reason to think twice before booking vacations to those cities? How should we think about places where the Zika virus remains prevalent? What’s on Peter’s “Do Not Visit List?”

This one may be hard to believe, but despite all the travel related websites out there, Peter insists that even in 2017, the best thing to do is to pick up the phone and have an actual conversation with the airline or hotel.  But it’s not just a conversation for the sake of having one.  There’s a way to do it and certain questions to ask.  It’s a process.  So much so, that we did a little role playing to help guide you guys through it!

If you’re a frequent traveler, Peter is definitely someone to follow 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:

https://twitter.com/jillonmoney

https://www.facebook.com/JillonMoney

https://www.instagram.com/jillonmoney/

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. 026 - Personal Finance 101 with Liz Weston

While it's always fun talking to authors, CEOs and you on the Better Off podcast, I also enjoy chatting with fellow financial industry journalism colleagues. Doing so allows me to get their take on the state of the industry and to talk about what they've been covering, what has them jazzed and what they see coming in the weeks and months ahead.

While it’s always fun talking to authors, CEOs and you on the Better Off podcast, I also enjoy chatting with fellow financial industry journalism colleagues. Doing so allows me to get their take on the state of the industry and to talk about what they’ve been covering, what has them jazzed and what they see coming in the weeks and months ahead.

Our guest this week, Liz Weston, is a total financial nerd, so I guess it’s fitting that Liz works as a columnist for NerdWallet, a personal finance website that offers financial tools and advice to help people understand their options when making financial decisions.

Liz is also a CFP® and has been covering the industry for many years. She started her career on the politics beat but that got old quickly. She transitioned into personal finance and has been writing full-time since 1994.

Even though Liz knows her stuff, it was very interesting to hear her talk about how she has used an insurance agent, a tax pro, an estate planner and even has her own financial planner. I’m the same way…even though we are professionals within the industry, qualified experts can help you save time, money or ideally, both!

Some of the other topics we discussed include:

• The decreasing role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• The student loan crisis and possible ways to fix it
• Whether or not social security will be around for millennials

If you follow me on Twitter then you know I’m a big fan of the content Liz continues to crank out. She’s definitely worth a follow for top notch personal finance insight.

“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

https://www.facebook.com/JillonMoney

https://www.instagram.com/jillonmoney/

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. 025 - Why Wall Street Matters with William Cohan

Imagine a world without companies like Apple, or media outlets such as CBS or NBC, without all of the cars and trucks crisscrossing the country, without food provided by the farmer...that's what would happen if Wall Street did not exist...it would all go away, according to this week's Better Off guest, writer William "Bill" Cohan.

Imagine a world without companies like Apple, or media outlets such as CBS or NBC, without all of the cars and trucks crisscrossing the country, without food provided by the farmer…that’s what would happen if Wall Street did not exist…it would all go away, according to this week’s Better Off guest, writer William “Bill” Cohan.

If you’ve read some of his previous books, like “House of Cards,” or “Money and Power”, you know Bill is usually not one to shy away from going after Wall Street and its shortcomings. But in an interesting twist, Bill’s recent book, “Why Wall Street Matters,” is a defense of the industry that he has pilloried.

In our interview, Bill describes a poor decision by Elizabeth Warren as the catalyst that propelled him to write this latest book. He tells us what Wall Street has done well, like providing the necessary capital to companies, which in turn allows them to invest, expand and hire, thus propelling overall economic growth.

Don’t be mistaken: Bill knows that Wall Street and the institutions that occupy the space in Lower Manhattan are imperfect, but he believes that there is far more good than bad — and more importantly, the consequences would be dire if the essential role the industry plays were carelessly curtailed.

Bill had one goal when writing this book: for Wall Street to become understandable to the average American. In this easy to read book, Bill succeeded.  I highly recommend you pick it up.

“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

https://www.facebook.com/JillonMoney

https://www.instagram.com/jillonmoney/

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. 024 - Cybersecurity and Hacking with Kevin Mitnick

It seems everyday there's a story in the news that involves hacking. Whether it's a big box retailer, the IRS or Russians hacking the DNC, cyber warfare has become one of the biggest threats in the 21st century and we are all vulnerable.

It seems everyday there’s a story in the news that involves hacking.  Whether it’s a big box retailer, the IRS or Russians hacking the DNC, cyber warfare has become one of the biggest threats in the 21st century and we are all vulnerable.

To help you understand the current environment and to learn some of the simple steps we should take to prevent ourselves from becoming a victim, we had to find an expert…a professional hacker. I’m not talking about some random hack…I’m talking about the hacker of all hackers, Kevin Mitnick.  This guy is the real deal.  So real that after a well publicized pursuit back in the 1990s, he was arrested by the FBI and spent five years in prison, including eight months in solitary confinement.

Now a free man, he does consulting work for Fortune 500 companies and the government. Though I should point out that for business cards he uses metal lock pick sets with his name and number on them. Really. In his latest book, The Art of Invisibility, Kevin uses true-life stories to show exactly what is happening without your knowledge, teaching you online and real-world tactics to protect you and your family, with step-by-step instructions. After reading this book you will learn everything from password protection and smart Wi-Fi usage to advanced techniques designed to maximize your anonymity.

Despite what we’d all like to believe, our passwords really can be stolen, our data sold and our personal emails read.  After listening to this interview, check out the book and learn the simple steps to help prevent it from happening to you.  

A big-time presence in the social media world, you call follow Kevin on Twitter for updates and tips from the cybersecurity world.  

“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

https://www.facebook.com/JillonMoney

https://www.instagram.com/jillonmoney/

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. 023 - Behavioral Economics with Michael Lewis

Sometimes a host has to do what a host has to do to land the interview. You could say that was the case with the one and only Michael Lewis, our guest this week on Better Off.

Sometimes a host has to do what a host has to do to land the interview.  You could say that was the case with the one and only Michael Lewis, our guest this week on Better Off.  

It was a few months back that I ran into Michael in the CBS This Morning Green Room and immediately started working my mojo to get him on the podcast.  Although it took weeks and weeks of emails to finally make it happen, it was worth the wait.

Lewis is such a prolific writer that you’ve probably picked up at least one of his books, including Moneyball, The Blind Side, The Big Short or Flash Boys. In this interview, we discuss his latest work, The Undoing Project.  

The Undoing Project explores the roots of behavioral economics, a topic that has always fascinated me. I love trying to understand why people make the decisions they do.  Trying to figure out how the human mind works.  And that’s what this book is all about.  

It’s starts with the partnership between Israeli psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky.  Forty years ago, the pair wrote a series of original studies questioning our assumptions about the decision-making process. Their papers showed the ways in which the human mind systematically erred, when forced to make judgments in uncertain situations. Their work created the field of behavioral economics, revolutionized Big Data studies, advanced evidence-based medicine and led to a new approach to government regulation.

We also touched on many other topics including the financial industry, the current political climate and what he plans to work on next. Which means you’ll likely hear Michael again on this podcast sometime down the road…hopefully I won’t have to tackle him again in the Green Room!

“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

https://www.facebook.com/JillonMoney

https://www.instagram.com/jillonmoney/

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.