financialliteracy

Better Off BONUS call 031 - Life Insurance

This week we have our longest BONUS call yet from Chris in Minnesota. Why was it on the longer side? Because Chris had some questions about the tricky world of life insurance products. Chris is currently using a product to save for college education and wanted to know if he should keep on doing what he's doing or if it's time to mix things up.

This week we have our longest BONUS call yet from Chris in Minnesota. Why was it on the longer side? Because Chris had some questions about the tricky world of life insurance products. Chris is currently using a product to save for college education and wanted to know if he should keep on doing what he's doing or if it's time to mix things up.

“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.

#341 Kids and Money with Beth Kobliner

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Yes, this is still here, and it will be for a while longer to serve as a reminder that there's a new place for Jill on Money content - YouTube!  Seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes it takes a little outside help (h/t to JOM friend, Joe A!) to recognize the obvious.  So don't freak out.  Going forward, we're going to put all our radio and podcast content on YouTube! It'll be easier for you to navigate and listen to past shows, because everything will be in one place.  Just click any of the links below and you'll be able to listen to this week's show as well as anything else you see that might interest you, including all the Better Off podcast content if you haven't been listening. Let us know what you think by emailing us at askjill@jillonmoney.com.

CLICK HERE FOR LATEST SHOW ON YOUTUBE

Sept 16 Download Hour One Here

Before we jumped into your questions, I had to first talk about the massive Equifax data breach -- nearly half of the country was impacted!  How do you find out if you're one of the unlucky ones? If you were, what steps should you be taking? Check out my recent blog post.  It has all the necessary information.  If you're more of a visual person, I did a recent segment on CBS This Morning where I also outlined all the necessary steps.

Okay, on to the show and your questions...

Is there such a thing as saving too much money? That's how we started the show with Dave in Arizona, who has done an amazing job of saving for retirement...he's got over two million bucks! But he's now starting to realize that the money hasn't been taxed and he's going to have to pay Uncle Sam when his RMDs kick in down the road.  Or is he??  You'll have to listen for the answer...

CLICK HERE FOR LATEST SHOW ON YOUTUBE

Sept 16 Download Hour Two Here

Since it's September and back-to-school time we thought it was a good time to talk financial literacy.

You will often hear me say that before you worry about the financial future of your kids, you need to make sure you’re taking care of yourself first. But that doesn’t take you off the hook for discussing money with your kids.

Think of it as another one of the "talks"…so now in addition to the sex talk, the drug and alcohol talk, we can add the money talk. All of these conversations must occur at every stage of your child’s development, with age-appropriate messaging that the kids can absorb.

To help with your effort, this week we’re talking to Beth Kobliner, author of Make Your Kid A Money Genius (Even If You’re Not): A Parents’ Guide for Kids 3 to 23. Okay, okay, full disclosure, she’s also a friend of mine.

But that’s not why Beth is on the show.  She’s on because it’s an important topic. I know there are a lot of you out there with kids or thinking about starting a family, wondering how to have such conversations:

  • How much debt should we take on for college?
  • Should I give my teen a debit or credit card?
  • Should I give my child an allowance?
  • My kid wants to move back home…should I charge rent?

Those are just some examples and there’s plenty more in the book. Whether you’re a rookie in the parenting game or a veteran, this book will help. As Beth says, “Think of it as a guide for parents that offers the financial facts of life for kids 3 to 23.”

And FYI, Beth is the real deal. In 2010, she was selected by President Obama to be a member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, where she created MoneyAsYouGrow.org. The site attracted more than 1.4 million visitors and was adopted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2016.

So whether you have kids, are planning on doing so in the future or you are a beloved aunt or uncle, I encourage you to check it out. It’s never too soon to start the money talk!

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 

Ep. 037 - MONEY’s 2017-18 Best Colleges For Your Money

It's September and by now, the kids are back to school. Not surprisingly, I used to love this time of year. What can I say...you guys know I'm a total geek. Whether you're sending your little ones off for the first time or your kid is entering the final chapter of high school, the most expensive part of their education is yet to come!

It’s September and by now, the kids are back to school. Not surprisingly, I used to love this time of year. What can I say...you guys know I’m a total geek.

Whether you’re sending your little ones off for the first time or your kid is entering the final chapter of high school, the most expensive part of their education is yet to come!

I know, I’m such a Debbie Downer. But the cost of college is no joke and if handled without forethought, it can wreak havoc on the financial lives of parents or saddle kids with boatloads of debt.

There are thousands of colleges out there. Public, private, in-state, out-of-state, off-campus, on-campus, this major, that major...it goes on and on. It can be extremely overwhelming.

So where does one turn for some help with the process? My favorite place to go is the annual Best Colleges For Your Money list from MONEY.

To help us break down the 2017 rankings, MONEY reporter Kaitlin Mulhere, joins us. Her beat is her education, so she is the ideal person to discuss the topic.

According to Kaitlin, MONEY uses three categories to compile the list:

  • Cost: This category takes into account the net price of a degree, student loan debt, student loan repayment and default risk, value-added student loan repayment measures and affordability for low-income students.
  • Education Quality: This includes the six-year graduation rate, value-added graduation rate, peer quality, instructor quality and financial troubles facing the school.
  • Alumni Success: Includes graduates’ earnings, earnings adjusted by majors, 10-year earnings, estimated market-value of alumni’s average job skills and value-added earnings.

“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 030 - Rent vs Buy

This week on the BONUS call we're going to Bend, Oregon where we received a real estate question from Neil. Only 25 years old, Neil is wondering if it makes sense for him to buy a house. Because the housing market is hot where he lives, he's worried he'll be priced out if he waits much longer.

This week on the BONUS call we're going to Bend, Oregon where we received a real estate question from Neil. Only 25 years old, Neil is wondering if it makes sense for him to buy a house. Because the housing market is hot where he lives, he's worried he'll be priced out if he waits much longer.

“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.

Ep. 036 - Weapons of Math Destruction with Cathy O’Neil

This week on the Better Off podcast it's yet another example of my geekiness. I love math and statistics...but I am nothing compared to the brilliant Cathy O'Neil. I have been a fan girl of Cathy's since discovering her blog, mathbabe.org and then hearing her on the Slate Money podcast.

This week on the Better Off podcast it’s yet another example of my geekiness.

I love math and statistics...but I am nothing compared to the brilliant Cathy O’Neil. I have been a fan girl of Cathy’s since discovering her blog, mathbabe.org and then hearing her on the Slate Money podcast. Cathy, whose New York Times bestselling book Weapons of Math Destruction is now out in paperback, is the ultimate math geek, but more importantly, she is one of the most thoughtful intellectuals that I have encountered.

Cathy’s resume is impressive: a Ph.D. in math from Harvard, a postdoc at the MIT math department, a professor at Barnard College, where she published a number of research papers in arithmetic algebraic geometry and then a short-lived stint on Wall Street, before she launched her consulting firm, ORCAA.

When I heard Cathy explain complicated topics and then read the hardcover edition of the book last year, I knew we had to have her on the pod. It’s such a fascinating read about how big data increases inequality and threatens democracy. From how teachers are graded to how policing strategies are developed to credit scores and health insurance...it’s going to blow your mind when you hear how algorithms (mathematical models), dictate so much of our day-to-day lives.

But what happens when these models are out of whack...opaque, unregulated and incontestable? Unfortunately, the already unlucky and struggling among us, get the short end of the stick. What can individuals do about these unproven mathematical equations?

As you’ll hear Cathy explain, it starts by asking some basic questions. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did. It’s by far one of my favorites...so much so that there’s no call this week, just the interview.

“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 029 - Retirement Planning

I loved this latest BONUS call from Brianne in Oakland, CA. Brianne wasn't looking to help herself...instead she got in touch with us because she wants to help her parents. For the last several years she has been trying to help them get their financial lives in order.

I loved this latest BONUS call from Brianne in Oakland, CA. Brianne wasn't looking to help herself...instead she got in touch with us because she wants to help her parents. For the last several years she has been trying to help them get their financial lives in order. Although she has made progress, there's still a lot of work to do. After this call I'm ready to give Brianne the "Daughter of the Year" award. I think her parents are very lucky to have her around.

“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. 035 - Strategies for Achieving Peak Performance

I'm going to let you guys in on a little secret. I'm a total nerd when it comes to the brain and behavior. Why we choose to do the things we do or behave in certain ways has always fascinated me.

I’m going to let you guys in on a little secret.  I’m a total nerd when it comes to the brain and behavior. Why we choose to do the things we do or behave in certain ways has always fascinated me.  

So a few months ago when today’s guest, Friederike Fabritius, was in town from Germany, I jumped at the chance to interview her.  

Friederike is a leading expert in the field of Neuroleadership. In other words, she’s also a total nerd when it comes to the brain and behavior. In her recent book, The Leading Brain: Powerful Science-Based Strategies for Achieving Peak Performance, she presents simple yet powerful strategies for:

  • Achieving the highest performance
  • Sharpening focus
  • Learning and retaining information more efficiently
  • Improving complex decision-making
  • Cultivating trust and building strong teams

Throughout the book, Friederike focuses on using solid scientific findings to develop new methods and practices for leadership development.  

With Labor Day upon us and the final quarter of the year in sight, you may want to pick up this book for both you and your colleagues so you can all strive to perform at your maximum potential.  

“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 028 - Financial Advisor

This week on the BONUS call we're going to the beautiful Pacific Northwest to chat with Diane from Portland, Oregon. Diane and her husband, in their early 40s, have some considerable assets and are now wondering if it's worth paying a fee to meet with a financial advisor.

This week on the BONUS call we’re going to the beautiful Pacific Northwest to chat with Diane from Portland, Oregon. Diane and her husband, in their early 40s, have some considerable assets and are now wondering if it’s worth paying a fee to meet with a financial advisor.

“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. 034 - Stacking Benjamins: Earn, Save, and Spend Money With a Plan

I've been in the podcasting world for a few years now and one thing I've discovered is that the podcasting world really is like a small fraternity/sorority where hosts form bonds and even appear on each other's shows. We're no different. And this week we're doing it again with Joe Saul-Sehy, host of the Stacking Benjamins podcast.

I’ve been in the podcasting world for a few years now and one thing I’ve discovered is that the podcasting world really is like a small fraternity/sorority where hosts form bonds and even appear on each other’s shows. We’re no different. And this week we’re doing it again with Joe Saul-Sehy, host of the Stacking Benjamins podcast.

I’ve been a guest on Joe’s pod so I figured it was time to return the favor. Just like me, Joe has a background in finance. He was a financial advisor for 16 years and represented American Express and Ameriprise in the media. He was also the “Money Man” at Detroit television WXYZ-TV.

Once he got the bug from listening to others, Joe decided he wanted to host his own podcast and now, just four short years later, it’s his full-time job.

  • What is it about Joe’s background and approach that has resonated with listeners?
  • Why don’t people want to talk about money?
  • What has Joe excited about where we are in the financial world?

Those questions and many others made for a very fun interview. You can find out more about Joe’s show on his Twitter page.

“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.

Better Off BONUS call 027 - Asset Allocation

This week on the BONUS call we've got Ari from New York City. Ari, a physician, has been accumulating assets for several years and recently realized that the bulk of his money is in stocks. Now Ari is thinking his portfolio should be more balanced but he's worried about the tax hit if he starts moving things around.

This week on the BONUS call we’ve got Ari from New York City. Ari, a physician, has been accumulating assets for several years and recently realized that the bulk of his money is in stocks. Now Ari is thinking his portfolio should be more balanced but he’s worried about the tax hit if he starts moving things around.

“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

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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.