Miles Weekly Personal Finance Podcast

“The Break”… Just as is needed to review and assess direction or “Re-Balance” the portfolio or overall personal finance picture.  The MWPF podcast is going into a “Break Mode”, during which, there’s still plenty work to be done in “Re-balancing”, so maybe not too much of a break actually.  So here’s the outlook, a larger focus on specific instruction and education based podcasts, segments, series’ and feature interviews ( because I still dig interviewing people that do money stuff for a living), and some video “how to” action.  So yeah, it may take a bit to pull it all in, and maybe some help too! . In the meantime, check out the archive of podcasts and posts ranging from Ep:1 “Dollar Cost Averaging” Ep:19 “Top Ten Small Business Rules” Ep:52 “Eric B. is President” Ep:49 “Which is Sexy, Money or Finance?” Continue stay on track with your finances and the practice of maintaining your economic foundation for prosperity, there’s plenty come regarding doing just that.  Also, don’t forget to check out the list of podcasts recommended for good listening between the archive shows. -Miles.

Becoming Savvy About Finance This week’s episode of MWPF features an interview with  Dr. Lois Center-Shabazz of MsFinancialsavvy.com, an author of several highly rated books on Amazon.com that cover saving, investing and management of day to day personal finance.  She also offers coaching on finance, workshops and a Facebook support group, (WomenVestors) for women and girls focusing on finance.  In this interview, Dr. Lois Center-Shabazz covers her philosophy regarding women and finance along with some very insightful relationship advice on Love and Money.  Listen as she details the journey through her professional career and into becoming a financially savvy investor, author and finance coach. -Miles.

Stop Fearing Your Credit. Episode 65 is an interview Mr. Mark Clayborne of www.startupcreditrepairbusiness.com and author of an www.amazon.com bestselling book on personal credit repair “Hidden Credit Repair Secrets”.  Mark Clayborne has established himself as an authority in the personal credit repair industry and now helps entrepreneurs get started in the business of credit repair as well. In this interview we discuss Fico scores, paying bills, credit utilization, and authorized users among many other valuable and informative details about how to get your personal credit on the right track. -Miles.

Tax Refund Remorse After the much advertised delay in sending out refunds, it’s finally time.  In this week’s episode, the focus returns to that once a year so-called pay day that everyone gets all worked up about.  “The Tax Refund” Like a windfall, a breathe of fresh financial air.  Sometimes it’s spent in our minds 19 times before we even get it, just the idea of getting it. The tax refund is maybe one or two steps away from becoming a holiday, just so folks could have even more time to go spend some of that tax refund money.  The car dealers, creditors, retailers and anyone else that typically have slow January sales are all anxiously waiting as they know people are getting the refund checks.  Maybe there should at least be some slick moniker like “SupeR Black Friday” or maybe “GAAP Friday”.  Either way, there’s a lot of opportunity at this time of year for both making good moves or setting the stage for trouble during the rest of the tax year. -Miles.

Valentine’s Day is All About The Money. Pay attention as you get yourself all wrapped up into Valentine’s Day. The flowers, cards and candy.  Watch your spending and the spending of your courtier, if your paying close enough attention you’ll be able to see early signs of good financial behavior or terribly irresponsible spending.  Either way while you sitting at that pre-fixe overpriced cold dinner looking into each others’ eyes, it’s a good time to ask, “hey, so how’s your credit?”.  Pay attention to the surprise in their eyes, or the pleasure to share such information in an attempt to communicate their openess to discuss finance and the future.  And when the bill comes back with no surprise “declined” comment, you realize …they might actually be a keeper. -Miles.

Who’s Looking Out For You When You Invest? This week’s episode focuses on the recent news surrounding “The Fiduciary Rule”, which has investors, retirement savers and would be investors trying to figure out just what exactly is “a fiduciary” to begin with.  We’ve come to expect certain business relationships to work in our favor such with a lawyer, our doctors and even the little league coach sometimes, the same applies to many of the professionals that help us invest for the long term.  Investing for retirement, such as IRA’s, 401k’s and similar plans that are handled or managed by investment advisors fall under the rule of fiduciary responsibility.  However, new rules expand this definition to include more people who may be involved or have an influence on retirement investing guidance.   And those new rules focus squarely on the people you trust to steer you and your money in the right direction for your “best interest”.  And, not just steer your money into their pockets. -Miles

Urgent Care Centers Are Everywhere. Anyone that has been looking to just be seen by a doctor for some acute issue, maybe a slight sudden illness like the flu, they now have more options than just the emergency room.   At one time regardless of your health insurance coverage, many folks were destined to sit in ER’s around the country for hours and maybe even watch hospital staff  change shifts while they wait, and wait some more to be seen.  With a lack of primary care physician availability and increasing wait  times in the ER, first response of many people was to take an ambulance to get in right away, so they can hurry up to wait.  Although there are folks that still believe the ER is the place to go when they have the flu, the landscape has changed quite a bit since then.  Firstly, there are flu shots at the local pharmacy, and you can even see a doctor without going to the emergency room and waiting for your doctor to graduate from med school.  What happened?  One major change that is here to stay, Urgent Care Centers. -Miles.    

Plan for Both Life and Death, Because Both Have Expenses. On this week’s episode, an interview with Funeral Services Director Alysia M. Hicks.  We discuss the business of managing final arrangements, burials, becoming a mortician/ funeral director, rumors about the business and of course …how much does it cost to bury someone???  In this very straight forward conversation Alysia M. Hicks is able to give some true insight on a range of topics from what it takes to become a funeral director and the level of casket side manner required to be a “Doctor of Dead People”. -Miles  

Plan for Both Life and Death, Because Both Have Expenses. On this week’s episode, an interview with Funeral Services Director Alysia M. Hicks.  We discuss the business of managing final arrangements, burials, becoming a mortician/ funeral director, rumors about the business and of course …how much does it cost to bury someone???  In this very straight forward conversation Alysia M. Hicks is able to give some true insight on a range of topics from what it takes to become a funeral director and the level of casket side manner required to be a “Doctor of Dead People”. -Miles  

The Girls Run This M*tha. Women in business, government, education, medicine, law, running for president, CEO’s, Bankers, and all the rest.  Far more than just the supportive standby spouse, women are leading households and all the office too. How about banking and finance? More than just the corner C-Suite, women are starting their own companies and appointing folks to those corner offices. Now, something entirely new in the space of infinite possibilities for women, an investing platform geared toward women, focused on everything from their specific lifestyles, life cycles and the way women earn, save and invest.  You might have thought to yourself “poor Hillary”, if you did, you’re missing the whole thing because Girls Run This M*tha. Check out Ellevest and you’ll see. -Miles.

New Year, New Motivations. It’s the beginning of a new year and many of us promised ourselves to take it to the next level for the new year, last year.  This time most of us are ready, some of us have even painted ourselves in a corner to force us to get it done. Commitment devices aside, it’s sometimes hard working for less than we’re worth or those undeserving of our abilities.  We have the confidence, the skill-set and some of us even have the money to get started in a our own business.  Is now the time to “Quit and Do You” ?  This is a Re-broadcast, now seems a good time as any to take a look at some tips on whether or not to jump ship and venture out on your own. -Miles.

Pre-Paid Gift Cards During the holiday season is by far the time when pre-paid cards and gift cards are given out the most all year long.  Pre-paid Cards and Gift Cards are an easy one shot, quick trick, when  it’s hard to think of something as a gift.  It’s easy to stop in a local Wal-Mart, Walgreen’s and now even the local Dollar Tree and grab one of these pre-paid cards or gift cards on the go. Convenience comes at a cost, and sometimes it’s a very high cost.  There are too many alternatives to list when it comes to pre-paid cards and gift cards. What’s really crazy is that among the alternatives …buying stock in the very company that sells the pre-paid cards and gifts cards may be the best alternative of all.  A quick look at the stock price of company that sells and markets the Green Dot (NYSE:DOT) card at the local Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:DLTR) reveals the  stock is up around 45% year to date for 2016! With that sort of return on investment, it would be better to give the company stock as a gift instead of the actual pre-paid card. Dang! -Miles.

Interview with CEO of PunchTV Studios, Joseph Collins This episode is a followup to episode 54 “Is It A Scam”, during which, the PunchTV Studios IPO was one of the companies profiled for review.  PunchTV studios is within the IPO phase of going public and currently offering company shares for $1. each.  This offering has been specifically targeted to the urban market and non-accredited investors. Typically, IPO stocks aren’t available to the average non-accredited investor, however with recent changes in legislation and the SEC Rule Regulation A along with The JOBS Act, companies like PunchTV and others have been able to offer shares directly to the public.  In addition to direct to public IPO shares, companies are also able to seek funding through “crowdfunding” practices.  With lesser regulations and lesser oversight there’s been both a lot of buzz about companies like PunchTV and a lot of questions about its worthiness as an investment for newbie investors.  In this interview, PunchTV CEO, Joseph Collins speaks directly to many of the ongoing questions. -Miles.  

The Personal Finance Holiday List This is the holiday season and you probably deserve to give yourself the gift of of financial fitness.  At the end of the year during holiday season there’s still time to wrap up 2016 and put a big bow on it.  The Personal Finance Holiday List focuses on maximizing deferred savings, reducing taxes, giving gifts that keep on giving and optimizing your credit profile so you’re not paying the interest that allows other customers to get teaser rates.  Keeping yourself financially fit ultimately allows you to go out and buy gifts for whoever you may desire, you included.  Just remember, charity starts and home, then travels abroad. -Miles.

Force Factors That Drive Small Business In this episode, a review of Porter’s 5 Forces and how they shape small business.  Which forces may be working in your favor and which forces are working against you and your small business like the force of a hurricane.  In this overview a look at each of the five forces and how they may apply in most any small business.  At any given time or another one of these may be driving business to or away from you, in either case, it’s good stuff to know and good business sense to employ. It’s hard work   -Miles  

Is It a Scam??? Be careful, a lot investment schemes and even some scams are looking to get over over like a fat rat.  Investment schemes and scams are nothing new, as matter of fact, these things are always refreshed and updated for modern times.  Whether it’s Ivan Boesky, Madoff, some new unknown investment company promising real estate profits or a foray into Forex.  Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions   …and look for the tell tale signs.   -Miles.

  Going from Hustle to Small Biz: The Commercial Lease In this episode the focus turns to small business basics and getting the commercial lease.  Once you’ve decided to move the hustle up a notch you’re going to need a place to do business from.  Whether your sell shoes, hair products or just give advice on doing both at thee same time, you’re probably going to need a place to call home where you make it happen in business.  It’s only so long you can rock that basement, living room or front seat of your car.  In looking for a place to establish your business, if it’s your first time out of the gate you may find the commercial lease language covers some things your not used to like “CAM” and the “NET”.  This episode: The Commercial Lease highlights some of the important things to keep in mind when you encounter landlords and less than usual terms. -Miles.  

Ep52 Eric B is President, and it obviously doesn’t matter. In 1986 the song titled “Eric B. is President” was a #1 hit song in the Hip Hop community.  At the time it was a strange title, but the title sank in and it didn’t even matter.  The Hip Hop community went on to take over the music world and Rakim became one of the most well known and prolific rappers in Hip Hop history -still to this day.  He debuted by nominating his DJ for president, that’s 1986, talk about making America great again. The 2016 election is over and a new president will be sitting in the White House soon.   There’s a lot of anxiety surrounding what is to become of the new presidency?  So the question remains, how will affect your daily finances, your money, your ability to save and invest because that’s all that really matters. In episode 52, what may or may not be of concern with a new presidency. -Miles

Episode #50. A Look Back Forward of What Was and Will Be. This is marked as the 50th episode.  A review of what inspired the podcast, its mission, putting it together and the direction going forward. -Miles.

Which Has More Sexiness, Money or Finance? In this episode a quick breakdown of Money vs. Finance as it relates to sex appeal.  Which has more allure? Which is more exciting? How do we approach the idea of money in comparison to the way we approach the idea of finance?  If you thought there were no differences, or if you’ve given it no though at all. this episode digs into the differences and tries to figure which of the two has more sex appeal. -Miles