By Paula Pant
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported in 2022 that medical debt is the most common reason to get a debt collector call. A Census Bureau study in 2021 found nearly 1 in 5 households (19%) couldn’t pay for medical care when it was needed.
These statistics underscore the fact that the potential for unforeseen medical […]
By Paula Pant
As a society, we’re fascinated by stories of the rich. We hear news, see social media posts, and read books about how others become wealthy, how to maintain that status, and what their lifestyles look like.
But what if the media we’re consuming is misleading us?
Dr. Seth Stephens-Davidowitz’s research shows that the stories about the rich that dominate the popular press are misleading.
Stephens-Davidowitz holds a PhD in economics from Harvard University. He’s a data scientist and a New York Times bestselling author.
In today’s episode, we discuss the misleading stories around the rich. We unearth the truth behind those stories, using data rather than narrative.
We explore the types of businesses that quietly make people millionaires. We describe the ages, occupations and locations of people that become rich, and the unexpected paths they take to achieve this. And we share actionable takeaways that will help you do the same.
By Paula Pant
Today we’re featuring a special episode recorded LIVE in front of an audience at Podcast Movement, an industry conference in Denver.
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle two questions in today’s episode. Our first question comes from a soon-to-be-single-mother on the precipice of divorce. How should she navigate this financially?
Our second question comes from the spouse of a Purple Heart veteran of the war in Afghanistan. She and her husband would like to take a one-year sabbatical from work when they turn 40, which is in five years. They’d also like to pivot into lower-paying but more enjoyable careers. How should they map out their money for this transition?
Joe and I dedicate this episode, recorded live on stage, to answering these two questions. Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
Andrey is a savvy 10-year-old wondering what’s the best way to save up for his first car.
Ingrid wants to know if her parents’ preference for Retiring on Dividends is a better approach compared to the 4 Percent Rule.
Erica’s part-time work schedule will place her in an unusually low tax bracket this year. Should she take this rare chance to execute a Roth conversion? Or is it better to prioritize debt payoff?
Chloe is worried about the end of student loan forbearance. Should she pull back from making retirement contributions to focus on debt payoff?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
Today we chat with Scott Trench, the CEO and President of BiggerPockets, a real estate investing education company with more than 2 million members.
He joins us to share cutting-edge insights on today’s real estate market. We discuss economic trends, demographic shifts, and talk about how interest rates impact home buyers.
Whether you’re a potential homebuyer, an investor, or simply curious about the housing market, this conversation will shield light on what’s REALLY happening in today’s confusing real estate market.
By Paula Pant
Angie sold all the stocks in her retirement account last year. And now the market’s climbing. What should she do with her $500,000 cash position?
Christina will be graduating with six figures of student debt. Should she refinance out of a federally protected loan to lower her interest rate?
An anonymous caller wonders how Paula and Joe handled their primary residences when they moved out of state.
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
P.S. Got a question? Leave it here.
By Paula Pant
Amy says she hit “rock bottom” with her finances. She says she struggled to ask for help before her situation became an emergency. How can others ask for help sooner?
Rebecca is a mother of four, which means she’s juggling four distinct college timelines and 529 plans. How does she make a withdrawal plan when there are so many unknowns?
Anne Marie switched jobs. What should she do with her old retirement accounts?
And Dylan wonders if the IRS Rule of 55 applies to Roth 401k accounts.
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
Paul suffered a stroke at 48. He’s on disability and feeling lost. How does he figure out what’s next?
Should Ashley’s aging parents spend a third of their retirement savings on a house?
Margaret is wondering if she could use her 401k for a down payment and save on her taxes.
An anonymous caller is concerned she won’t have enough access to cash if she retires at 50. Is an Indexed Universal Life policy the right solution?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
We sit down with Steve Chou, an accomplished entrepreneur who, alongside his wife, built two businesses that each bring in seven figures – and gives them the freedom to spend more time with their kids.
We delve into the challenges he faced in the early stages of his business and how he overcame these obstacles.
Additionally, Steve opens up about the personal and emotional aspects of running a business. He candidly discusses the fears, doubts, and sacrifices he and others have encountered during this transformational journey, emphasizing the importance of resilience and avoiding the comparison trap.
Whether you’re contemplating leaving your job to start your own venture or simply seeking inspiration from a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode with Steve Chou is a must-listen.
By Paula Pant
The student loan pause is coming to an end.
A moratorium on student loan repayments has been in place since the start of the pandemic, but starting Sept. 1st, millions of borrowers will be required to start making payments on their loans again.
What does this mean for borrowers? In this episode, we’ll discuss what borrowers can do to prepare, including an in-depth look at the variety of repayment plan options.
We’ll also talk (in general terms) about how to handle ANY surprise new monthly bill – whether it’s a medical bill, a family member who needs ongoing financial help, or a student loan repayment that’s about to restart.
