Afford Anything

Category: Personal Finance 101

By Paula Pant

#165: Ask Paula – Should I Invest in Index Funds or Rental Properties?

Should Kim, an entrepreneur, invest in index funds or rental properties?

Should Nick, an MBA student, househack into a more-expensive home with stronger cash flow, or a cheaper home with more budgetary wiggle room?

Should Kelly, who is getting married soon, sell her current home and use the proceeds to buy multiple rentals? Or should she use her current home as a rental property?

Should Trayci and her sister invest in rental properties or bare land?

I answer these four questions in today’s episode.

We’re a weekly show, but on the first Friday of the month, we air a bonus episode. This is our December 2018 First Friday Bonus Episode.

Enjoy!

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By Paula Pant

#163: Ask Paula – The Future of Index Fund Investing

Does my employer match count against my 401k contribution limits? Should I invest in a Traditional or Roth TSP? Should I invest more aggressively in stocks right now, or should I hold cash and bonds until the next downturn? Should I get a mortgage or keep renting until I can buy a home in cash? Do you think index investing will dramatically change in the coming decades?

Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I answer these five questions in today’s episode.

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By Paula Pant

#162: AI and The Future of Jobs – with author Darrell West

How will artificial intelligence, AI, impact jobs?

Former Harvard president and leading economist Larry Summers predicts that one-third of men will be out of work by 2050. Finance guru Suze Orman says not to be surprised if we see 25 percent unemployment by 2030. And major research institutions predict anywhere from 14 percent to 50 percent unemployment.

Even if we take the most optimistic prediction, that’s huge. Fourteen percent job loss would have massive ramifications on the economy, the stock market, the housing market, and every facet of our lives. Heck, even half of the most optimistic prediction would be an enormous game-changer.

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By Paula Pant

#159: Ask Paula – I Have Three Kids and I’m Hoping for Financial Independence

Should a 36-year-old father of three invest primarily in Traditional or Roth retirement accounts? Should Rose, a grandmother of four, open a Vanguard account for each of her grandchildren?

Should Nancy, who lives overseas and is the sole breadwinner in her family, invest in a Traditional or Roth TSP?

Should Scott’s wife rollover her 403(b) from her former employer into an IRA?

Should Patrick, age 35, cancel his life insurance plan?

Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I answer these five questions in today’s episode.

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By Paula Pant

#155: Ask Paula & Joe – How Can I Send My Four Children to College?

How can a schoolteacher dad and stay-at-home mom send their four kids to college? Where should a 23-year-old keep the savings that she’s accumulating to buy a home by the time she’s 27 or 28?

What should a listener know about retirement planning if he has a pension? And should a listener rollover his 401k […]

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By Paula Pant

#142: Ask Paula – How Can We Downsize from Two Incomes to One?

How can a family of four shift from earning two incomes to one, while still pursuing financial independence?

How would a 55-year-old couple with $2 million saved know if they’re ready to retire?

Can parents use leftover money in their 529 plan to help their daughter with her college loans?

If you start a job […]

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By Paula Pant

#137: Ask Paula – What the F**k Are Annuities?

Today’s episode is an annuity sandwich: we answer one question about family and relationships, three questions about annuities, and one question about time management.

My friend and former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy joins me to answer questions in what, I hope, is the most entertaining episode about annuities you’ll hear.

Here are the five questions […]

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Afford Anything