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Money Management

Simple Ways to Earn More Money for the Holidays

By Money Management, Podcast, Shopping No Comments

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It’s that time again – the Holidays! Can’t you feel the shopping frenzy in the air? Even though stores are bypassing Thanksgiving and promoting Christmas, not everyone is quite ready to Fa-La-La-La-La, financially!

So, if you need some extra cash for shopping, Robert Farrington of The College Investor shares some simple ways to earn more money for the holidays.

In this episode, Robert Farrington explains

  • ways to earn more money for the holidays
  • if we should Invest or Pay Off Debt for a financially free new year

ABOUT ROBERT FARRINGTON

Robert Farrington is a Millennial Money Expert and Founder of TheCollegeInvestor.com. He is on a mission to help millennials get out of student loan debt and start building wealth for their future. He also helps parents make smart choices about college financing options and navigating the complex world of paying for school.

Through his work at TheCollegeInvestor.com, Robert Farrington has emerged as one of the nation’s leading student loan debt experts.​ Farrington launched TheCollegeInvestor.com from his home in 2009​, while finishing his MBA at the UC San Diego Rady School of Management. Being passionate about investing and personal finance, he wanted to connect with others who shared his passion. Not finding what he was looking for on campus, he created TheCollegeInvestor.com as a resource for young adults about money, covering topics from paying for college and escaping student loan debt, to investing their first dollars after graduation.

Since then, Robert Farrington has shared his successful student loan and wealth building expertise with thousands of ​young adults, both online, in person, and as a contributor to major publications such as Forbes and Huffington Post.

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Originally published Nov 5, 2019.

9 Money Saving Tips for Black Friday Shopping

By Money Management, Shopping 2 Comments

Being stuck in the Black Friday and holiday shopping frenzy can be a hassle. Overcrowded stores, bait and switch ads, and overpriced “deals” are not only stressful but can cause a major blow to your household budget. To protect you and your pocket book from the Holiday Shopping Hustle, here are 9 Money Savings Tips for Black Friday Shopping.

Avoid Peer Pressure Purchases

When shopping with family and friends, be careful not to fall into the trap of Keeping Up with the Purchasers. Just because your shopping cohorts are shopping like crazy doesn’t mean that you can afford and have to. Walk away if the temptation becomes too much.

Beware of Bogus BOGOs

Buy One Get One offers for items that you had no intention of buying are budget busters. Protect your cash flow by only getting the BOGOs that are on your shopping list.

Create Your Santa’s List

After establishing your holiday buying budget, instead of making a list of gifts to buy, create your Santa’s List of family members & friends that will get gifts. Everyone does not have to and should NOT Make The List. Send those who were naughty holiday cards.

Ditch the Debit and Credit Cards

Using credit and debit cards can cause overspending, especially if you don’t keep track of the cost of every transaction. Use CASH to protect your holiday buying and household budget.

Have the “Gift” Talk

Have a conversation with other adult family members to only purchase gifts for kids under 18 years old or, to set a limit of a certain amount, like $20, to pay for gifts for the adults. With this economy, everyone will more than likely understand and appreciate the suggestion.

Know Your Limits

Set the maximum amount that you can afford to spend on holiday gifts before going shopping. Your holiday shopping budget is the amount you have saved or can save between now and the big holiday. Remember, if you can’t save for it, you probably can’t afford to borrow for it.

Stop Brand Name Dropping

The biggest Black Friday budget busters are Name Brand gifts. Not everyone deserves the VIP (Very Impressive Present) treatment. Some people deserve and will be just as happy with the generic or store brand gift.

Support Small Businesses

Avoid the headache of the holiday shopping frenzy by shopping at small businesses in your community. As a gift to family & friends that sell products and services, buy gifts from them for others. Take advantage of the great deals the day after Black Friday during Shop Small Business Saturday.

Visit Virtual Businesses

Get great buys from businesses with online or virtual stores. You will save money, time and avoid the holiday shopping frenzy. Most retails stores and small businesses have special deals on the Monday after Black Friday during Cyber Monday. Also, start shopping a few weeks before the big holiday to avoid paying for expedited shipping.

Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be stressful if you follow these money saving tips. Happy holidays and remember to Spend Responsibly.


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Originally published November 25, 2014

Life Insurance: I Need it, but … I Have Concerns!

By Estate Planning, Insurance, Money Management No Comments

Sharing financial tips on how to save and spend money the right way is my passion. With the Covid19 Pandemic, we should also address how to protect our financial legacy through life insurance. Most people don’t like talking about this topic, but we’re grown! So, let’s talk about it.

Here are seven concerns most people have about life insurance.

Concern #1: It’s Too Expensive. 

Many people are dealing with limited funds, and there are so many different types of coverages. However, a budget-friendly option for coverage is term life insurance. You can get a significant amount of coverage for a specific timeframe, like 10, 20, or 30 years. Monthly premiums for term life insurance can be less than the average consumer’s monthly dining out check or bar tab. Don’t judge.

Concern #2: I Have a Pre-Existing Condition. I’m not going to qualify. 

Facts: You don’t just buy life insurance; you must qualify for life insurance.

Many life insurance agencies may disqualify due to pre-existing conditions, but that should not stop you from applying for coverage.

Confession: I have Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension. One of my concerns was being able to find additional coverage because of these health issues. I found a life insurance option that considers those with health concerns.

Concern #3: I have that coverage at work. 

The Covid19 Pandemic has shown that if we solely rely on life insurance at work, we can lose it because of business closure or employee benefits reduction. Instead of allowing your employer to control whether or not you have coverage, having life insurance outside of your employer means you control your coverage.

Having coverage at work should be a complemental coverage to what you already have in place.

Concern #4: I Don’t Know Enough to Make a Decision.

Most consumers don’t know the ins and outs of life insurance. As a former Licensed Life Insurance Agent, I am always looking for resources and options to educate people about personal finance, legacy protection, and wealth building. One of those resources is an organization “backed by leading investors, including investment funds of Jay-Z, Will Smith, Kevin Durant, Robert Downey, Jr., and others,” called ETHOS.

Ethos makes life insurance more accessible and affordable for the average consumer. Their website also provides a significant amount of information to help consumers make the right financial decision for them and their families.

Concern #5: I Don’t Want to Deal with a Salesperson.

Some consumers want to get coverage but don’t know an agent that they trust. Ethos is “designed so that you can apply for life insurance the way you want.” Their online application makes it easy to apply. Speaking with a licensed representative is also available by phone or chat. Ethos also has a premium estimate tool so you can see how much the premiums may cost and how it can fit in your budget or spending plan.

Concern #6: It’s Only a Death Benefit. How Will I Benefit from That?

Sometimes, we get so caught up in talking about the death benefit for the beneficiaries that we forget to address the Life Benefit of Life Insurance. An Accelerated Death Benefit Rider (additional benefit added to policy) “provides the insured with the ability to access a portion of the policy proceeds while still living in the event the insured has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.” 

Concern #7: I’m Too Young or Too Old to Get Life Insurance.

The reality is, “Everyone dies, and dying is NOT free!” – Courtney Richardson.

Whether a healthy 20-year-old or up to a 65-year-old with health concerns, it is crucial to have life insurance to pay for final expenses and to protect the family’s financial stability.

Regardless of the concerns, getting coverage will help to ensure death’s financial burden does not impact your family. So, let’s get covered so we can focus on living a happy life.

To learn more about Term Life Insurance, visit ethoslife.com.