Afford Anything Cumulus Podcast Network

Jason Tartick, a former banker and TV star from The Bachelorette, discusses finances in relationships. He describes eight crucial questions about money that every couple should discuss.
When a couple is dating, but before they get serious, he says, each person should divulge their debt-to-income ratio. This is your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. Keeping this ratio below 30-40% is crucial for financial stability. Banks consider this when approving loans.
Couples still in the dating stage should also discuss their credit scores. If you're thinking about becoming serious with someone, you need to understand their history with debt, and their attitude towards debt, since you'll likely be co-borrowing together if the relationship lasts. A couple with a good credit score can save around $100,000 on a $300,000 mortgage over 30 years.
Couples should avoid shaming or blaming each other during these money conversations, he says. The goal is to understand each others' financial attitudes, habits and history -- not to point fingers or make judgments.
After marriage or lifetime commitment, Jason emphasizes the importance of having both individual and joint bank accounts. This allows each person to enjoy autonomy, while also contributing towards shared expenses. Regularly reviewing your net worth as a couple provides transparency and helps avoid misunderstandings.
He also talks about financial infidelity -- what is it, and how can you spot it?
Finally, Jason encourages couples to discuss spending habits, in order to understand each others' values and goals.
Here's a great question to ask your boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse or partner: "If you had an unlimited budget, what's the first thing you would you spend it on?" The answer reveals the persons' priorities.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode513
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#512: An anonymous caller who received a large inheritance feels paralyzed by all the investment philosophies he’s read about. How does he pick a winning strategy he can stick with?

Josh is an expectant dad looking to buy a bigger house but doesn’t know how much everything will cost. Should he save more or invest more?

Another anonymous caller worries that large expenditures like buying a new car or replacing her home’s roof will blow up her budget in retirement. How does she plan for unexpected expenses?

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

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/voicemail
For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode512
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#511: Sara is five years from retirement with a paid-off house. But she’s worried that her money will run out before she turns 80. What does she need to do now to protect her future self? 

Lauren is a personal finance nerd who gets it. But one question perplexes her: When should she should choose an ETF over an index mutual fund? What about vice versa? Paula and Joe explain.

An anonymous caller plans to sell her house and live a “slow-madic” lifestyle. But she’s on disability and needs to keep her money safe. How should she invest her $500,000 windfall?

Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/voicemail

For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode511
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#510: Maybe you’re trying to convince:
– Your spouse | to embrace the FIRE movement.
– Your teenage kids | to invest some of their summer job money in stocks.
– Your neighbor | to sell you their house in a private, off-market deal.
– Your boss | to give you more vacation time.
– Your client | to pay you more.
Today’s episode is about how to change minds, build trust, navigate conversations, and influence and persuade others.
We chat with Michael McQueen, a social researcher, strategist, and the author of 10 books.
He’s spoken alongside Bill Gates, Apple co-founder Steve Woznick and Dr. John C. Maxwell, and was named Australia’s Keynote Speaker of the Year. His latest book, Mindstuck, focuses on how to be more persuasive.

Here are some of the ideas we cover:
Stubbornness: We tend to be stubborn because of our inherent desire to protect our existing beliefs and identities. This is partly due to the fact that the human mind has a tendency to make quick judgments and resist challenges.

Logical Fallacy: People often rely on confirmation bias and tribalism when evaluating information. We tend to favor information that aligns with our existing beliefs and groups we identify with.

Complexity over Extremes: When presented with opposing viewpoints, exposure to extreme viewpoints can – counterintuitively – make people more entrenched in their own beliefs. Introducing complexity and nuance can foster a more open-minded approach.

Here are some of his tips:

Uncover the Hidden Fear

Address the Loss Aversion

Use "Right and Reflect" to Get People Talking

Build Rapport and Choose the Right Moment

Frame Your Message for Impact

Move Beyond Persuasion and Focus on Progress


McQueen elaborates on these tips in today’s podcast episode. Enjoy!
For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode510
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#509: Rob wants to retire early, but a real estate investment led to $30,000 of credit card debt. Should he take on more debt to pay it off?

An anonymous return caller took Paula’s advice and ran with it, doubling her income within a few years. Should she update her investment strategy now that she’s in a higher tax bracket?

Humaira is tired of paying rent with nothing to show for. Can she leverage some benefits by using her credit card to pay the bills?

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

Enjoy!

P.S. Got a question? Leave it at https://affordanything.com/voicemail

For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode509
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#508: Recently I chatted with Stanford researcher Dr. Mary Murphy, a renowned expert in the field of psychological and brain sciences.

Dr. Murphy, who is a Professor at Indiana University and conducts research at Stanford University, shared insights into the concepts of fixed mindset and growth mindset.

We deep dived into her extensive research on how these mindsets impact motivation, performance, and relationships at work and home.

She conducted research alongside legendary psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck, who created the original studies around fixed vs. growth mindset.

If you’ve ever read about fixed vs. growth mindset in the past, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Carol Dweck, who is legendary in the space. Dr. Dweck mentored Dr. Murphy at Stanford, the university from which Dr. Murphy received her Ph.D.

Dr. Murphy's insights can help you cultivate a growth mindset to overcome challenges and achieve your goals.
If you want to improve your performance — at work, at home, at the gym, as a world traveler, as an investor, or in any other domain — understanding the research behind mindset is critical.

Enjoy!
For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode508
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