Here is another friend of Money Smart Radio, Paul Petillo, who had left quite an impression by commenting on our blog. I had a chance to visit his site and was impressed, utterly speaking (no pun intended – look at his book titles) and how we is able to create a process to help people understand such complex financial strategies.
I hope you enjoy his guest post here.
Enter Paul Petillo…
Over the past several years, we have been educating consumers on how to effectively manage one of the greatest assets they own…their home equity. During the real estate boom, it was hard to get anyone’s attention. Nevertheless, the deceitfulness of wealth kept many people from hearing words of caution to protect this highly appreciated asset. It caused many to sit on the sidelines, admiring their home equity.
The financial and retirement plan that was at least in the mind of many Americans several years ago, is not working out the way they thought it would. Traditional financial education, or lack there of, has failed, forcing people to start all over again.
GUEST POST:
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Ray Buckner at our financial and wealth-building workshops in the Chicago area. He had some great ideas he wanted to share and I thought they were very relevant to being able to not only take care of yourselves, but looking towards the legacy of your future generation(s).
Enter Ray Buckner…
Interest rates, low asset values, and the legislative outlook in Congress make this the opportune time for estate planning.
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I love when I meet guys who go against the grain and think outside the box. Apparently for most, following the wisdom of traditional financial planning HAS NOT gotten people closer to financial freedom and independence. 
In fact, the front page of the Money and Business section of the Chicago Tribune reported the “Lost Decade” of stocks, on New Year’s Day 2010.
I had a chance to interview Joe Templin on our Chicago-based financial talk radio show, who is a financial planner, with a background in nuclear engineering. Yes, he is one of the smartest people you will ever come across and not only understands things from a 35,000 foot view, but can get into the details of subject matters long after it loses most people’s attention.
During this podcast, you’ll hear his personal story of how he went from nuclear engineer to financial planner, how he feels new college graduates future financial success and how to get ahead in a changing economy.
Joe Templin is the author of Top Tax Plays for the Individual and Financial Mistakes of New College Grads.
By the way, he made my Top Ten Money Smart Books of 2009.
We got a lot of laughs from my post on Chicago Now’s blog – Baller to Businessman in 15 Easy Steps. It got a ton of Tweets, blog comments and 130+ Diggs. In this day and age, even in a bad economy, men still have to look sharp in their clothing. First impressions are everything from a job interview to negotiating a business deal and prospecting for customers or clients during a networking event.
Unfortunately, many people will still judge a book buy it’s cover. Not to say that it is fair, but it is our own human nature that does so. Therefore, if they are going to judge a book by it’s cover, make it a GREAT cover!
Here was a video from CNN’s site on Men’s Clothing – great fundamental to looking sharp without going broke.
Resolution [rez-uh-loo-shuh n] – a course of action determined or decided on
We hear it all the time, “When the New Year comes, I’m going to start a new diet, an exercise program, start saving more money, and get my financial house in order…” Yadda, yadda, yadda. The fitness industry will tell you that their biggest boom in business is always at the beginning of the year and after a few months, they will never see their newly signed up members again. Many health clubs make a bulk of their money from 80% of the people they do not see after Spring Break that continue to still pay monthly fees, along with the regulars who come often and consistently. I find it funny when I ask personal trainers what people ask for when they are hired. People say, “I want the abs I used to have in high school” or “fit into my favorite dress I have not work in years”.
GUEST POST
Often times through social networking, you meet courageous, God-inspired people. I had the pleasure of meeting Jaye during the broadcast of our Monday AM show “Making God First Mondays“. She is ON FIRE and quite the friend to us, by constantly spreading the word of our Chicago-based financial talk radio show from a faith-based perspective. She too, is a fellow broadcaster and you can tune into her radio show by clicking here and the link at the bottom of this post. I am so thankful for her contribution to our blog!
May God continue to bless you abundantly Jaye!!
Enter Jaymerican:
My co-host on our Monday Morning Show “Making God First Mondays”, John Heerhold, brought this up since he just bought new appliances and didn’t know there was a government rebate program starting. I thought I’d share with you all too!
With the new year, Illinois residential consumers may qualify for a new rebate program if they buy energy efficient appliances. This is a national program but each state has it’s own rules and ways to administer the appliance rebate program.
Last year’s federal stimulus package set aside $300-million for the appliance rebate program. Illinois with get about will get about $12 million of that.
Here is what it says on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website for Illinois residents:
Let’s Build Again in 2010…so what better way than to share some Money Smart Tips during the Chicago Now Show on WGN Radio 720 AM, TODAY (1/2/2010) from 11:30-Noon!
Here are some of the tough questions I will attempt to cover, regarding strategies in planning for retirement and finding money for our kid’s college education:
What does the President Bush’s Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 have to do with the way American’s are planning for retirement today?
Why is traditional ways of financial planning wasting time?
What are the 3 most fearful trends affecting our financial security and what should we do about it?
We wish you all well throughout the New Year! I know 2009 was rough…but we’re still standing! 2010 brings us a great fresh start and new beginnings. We closed out our 2009 with an event we consider “Building True Wealth”. The financial strategy of GIVING, never goes out of style and continues to reap dividends long-term.
Know that we are constantly praying for you all and if you have specific questions, prayer requests or would like to volunteer at our next event…give us a call 708.686.2000 x8
