City Church Chicago: Happy Three Year Birthday!

It was about two years ago, that my friend Jose Rodriguez invited me to watch a play in Munster, Indiana at Family Christian Center, called Jesus of Nazareth.  I had been struggling at that point with many decisions and relationships that I had in my personal and business life.  We took our kid’s there to watch this amazing play during Holy Week and thought it was just another “church play”.  Boy was I surprised!  It had a full on professional production, hundreds of actors, live animals and pyrotechnics you wouldn’t believe.

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11 Top Questions for Using Self-Directed IRAs to Invest in Real Estate

Over the last few weeks on the Real Estate on Radio Show, airing on Chicago’s WLS 890 AM, I have been covering a little-known alternative to traditional forms of retirement planning…utilizing a self-directed IRA. Plenty of those who have invested in their employer-sponsored 401(k) plan or have an individual retirement account (IRA)  at a brokerage account have experienced severe losses in their investments throughout this recession.  Many are hoping to ride this stock market wave back up yet still feel very skeptical in this economic recovery.  Investing in real estate is extremely attractive right now, since picking up properties as such rock-bottom prices has never been seen before, especially in Chicago since the early 80s.

I have received plenty of emails pouring into my inbox and I thought it would be smart to list the top questions being sent through.  I appreciate your intense desire to learn and uncover every stone possible, in taking financial control of your retirement plan and preventing any further losses from holding back your financial plans.  We are always eager to answer your questions, that’s why our Chicago-based financial talk radio show is here…for you!

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City Church Notes: Holy Week – Seven Days That Changed the World Forever

It used to be I’d carry my Bible, notepad and pen into church.  But due to innovation and technology, everything is conveniently now in my pocket.  Therefore, if you’re sitting around me during service, don’t throw anything at me while I fiddle with my iPhone.  I’m not texting…I’m taking notes!! This week are City Church notes about Holy Week – the seven days that changed the world forever!  Pastor Kent shares that in order to get into heaven, you also have to have a certain amount of notes on file…so here goes.  By the way, I have a special note at the end of this post.  God bless you!!

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How to Build a Tax-Free Retirement with a Roth IRA Conversion

Podcast: Download (Duration: 12:42 — 17.5MB)

The year 2010 marks a decisive year in which IRA owners may take advantage of a tax-planning opportunity yet unseen.  Every time a “change in the tax code” occurs, I ask myself, “What is the IRS and our government trying to get us to do?  What is their incentive to give US an incentive?”  Well, for one, our government both federal and state have major cash flow issues.  Instead of waiting until you are 59 1/2 years old to collect income taxes from your IRA or 401(k) retirement plan as you withdraw cash for retirement income…they’d like your money now within the next couple years.  A Roth IRA conversion may just be what the doctor ordered so you can take your tax-deferred retirement savings and pay taxes NOW, so you won’t have to later.  … Continue Reading

Behind the Scenes Footage with Matthew Sapaula on the Garrard McClendon LIVE Show!

Just a little sum-sumthin’ for ya…and yes, don’t let the suit and tie fool ya, I bust out in many corny moments to break the tension! Here’s a short video sharing with you about what goes on behind the scenes from a recent appearance on the Garrard McClendon LIVE show on Chicago’s CLTV.

As you can see, I VALUE your comments from our blog, Facebook and Twitter connections.  Keep them flowin!!

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20 Pearls of Wisdom for College Students and New College Grads

Recently, I was asked to speak at Northeastern Illinois University by Edmund Cruz, in the area of personal finance to their students and staff .  They were alert, attentive and eager to learn.  It was a joy to spend some time with them and tune into what is on their minds, as they move into the workforce.

Before I headed out there, I asked my friends on Facebook and Twitter to bless these students by sharing their own quick tip of life experiences and pearl of wisdom.  Thank you to my fellow Facebookers and Tweeps! (Yup, new social media lingo!)

Here’s what they had to share and if you’d like to add yours, please drop your pearl of wisdom to college students and new college grads in the comment section below! I will share it this weekend on the next podcast of Money Smart Radio and broadcast of the Real Estate on Radio Show on WLS 890 AM from 10am-Noon, this Saturday.

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Want to Start Investing in Real Estate But Don’t Think You Have the Cash or Credit?

Podcast: Download (Duration: 13:07 — 12.8MB)

Most people I have spoken to last week are from emails, Facebook comments and Twitter replies that commonly say, “I hear you! I’d like to look into investing in real estate and would like to start…but I don’t have the credit score OR the cash!”  I understand you, so here is a question I pose right back.  What if I told you that you may have unused, sometimes-forgotten-and-overlooked set of assets that can be repositioned to help you get in the real estate game?

Would you like to know what it is or where to find it?  This podcast from last weekend’s Real Estate on Radio Show on WLS 890 AM will explore your alternatives.

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How This Laid Off Worker Handles a Major Financial Challenge

As the economy continues to rebuild and small businesses reinvent themselves, laid off workers have had to weather one of the worst economic and financial times of their lives.  At at time where most feel financially isolated and confused, people like Bob and Mary Jo have become more proactive in taking control of their financial future.  A few years ago before the recession, I met them while speaking for a Chicago real estate investing club.  As a financial strategist and wealth-building coach specializing in the specific needs of home owners and real estate investors, I had the opportunity to not only help Bob and Mary Jo weather a personal economic collapse, but brace for a recession.  Sure enough, right after we had met, Bob had gotten laid off after being promised a company pension after 20+ years of committed, loyal service to his company.  No monthly pension income payments, no health insurance, no company benefits as previously promised…Bob was on his own.

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SPARK, Inc. is Hosting its 1st Annual Single Parent Family, Freedom Tele-Summit for Parents and Youth

Over the past month, I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with Tina Fortune via Twitter, as she is a loyal listener of our Chicago-based financial talk radio show.  She regularly listens to our show, especially on our Monday morning episodes of Making God First Mondays.  It is not only my honor to invite you all to her tele-summit that you can participate in the comfort of your home, but an honor to be asked by Ms. Fortune to be a part of her message to single-parent families.  As a single-father myself, I deeply empathize with the challenges of not only making a living, dealing with the stresses of life and a career, but raising up the next generation in our family line…future leaders, entrepreneurs and world changers.

I personally ask that you invite all the single parents that you know to this event and invest in our community, our families and our future together.

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Money Smart Radio ranked #1 Most Followed Personal Finance Blog on Twitter According to Wisebread.com

Great news today!  Wisebread.com, who has the distinction of being the most comprehensive ranking authority of the best personal finance blogs on the planet, recently listed Money Smart Radio on their site! Currently they are tracking the top 464 financial blogs. Stats and rankings of these blogs are updated daily.  Many of our friends and financial professionals highly respect Wisebread.com in the personal finance blog niche, as we strive to attain strong rankings as them.

As we are a relatively new blog on personal finance, we are FIRED UP about this listing on their blog!

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