Money Smart Week 2010 Begins Today!

If you’ve ever made a mistake with money, have challenges with money, want to make more money and want to find ways to make money work for you…then this is YOUR week!  The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago leads us to Money Smart Week Chicago 2010!  It runs from April 17th-24th. 2010.

For the past three years, MatthewSapaula, Inc. has been a proud Money Smart Week Partner of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s movement to promote financial education and literacy.

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Unlocking Secrets to Saving and Spending-Matthew Sapaula and Alex Mysko featured in Chicago’s Red Eye

A few weeks ago, we were honored to have journalist Kyra Kyles drop by the office one day and interview our team.  Earlier this week, our interview was released in the Chicago’s Red Eye.  Below is a reprint (or repost) of the original online version located on her blog.  Needless to say, we were FIRED UP!  Do you have wealth building secrets or money smart lessons that life has taught you, that you’d like to also share?  Please post them below in the comments section!

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How to Pay for College Without Depleting Your Retirement at College Smart Fair 2010

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Money Smart Week is coming up, April 17-24, 2010.  I am delighted to collaborate with the Illinois Students Assistance Commission’s College Smart Fair during Money Smart Week 2010.  I will be presenting How to Pay for College Without Depleting Your Retirement.

The ISAC is leading a strong initiative to help people pay for college in Illinois.  Here are the details for the College Smart Fair:

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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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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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Should You Borrow Early From Your 401(k) Plan?

Tough economic times have caused many to tap into any financial resource they have.  Burdened with debt, job loss, supporting kids through school along with other financial pressure make more difficult to get by each month.  For many, an employer-sponsored 401(k) retirement plan has been a source of forced-savings and therefore, tempting to touch.  But should you?  Is it a good idea?

Also, have you thought about cashing out completely, your 401(k) plan?  Have your heard that fellow co-workers, family and friends have done the same thing?

Here’s how we addressed this question with Tera Williams, reporter and journalist,  from FOX Chicago:

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Matthew Sapaula on Garrard McClendon LIVE: What the New Credit Card Laws Mean to You

Tonight on the Garrard McClendon LIVE show, I will share what the new credit card laws mean to you on Chicago’s CLTV broadcasting 6pm & 9:30pm CST.  President Obama signed the Credit Card Act of 2009 into law May 22, 2009 where a majority of these laws take effect beginning February 22, 2010.

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Real Estate Investors and Wealth Building Networking Event hosted by “Uncle” Frank Montro

Would you like to know how to get involved in real estate investing?  Would you like to connect the dots with your financial plan and how to take advantage of the opportunities existing right now in the current real estate market?  Do you want to really know what it means to buy low and sell high?

Would you like to learn from a successful Chicagoland real estate investor who sold over 280 properties last year, in the middle of a recession?  Don’t be fooled in thinking that no one is making money right now…Frank wants to share his ideas, his contacts, his systems for FREE.  Learn from the “Uncle” who help put money in your pocket and not take it away!

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