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.
Most high school students and their families get through their financial situations by “wingin’ it”. That was me. Never did college financial planning, scholarship planning or simply planning for college get any in-depth discussion. I thought that since I was an All-Conference high school athlete that colleges would be sending me applications. WRONG! In fact, I didn’t start thinking about planning for college until my senior year in high school…way behind the curve. Ultimately, my college plan ended up enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, out of lack of knowing all my options, rather than making the right choice.
In 2009 alone, over 130,000 Illinois students got DENIED college financial aid. Over 40% of students alone who depended upon the MAP grant where threatened, to not get the money for college they needed to stay in school. 1 out of 10 students today have their education threatened to an already difficult financial milestone in life, which is finding the money for college. Lack of college financial planning and not having enough money is the #1 reason why students drop out of college and never finish their college education.
After a couple “Tweets”, mentions by common clients and a power lunch with Ron Vergara and Sebastian Walas, co-hosts of Chicago’s WLS 890 AM Real Estate on Radio Show, it became apparent that the worlds of Chicago financial planning and real estate investing needed to combine. While reviewing the show strategy and business alignment over oxtail potstickers, chicken adobo and a Thai omelet at Sunda downtown, Ron Vergara states in his own words, “Matthew Sapaula completes me!”
Okay, stop with the snarkled laughter…
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?
What a great time of the year it is…for some, almost time to unwrap those presents!
Nothing but last minute shopping for me today, wrapping presents, listening to Christmas music, eating, drinking, spending time with the family and heading to church.
It is a great time for friends and family to reflect on what matters most. Christmas is more about giving, than receiving and I hope we never lose sight on the true matters of our lives, even in the midst of chaos.
It is an honor and pleasure to be a guest on a show that is hosted by a man America admires so much, who is none other than Montel Williams. Montel is passionate about his country, his issues, and his audience. His daily program features unique insight on social, political, and economic issues along with information on health and wellness for his listeners. Montel Across America is often broadcast from cities across the country and around the world, as Montel seeks to get up close and personal with his listeners and the issues he features.
Click below to listen:
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube…the social media frenzy is amazing in itself. I recently wrote an article for Broker World magazine on how Facebook has helped me build my business and spread my message. I had a fun time writing it as the editor laughed at me…she had to “edit” certain parts out! I stumbled upon social media a little over a year ago as I was enjoying the sun while vacationing in the Bahamas. In fact, here’s that video from the time spent with friends in the financial planning community @ the Cove, Atlantis resort :
This is a continuation of special series of blog posts capturing the experiences & activities of the Sapaula-Carballo family handling the unexpected death of a beloved family member, sparking an unplanned international, trans-Pacific family reunion. This is what Money Smart Radio calls, “Building the Family Bank”. We will enlighten the celebration of the life of a pillar of the media in print, radio and TV broadcast journalism – Cris “The Voice of Davao City” Sapaula.
I had a great time at my first press conference held overseas. At the Dimsum Diner off Torres Rd, journalists from GMA-TV, Sun Star Davao, Mindanao Times and Digital Photographers were present. I had the opportunity to meet with the media and discuss the legacy created by my Uncle Cris “The Voice” Sapaula, the importance of personal financial savings, entrepreneurship and business usage of social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube.
Meeting Chris Gardner, the NY Times best-selling author of Pursuit of Happyness, was a life-changing moment. He is just as sincere and warm while he carries a quite intensity with him as he shakes your hand and engages in conversation. It was amazing to ride shotgun on TV, next to a man who has changed many lives with his personal story of determination and passion – which inspired the blockbuster move “Pursuit of Happyness” led by Mr. Hollywood himself – Will Smith. His new book, Start Where You Are, is out in the stores so be sure to pick it up…I couldn’t put it down!
It is amazing how many celebrities, professional athletes and entertainers who generate multi-million dollars of revenue, some even in the billions, can attract some of the most brilliant people in the world yet still miss the mark on handling their personal finances. Some examples lately are the likes of Donald Trump, Kevin Bacon, Brittney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Whitney Houston and MC Hammer.
