Last week, I hosted at our office Chicago’s top bloggers for the ReVamp Project, organized my MJ Tam of Chicagonista.com. It was a delight listening to the concerns of these forward-thinking, thought leaders for mothers in a changing economy.
As Chicago enters a new season without Mayor Daley seeking another term, senior pastor of New Life Covenant Church in Humboldt Park Wilfredo de Jesus, announces last week he is entering the race to become the mayor of Chicago.
I had an opportunity to catch-up with Wilfredo, affectionately called Pastor “Choco” by his church members, family and friends, over morning coffee. As a faith-based entrepreneur and financial coach, I wanted to clear the air on politics and religion, his qualifications to be the mayor of Chicago, an anti-gay misconception about Wilfredo and what he will do to stir small businesses and stimulate the economy for households in this great city.
Big news everyone! I’ve been so excited to share this with you for months, but I have been under “embargo”. (A new PR word I learned that means: shut your mouth until the people who write the big checks, let you).
Throughout the summer, I have been in production filming a new online reality show around the areas of personal finance, saving and investing. Oh mang! I have signed on for three seasons for The Invested Life which airs online at MSN Money beginning October 2010 to June 2011, sponsored by TD Ameritrade. They have taken seven independent financial experts from seven cities: Denver, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Portland, New York and of course, Chicago! Our role is to serve as a financial coach to a client assigned to us during each season. You’ll be able to watch and learn from both perspectives, a financial coach and a client, how the process of dealing with personal financial issues are managed.
Why an online reality show about money? It’s a unique way to reach and help investors when they need it the most. Many people feel financially confused, isolated and somewhat powerless. This will help more people take control of their financial futures. It is relatable, educational, innovative and real time!
Podcast: Download (Duration: 13:58 — 12.8MB)
Although I do not take any personal clients any longer, (listeners are referred to our Money Smart Network of Preferred Financial Professionals) I still conduct annual reviews with existing clients. It’s my responsibility. I recently sat down with a client, who is a widow, and her son to review what our Money Smart Success Formula has produced over the past four years.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 17:08 — 15.7MB)
After two years doing a financial talk radio show in Chicago, people have frequently asked, “Are people really getting ahead?” I had someone on my Facebook community page even say, “Did the smart money guy say to cash out of investments prior to the last crash?? Most didn’t. I’d like to know if he did. If he did he is a hero. But most never risked telling their listeners to SELL SELL SELL. The problem is sponsorship. I guess you want to get a money guy who has none investment sponsors. That might be the test.”
Podcast: Download (Duration: 6:44 — 12.4MB)
Since Americans are living much longer than previous generations, that means Medicare and Social Security will be supporting retirees for many years more than ever anticipated when the programs were created. When FDR (President Franklin Delano Roosevelt) created Social Security, the retirement age was set at 65, but the average life span was 62. Research shows that longevity for men and women has increased by between 35-40% since 1940. That increase translates into higher costs, rising 38% since the beginning of the program. The left argues there is no real change in longevity. Should the retirement age be raised?
The 401(k) dilemma, dropping account values and resistance to opening statements piling up lead many to further financial confusion and isolation. Compound this with job layoffs and increasing unemployment rate have caused many financial homes to crumble. Here are my notes and thoughts from this segment on CBS’s 60 Minutes.
As we all know, fame, fortune and success in itself doesn’t bring lasting happiness. (Right?) Sure, if you are going to be miserable, you’re probably better off being depressed and long-faced in your mansion. Nevertheless, I have worked daily, over the past 12 years with some of the country’s deepest, most personal financial issues. For many, this has become an extremely humbling, past few years laden with complexity beyond anyone’s expectation. The good thing, a silver-lining if you will, is that when you find yourself on your knees…that’s where God speaks to you in such a profound manner. … Continue Reading
We live in an “instant” world where many expect quick, tangible results for their efforts. Not so, is Sharon Pascual-Diaz who has tried out for the NFL’s Houston Texans Cheerleader squad seven straight times. Her constant drive, passion compounded with her ability to retool and re-engage her skills year after year has finally paid off. Money Smart listeners and our blog community can really learn a secret or two in chasing your dreams regardless of your circumstances or failures during this video…and have a little fun watching too! … Continue Reading
We have all heard the phrase from a young age “Go to school and study hard so you can get a safe secure job” right? Did you believe it like I did? I mean I must have heard that a hundred times from well-meaning authority figures like parents, grand parents, teachers and other mentors when I was young. So if that was so true why was I downsized out of 3 jobs in 4 years by the companies I was working for? I will tell you why because what we were taught is not good advice in todays marketplace. If you think you have job security working for someone else I bet you believe in the Easter Bunny. Don’t take it personally but it job security does not exist. … Continue Reading
