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.
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.
In a time of change, it is critical to rethink why we believe what we believe. Mortgages have always been a target of negative financial thoughts and something most traditional financial planners would suggest be paid of sooner than faster. After all, you don’t “want all the interest” to be going to the banks! Is it possible to have a mortgage become a wealth-building tool, rather than just the biggest piece of debt we will ever get into? Right? Well, one of the topics of great debate, “paying off my mortgage is a mistake” has revealed certain truths through this recession.
Five years ago, we began a movement called “home equity management“, encouraging homeowners and real estate investors to rethink about leaving home equity dormant within a property that ultimately wastes the value of this asset over time. In fact, I helped illustrate this with a “pitcher and goblet” analogy during my workshops held during Money Smart Week with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 46:00 — 63.2MB)
In this episode, I’ll discuss:
Guest post contributed by #1 voted financial advisor in Akron, OH – Joel Wymer of Tax and Financial Strategies.
We have been teaching over the last several years that many conventional financial strategies have proved themselves to be wrong. The recession has exposed gaps and holes in “what most people will teach you” about how to save for retirement, build financial security throughout your career and pay off your mortgage, to name a few. I’m so glad that I have another financial advisor, friend and financial crusader that can resonate this message with me. Joel Wymer was on our financial talk radio show last year and I asked him if he would contribute to our blog. I am honored that he obliged! Joel has been voted the #1 financial advisor, according to the Beacon-Journal, of Akron, Ohio. As Terrell Owens would say, “Getcha popcorn ready!”
Enter Joel Wymer:
At approximately 4am, a third earthquake has hit Illinois since 1999. I recall the one in 2008, 3 weeks before I was to conduct a financial planning workshop during Money Smart Week sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. It changed the information I was going to deliver at this workshop. In fact, I broke down in the middle of the presentation to re-enact how one of my close friends thought Jesus was coming.
And it is a good time to bring it up again.
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…
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.
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.
GUEST POST:
I was spending a night at a hotel in Salt Lake City while traveling on business, that I bumped across Phil Tirone’s popular infomercial. We are so honored to have Mr. Tirone, a highly accomplished mortgage professional and creator of the 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score program, contribute to our blog.
We have had the pleasure of having Phil Tirone, whom I met a few years ago through my financial mentor, Douglas Andrew. Phil has spoken to our mastermind group of financial planners, insurance agents and small business owners with great feedback. He will help you pull back the curtain on the credit game, so you can learn the rules and WIN!
