Money Smart Guy Matthew Sapaula to Serve as Chicago Financial Coach on MSN Money Personal Finance Reality Show

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!

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VIDEO: Stop Drinking the Company 401k Plan Kool-Aid

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.

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Mom Marvels at NFL Houston Texans Cheerleader Tryout and Reveals Her Secret to Success

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

Matthew Sapaula Provides Financial Tips for Military Personnel on SCORE TV

Whether you are in the military now, plan to be in the future, or have recently left you need to be on top of your game regarding future financial plans and taking full advantage of all your veteran’s benefits. Matthew Sapaula recently met with SCORE Chicago to discuss some strategic financial planning moves for those who are in the military and some tips for fully utilizing benefits once you are out.

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#1 Financial Advisor Joel Wymer on Money Smart Radio

Every once in a while you get to meet someone who resonates and echoes your passion, core values and methodologies.  In the field of personal finance counselors, financial advisors and financial planners that is very tough to find.  Then comes along Joel Wymer from Akron, Ohio who has recently been voted by the Beacon Journal as the #1 financial advisor in his community.  We were fortunate enough to catch Joel at his office for an interview during our financial talk show’s podcast, Money Smart Radio…

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Self-Directed IRAs: Investing in Real Estate with Your IRA and 401(k)

Did you realize a 30% loss in one year, requires a 43% rate of return the next, just to get your account value back to where you started?  If I told you that you don’t have to pass up all the opportunities in real estate simply because you haven’t got the cash or credit, what would you say?  If I told you about an untapped asset within your IRA and previous 401(k) plan that can be used to invest in real estate, would you believe me?  This video with Mick Hersh of Security Trust Company will help your understand the power of your IRA and overcome misconceptions that keep you from looking at investing in real estate.

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Don’t Underestimate the Impact of Saving While You’re Young

Another great guest post here by Yolander Prinzel to compliment one of our videos about a student who has gone through our wealth building and financial coaching process.  What a great writer she is!  I really appreciate her work as I continue to stay focused on my book deadline…

Enter Yolander Prinzel:

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Happy Mother’s Day from Money Smart Radio

Wishing all the Mothers out there…a wonderful weekend and especially a Happy Mother’s Day!  Here’s a quick little video of what we did at Family Christians Center yesterday to honor mothers and women…on this special day.  In case you haven’t noticed, I roll with some funny characters.  But one thing we have in common, is that we all love our moms! … Continue Reading

What Goes Up Doesn’t Have to Come Down

Did you hear the news about yesterday’s Dow Jones Index losing 900 points in a 20-minute period?  It even has the SEC regulatory authorities looking into it.  There is speculation that a trader may have mistakenly made an error in typing in the wrong numbers.  Instead of million, a trader may have accidentally entered a billion shares to sell.

I sure hope that the current success of the Dow Jones Index, S&P 500 Index and other stock market indicators do not fool anybody in thinking that we are out of the woods, yet.  It caused some stocks to go from $40/share to pennies, then come back up again.  How stressful is that?  I mean, if you are a nurse, firefighter or entrepreneur, do you really have time to babysit the stock market?

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WGN Morning News: Matthew Sapaula talks Cash for College during Money Smart Week

As of Monday, April 19th, 2010, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has suspended all aid to applicants seeking Illinois public college financial aid.  According to the ISAC, they have seen a huge increase in the number of applicants this year due to students and parents seeking greater financial aid from the government.  The amount of aid being applied for cannot be supported, at this time, by the budget given to the ISAC from the Illinois government.

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