Black and Brown Make Green
By Natasha And Damian Carrillo
Black and Brown Make GreenFeb 01, 2023
73. Money routines you need in your life
Have you ever wanted to just say "Money is easy?" In this episode Natasha and Damian share just how they put money management on autopilot, including all the tips, tricks, and techniques they use and how they have changed over time.
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Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
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Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
72. Is owning a home overrated?
In this episode Natasha poses a question that many people of our generation and younger are having to produce answers to. That question is, "Is owning a home overrated?" We discuss the benefits and drawbacks of owning a home vs. renting a home or apartment and give our opinions on the question at hand.
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
71. Lost and unclaimed retirement accounts
There are over 29 million retirement accounts that have gone unclaimed that total $1.65 trillion in assets according to a U.S News article by Brian O'Connell. Are all of your retirement accounts accounted for? If not, tune in to find out what to do to recover them.
Resources
- National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits
- U.S. Dept. of Labor Abandoned Plans
- Tips for finding an unclaimed retirement benefit
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
70. What to do with that tax return
Your tax return just hit your checking account and it's burning a hole in your pocket. Before you spend it, tune in to this episode to find out some things that you may do with it instead of buying that item you've been wanting for months. Your future self may just thank your past self for slowing down and thinking it through!
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
69. How to save and still find joy in life
Debt can make you feel like you're under a pile of bricks when you have it. In this episode, Natasha and Damian discuss ways to save and pay down debt while still finding ways to extract joy and meaning from life.
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
68. Why you should get life insurance right now
In this episode Natasha and Damian discuss the importance of having life insurance, the details of their life insurance policies, and why it's important to start making plans for when death comes a'knocking.
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
67. Should I claim this accident on my vehicle insurance?
There are so many decisions that shape your personal finances and that is what makes them personal. In this episode we discuss vehicle insurance. How much coverage should you have? Should you claim an accident on your insurance? Why does this decision differ from other types of insurance?
After a deer hit Natasha while driving, she questions whether she should claim the repair on her vehicle insurance and walks you through the decision-making process she uses to determine if she should even fix the damage or not.
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
66. Should I pay off my debt or not?
The decision to pay off debts or not can be very emotional. In this episode we walk you through our decision-making process for paying off debts or holding onto those debts so we can maximize our earnings potential using a few different decision points, and the rationale that went into making the decision around the big question of, "Should I pay off my debt now or not?"
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
65. Getting a new job
In this episode, Natasha and Damian discuss the year-long journey of getting a new job. They discuss the preparation and the process, which includes planning, resume writing, and sharpening skills.
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
64. Life without Amazon Prime
Natasha and Damian, the hosts of the Black and Brown Make Green podcast, discuss the pros and cons of relying on Amazon Prime for purchases versus going without it. They share their personal experiences and insights on how to make do without Amazon Prime. Tune in to to learn more about their financial education and tips on how to manage your money with confidence.
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
63. Am I a Scrooge? Rethinking gift-giving during Christmastime
In this episode, Natasha and Damian talk about how they are considering a different approach to gift-giving during Christmas time. They discuss the impact of consumerism on the environment and the importance of adopting a needs-based approach to gift-giving. Lastly, they discuss their approach of adopting a family to give to someone in actual need, and the different thought process that surrounds that act.
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
62: Financial accounts we use
What financial accounts do you use and why? Sometimes it can be crippling to decide on financial accounts because there are so many out there. In this episode, we reveal the exact accounts we use - credit cards, budgeting apps, bank accounts, and retirement accounts. Most of you probably know that we use Sofi Bank, but are you curious to know what other accounts we use on a daily basis? If so, check out this episode to find out which ones we use and why.
Need a new bank? Try out SoFi! We enjoy the 4.50% APY on their savings account and use SoFi vaults to organize our money.
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
61: Where is the Hope?
Where is the hope? Rising prices, stagnant wages, and climbing debt can make life feel hopeless. How can you afford a home with today’s high prices and interest rates? How can you keep up with inflation when salary and wages are not keeping up with inflation? How do you handle the current economic challenges that make things seem hopeless?
Hope is a powerful tool that can help us to overcome challenges and to achieve our goals. Even when things are tough, there is always hope.
We discuss some real-life tips and strategies to help you find hope and deal with high costs and low wages. We hope that you will keep hope alive, be inspired by this conversation on remaining hopeful, and pick up some useful tips on managing your money too.
Need a new bank? Try out SoFi! We enjoy the 4.50% APY on their savings account and use SoFi vaults to organize our money.
Book your Financial Review (Clarity Session)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
60: Getting one month ahead - How to avoid stress and anxiety with your money
Getting one month ahead in your finances means that you have enough money in your bank account to cover all of your bills and expenses for the next month before it even starts. This way, you don’t have to worry about living paycheck to paycheck, overdraft fees, late payments, or unexpected emergencies.
But how do you get one month ahead in your finances? It may seem impossible, especially if you are facing financial challenges or have a lot of debt. But don’t worry, we have some tips and strategies that can help you achieve this goal.
We hope that this episode will inspire you to take action and get one month ahead in your finances. Remember, it is not impossible, it is just a matter of planning, prioritizing, and taking small steps every day. You can do this!
Need a new bank? Try out SoFi! We enjoy the 4.50% APY on their savings account and use SoFi vaults to organize our money.
Book your Financial Review (Clarity Session)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
59: Help, I'm overspending!
In this episode, we’re going to be honest with you and tell you how we discovered that we were spending way more than we needed on some of the things that we thought were important, but actually were not. We’ll also share with you some of the strategies that we used to cut down our expenses and increase our savings.
Book your Financial Review (Clarity Session)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
58: An honest money conversation with Scott and Shaté from The Love Haze Podcast
Scott and Shaté Hayes are the hosts of The Love Haze podcast. They process out loud what most people experience in silence, and in this episode, they process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences around money out loud with us.
Book your Financial Review (Clarity Session)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
57: Are credit card points worth it?
Jen Narciso from the Investor Mama podcast shared about travel hacking using credit cards rewards points in episode 56. Damian and I keep the conversation going by digging deeper into using credit card rewards.
In episode 57, we tackle the question: Are credit card points really worth it? We share our experience using credit card points for travel, cashback, and rewards. We talk about how to know if you're getting the short end of the stick when it comes to using credit card points and the consequences of closing a credit card. We also talk about Damian's journey to reach the perfect credit score.
Book your Financial Review (Clarity Session)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Resources and Related Links
Travel Hacking with Jen Narciso
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
56. Travel hacking with Jen Narciso | How to travel for free or cheap using credit card points
Jen Narciso from the Investor Mama podcast has traveled to Disney, Washington D.C, and Hawaii for free or nearly free, and she shares all the details on how you can too.
Jen shares how she has used different rewards points from credit cards to get free flights, free hotels, free Disney tickets and free breakfasts! Using points for traveling always seemed like work to me, but Jen makes it super easy with her approach.
Jen is the host of the Investor Mama podcast. She is a real estate investor, realtor, wife, and mom of 2. Check out her podcast, Investor Mama.
Book your Clarity Session
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Resources and Related Links
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
55: 3 things everyone should know about their finances
Natasha and Damian each share 3 things they think everyone should know about their money.
Do you know your numbers?
How much insurance should you get?
Is a 3-6 month emergency fund enough for us?
How do you balance making money and taking care of yourself?
How do you become the best advocate for yourself in the workplace?
How do you work with your partner to make your best money decisions together?
What holds people back from talking about money?
How can we make more Black and Brown millionaires?
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Resources and Related Links
Financial Literacy Month (April)
Grow with Jo Workout Channel
Juice and Toya Workout Channel
Sex, Race, and Robots - Dr. Ayanna Howard
Maggie Klokkenga - Make a Money Mindshift
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
54. How being in a relationship affects our finances | Where would I be without you?
People can make a huge impact on your life. Even just one interaction can change your trajectory. This episode is somewhat of a reflection episode where we reflect on the impact we've had on each others' lives, and we discuss how our lives would be different without each other. We discussed career, finances, and risk-taking and how we can utilize relationships for our growth. We discussed stock splits, investing strategies, and more.
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
53: How to save for your kid's college
We hope our kids will get a full ride scholarship if they choose to go to college, but if not, we've got plans. Are you saving for your kids' college? Or do you have other money matters you're trying to figure out? Get help here if you're trying to figure out your own money plans.
Damian and I were fortunate to graduate college debt free, but about 45 million Americans have student loans. We hope to relieve our kids of this burden, which means we've already started saving for them.
Listen in to hear why we've chosen a 529 account to save for our kids and hear about 5 other ways that you could save as well. We discuss 6 different ways to save for college, pros and cons of each, and why the 529 trumped them all for us.
By the way, if you want to save for your kids (or any other goal), but can't figure out how to make it happen with your budget, book a Clarity Session, and we can help you see where your money is going and find money in your budget to put towards your savings goals.
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
52: Raising money-confident Kids
Have you ever said, 'I wish I learned that sooner'? If you have kids, then you have the opportunity to help them learn it sooner - learn about money management that is. We were both raised to be money confident adults. We didn't have all the knowledge we needed, but we had enough to quickly propel us up the ranks of financial freedom. No worries if you didn't have the same experience because we're sharing what that looked like for us and how we're helping our kids to become money confident kids. And if you're feeling unconfident yourself, there are tips in here for you as well.
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
51: Break up with your bank
Most people never consider switching banks, but Damian and I have each had 7 different bank accounts. Our main motivator in switching banks is to earn more money, but there are other reasons as well.
We always look for a bank that offers a high yield savings account and one that does not charge fees to have a checking or savings account. Does your bank charge a fee for your checking and savings account, and are you getting the most out of your banking relationship? Listen to find out what we consider when choosing a bank and to hear the bank we're leaving and the one we're starting a new relationship with.
Sign Up for Money Talks Webinar
Resources and Related Links
How Much Does Your Bank Make Off of You? by NPR
What is a High Yield Savings Account by Investopedia
2023 Best High Yield Savings Accounts by NerdWallet
2023 Best High Yield Savings Accounts by Investopedia
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
50: Spenders vs. Savers
You might identify as a spender or a saver, but the reality is that we are all spenders and savers. This week we discuss our inclination towards spending or saving, how it manifests, and strategies we use to try to be more balanced between the two. Listen in as we share our emotions around spending versus saving and how we work to bring our spending and saving habits more into balance.
Sign Up for Money Talks Webinar
Saving vs. Spending and How Our Brains Are Wired Around Money (aarp.org)
Your Brain May Be Wired for Either Spending or Saving Money (fool.com)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
49: Money Talk$ with Sherifah Munis of NewWave Foundation
Sherifah Munis is the founder of Newwave Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is focused on inspiring the next generation of dreamers by creating opportunities for educational equality. Sherifah shares about how credit almost got the best of her because of an initial lack of knowledge around handling credit, and how Newwave Foundation aims to prevent things like that by filling knowledge gaps and providing equitable financial education to students, young adults, and even parents. Beyond that she shares how Newwave Foundation is committed to making the most of their financial knowledge to positively impact themselves and others well into the future. Meeting Sherifah for the first time was like picking up a conversation with an old friend because her mission is so closely aligned with ours. We know you're going to love this one.
In This Episode We Discuss
- How Newwave Foundation seeks to "Instill the Dream" in deserving students and their parents by providing access to financial education, scholarships, and partnerships
- Sherifah's personal finance journey
- Ways for students and young adults to retain control of their financial story arc through these trying times
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
48: Make Green Challenge part 4 - Values to help you design a meaningful life
What are your guiding principles? What are the values you have that guide your actions? What are the qualities that really matter to you? What are your family's values? What are your partner's values?
These values are the things that guide you. These values are what make you say yes to some things and no to others. Can you name yours? We think we saved the best for last (in the Make Green Challenge). We discuss our values and the importance of identifying them in order to chart a path for your life.
This episode hits a little differently. Damian and I have a conversation with each other defining our top 5 values and talking through what they mean and how we want to use our values to build our ideal life. Tune in to hear how we identify our values, and be a fly on the wall listening to our conversation discussing our values.
Resources & Related Links
- Top 5 Values Worksheet
- Episode 47: Make Green Challenge Part 3: Putting Processes on Auto-pilot
- Episode 46: Make Green Challenge Part 2: Tools for the Win
- Episode 45: Make Green Challenge Part 1: Flex on that Retirement
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
47. Make Green Challenge part 3 - Putting processes on autopilot
Do you like doing difficult things? Probably not. We feel the same when it comes to money. Managing money should be fairly easy. Yes, there may be some difficulties getting everything set up, but on a day-to-day basis, it should mostly be easy. We share our tips and strategies to make money easy in part 3 of the Make Green Challenge. In this week's challenge, we are challenging you to take one of these actions to make managing your money easy. Listen to find practical tips to make it easy.
Resources & Related Links
- Episode 46: Make Green Challenge Part 2: Tools for the Win
- Episode 45: Make Green Challenge Part 1: Flex on that Retirement
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
46: Make Green Challenge part 2 - Tools for the win
We never thought we needed a budget because we've always spent less than we made. Therefore, we were always saving, but there wasn't any intentionality around the money that we saved. We weren't saving a set amount and we were just giving ourselves the leftovers. No longer do we give ourselves the leftovers! We plan to save to be able to pay for things that matter to us - early retirement, traveling, and experiences. We share our journey from no budget to recognizing the need for us to budget in part 2 of the Make Green Challenge.
In This Episode We Discuss
- Do we really need a budget?
- How aware are we of our spending?
- What tools do we use to track our spending?
- How has the tracking of our spending impacted our finances?
Resources & Related Links
- Podcast Episode 46: Make Green Challenge Part 1: Flex on that Retirement
- Podcast Episode 2: How to Save for Retirement: We share more details and our stories around ways to save for retirement. We discuss Roth accounts in detail and much more.
- Podcast Episode 3: From Fired to FIRE: We discuss our journey with being laid off, quitting jobs, and using our jobs to try to reach financial independence.
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
45: Make Green Challenge Part 1 - Flex on that Retirement
Eating greens and black-eyed peas is a long-standing New Year's Day tradition in the Black community and in others as well. We eat greens to bring us money during the year, and the black-eyed peas are for good luck. We're taking you beyond Black-eyed peas and greens with this series of episodes, and we're giving you practical tips on how to truly make green and get to a better place financially by the end of this year. We start part 1 with a focus on retirement. Most people don't get started on retirement until later in life, but it is actually best to start early. Listen in to learn more about why caring about retirement now is important, what things to look for and be aware of when you contribute to a retirement account and hear some of our strategies of how we contribute to retirement accounts.
In This Episode We Discuss
- Why care about retirement now when it seems so far away?
- How can you be prepared to be able to retire and to take care of yourself during retirement?
- What hang-ups will you face when you decide or start to contribute to your retirement, and how do you overcome those hang-ups?
- What steps have we taken to be prepared for a traditional and an early retirement?
Resources & Related Links
- Podcast Episode 2: How to Save for Retirement: We share more details and our stories around ways to save for retirement. We discuss Roth accounts in detail and much more.
- Podcast Episode 3: From Fired to FIRE: We discuss our journey with being laid off, quitting jobs, and using our jobs to try to reach financial independence.
- Article: The Psychology Behind Why We Can't Keep New Year's Resolutions (businessinsider.com)
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
44: Our successes, setbacks, and setups coming into the next year
This week we reflect on our biggest successes and setbacks from 2022. We share how we are ending this year on a high note, the strategy we're using to make sure we check all our 2022 goals off our list before the year ends, and how we plan to make 2023 a success.
We reference episode 17, our Yearly Finance Check-in episode that we are using to help us end this year strong. Check it out and listen to this week's episode as well.
Helpful links
- Episode 17: Yearly Finance Check-in
- 3rd Decade - Nonprofit Creating Financially Literate and Confident Adults
- Breakthrough - Nonprofit Helping Students Become 1st Generation College Graduates
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
43: Snap purchase, impulse buy, or informed decision?
We bought a new car a few weeks ago, and the process was very easy because we knew all of our numbers beforehand. We discuss buying vs leasing, getting a loan vs paying cash, and give you all the details about our experience. You may not be in the market for a new car, but knowing your numbers when it comes to making big purchases is important.
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
42: Know your benefits
This week's episode is inspired by a bill we received from Noah's pediatrician. We have been dealing with this bill since February of this year. We discuss how to choose the best health benefits for you, the difference between FSAs and HSAs, other company benefits, and more about knowing your benefits.
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
41: Our credit card got declined!
We are talking all about credit on this week's episode. We discuss how we choose the best credit card for us, why we choose to use credit, and why you should or should not use credit cards.
In This Episode We Discuss
- What does it mean to take unconfident action?
- How do we use credit cards?
- Is it worth it to use credit cards?
- Is it important to have credit?
- What are the best credit cards to use?
- How can you protect your credit?
Resources & Related Episodes
- Annual Credit Report - Get your free credit report from all 3 credit bureaus
- Transunion - 1 of the 3 credit bureaus
- Equifax - 1 of the 3 credit bureaus
- Experian - 1 of the 3 credit bureaus
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
40: Taking unconfident actions | A new way of thinking part 2
Do you avoid doing things because you don't feel good enough? Do you defer to others because you feel unconfident? How do you decide to take action when you're feeling like that? How do you take unconfident action? Sometimes you have to do things when you're scared, unconfident, unsure, or when you just don't feel good enough. We explore how we deal with feeling unconfident, how to recognize if you're self-sabotaging due to being unconfident, and specific ideas of how to take action when you feel unconfident.
In This Episode We Discuss
- What does it mean to take unconfident action?
- How do unconfident people self-sabotage?
- How do you take unconfident action?
Resources & Related Links
- Be sure to catch part 1 I'm Not Good Enough if you haven't already.
- Psychology Today Article by Alice Boyes, Ph.D - 5 Things Unconfident People do to Self-Sabotage
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
39: I'm not good enough | The Abundance vs. Scarcity mindset | A new way of thinking part 1
How often have you thought any of the following: I'm not good enough. I don't belong here. I don't know enough to do this. Who am I to be in this position? These are self-defeating thoughts that may be holding you back from
ching your full potential and living your most abundant life. Embracing an abundance mindset has changed the way we view the world and the way we interact in it. Learn how we tap into an abundance mindset, and how we keep those negative thoughts at bay.
In This Episode We Discuss
- What does it mean to have a scarcity mindset
- How do you reframe your mindset to be an abundant mindset?
- How do you define abundance mindset?
- How do you apply an abundance mindset to your finances and other areas of your life?
- What impact does a scarcity mindset have on your ability to thrive?
Resources & Related Links
- Be sure to catch part 2 of the A New Way of Thinking series as well.
- NPR Article by Shankar Vedantam - How the 'Scarcity Mindset' Can Make Problems Worse
- Chopra - 10 Steps to Building an Abundance Mindset
- TED Talk - The Most Scarce Resource on the Planet: Mindset of Abundance
- Bria Jones - I had my first six-figure month using the abundance mindset
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
38: The one thing that has the biggest impact on your income
In This Episode We Discuss
What are some of the factors that impact your income? What is the biggest impact on your income? This one thing can increase your income by 20%!
How do you access the biggest impact on your income so that you can increase your income?
Resources & Related Posts
- Vast New Study Shows a Key to Reducing Poverty: More Friendships between Rich and Poor
- Social Capital II: determinants of economic connectedness
- Seven Key Takeaways from Chetty's new research on friendship and economic connectedness
- Network Opportunity: social capital and economic mobility (video)
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
37: We hired a financial planner. Should you? Part 3 | Meet our financial planner, Thomas Kopelman
Thomas Kopleman is a financial planner with AllStreet Wealth. He was selected as one of Investopedia’s Top 100 Financial Advisors for 2022. He is passionate about financial planning and has a blog, thomaskopelman.com where he writes weekly about personal finances. He hosts a podcast, The Long Game, where he shares even more on personal finances.
In This Episode We Discuss
- What is a financial planner and what does a financial planner do
- The difference between a financial planner and adviser
- How to choose a financial planner
- How to know if you need a financial planner
- Ways a financial planner can help you
Resources & Related Posts
Connect with Thomas Kopelman
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
36: We hired a financial planner. Should you? Part 2 | How to improve your finances without a financial planner or professional
In 2017, Damian and I started our journey to figure out our finances as a couple. We had been married for 2 years at that point and we were ready to strategize.
We did research, we made a plan, and then we implemented that plan.
This week we share the intimate details of what we did to figure out our finances. These are the steps we took before we hired a financial planner. These are the steps that put us on the path to financial independence. Do you want to fully understand and make a plan for your money? Listen to the episode to learn more and get your free workbook ‘The 10 Question Guide to Figure Out Your Finances’. We created this step-by-step guide to help you fully understand your money and make a plan for your money.
In This Episode We Discuss
- Our specific money goals from 2017 to 2020
- Practical steps to take before you hire a financial professional or how to know what type of financial professional you need
- The 10 action steps we took to figure out our finances that helped us work towards financial independence
- How to apply our action steps by using our 10 question Guide to Figure out Your Finances
- Resources we used on our financial independence journey - including specific books, blogs, videos, and websites
Resources & Related Posts
- Listen to part 1 here! We Hired a Financial Planner. Should You? Part 1
- Check out Part 3 where we talk to our financial planner. (available soon)
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
35: We Hired a Financial Planner. Should You? Part 1
Our experience working with a financial planner
The different types of financial professionals you could work with, including a financial planner, a financial coach, and/or financial therapist
How to know what type of financial professional is right for you
Resources & Related PostsSign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
34: How to earn, keep, and grow your money with Joe Bautista | Money tips from a CFP
Joe Bautista is a Certified Financial Planner with Bautista Planning and Analytics. He is all about self-motivation, growth, and development. He is the author of The More You Know, The More You Grow and Your Daily Cup of Joe, a book with daily micro lessons to fuel your personal development.
Joe joins us as the final CFP in our Money Tips from a CFP series. We talk about earning, keeping, and growing your money, living abroad, how he is prioritizing his spending now, and more. Joe started his career in the marines, has worked in D.C., and currently lives abroad in Columbia. Joe has such a varied background. He is the son of a Mexican immigrant who had a 3rd grade education. His parents declared bankruptcy when he was in high school, but none of those obstacles have slowed him down! Listen in to learn all about Joe and his tips and strategies for growth.
In This Episode We Discuss
- Joe's background growing up in Oregon
- The impact that Joe's parents' bankruptcy had on Joe when he was in HS
- How He Used the Marines to Fund Education
- How He Helps People Develop their Financial Plan
- Best books for self-development
Resources & Related Posts
- Connect with Joe at Bautista Planning & Analytics
- Check out Joe's podcast Three Arrow Insights | Podcast on Spotify
- Get quick motivational lessons from Joe by listening to Daily Cup of Joe
- Listen online to Joe's episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
33. How to take action to achieve your vision with Maggie Klokkenga | Money tips from a CFP
Maggie Klokkenga, a Certified Financial Planner with Make a Money Mindshift has been in the finance industry for over 25 years. She is also a Certified Public Accountant, and she has experience in accounting, financial planning, and financial coaching. Maggie’s current expertise is helping women in transition and individuals and couples to understand what they truly want and make a plan to get there. Maggie shares the importance of mindset in relation to finances, what it really takes to make long-lasting changes, and some of the best resources for individuals wanting to take control of their finances.
In This Episode We Discuss
- Maggie's background in finance as an accountant, financial planner, and financial coach
- How Maggie coaches her clients to have long-lasting change
- Best finance books to shift your mindset and learn new strategies to improve your finances
Resources & Related Posts
- Connect with Maggie at Make a Money Mindshift
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
32: How to budget, track spending, and support family with Raquel Tennant | Money tips from a CFP
Raquel Tennant, a Certified Financial Planner with 2050 Wealth Partners joins us to share her finance story and best money tips. She is the first in our Money Tips from a CFP (Certified Financial Planner) series. Raquel discusses her Jamaican and Panamanian roots. She shares how she transitioned from spending everything she earned to saving and investing in herself. She shares her journey from restaurant worker to Certified Financial Planner and drops so many financial tips throughout this episode. Be sure to listen to the end of the episode when Raquel shares what has been the biggest impact on her finances and how you can apply that same tactic to your situation.
In This Episode We Discuss
- Raquel's finance journey from growing up as a first generation American and the impacts of this on her as an adult
- How to budget, track spending, and also support family financially without sacrificing your own
- How to remove the stigma from money conversations
Resources & Related Posts
- Connect with Raquel on LinkedIn
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
31: Reflections on our Money Mindset
Your money mindset can be a driving force when making financial decisions. How you think about money, your past experiences with money, and things you learned about money growing up can all affect your approach toward managing you finances today. In the very first episode, we explored our money mindset. We shared some background on how our money mindset was shaped and how we have worked to change our mindset over time. For this final episode of season 1, we reflect on our money mindsets. We share how our mindsets have changed and one specific thing we’ve learned in this first season of creating the podcast.
In This Episode We Discuss
- Our Money Mindset when we started this podcast – What is it
- How our Money Mindset has changed
- One thing we’ve learned through making the odcast
Resources & Related Posts
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
30: Should we cash out and move to a cheaper area?
The cost of living is rising in the city we live in. Housing prices are skyrocketing, and with that, property taxes are rising as well. We live in a high property tax state so this could be a big deal to our monthly budget. This has us wondering if this is a good time to cash out, sell our home, and move to a cheaper area. There are pros and cons to this idea, and we discuss them in this episode. We share our thought process, questions we are asking ourselves, and our current conclusion on if we should move or stay. Are you considering selling your home to move to a cheaper place? Listen in to find out what questions might be helpful for you to consider.
In This Episode We Discuss
- What are the characteristics of a place we want to live in?
- What are the barriers to moving?
- How can we minimize the barriers to moving?
- Compelling reasons to move
- Compelling reasons to stay
- How do we determine if/when we move
- Our current decision on moving or staying
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
29: 4 for 40 | 4 financial lessons learned over 4 decades
Damian is turning 40, and he is taking time to reflect on lessons he’s learned in his 40 years of life. He narrows it down to 4 lessons for each decade he’s been alive. We discuss the importance of living within your means, working with your partner, investing, and betting on yourself.
In This Episode We Discuss
- What are 4 of the lessons Damian has learned over his 40 years of being alive?
- How do you live within your means?
- How do you work together with your partner to achieve more?
- Why is investing important and how do you learn about how to invest
- What does it mean to bet on yourself?
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
28: Rising property taxes and how to combat them
Do you own a home, or do you hope to purchase a home soon? We have been homeowners (or home-loan-owners) 😆 for about 7 years. We just received our property tax values for the next year, and we were shocked by the increase. We weren't shocked that the value went up; we were shocked by how much.
Property taxes are one cost that I didn’t fully understand going into home ownership, but it is extremely important to understand how your property is taxed and what is the approximate rate your property will be taxed at. In Texas, and across the nation, property values are shooting up. The chief appraiser of Harris County stated the increase in values he’s seeing this year is unprecedented and unlike anything he’s seen before; and he's been in the real estate business for almost 40 years.
In This Episode We Discuss
- Why are property taxes increasing
- What can you do to lower your property taxes
- How can you prepare financially to be able to pay for your property taxes
Resources & Related Posts
- Texas Comptroller Property Tax Exemptions
Property Tax Rates By State 2022 - Tax-Rates.org
Homestead Exemption and Homestead Cap Explained
Market Value & The Homestead Cap
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
27: Overcoming adversity to be your own boss featuring Lori Goto of Encore Real Estate
April is financial literacy month. Financial Literacy month is all about increasing your financial knowledge, and we reached out to a real estate expert, Lori Goto, to share her extensive knowledge on this episode. Lori Goto is the broker/owner of Encore Real Estate, and she has been in the real estate field for over 15 years. Lori shares strategies for first time home buyers, real estate investors, real estate agents to be, and more in this episode.
Lori Goto has been working in real estate for over 15 years. She was in the 10M dollar club with her previous firm, meaning she sold over $10M worth of real estate in one year, and she topped 15M in sales in the following year. She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been featured on HGTV, and has numerous real estate certifications and awards. And did I mention she is the founder and owner of Encore Real Estate? She has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to real estate. She bravely shares her story of being evicted multiple times to eventually become the owner of a real estate brokerage. Lori is a true inspiration to the Asian community and to all others as well.
In This Episode We Discuss
- How Lori Goto was able to break a cycle of poverty to build wealth for her family
- How to navigate the current real estate market
- How to prepare to purchase your first home
- The importance of home ownership
- Resources for minorities, veterans, low-income, and first-time home buyers
Resources & Related Posts
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
26: 2022 Financial literacy challenge
Financial literacy is all about being able to manage your finances effectively. April is recognized as Financial Literacy Month. It’s a time to increase your financial education and challenge yourself to improve your finances. We are challenging ourselves to take one action to improve our financial literacy this month. We hope you’ll take this challenge with us. Listen to find out how we have increased our financial knowledge in the past, how we recognized our need to improve, and what we are doing now to continue to up our financial knowledge.
In This Episode We Discuss
- What is financial literacy month
- When did we recognize a need to increase our financial literacy
- Why we created Black and Brown Make Green, a financial podcast
- Our financial literacy challenges to ourselves
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
25: Becoming financially confident with Nikita Wolff
Have you ever wanted a road map that shows you what you need to do with your finances? In this episode, Nikita Wolff shares her story of how she was able to have a road map to be able to confidently manage her finances. She gives much credit to 3rd Decade, a program dedicated to helping 18-35 year olds know exactly how to approach their finances.
3rd Decade provides 18-35 year olds with knowledge about how to manage finances and pairs each participant with a financial mentor, typically a Certified Financial Planner, that mentors and gives individualized help to program participants.
In This Episode We Discuss
- How parents influence your finances as an adult
- How the right mentor can propel you financially
Resources & Related Posts
Book your Clarity Session (a detailed financial review and action plan)
Want to learn exactly where your money is going, how to track it, and how to reach your goals? Find out how here.
Sign up for the email list by visiting blackandbrownmakegreen.com/subscribe We will send you our free 10 Step Guide to Figure Out Your Finances when you sign up.
Listen online to this episode at https://blackandbrownmakegreen.com/podcast
Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.
24: Building your net worth while supporting multiple generations
We sometimes talk about generational wealth—passing your wealth on to your offspring—but in this episode we consider the case where you are taking care of multiple generations of your family.
In This Episode We Discuss
- Article: First Generation Black Wealth Builders Have to Put Themselves First
- How do you plan for yourself and for your parents or other family members?
- Seeking out other available resources
Resources & Related Posts
- How To Help Your Parents Financially — Without Going Broke Yourself
- How Gen X Can Define First Generation Wealth for Themselves
- First-generation Black wealth builders must embrace their success and put themselves first
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Disclaimer: Any discussion on our podcast is based on our opinions and personal life experiences. We offer information, not advice, and recommend you seek out a certified financial professional to discuss your personal finances or another professional for your needs. Read the full disclaimer here.