My Money My Freedom: Recent Episodes

Susan Lassiter-Lyons

Financial coach Susan Lassiter-Lyons unpacks and simplifies all things money and investing so that you'll always have more than enough to live your best life, for life.

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Today, I'm thrilled to share with you the wonders of compound interest, famously dubbed the 8th wonder of the world by Einstein himself. We'll explore how leveraging dividend stocks and reinvesting those dividends can supercharge your retirement savings. Ready to unlock the power of compounding? Let's go! What You'll Learn:
[Understanding Compound Interest] + I break down what compound interest is and why it's such a powerful tool for building wealth. It's like that shampoo commercial from the '80s where everyone keeps telling two friends, except here, it's your money doing the work, leading to exponential growth. * [Introduction to Dividend Investing] + We discuss the basics of dividend investing, including what dividends are and the types of dividend stocks, like blue-chip and high-yield stocks. I explain why dividend investing can be a smart strategy for your retirement portfolio. * [The Power of Reinvesting Dividends] + Here's where the magic happens. I talk about the snowball effect of reinvesting dividends and how it can significantly boost the value of your portfolio over time. I'll even run through a simple example to illustrate the potential growth. * [Building a Diversified Dividend Portfolio] + Diversification is key. I share some tips on selecting dividend stocks and the importance of considering factors like the company's dividend history, payout ratio, and financial health. We'll also touch on the role of dividend-focused ETFs and mutual funds. * [Tax Considerations and Strategies for Dividend Investing] + Tax efficiency is crucial. I discuss the differences between qualified and non-qualified dividends and share strategies for managing your dividend income in a tax-efficient manner, including the benefits of holding dividend-paying stocks in tax-advantaged accounts. * [Real-Life Scenarios and Case Studies] + From an early-career investor just starting out to a late-career professional looking to generate retirement income, I'll walk you through various scenarios to show how dividend investing and reinvestment strategies can be applied at different stages of your financial journey. * [Tips for Monitoring and Maintaining a Dividend Portfolio]* + I wrap up with some practical advice on maintaining a healthy dividend portfolio, including regular reviews, rebalancing, and staying informed about market trends and company performance.

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I'm diving deep into the often-debated topic: "Should I Pay Off Debt or Invest for Retirement?" I'm passionate about debunking the myth that you have to choose one over the other and will guide you through striking the right balance between paying off debt and investing for retirement. In This Episode:
[Understanding Debt and Retirement Investing] + Breaking down the different types of consumer debt: credit cards, car loans, personal loans, student loans, and mortgages. + Explaining the differences between revolving debt and installment debt. + Shedding light on retirement investing, emphasizing the significance of accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, and the power of compound interest. * [Factors to Consider When Paying Off Debt vs. Investing] + Discussing the key factors in the decision-making process: interest rates, time horizon, risk tolerance, and tax implications. + Sharing my personal story about deciding between paying off a car loan and investing in a dividend stock, and why sometimes investing is the smarter choice. * [Strategies for Balancing Debt Repayment and Retirement Investing] + Introducing the 50/30/20 rule for a balanced financial approach. + Comparing the debt snowball and avalanche methods and emphasizing the importance of retirement investing, especially making the most of employer-sponsored retirement plans. * [Real-Life Scenarios and Case Studies] + Walking you through various scenarios: from an early-career professional grappling with student loans to a late-career individual urgently needing to boost retirement savings. I'll show you how each can effectively manage their debt and investments. * [Tips for Staying on Track and Maintaining Balance]* + Offering my top tips for maintaining a healthy balance between paying off debt and investing: creating a budget, adjusting financial goals, celebrating progress, and when to seek professional advice.

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Feeling stressed? Focus on your financial wellness. Here's how.

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Suze Orman says you need $10 million to retire. Do you?

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Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps Can Wreck Your Retirement.

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Mutual funds, index funds, and financial advisors all have one thing in common... fees.

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Which advisor is best for you? Financial Advisor, Robo-Advisor, or Financial Coach?

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For reasons no one can really figure out goods and services cost more for females than males. That’s The Pink Tax.

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A look at what financial literacy is and how significantly it impacts women's lives.

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Introducing the My Money My Freedom podcast!