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In today’s business world, it seems like employers are looking for more leadership and management skills in their young executives than ever before.  Some companies are now requiring an MBA at entry level and/or for advancement.   Getting your MBA (Master of Business Administration) is the most prestigious degree in the business world.  With new online programs designed for the working professional, getting to that next level is easier than you may think! Join me today as my guest, Abbey O’Connor, Asst. Dean & MBA Director of Longwood University, College of Business & Economics and I discuss Longwood’s virtual program. Some of the topics that we will be covering include: Why should someone get their MBA? What are the benefits of completing your MBA online? What does Longwood’s online MBA look like? What is the benefit of earning a MBA in real estate? What kind of courses will I complete with an real estate MBA? And much, much more… If you are interested in taking your career to the next level, Check out the Longwood University online MBA program HERE!  

Are you a spender, saver, or a good steward of your money?  Are you financially free? The secret to financial freedom is not zero debt, that’s being completely unrealistic!  Debt is a necessity of life in our society today.  The real secret is Cash Flow! Join me as my guest, Chris Miles, the Cash Flow Expert, and I discuss all of the things that you need to understand about the relationship between debt and cash flow. Learn the step by step process to find more cash in your life. Some of the topics we will be discussing include: Forget about a budget!  Design a spending plan… Don’t overpay on taxes… Increase your business expenses and net more actual cash… Reduce your insurance premiums… The correct way to pay off debt… How to find ways to save for a down payment on a home… And much, much more… It’s not about living from paycheck to paycheck or saving all the time and never spending anything.  It’s all about your money mindset and understanding that we were designed to spend!  Spending money brings growth to your life and to your community, the important thing is to spend money correctly and soon you will be financially free!  

I am continually preaching to my clients that using a Mortgage Broker when shopping for a mortgage will save you money, because a Mortgage Broker is not limited to one supply of money like that of a bank.  Dealing with a broker gives you more options and options will always save you money!  The same is true when shopping for homeowner’s insurance.  An insurance broker has more options and can shop your individual needs with different carriers and find you the best deal possible! Join me today as my guest, Robert Windsor, an agent with AIC Insurance and I discuss the questions that you need to ask when shopping for insurance to make sure that you are getting the correct coverage, while saving money at the same time. Some of the items we will be discussing include: What advantage is there to using an independent agent versus a captive agent? Is the location of a home a factor in the cost of homeowner’s insurance? What other factors can affect an insurance premium beside the value of the home being insured? What is the difference between Replacement Cost versus Actual Cash Value? What are interior limits (i.e. guns, jewelry, silver, collectables?) Are recreational toys in a garage covered by home insurance? (i.e. motorcycle, snowmobile, boat) And much, much more… Shopping gives you knowledge….AND knowledge is POWER!  

We’ve always been taught that it takes money to make money.  Why is that?  It’s amazing the lies we tell ourselves when it comes to doing something different or stepping outside our comfort zone. Join me as my guest, Chris Miles, the Cash Flow Expert, and I discuss all the things that are keeping you from making the money that you want and living the life of your dreams. Some of the topics that we will be discussing include: What keeps most people from making more money in general? What value do you have to offer? How to eliminate the limited belief that making money is hard. What is the S.P.A.R.F. concept? And much, much more… People also believe that they need money to buy home!  Not always, for more information on buying a home and getting your Right Fit Mortgage®, check out my website here!

The rich keep getting richer, but most Americans aren’t so lucky! According to a survey released recently by Bankrate.com, 37% of Americans have credit card debt that equals or exceeds their emergency savings.  Not only do they not have enough savings, they’ve used up some portion of their available credit, so they are running out of options when— and I say when— the next unforeseen emergency expense comes calling. For some, it will be health care expenses and others…car trouble, both items that most Americans must-pay to keep working and keep income coming in. Join me today as my guest, Jeff Mose, a partner in Frederick Financial Group, and I discuss what needs to happen in your financial strategy to make sure that you have those emergency funds today and in the future when it’s time to retire. DEBT does not need to be a 4-letter word!  Don’t be embarrassed!  We’ve all been in debt and we can all get out of debt…it just takes a plan.  You may need to start first by saving enough to handle short-term emergencies and then concentrating on one high-interest rate credit card at a time.  The important thing is to take action! For more information on budgeting or what you need to think about when buying a home, check out my website atwww.KarenSimpsonHankins.com.

Have you ever looked at a $20 bill and thought about where it’s been and how many people have touched it?  If you think about it, it’s can be a little unsettling and in reality may make you wonder  “What’s in your wallet?” in more ways than one! The average $20 bill is in circulation for 7.7 years, according to a report issued by the Federal Reserve.  It has a longer life span than the $10 or $5 bill based primarily on use, while a $100 will probably remain in circulation for up to 15 years.  But what does it take to create the currency that we use every day without thought! Join me today as my guest, David McAdams, President of McAdams Tax Advisory Group, and I discuss what goes into creating a $20 bill and what determines when a bill’s lifespan ends. We will be discussing: What makes money special and why do they make it different than regular paper? What is the printing process like? What happens once the printing is complete? Where does it go from there?  How does it end up in the hands of the consumer? What security features does the bill have?  How do you know if it’s real or counterfeit? Did you know that it takes about 4,000 double folds – first forward and then backward – before a $20 bill will start to tear? Going back to ancient times, we have always been fascinated with money and it’s power.  Is it here to stay or will technology cause it to fade into our past?    

Have you ever wanted to invest in the stock market, but it seems just too intimidating?  The corrections that we’ve witnessed in the stock market of over 50% twice in the last decade can leave even the most savvy investor wondering what’s next.  Quantitative easing, the European markets, and other global factors are still causing vigorous and sometimes unexpected fluctuations in the market!  So what’s next? Join me today as my Guest, Mike Burleigh, President of Peak Capital Management as we discuss everything you need to know if you’re a beginner in the stock market. A few of the topics we’ll be discussing include:   How do you determine the amount of money to put in the stock market? There are so many choices out there, how can you determine which investments are right for You? Is there still momentum in the stock market for people to take advantage of, if they have money to invest? What are bond funds? Are bonds or fixed income investments a better option in a volatile market? And much, much more…   It all depends on where you are at in your investment life cycle.  Are you in your 20’s looking for growth?  Or close to retirement and looking to preserve what you have?  These are questions that you need to ask when evaluating which investments are right for You! If you are looking for a Right Fit Mortgage® there are also several questions that you need to be asking?  Check out your options here!      

You are a buyer or a seller and you find yourself in need of a Realtor.  How do you determine who you should use?  Are they a full-time agent or just moonlighting?  Do you call on yard signs? Join me today as my guests, Dr. Bennie Waller and Dr. Scott Wentland, Professors at Longwood University in Finance and Economics, as we discuss what questions you should be asking when hiring a realtor. Some of the topics we will be discussing include: Does your broker represent the seller?  Is this a dual agency? How many properties does the broker currently have listed? How long have these other properties been on the market? Does the agent also have their property listed on the market? How far away is my agent’s office from my home? And much, much more… It is especially important for families to be familiar with a potential neighborhood and any possible risks.  Is the neighborhood improving or deteriorating?  Are there other children in the neighborhood?  Are their registered sex offenders or anything else like commercial impact, new freeways, airports, or anything else that will affect the livability of the home? Interview your real estate agent, find one that you feel comfortable with and who understands your needs.  If you’re a buyer…get pre-approved or credit approved for a mortgage before you go shopping and you will have a much more enjoyable experience.

Divorce is a difficult, stressful, and emotionally draining time in anyone’s life!  Not only are you dealing with the end of a once loving and trusting relationship, you also have to realize how that emotional element can affect your financial stability, credit report, and scores.  Just because you may be divorcing your spouse that doesn’t mean you’re divorcing your creditors! Join me today as my guest, Bill Skillender, Owner of William Skillender Wealth Management as we discuss the steps that you need to take to protect yourself and your financial health during the divorce process. Some of the topics we will be discussing include: What is the first thing a person should do regarding their finances when going through a divorce? What can be done if a credit card account or any debt is in both names? What steps can be taken to keep my credit from being trashed? Should I sell off assets to pay off debt? Can I rely on a court order that requires the spouse to pay a debt? What is the biggest expense that can be avoided? And much, much more… In addition to affecting your personal debt, a home and mortgage can be another matter.  In most cases, the parties are asked to sign some sort of hold-harmless agreement, which supposedly protects the ex-spouses from each other’s irresponsible actions, but do they really work? Once you’ve survived a divorce, it’s time to rebuild your life and buy a new home of your own.  For more tips on finding your Right Fit Mortgage®, check out my website “KarenSimpsonHankins.com”.  

With the New Year comes a time of reflection!  One of the things that you may be looking at to make a change in 2015 is a way to remove that constant worry of debt.  Debt can ruin relationships, your personal health, your dreams, your retirement plans, and your overall financial wealth! Join me today as my guest, Greg Melia, President of Melia Advisory Group, and I discuss the step by step actions needed to get out of debt this year! Some of the topics we will be discussing include: Are you a spender or a saver? If you are an out-of-control spender…there will never be enough! Marriage, Divorce, and the #1 cause of divorce – Debt! Are you willing to “Get Real” and do what it takes to get out of debt! Why Bankruptcy is not the answer! Debt can also be devastating to your home buying goals!  For more information on what to do to get pre-approved or any of my home buying education products to make your home buying dreams come true, check out my website at www.karensimpsonhankins.com.

Women face special challenges when planning for retirement.  Because their careers are often interrupted to care for children or elderly parents, they may spend less time in the workforce and earn less money than men in the same age group.  As a result, their retirement plan balances, Social Security benefits, and pension benefits are often lower.  In addition to earning less, women generally live longer than men, and they face the reality of stretching limited retirement savings and benefits over many years! Join me today, as my guest Angela Sloan, CEO and Founder of Sloan Financial Group, and I discuss the important tips that women need to consider when planning for retirement. Some of the topics we will be discussing include: What is the #1 fear women have about retirement? Is it ever too late to start saving? Why should a woman take control of her retirement, even if she is marred? What is the best way for a woman to draw Social Security?  Draw hers? Her current husband’s?  Her deceased husband’s? Her ex-husband’s?  Did you know you have a choice? And…much, much more! Saving for emergencies, saving for retirement, saving for things we want!  It’s all SAVING and that takes a different mindset.  Be in control of your money and make a plan to get yourself where YOU want to be!  I know I’m going to!  We, as women have to take care of ourselves first, even if our Mommy instincts tell us otherwise!  The sooner you start the more you will save!  Make a promise to yourself that 2015 will be your best year yet! Happy New Year, Everyone! Wishing you great success and happiness!  

Roughly one in three people who received data-breach notification letters in 2013 – 2014 became victims of fraud!  A ratio that continues to worsen from 2012 and 2011 levels.  Due to large Department Store (i.e. Home Depot and Target) data breaches, more than 13 million U.S. consumers were victimized by identity fraud in 2013, while overall loses on existing debit and credit card accounts surged 45% to about $16 billion. The standard technology for U.S. payment systems has long relied on data contained in magnetic strips on the back of credit and debit cards.  But it’s just not working and it’s making life easier for criminals, who buy lists with consumers’ stolen account data on the black market.  Far reaching breaches have raised the stakes and now banks and retailers are looking at options to improve the security for data breaches, but the truth is…the risk to consumers still remains. Join me today as my Guest, Mark Falter, President of Mid-American Tax Advisory, and I discuss the ways that consumers can fight back when it comes to fraud! Some of the topics we will be discussing include: What are EMV chips in credit cards and are they better? Why is the U.S. not using more EMV chips in cards? No carded needed?  Out comes a new technology called “tokenization” New mobile payment systems for Apple Pay and Google Wallet…are they safe? Debit vs. Credit Cards – What’s the difference and which is better? What are the best ways to protect yourself from fraud? Identity theft is a reality that affects everyone and it’s becoming more and more important to protect your sensitive information now more than ever! Credit Monitoring is a great way to start!  I’ve used several credit monitoring services and have been protected on multiple occasions, Here are my favorites.

Is this a want or a need?  A question that I have begun to ask myself each time I need to make a money decision and it’s amazing the difference that it’s making in my life.  Being financially successful, isn’t always about making MORE money.  It’s about keeping the money that you’ve got!  Don’t let seemingly endless dollars slip through your fingers withunnecessary fees and unconscious spending. Even in business…making wise business decisions is critical to the health of your business and your cash flow. Join me today as my guest,  Harris Glasser, Author of the best-selling book “It’s My Money & I Want It!” and I discuss secrets to saving and protecting more of your hard-earned cash. Some of the topics we will be discussing include: What’s YOUR philosophy or mindset when it comes to saving money? What to do about those sneaky little bank fees. Cars – Buying versus Leasing? Scams – What to do to protect yourself. Debt Collectors – How to stop the badgering, irritating phone calls, and letters? Health Insurance Claims – Questions you need to ask to make sure your claims are getting paid. Want to buy a house and need money for down payment?  Track your spending and find out ways to trim your spending, so you can save money quicker. It’s all up to YOU!

BUYING A HOME is usually one of the biggest dreams we have as adults. But signing and closing on a mortgage loan is really just the beginning of your homeowner responsibilities! Once you close, it’s always important to factor into your life the unpredictable or unexpected things that can show up and sometimes blindside you if you’re not prepared.   Items such as: A sudden illness or family emergency A loss of job Change in your family or relationship status Maintenance, upkeep, and repair of items in your home   We all know these types of things can limit your ability to pay your financial obligations and mortgage payment on time. Making late payments results in late fees and will negatively affect your credit in the future. It’s important to always have a back-up plan to handle these types of financial headaches. Having an emergency bank account or an emergency Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) will give you the confidence that you can handle anything that comes your way, but don’t make your home an ATM machine!   Today on Surviving the Credit Crisis, I will be addressing some of those Questions and Answers, so that when you get caught in your next financial storm, you’ll be prepared!

It’s that time of year again when everyone is busy shopping and preparing for Christmas. I know for me, the stress of trying to get everything done between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be overwhelming! You’re trying to share your time, gifts, and good wishes with everyone you care about and the Christmas spending can get out-of-control! The media, TV, commercialism, and large retailers make us believe the more expensive the gift the more you love! Leaving consumers feeling pressured that they must buy, buy, buy to show they care. But, how do you know when things are out of control and you’re spending too much? Join me today as my guest, Diane Tegarden, Author of Budgeting on a Dime – 10 Steps to Financial Independence  and I discuss some savvy ways to prepare for the holidays, have fun, and not totally blow your budget. Don’t start 2015 feeling depressed and overwhelmed when the credit cards bills start showing up! The spirit of Christmas regardless of how you celebrate it…is peace, goodwill, and love! Happy Holidays to everyone from “Surviving the Credit Crisis!” Wishing you and yours all the best!

Join me today as my guest, Harris Glasser, Author of the best-selling book “It’s My Money & I Want it!” and I discuss how Harris’ lifetime experience as a successful entrepreneur in a variety of successful businesses has taught him how to easily deal with various financial situations, so that you can keep that hard earned cash!  This is Part 2 of a 3-part series and today’s topic is all about “Navigating the World of Business.”   Some of the items that we will be discussing:   What personality qualities should one have to open their own business? What are some of the Pros and Cons of owning your own business? What are the first steps you need to take when considering which type of business you want to own? What are the advantages or disadvantages of having a partner? What can I expect on a daily basis? And much, much more…   To learn how to improve your credit and find your “Right Fit Mortgage®” check out my website HERE!  

We’ve heard so much about foreclosures in the news, especially during the mortgage/credit crisis, but are foreclosures still impacting our markets today? The short answer is…Yes! Some areas more than others, but regardless of where you live, a foreclosure in your neighborhood will impact the resale value of your home and maybe even the perception of your entire neighborhood! Join me as my guest, Scott Wentland, Professor of Economics at Longwood University and I discuss their present University research into “How foreclosures affect us all.” Some of the items we will be discussing include: How did we get into this mess? What really is a housing bubble or economic bubble? Should I buy a foreclosure? There is a foreclosure in my neighborhood, should I list my home for sale now or wait? And much, much more! One of the best ways to avoid foreclosure in the first place is to not over-buy! Learn how to find your “Right Fit Mortgage ®” today!