Money Making Sense

You can give as much money as you want to a charity.  However, Wade Watkins a CPA and Partner at Squire, says only approved organizations qualify as deductions on your taxes.  Susan Speirs, the CEO of Utah Association of CPAs also has tips on making sure you send your money where you want it to go.  And they both discuss the differences in cash vs non-cash donations. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

"The stock market is a grocery store for shares of corporate ownership.  But it is restricted and requires a broker to shop."  That's from Dan Calandro, a financial scientist.  He says, contrary to popular teachings, you should NOT be fully invested and that only 15 different stocks are enough to out-perform the market. Find out when Dan says is the best time to buy and sell and why having a smaller portfolio is better than a larger one on this episode.  You can also get more information at his website LoseYourBroker.com and from his book Lose your Broker, Not your Money. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

More than 20 million people have stopped giving money to charities over the last two decades because of lack of trust.  Thomas Tighe, the President and CEO of Direct Relief says there are websites you can use to find out if where you want to give is legit. CharityNavigator.org and CharityWatch.org are two such sites.  However, if you can't give money due to lack of funds this year, Tighe says there are other things you can do to help in this episode. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

This holiday season is slated to be the busiest ever for airports and airlines.  Nicole Carriere, consumer travel expert with United Airlines, says planning ahead is your best bet to not get stressed.  She says allow extra time for parking and getting through security. Carrier says for Thanksgiving, the day before (Wednesday) is still the busiest for airlines.  But since the pandemic, people's schedules are slightly more flexible so both Monday and Tuesday before Turkey Day are busier than ever before.  Also, find out how United Airlines is using technology to help passengers if flights are delayed or canceled. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

Hiring an attorney for an injury claim typically gets you 3-times more money in compensation than without a lawyer.  Jon Groth, a victim advocate attorney, says there are financial changes you can make before a problem arises to help you through unexpected accidents. Injuries aren't always due to car crash or fall in a restaurant.  Groth says vaccine injuries are a big part of his practice; and you should always use an independent insurance agent. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

Should people rethink the most common advice typically given by financial planners? Advisor and author, Derek Mazzarella discusses several ways to invest for retirement not usually considered.  You can get more info from his book "Just Retire Already: An Unconventional Retirement Guide."Tip #1 -- File a "Life Change" with the IRS when you retire or have big changes in your life, like disability, in order to help with Medicare payment rates.   You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

A new documentary "Shot in the Arm" discusses the myths and facts about vaccines.  Academy award nominated producer and director, Scott Hamilton Kennedy, along with executive producer (and astro-physicist) Neil deGrasse Tyson, bring the film to life. The film explores the money behind the anti-vaccine movement along with big pharma.  Learn why director Scott Kennedy says "anti-vaxxers are not just corrupt, they are corrosive" in this episode.  You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

Plan on getting a minimum of 10 death certificates to deal with all the financial accounts (investments, insurance, savings, etc.) of your loved one.  That's from Brad Barrett, partner and managing director at One Capital Management who also says it's extremely important to speak with your loved one's estate planner attorney and/or Power of Attorney to make sure everyone is on the same page. Brad also says after the post-life celebration, you need to speak with Social Security Administration and credit facilities like Equifax and Trans Union.  You'll also need to learn the rules about inheriting different financial accounts. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

The average household has $10,000 dollars in credit card debt, which totals over 1-TRILLION dollars nationwide.  Susan Speirs, the CEO of Utah Association of CPAs, discusses ways you can slow the amount of debt you are charging. HACK #1:  Change the way you think about spending. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

If you are in or past menopause, you may have bleeding gums, increased tooth sensitivity and dry mouth.  Sarah Chavarria, president of Delta Dental of California, says women need to speak to their dentists about their symptoms sooner, rather than later. You can get more info about aging, menopause and oral health here. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

It's not what you do FOR your paycheck, it's what you do WITH it.  That's from Sharon Lechter, CPA and author of "How Money Works for Women: Take Control or Lose It."  She says it's important to make financial decisions with your brain, and not your heart. Sharon and Heather also discuss how 99% of domestic abuse involves financial abuse and the importance of NOT having everything in joint names for credit reasons. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

Impersonator scams are on the rise.  Kerry O'Brien, Regional Director of the Federal Trade Commission's Western Region, says more and more people are losing money to scammers who pretend to be from your bank, Amazon, or web protection services. Kerry says do NOT click on any hyperlink sent to you via text or email.  You can learn how to identify scams at Consumer.FTC.gov.  And if you've lost money to a scammer you need to report to the FTC, here.  You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

The finance office of car dealerships make the most money off you when selling vehicles.  Kevin Hunter, a consumer advisor in the car industry, says they are trained to throw on thousands of dollars of junk fees -- like window etching and destination costs -- when typing out your contract. Don't fall for the lies many salespeople and finance officers try to get away with the next time you need to purchase a new or used vehicle. Get more help from The Homework Guy YouTube channel.Best tip:  Negotiate from the comfort of your own home. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

Studies show buying habits begin much younger than we think -- as young as 8 or 9 years of age. However, most parents and school teachers don't have a basic grasp on money matters to teach it to kids.  Vince Shorb, CEO of National Financial Educators Council, says even states which require financial literacy in the schools are failing to meet minimum education standards. Shorb says Financial Literacy is the one subject which benefits 100% of people, but is given the least amount of time in schools.  On top of that, most teachers are simply given an outline of what to teach, but not the skills to explain it. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

Not every state in the U-S gives the same tax credits for military personnel.  How do you know which state to file taxes in when you are transferred during the calendar year?  And how is deployment income taxed? Tackling these, and many other questions are Susan Speirs, CEO of Utah Association of CPAs; Derek Nelson - tax examiner manager & Steve Carlow - outreach training coordinator, both with the Utah State Tax Commission; and Brandon Olsen & Patrick Munson -- both partners and CPAs with Adams & Peterson, CPAs.You can also get FREE help with your taxes at VITA. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

Going overseas for your vacation doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.  Kate Davis, Associate Producer for KSL Newsradio, says her two week vacation to Peru cost about $1500 - including airfare. Kate says her best advice is to be open to places you may not have considered as  'bucket list' items to visit. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

Life insurance isn't always Death insurance.  Vivian Weyll, found of Aria Financial Group, says a life insurance policy designed the right way with the right benefits can provide college funds for kids or retirement funds -- TAX FREE. Weyll says you can also get a "Cash Back" policy which returns all the money you paid in if you don't die at the end of the policy's term. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

Are you getting the best deals at a Costco or Sam's Club over a regular food store? Dan Spindle, news anchor for KSL 5 TV, says there are 3-things you need to do to save money, no matter where you shop. Dan and Heather also discuss if food delivery services are worth the cost. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and math) is touted as the they way for education and careers.  Tami Goetz, director of Utah STEM Action Center, and Susan Speirs, CEO of Utah Association of CPAs, discuss why it's important to start teaching kids as young as 7-years old these courses. They also discuss some of the negative problems associated with STEM.  And where people of all ages can go to get hands on learning in areas of STEM to help your kids or older parents. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.

Surviving our capitalist system requires having true joy and purpose.  Quinn O'Briant, the "Joy Boss," says she faced a life of poverty and failure until she became INTENTIONAL about finding a different way to survive.  Now she has a six figure income. O'Briant teaches that the link between joy, money and purpose are closely related.  She's offering $200 off her 10-week course on her website.  Use the code "Sense" at checkout to get the discount. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook. And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal Twitter page. Be sure to email Heather your questions and request topics you'd like her to cover here.