Ep. 178 —Big Things Poppin'

you know. But like you see the you see the dead Ass podcast and the Read and adulting podcasts and all these like people of color really killing it in the podcast game. Makes me so excited to be a part of that, you know, unofficial group.

pulled through, you know, fine, it was fine. But yeah, we haven't gotten pet insurance yet, so, you know, just her first round of you know, going for her checkup, not even get shots or anything like that, just to get like a checkup and a couple of tests run. I ended up spending three hundred four hundred dollars at the event over the course of two days. So out I.

So there's that. But yeah, you just pay it like a monthly premium and then you most likely you have a deductible whenever you need it. You know, some pet

insurance covers preventative care. Some it's like catastrophic. So I'm thinking about getting a catastrophic policy, which is a lot of what a lot of pet owners do, which is like, you know, if she were to get an act like hit by a car, oh god, I hope not, or getting a fight with a dog and you know, she breaks her arm, or she gets really ill because she eats something off, whatever, something really dramatic happens, it would

cover something like that. I'm thinking about that, and then I'll just like keep money saving the side for those routine you know, preventive care checkups and whatnot. We'll see. But that's where I think people get in trouble with pets is when something really unexpected happens and then it's a huge bill.

And I remember like I took her to the vet, and like I remember, our bill was like one fifty and I was like wait and and my dad was like mmmm. But I paid it honestly, because you know, that was my baby. I was like, whatever, whatever she needs. I remember once I was so scared. I didn't you know, I was I was young, so I didn't know anything about heat, like animals going into heat, and she like, when cat's going to heat, they do this like arching

back thing, you know. Basically, yes, they took the day backing that thing up, you know, and I didn't know.

like myself. And so it was just a really good learning lesson of like you know, taking care of something that needed you and setting inside that money. And yeah, I was like, now the neighbors have her, the neighbors have my kids, maybe me, and while she had everything she needed whatever, whatever, Cinder, I hope you enjoyed your life.

were affected with lead in the water. So it was like this whole big thing, and I have to say, I'm really impressed with the way the city handled it. Like one as soon as it came out, I'm sure they knew already, but whatever, but as soon as it came out, they handed out like you could get free water filters, and then they instantly started like a replacement program. So one it started, the first phase was getting tested,

like you signed up and it was free. They like hired contractors from around local contractors from around the city and its surrounding areas to come test. So someone came to our house, our new house, and tested our inside pipe and luckily it was copper, so copper pipes are fine. And then then they would test the outside pipes. And I mean, you did have to pay, because I believe my contractor was telling me that if I had to pay to replace the waterline in the street, that's over

ten thousand dollars. So the City of Newark said the maximum you would have to pay to replace the copper or to replace your water lines inside and outside the house is one thousand dollars, which I don't know why you'd have to pay to replace copper lines outside your house, but whatever, And so I was like okay, so I signed up. They came by they said it's copper on the inside. And then so that means I just have

whatever pipes are in the streets. So they're gonna replace they were supposed to do it today but it rained. But I just thought, like when I tell you, Mandy, it was so systematic. It was like, hey, here are your your filters? Then too, you know, sign up to have someone come by and check check your pipes because not everyone is affected. Then three phase three is okay, we're going like block by block to get you scheduled.

And so our neighbors across the street they got theirs done today, like I said, because it was raining, they had to stop to do ours. But I just thought, like, I don't why hasn't this been done, you know what I mean. I know it's probably affected more so than Newark, but just watching the way Newark has handled it, I'm wondering, like why is this not being handled in that way, this systematic like approach, like this grid approach to like affected areas, you know.

in it. That's how it all started. I don't know who tested it at first, but that came out and it kind of tumbled out to like it just in general that Newark because it was such an old city that many of the pipes were still led pipes, and so I just was just like really, like, you know, like it's disappointing that you know, it took all of this, but the fact that it's being like, you know, I think it's like a two year and like the two yeah,

I think it was like two years. That's what I read that the whole city should be like lead pipe free, which is great, but it just made me think of Flint and asking like, are people so busy like trying to pass the buck that they're not just doing something about it?

I'm like, great that news has reached the parents of America.

they're like a luxury vacation destination. So the fact that these tourists have been dying, although the country still says that they're not related at all, it is kind of it's becoming like suspicious, you know. It's it's a lot of people yeah, my and my friends were texting earlier. Would you go to dr and I don't? I mean, you know it's I would wait to. I mean I feel like I feel bad for people who have booked

vacations and don't have trip protection. Yeah, because then you're just like, well, you know, what are the odds all?

But then I said, well, I have to get an agent because I don't want to navigate that space alone. You know. I'm like, I'm wise enough to know now that you don't go those things alone. So I reached out to a couple of people, and i'd spoken at south By Southwest. Gene Chatsky. You've probably seen her on the Today Is It Today Show?

She's like, you know, like, and I was like, oh my gosh, that's great, and then it like dropped my memory. I was like, do you have do you have a book agent? And she's like, yes, I have a kick ass book agent. She's awesome. And so she introduced me and she is kick ass. Like, first of all, you know, like I'm not a huge curser, but I kind of like a people curse.

a month or so. But yeah, I'm excited, you know, like I never really thought about traditionally publishing, but there are some benefits because no matter what you know, you're obviously like the no one takes self publishing a serious obviously as traditional publishing. But for me, I didn't really care about that because I was like, well, I'm only here to be serious to dreamcatchers my audience, you know.

And so because those books have done really well. And plus two, you know, when you publish traditionally, you really don't get I mean, if you don't get a good advance, you don't really make much money on the back end, you know, right, I mean, you know there's some things you could do to negotiate, but still nothing, I mean, nothing compares to getting seventy percent of your own book versus whatever it is. You know that you get traditional publishing.

So I'm excited. So I'm the good thing is but Lynette, you know our fairy, our fairy financial godmother that we all love, Lynette Kaw f Annie Hawks. I think she's on Good Morning America. She's the like the go to financial expert there. So she was telling me because Lynette has a a New York Times bestseller I think a couple of them, but she has traditionally published and published

also self published. She said, the great thing about having at least one or two traditionally published books is that when people love them, people tend to like buy all your books, you know, like, oh my god, I love Lynette. So she was like, it kind of like gives you more sale in where you get more money anyway, which is you know, the ones that you self published. So she was like, you know, she kind of gave me like the like the thumbs up, go ahead, like do

it girl. So I'm excited, you know, I'm I'm still trying to figure out like what to the book. I mean, obviously personal finance, but like you know, what to the book kind of like be about because I figure I feel like I've covered, you know, so many other topics

and so yeah, I'm just I'm just really excited. And it's exciting because that book, Tim Ferris's book before our work week, that book I used to read it during that time when the kids were asleep when I taught preschool for ten years, and it really helped me to start the budget Neista. I remember I had like a notebook full of notes and like it just really helped

to like jump start like what I'm doing now. So what a full circle moment right, like she played this huge role in that and and you know, and that really helped that book play the huge role into what I'm doing now. So I'm like, look in, look at good.

of swirling. I'm gonna save some of them to myself when I think, you know, I'll tell you offline, Mandy, but I you know, but I am really curious as that what do people actually need and want? And so she gave me some really great idea So I'm kind of like doing some research now. We have a few, like I'd written a few like social media posts like in the past, asking what people really needed help with, so I can get just an understanding of what do

people really need and how do I deliver that. So but you can tweet me at the Budgetista or you know, post under my Instagram. The Budgetista was like, girl, I would love it for you to write about this or I'm struggling with this or whatever that looks like, because that would be really helpful because I don't want to write a book that you don't need, you know, So

I'm excited. And so I actually picked up his book The Four Hour Workweek from Barnes and Noble today because I I am the type that when I the books that I like to write, I liked for them to have a formula, you know, like here are concrete steps with concrete things that you can do, not just like a book like that's just kind of like talking and like, you know, like theorizing about things I like to say today,

pick up a pen and write this thing down. So and his book is like, you know, in alignment with that, So I was like, let me pick it up and kind of get that energy that helped me move that trance to help to transform my life. Because I want my book to have a similar energy in that it's transformative, but in a like a real way, you.

is very much like that brosky kind of language. And even though he's totally like a bro, I didn't feel left out of the conversation. And somehow I felt like, Okay, this is for me too.

like to get a nice variety. So if we don't answer your question, we can't get to every single question, and sometimes it may just be that we've answered something similar. So don't take it personally. We really appreciate you guys sending questions in and we try to get to We just try and get to the ones that are a little bit different than we have it.

ETFs or bonds. Do you think this is a good idea or do you have any suggestions on better ideas for this type of saving. I feel your pain. Yes, you put the money away and then something happens and you dip into it. I've been there before.

have a four oh one k your IRA. If ever I'm feeling like I'm doing something wrong, I'm like, but I'm still saving ten percent of my income each month or ten to fifteen percent, depending on I Sometimes they ratchet it up for retirement, and I always have like peace of mind knowing that I had this money in the bank and that I can't touch it without penalties, you know, without tax penalties or or or taxes to pay on it, because there's all these rules associated with it.

So I feel good about that. And then, you know, if I dip into my savings once in a while, especially when we were doing the house, like the savings was like seriously depleted, I could at least feel comfort knowing we never stopped saving for retirement. But as far as, like you know, I do think it's you know, if you're talking about it depends on what you guys are

saving for you and your wife. If you're saving for that emergency fund where okay, leaky roof car breaks down, you should have that money somewhere you can access that. You just got to be disciplined, So try putting in a different bank account that you don't have a debit card tied to that you can't easily access. You know, they don't have the account. Never memorize things like that. But if we're talking about money that you don't need for a year or two. Yes, I think CDs can

be great. You know, we opened our first couple of CDs a year or two ago because rates were getting a lot better than savings accounts and it seemed like it made sense. So I'm a fan of that. And you know, as far as like mutual funds ETFs, now you're talking about investing, and you have to be aware that if you're going to be saving in the market, you know, it's more investing and you could the potential for reward is higher, but the potential for losses is

higher too. So you know, you don't want to be put in your emergency fund for you know, unexpected emergencies tied up in the market, because you know what, if something bad happens, then your backup plan is completely obliterated.

some free pictures? So we did a barn She's like sure, and so she so, but we actually I actually told her go on Magnified Like I took her on Magnified

money dot com. I was like, click savings and then like I showed her like, see, these are like these online only savings accounts that I really love, and look for the ones that are a FDIC insured minimum deposit like you know zero basically highest interest rate, and and that you don't have to have a certain deposit in order to like do you have you don't have to maintain a certain deposit in order to get that industry.

And so she picked one that she felt like comfortable with but saving like emergency funds there it at least don't open up a checking account at that bank, but it at least provided that buffer of like twenty four

to seventy two hours. That's how long it takes to get your money back if you attach your online only savings account to your traditional checking account, so it's checking account at a different brick and mortar bank savings account online, so that will help a little bit, because literally there's no way for you to get your money except for to make that transfer and wait at least twenty four hours and then you know, outside of an emergency fund, you know, I think most of us, if if we

keep money laying around too much or you know, we're apt to spend it. And so yeah, so I mean it are you that extra money if if it's saving for a specific thing or it's just like there's this extra money, and then you know, then I would look to invest in I particularly like like Vanguard. These people are not you know, mag Ifi. My money doesn't pay me. They pay the Vaney though, but she worked there. But

but like Vanguard doesn't pay me anything. But I like Vanguard as far as like if I'm going to look for mutual funds and ets, and I like their philosophy as a company. They've got a really low expense ratio, which is basically the fee that they that they charge you in order to in order to manage your money. I think, like last of my check was like well under one percent. I don't quote me, but I mean that's the last time I checked. And so yeah, you

should be investing. I mean, I don't know, if there you guys are investing, Like, are you setting aside at least ten percent of your income for retirement? If that's not the case, maybe start beefing that up a little bit. But yeah, just having your money languishing is you know, it's a problem we all have. I know, I've definitely been there, and so I've been making changes, so it's not just kind of sitting there doing nothing waiting to be spent.

You know, should you be starting smaller working your way up, or are there some expenses you can cut to give yourself more wiggle rooms you can put away more money and you know, just you know, go easy on yourself. Saving a little bit is better than nothing. So yeah, take it.

is up. Do you really really not need the money before you tie it up in a CD and then compare rates you know, sites like yes, Magnify Money, but there's other sites too. You can easily compare rates online now to be sure you getting the best deal out there. Thanks for your question, Dizzodig, and let's go to an email question from listener Aria. I hope I said that right. Credit card question. Aria says, I'm twenty five years old, young professional with a credit score a little over seven

hundred can grass girl? I think my credit score is over seven hundred and twenty five. I have student debt in a car loan. I'm working to get refinanced, but I'm looking into applying for my first credit card, and I'm at a loss. My mom's telling me to go through Wells Fargo. Of course she is, and other friends, all of your friends are telling me Capital One or Discover. I foresee myself traveling often in the future, so I would potentially like a card where I can get points, rewards,

or miles. I currently have a best Buy credit card. So this isn't your first credit card then, yeah, but uh, I currently have a best Buy credit card and a Care credit card for health care expenses. I don't use them often, but when I do, I pay them off within the month. Proven to myself, I'm financially responsible, so I trust myself with the card now. So she's looking for her next credit card, not her very first credit card. Well, it's great that you've, you know, gotten those other two

credit cards improved. You can be responsible, yes with those, Yeah, that's the key. And I don't think I'm thinking the best Buy credit card doesn't have I think my husband has one. They doesn't have an annual fee, and Care we.

take your dog for surgery or whatever. And then if you don't pay off the debt before that interest period, that intro promotional period's over, they slap you with deferred interests usually, which is like pretend as if you were paying interest all along, but they just waited until then to slap it onto your bill.

your purchases. Like I've been a fan of the City Double Cash card myself, because you get one percent when you make your purchase and then you get another percent when you pay off the card each month, so really it's a two percent cash back, flat rate card. I think that's a solid card to have in your wallet for every day spending. If you want the travel reward card without the high annual fee, you could take a look at Uber. Uber has a travel card out now.

I think it doesn't have an annual feed and it gives you four X points on spending like travel and dining, and it has some kind of perks for Uber rides itself, I think. And then what was I thinking of? Oh, the step down from the Chase Reserve is the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which I think is ninety five dollars. And again, like check these cards out yourself. I'm just rattling off the top of my head, but make sure you know

the most recent terms on these cards. But Chase Fire Preferred I think is two points on travel and then it's ninety five dollars a year. So as long as you think you'll travel enough to make at least that much money and rewards are more ideally, then it can be worth it.

It's it's easy to go crazy with your first card, but you know, you've proven yourself to be responsible. You've got a great credit score, you're young, and you've been able to manage thus far. But just like I said, just just be mindful because it's easy to you know, one white because another swipe and before you know, you're like, yikes. Don't be afraid to leave that card at home if you feel tempted, and to take out your debit card and bring.

But compare your options and I'll share a link to a couple of a couple of roundups of the best travel cards where you can get started. But think about that nice flat rate cash back credit card that I'll just serve you every day too, because I think that's a nice entry level. And then you can test yourself with the rewards card. Are you going to be spending more just to earn that reward? You know, that's the temptation of these travel cards is that they get you

to spend more so that you get those points. But then can you really afford to pay it off each month? And if you can't, then it's not worth it. But good luck, and keep that seven hundred credit score that'll.

forty minute mark. It was supposed to go an hour, and the person hosting the meeting just continued to he was like, oh, we've got twenty minutes left. How do you feel about da da da da da? And you know that price the tea in China and what's happening in the Dominican you know, just like all and I was like, you've got to give people their time back?

that meeting. Like setting expectations is so important and for me, it's all about like like I want meetings to end and people feel like, oh, okay, we move the needle to achieve something, or we know what the next steps are, and it just drives me a little Craik kray when meetings were like, clearly the person hasn't prepared, they don't really know what they're you know, they call people together and the I'm not sure why and we're just gonna ramble and talk, you know, for half an hour and

didn't do nothing, and it's just like, you know, thank you for not valuing my time. It's what it feels like.

wrong agenda. I'm like, why did y'all let me get right through the meeting?

I'm not sure why my name is on there. I did not request it. It was so cute, and I was like, so yeah, So, I mean, we try not to waste people's time. We try to keep our meetings under an hour. But yeah, no, I totally get that. Or just sometimes like even when folks hit me up on like social and it's high and you're like, okay, I know they have a question, and I don't mind ask a question, but you don't have to butter me up and wait for me to say hi back. Just hey, Tiffany,

you know, thanks so much for blah blah blah. I have a question, like you can put it all in one sentence, because that whole that initial high or that initial hey, what's up. It's like, I know you have a credit question. I know you got a budget questions. It's okay, literally see a bunch of these, stay account.

I don't want if you get to it, even when you see me in person, like I don't honestly, I honestly don't mind unless I'm like rushing off and I'm racing off somewhere you could tell that I'm you know, busy, or if I'm on the phone, you know, and even then typically I'm you know, I might be if I'm at like a whole food, I'm probably talking to like my sister or my mom or something. I don't mind helping.

But yeah, for me, I just like people just to get to the point because we're dragging it out and you're gonna ask the question anyway, so let's get to it.

called Dreamcatchers. You know, so because when you trademark, like for example, I saw a four Seasons, like we know four Seasons is like the fancy hotel but I saw a four seasons garden shop, so clearly, like the four seasons hotel does not own, there's four seasons for the garden shop. So so yeah, but I'm just excited because I was just like, yeah, I you know, I was sleeping and sleeping on it, and it takes about a year.

But by the time you like apply, but by the time they you know, they go through all the rigamar roles. So I just want to shout out Tony Moore of Legally Chic. She's so awesome honestly, like I said, I mean, I have two lawyers, but Tony does like my day to day stuff. So she's the one who kind of like not kind of, but she does all my trademarks and stuff. Now, she's really great. She's she's fast, she's swift,

he's sharp as hell. And yeah, so we've got a couple of other trademarks coming down the pipeline, like she was the one. Like. What I love about Tony too is that she'll like check up and be like, uh, I remember when my trademark for the budgeties to expire. Can you imagine? Oh god, I know, I mean luckily I have.

how do you do that? That's like, honestly, that's like a book that I have in me that I'm not writing any time.

a nonprofit but it's profitable, you know. So yeah, I mean I'm still you know, I'm still learning. That's why I kind of feel like maybe that's why I said eight figures, because I feel like then i'd be like, not that I wouldn't be learning anymore, but then I would feel like, Okay, because we're multi seven figures now, and I really think we'll hit eight figures by next year.

That's what we're our trajectory is looking like. But I feel like that's like a figure that people really take seriously, Like, you know, my business makes ten to twenty million dollars a year because you know, like everybody you know, when I tell them about doing good work, it sounds so cool bay yah, But then you're like, oh, well my business makes twenty I don't make twenty million dollars a year now. But to say like, yeah, it's not just

coom baya, it works. You can you know, you can help people, you can give a lot away for free, you cannot overcharge. You can do those things and have an eight figure of year business Like that's what. For some reason, I just feel like that's like a serious business number that folks who might otherwise poo poo at like you know, helping people and being good to people, would be like, well, you know, I mean, she's got

a viable business. It's not a small you know, like I don't what is it a small do you know, like what a small business equal? Like when you're your annual income. I wonder what like the threshold is for a small business might have more to.