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Money Making Sense

KSL Newsradiopodcasts.apple.com

The goal of Money Making Sense, a 4-time People's Choice Podcast Award finalist, is to help you find more financial peace.  Host Heather Kelly and guest experts focus on personal finances and analyzing family decisions.  The show discusses vacationing on a budget, how money affects relationships, retirement savings, reducing household expenses, and the financial impact of owning pets.  Along with celebrity interviews from the Sundance Film Festival and FanX Salt Lake focusing on finances.  Money Making Sense will give you practical ideas on how to improve your bottom line. 

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Episodes

Lowering heating and cooling costs for your home

HVAC systems must be able to make your home comfortable and be affordable at the same time. If you want more efficient systems, you need to get a higher number SEER and HSPF rating. It will cost a little more money up front, but save you in monthly utility bills. Dennis Stinson , VP of Sales for Fujitsu General America . If you can't afford a new A/C or heat system, try putting in more insulation in your attic, getting newer energy efficient windows, and sealing up gaps around windows and doors....

Sep 04, 202421 min

How to eat for $30 per week

Food Security expert, Kimberley Gillan , says buy nutrient dense, low cost foods such as parsley, peas, and skim milk powder in order to save money and be healthy. Gillan details what to buy every week for a 5-week cycle and how much it will cost in her book " How Low Can You Go " to help lower your grocery bills by 60%. HACK : canned fish like sardines and beans & lentils are a start. She also discusses several causes as to why food prices continue to increase and what we can do as individu...

Aug 28, 202426 min

Are you feeling the Vibecession?

If the experts believe the economy is in great shape, why does the average American feel like we're in a recession? That is what Nico Pesci , the founder and CEO of Momemtum Wealth , says is a ' vibecession .' When everyday people have the vibe things are going badly, while Wall Street is living high off the hog -- it's time to make a money plan for the stage of life you are in. Nico says recessions are part of economic cycles. Things will improve. You just need to wait, if can, to cash out your...

Aug 21, 202424 min

My529: Saving for all types of education

Higher education doesn't have to mean ONLY a 4-year expensive college. Troy Runnels , the CFO of My529 , says you can put money into a plan which will pay for a trade school educaton, internet usage, housing, internships school supplies and much more. Susan Speirs , the CEO of Utah Association of CPA s, says the funds you put into a MY529 plan qualify for a Credit on your taxes; and you can roll over any unused funds into a Roth IRA. Also, there are many opportunities available to help pay for y...

Aug 14, 202431 min

Being self-employed is both a blessing and a curse

Typically, going into business for yourself reduces your tax-burden. That's from Liz Steblay the author of " Succeeding as a Solopreneur " who says you will probably need to pull in about $110k as your own boss to break even on taxes from working for someone else. Liz is also the CEO of PICA (Professional Independent Contractors of America). She says empowerment is a great benefit to going out on your own. But it will also be the hardest you ever do in your life as Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt (t...

Aug 07, 202421 min

Driving without a map for your money, leads to more stress

Not having a financial strategy can stress you out even more than without a plan. James Alexander , CFP with Edge Financial Advisors , says imagine driving somewhere unknown without a GPS or a road map or knowing anything about your car. When you draw a map for your money, you will feel much safer financially. What stage of your life should you hire a financial advisor? James says taking control, even in small ways, of what you do with your money takes weight of your mind and is emotionally upli...

Jul 24, 202425 min

How DEI language on applications affects your salary

You could be limiting your ability for interviews by the language used on your resume. Cassie Whitlock , the Chief People Officer at Diversify , says companies are shifting toward skill based hiring vs pedigree educations. Both employers and employees need to be aware of their brand, and what are you trying to accomplish in your job search / job description. Susan Speirs , the CEO of Utah Association of CPA s, says it's important to understand what DEI really means: D iversity = skills & bac...

Jul 17, 202441 min

A SAVE student loan could be the key to investing in your future self

After several years of not having to pay student loans - or no interest added to them - everyone is back to paying their full payments. Brian Walsh , the head of advice and planning with SoFi , says a SAVE student loan program may be the way forward. But there have been changes. Currently, if you missed a student loan payment during the first year, it wouldn't be reported to a credit bureau. That is now going away. The percentage of your discretionary income used to calculate your monthly paymen...

Jul 10, 202419 min

Protecting seniors from scams

How do you know if something "sounds too good to be real?" That's the question Nico Pesci , the founder and CEO of Momemtum Wealth , details in this episode. He says seniors are targeted in all sorts of scams because they typically have more money to lose than younger generations. Nico also explains what signs you should look for if your loved ones are getting scammed. And who is doing the scamming? HACK : Do your homework on what the average 'return on investment' is and verify investment peopl...

Jul 03, 202440 min

Can you survive financially through retirement?

Over half of all Americans say they don't have enough money to either retire, or survive, in retirement. Indira Venkat , Senior Vice-President at with AARP says "its never too early and never too late to start saving." She says 57-Million workers don't have any type of retirement programs through their place of employment. You can find help at: aarp.org/tools or thisispretirement.org You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook . And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money...

Jun 26, 202410 min

War doesn't always disrupt your taxes or accountants

The war zones may be far away from the United States but many accountants are in the center of action. Valerie Bushell , corporate controller for BlueWind Medical , and Susan Speirs the CEO of Utah Association of CPA s say accountants may be deployed as part of the Armed Forces or work for companies who are based in war-torn countries. They also discuss how they help refugees who come to the U.S. for political asylum or to escape the ravages of war. You can follow this show on Instagram and on F...

Jun 18, 202427 min

Accounting is the language of business!

If you are an entrepreneur, you need to have this skill. Chris Harding , Salt Lake County Auditor , and Susan Speirs , the CEO of UACPA , discuss accounting and the changing world of the tax field. It's not just for old, white men without a sense of humor anymore. What role does A.I. hold in the world of accounting? And -- have you ever thought of Money Camp for your high school kids? Get more info from Susan Speirs HERE . You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook . And to see what H...

Jun 12, 202435 min

BEST OF: If you love your loo, only flush pee and poo

Flushable wipes aren't actually flushable. And neither are make-up removers and baby wipes. Leland Myers, Executive Director of the Wasatch Front Water Quality Council and Jill Jones, District Manager for Central Davis Sewer District explains how expensive these 'conveniences' can be for homeowners. Our sewer pipes were designed for our sanitary needs. Not for items which don't break down over time, like so-called flushable wipes. And it's costing many cities over $3,000,000.00 a year of taxpaye...

Jun 05, 202434 min

Save money shopping for designer clothes

Many can't afford to stay 'fashionable' with the high prices of clothing. Fair Allen , apparel technical designer, has tips on how to get what you want for less, and in an ethical manner. She says it can be as simple as using a capsule wardrobe. Shopping at thrift stores will also feel better on your wallet and keep clothes out of landfills. 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 X ( Twitter ) page. Be...

May 22, 202422 min

Is subscription creep emptying your bank account?

Whether you have streaming services with auto-renewal, or multiple small add-ons to programs, you could be paying a lot more than you realize. Nick Wolny, Managing Editor with CNET , says Spring is a great time to review every subscription you have and get rid of ones you don't use very much or didn't realize the prices increased. Nick also says it is so much easier to buy things. It only takes a swipe of a phone or a tap of a credit card and it doesn't hurt as much as when you write a check or ...

May 08, 202429 min

Your taxes could prevent human extinction

All species on earth work to support man through clothing, food and medicines. When they start going extinct we risk our own survival. That's from Lowell Baier , author of " Earth's Emergency Room: Saving Species as the Planet and Politics Get Hotter ." Baier says the loss of habitat through climate change and expansion of commerce due to population growth is the number one reason we are losing animal and plant life. And why the Endangered Species Act is critical to fund. You can follow this sho...

May 01, 202421 min

Warning! Are you sabotaging an inheritance?

Designating a retirement account to go to a Trust after you die will trigger taxation upon death. Attorney Cathleen Gilbert , the owner of Gilbert Law Office , says retirement accounts should be willed to an individual instead. In order to be fully prepared, Cathleen says you should have a will, a trust, a power of attorney and a medical directive to make sure all your wishes are carried out without excessive delays or complications. Susan Speirs , the CEO of Utah Association of CPA s, explains ...

Apr 24, 202438 min

Americans lost more than $10 BILLION dollars to scammers last year

Even though most people know scammers are working to take their money, they keep succeeding. Colin MacDonald , consumer protection attorney for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the Northwest Region describes a few of the top ways scammers come after your money. To learn more about Imposter Scams go to: ftc.gov/imposters To sign up for scam alerts go to: FTC.gov/consumeralerts If you have been a victim of fraud or a scam contact the FTC at: ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 877-382-4357 You can follow ...

Apr 17, 202422 min

How to identify text and email scams

Everyone says "don't open a scam email or click on a link in a text." But how do you know it's a scam without opening the messages? Host Heather Kelly explains a few ways to quickly identify those scam messages. She also has tips for those annoying phone calls from people asking for money or threatening police intervention. 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 X ( Twitter ) page. Be sure to email Hea...

Apr 03, 202420 min

Discussing your Inheritance plans shows love and trust

In order to avoid jealousy, hurt feelings, or not knowing what a loved one wants after they pass, it is extremely important to have a plan in place and discuss the transfer of wealth with your loved ones. That's from Lena Haas , the head of Wealth Management Advice and Solutions leader at Edward Jones . She says its important to separate your emotions from the Inheritance discussion by bringing in a third party, like a financial advisor. You can follow this show on Instagram and on Facebook . An...

Mar 27, 202411 min

Is this a good BOI or a bad BOI?

Beneficial Ownership Information, or BOI, is meant to put a stop to money laundering. However, it's estimated that 36 Million small business entities in the U.S. are required to file paperwork to register their companies with FINCEN -- or pay $591 A DAY if you miss the filing deadline. Guests Brett Jensen , a Partner with Haynie & Company and Susan Speirs , the CEO of Utah Association of CPAs , explain what type of companies must comply with this 2021 federal law and which ones are exempt. Y...

Mar 20, 202432 min

Adopting pets at a reduced price

Currently, shelters across the U.S. are overcrowded with dogs. But Holly Sizemore , the Chief Mission Officer for Best Friends Animal Society , says they are about to get inundated with cats and kittens as well. Now is the time to spay and neuter both indoor and all outdoor cats as females are currently in heat and will start producing offspring within the next couple of months. There are Trap, Neuter, and Release (TNR) programs across the country to help pay for the cost of these procedures. Si...

Mar 13, 202423 min

Your belief in yourself can affect your income.

Be thoughtful about the money you DO have. That's from Justin Janowski , coach and founder of Faith2Influence . He says the beliefs you hold about money -- good or bad -- can influence the amount of wealth you attain. Justin says 50% of the world exists on only $2.00 a day. That means, the other 50% of the population has more money than we may we think we do. The stories we are telling ourselves about what money IS, could be what is holding us back. You can follow this show on Instagram and on F...

Feb 21, 202425 min

There is help for the lack of affordable housing

People need to rethink what a "starter home" looks like. That's from David Damschen , CEO of Utah Housing Corporation . The Vice-President of Financial Services for UT Housing Corp, Ariane Gibson says there are several programs available to help pay for rent or a mortgage, but agrees, rethinking the size of your home is important. Susan Speirs , the CEO of Utah Association of CPA s, says the State and Federal programs available for low income earners do not affect their tax burden -- but they al...

Feb 14, 202439 min

Credit card debt is cancer for your financial body

Americans are now carrying a record amount of credit card debt more than One-TRILLION dollars. Lou Scatigna , The Financial Physician , says it's time we think about our finances they way we should about nutrition. Lou also says women are better with money than men as a general rule -- and it's important that both people in a relationship have an equal understanding of their finances. You can follow this show on Instagram and Facebook . And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, ...

Jan 24, 202424 min

What to know about ESG investing

Many companies around the world are changing where they put their own money based on Environment, Social and Governance rules. Marlo Oaks , the Utah State Treasurer, says this is the downfall of Capitalism. He says when corporations are required to change how they do business, it ties their hands from making even more money. Guest host Andy Farnsworth from The Movie Show , and Susan Speirs , the CEO of Utah Association of CPA 's both say it is important to keep informed of which companies are us...

Jan 17, 202431 min

Get off your emotional financial rollercoaster

Rule number one -- be accountable for your decisions, both financially and personally. That's from the author of Prepping for Success , Anmol Singh . He says when you learn to stick to your word, wealth of all sorts will follow you. Anmol is also a stock market trader and discusses how to get control of your emotions when the markets are going up and down. You can follow this show on Instagram and Facebook . And to see what Heather does when she's not talking money, go to her personal X ( Twitte...

Jan 10, 202423 min

Your money and your lifestyle

Are you a spender or a saver? Amanda Sharratt , the chief operating officer with Whitaker Myers Wealth Managers , says you can create the muscle for saving -- like she had to do as a spender. Amanda says staying out of debt, especially during the holidays, starts with having a plan ahead of time of how much you can spend within your budget. A good tip is to sell older items so you have some extra cash to buy gifts. Amanda also discusses where to start paying off your debt and why it's important ...

Jan 03, 202430 min

Students are leaving $42-MILLION in financial aid on the table every year

There are multiple ways to pay for higher education that don't include going into debt. Geoffrey Thomas Landward, the interim Commissioner for Utah System of Higher Education , says the " Keys to Success " app can show you how. He also discusses the Pell Grant, the Opportunity and Promose scholarships which are FREE. Susan Speirs, the CEO of Utah Association of CPAs , also gets in on the discussion of filling out FAFSA forms for financial aid. Along with the importance of higher education; which...

Dec 27, 202339 min

Unrelenting holiday scams

From shipping scams to people trying to get you to pay for things with gift cards, fraudsters are coming after your money in droves. Roberta (Bobbi) Tonelli , an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission , says it's important to learn how to spot a scam and then report them at: ReportFraud.ftc.com You can learn more about various scams at FTC.gov/consumeralerts . 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...

Dec 20, 202313 min
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