Here's today's end-of-year wrapup for 2017!

• Joshua's thoughts on tax reform...
• ...and bitcoin...
• ...and your financial tracking systems for 2018...
• ...and a good year-end cleanse...
• oh, and Merry Christmas!

Talk to you next year,

Joshua

(My interview starts at 7:30 into the show.)

I recently gave an interview to the Complete Privacy and Security Podcast on the topic of financial privacy. I think it was a really good interview.

This interview was originally published on December 8, 2017 here: https://operational-security.com/cps-podcast-e058-financial-privacy-security/

--

SHOW NOTES

INTRO
Motherboard Guide to Not Getting Hacked

MAIN TOPIC
Joshua Sheats of Radical Personal Finance joins us to discuss:
– Why being financially stable (and ideally independent) is an important component of personal privacy
– Joshua’s Stages of Financial Independence, and what each of them means:

Stage 0: Financial Dependence
Stage 1: Financial Solvency
Stage 2: Financial Stability
Stage 3: Debt Freedom
Stage 4: Financial Security
Stage 5: Financial Independence
Stage 6: Financial Freedom
Stage 7: Financial Abundance

– How to pick make an accountant or financial planner who respects your financial privacy & security – Episode 459 of Radical Personal Finance: Don’t Trust Your Financial Advisor!
– How trusts and LLCs can impact your finances and privacy
– How much cash you should have on hand and where you should store your emergency fund – Episode 481 of Radical Personal Finance: Where Should I Keep My Emergency Fund?
– Which precious metals you can sell in any amount without reporting the sale to the IRS
– Joshua’s thoughts on investing in precious metals, Bitcoin, and other alternative assets
– What you need to do right now to begin achieving financial independence

Be sure to check out Radical Personal Finance – it’s one of my favorite podcasts!

OFFENSE/DEFENSE
No Offense/Defense this week.

LISTENER QUESTIONS
1. How secure and/or private is Paypal.com? Do you recommend using Paypal?
2. If my bank doesn’t offer two factor authentication, what else can I do to protect my account?

Today, I'd like to interrupt the personal finance content with a show on podcasting. After recording over 500 episodes of Radical Personal Finance, I feel like I have some valuable lessons to share with other podcasters and with my listeners who are considering starting a podcast.

Enjoy,

Joshua

• Visit www.HelloFresh.com and use "RPF30" to save $30 off your meal delivery.

If you enjoy learning how common financial instruments can be used to achieve incredible results, you'll enjoy this show.

Joshua

Today I have a replay for you of Episode 121. This episode was originally released December 17, 2014 and the information should be as relevant today as it was then.

Notes are here: https://radicalpersonalfinance.com/last-minute-tax-planning-ideas-to-save-you-money-rpf0121/

I really hate it when I see people bullied. And I especially hate to see debtors bullied by unethical debt collectors.

In today's show I share with you some tools, tactics, and techniques and knowledge to help you stand up for yourself in the face of an onslaught of bill collectors.

I hope these help you.

And, if you don't need this type of help, I hope these ideas help you to help someone else who does.

Joshua

• Try Hello Fresh! www.HelloFresh.com and use coupon code "RPF30" to save $30 on your first week of deliveries!
• Text of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
• Recommended book: "Solve Your Money Troubles: Strategies to Get Out of Debt and Stay that Way" from NOLO press
• Consumer Credit Counseling Services https://www.credit.org/cccs/

Today's episode is an interview I gave for the "In The Rabbit Hole" urban survival podcast.

This episode was first released October 30, 2017 here: https://www.intherabbithole.com/e232/

Joshua

Today we continue our discussion of how you can achieve financial freedom in 10 years or less with an analysis of a business I thought my way through recently: that of working as a mobile RV repairman/mechanic.

I think this business (or skilled trades with similar career profiles) has a huge amount to offer the aspiring financial freedom fighter.

Listen to today's show for analysis on the specifics of this opportunity and the parallels you can draw to other careers to help you become financially independent in 10 years or less.

Joshua

• Part 1 of this series was: 476 – Pathways to Financial Freedom (in 10 years or less): Expediter Trucking (and other live-on-the-job opportunities)

I've had today's show in my head for the last few weeks as I've watched Hollywood--and the world--rocked day by day with allegation after allegation of sexual abuse by major, major stars.

I've watched careers destroyed, movie premiers canceled, and marriages torn asunder.

I've thought again and again about the financial destruction being wrought by these allegations against so many men. Not only the loss of careers, the mega-million-dollar settlements, but the financial destruction of forthcoming divorces and the emotional distress leading to lost productivity.

To me, it seemed like an important topic to discuss with regard to finances.

But I held back, because I felt as though I would be picking on ideological opponents when they're down and I don't want to be one who rejoices in another's time of distress.

Until yesterday.

When the allegations came out via the Washington Post against Judge Roy Moore in Alabama, I felt I couldn't stay silent any longer.

And so, today, here are my thoughts on how men can protect themselves from sexual scandal.

Joshua

I'm working on some back-office work this week and hustling to finish delivering the Radical Personal Finance Guide to Career and Income Planning before the Thanksgiving holiday, so today you get an "Out & About" interview!

This episode was released as Episode 37 of the Masters of Money Podcast on August 30, 2017. https://ptmoney.com/masters-money/

Today's show is very special. Together, we celebrate 500 episodes together! The show is centered on your voices and your feedback.

This is a very meaningful milestone for me. When I began RPF, I committed myself to recording 1,000 episodes, even if no one listened. 4 years later, I'm half finished with that commitment! And I'm so honored that thousands of you do listen. Your feedback in this episode is so encouraging to me.

Thank you,

Joshua

• The Politicization of Motherhood - Wall Street Journal (if that link doesn't work, use this one)

Lots of people wind up living in their cars out of extreme financial stress. But today, I'm going to share with you a few of my strategies for living in your car for fun.

I've never lived in my car for a long period of time, but I have done it for up to two weeks. And, living (or more accurately staying/camping?) in your car can be:

• fun
• easy
• comfortable
• frugal

You should seriously consider it. And I'm here today to tell you why and how to do it well.

Joshua

I recently took a friend of mine (who is super broke) through a grocery store and shared with him some of my strategies to fill your tummy when you're flat broke.

This should help you save some cash...or at least help you teach someone else who's hungry how to eat cheap.

Joshua

• Today's show is sponsored by Warby Parker. Get really nice and fashionable eyeglasses shipped right to your door for you to try on and save a ton in the process! www.WarbyParker.com/RPF

After reading hundreds of listener emails this week, I've become very clear on the #1 mistake of the Radical Personal Finance audience.

Here's my attempt to help.

Joshua

No, that title isn't clickbait. There really is risk created by paying off debt too quickly.

Details in the show.

Joshua

Today, we handle this interesting question from a listener:

"In talking about Samaritan to a pastor-friend he threw out the scenario that your middle school age son is injured in an accident while riding in a friend's car, and the police find marijuana in the car--what happens?

When I asked a Samaritan rep about it he said their board would carefully review the situation and if they deemed that your son wasn't responsible for/aware of the pot then his injury would be covered; if he was responsible/aware then he would not be covered.

While my kids are all under 8 right now and this scenario is a ways off as a possibility for us, I'm concerned that when they reach middle/high school age I may need to look into alternatives for a couple reasons: (1) I'm not fully convinced of an investigatory board's ability to discern for sure in such a scenario what was going on and (2) while I'm teaching my kids to obey their parents and the civil authorities, they are still sinners and, growing up being a learning process, I'm concerned that if one of my kids made a stupid choice as a 14 year old it could significantly haunt the whole family for a long time.

What are your thoughts on medical-sharing plans and this sort of scenario? (Obviously this is just one example of the many ways a child could make a sinful and stupid decision while still under their parent's care that could have long-term ramifications.)"

Enjoy!

Joshua

• Sponsor: www.HelloFresh.com and use the promo code RPF30 to save $30 off your subscription!
• If you decide to join Samaritan Ministries, tell them Joshua Sheats sent you over! That gets me a discount on my share next month. :) Thanks!

Erin writes in and says: "I love listening to your podcast- I know you've had a few episodes recently in reaction to current events. As a resident of the Bay Area I hope you could do an episode in relation to wild fires (if there isn't a past episode I am overlooking)."

Erin et al, here are my suggestions for you!

Joshua

• Sponsor today: Bombfell. Visit www.bombfell.com/RPF
• Tons of important information on preparing for wildfires: www.firewise.org
• Firescaping: Creating fire-resistant landscapes, gardens, and properties in California's diverse environments

Fun question today for our Friday episode...comes in from Chris:

Joshua,

Looking to see if you have any insight on emotional/psychological decisions versus logical decisions when it comes to finance.

Back story -

I have a paid for 20 year old Harley. I have not ridden it in three years, I spend $200/year on an insurance policy, each spring I do maintenance on it which costs about $30, and living in Minnesota, we only really have 6 months or so of decent riding weather. I have a big garage so storage is not an issue, apart from each winter when I have to move it around in and tell myself I'll sell it in the spring.

I can make the logical argument to myself that I need to sell this. It is a depreciating asset, costs money to maintain and insure, and it really brings no value to my life.

However, I can not bring myself to sell it. I have no pressing financial obligations so the $5-6k that I would get from selling it would really not do much to improve my life. About the only thing that I would do with the money is put in a taxable brokerage account (through a RPF link tradeking account, of course).

I have told myself I am going to sell this bike for years now, but I still can't figure out why I still have it.

Any insight would be helpful, and as always, thanks for the great show!

I thought about simply calling today's show, "On Hammers."

You pick the title you prefer...but recognize the truth: tools are tools and their usefulness depends not on their inherent attributes but on their appropriate application.

Joshua

• Please support RPF on Patreon: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Today's show rounds out a special series of live Q&A shows. Today we cover:

• 1:20 Should I put more money into my retirement plan or buy a house?
• 18:45 Can I use a donor-advised fund as a smart way to get a bigger tax deduction for my contribution to my local church?
• 32:30 Should I move from a commission-based job to a salary job which also means a salary cut?
• 39:10 Should I buy a joint universal life insurance policy to protect my new baby?
• 1:10:00 Should I keep an India-based whole life insurance policy now that I'm a US resident?

Enjoy the show!

Joshua

• Please support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

I've been doing a live Q&A series...today we cover these:

• 1:24 - Can I Pay for My Seminary Degree with Early Distributions from a Retirement Account?
• 13:30 - Can I Still Become Financially Independent if We Move to Paradise First?
• 25:45 - Should We Sell our Rental House Two States Away or Plan to Move Back to It In Order to Get the Tax-Free Gains on a Future Sale?
• 37:45 - Are Healthcare Sharing Ministries Like Samaritan Ministries Any Good?

Joshua

• Ph.D. for under $15,000 https://americanvision.org/6383/b-a-to-ph-d-for-under-15000-how-i-did-it/
• Healthcare Sharing Ministries https://radicalpersonalfinance.com/health-care-sharing-ministries/
• Support RPF on Patreon: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

As we all watch and process the mass shooting in Las Vegas this weekend, I thought it would be appropriate to share a few lessons learned.

I always try to process an event like this with an eye towards the lessons I can learn.

The tactical situation in Las Vegas was impossible. I don't think you could imagine a worse situation to be in as a concert-goer. An absolute nightmare.

But, I do have a few thoughts that I think can help. And since I don't hear anyone sharing anything practical, here are my suggestions.

If you have additional practical, actionable ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Joshua

• The flashlight I use is the FourSevens Mini Mark II. It's awesome. http://amzn.to/2fMdtNM

I'm hosting a special Q&A series this week which is open to the entire listening audience.

Today we tackle:

• What Should I Do With a Large Bonus?
• How Can I Counsel a Young Lady Who Is Using Her Earnings to Support Her Poor Mother?

If you'd like to call in for tomorrow's show, here are the details you need to know.

Joshua

On Friday's, we do Q&A for our Patrons! Today, we cover:

• Should I Use a Whole Life Insurance Policy as My Retirement Bridge?
• Should I Concentrate All of My Investment Accounts With One Manager?

Joshua

• I forgot to mention at the end of the discussion...if you sign up for a free Personal Capital account with this link, I get a small commission. www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/personalcapital
• IRS instruction on avoiding the early distribution penalty: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-tax-on-early-distributions
• Here are the call-in instructions for next week's special call-in shows. httpshttps://twitter.com/JoshuaSheats/status/913854177721376768://twitter.com/JoshuaSheats/status/913854177721376768

I feel like I owe it to you to keep you semi-current on the state of tax policy in the USA. But, it's too early to have any serious details about the current Republican proposals.

I thought instead we could have a useful philosophical discussion about taxation. My challenge to you today is to answer these questions, for yourself.

• Do you believe that a civil government has the moral right to tax an individual's income? Why or why not?
  • Do you believe that the US civil government has the constitutional right to tax an individual's income?
• If you believe that a civil government does have this right, how much of a person's income can they claim? What's the right number and how would you know?
• Do you believe that everyone should be required to pay income taxes?
• Do you believe that some people should be treated differently than others and so be ordered to pay a different rate of income tax than others? Why or why not?
  • If so, how would we determine who should be treated differently and how much of a difference there should be?
• Do you believe that government tax policy should be used to incentivize certain behaviors or to dis-incentivize other behaviors?
  • If so, how would we know what behaviors should be incentivized and which ones shouldn't?
• Do you believe that tax policy should be used to give some people special benefits because of certain behaviors?

Joshua

Today's question involves a generous financial gift from an in-law. How should this listener handle it to make sure it's a blessing and not a curse?

Joshua

• Support RPF on Patreon: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

I'm just wrapping up a week and I've been off the mic for all of it due to being sick.

Wanted to share with you a short motivational monologue to encourage you to keep pressing forward in the challenges you're facing today.

This too shall pass.

Joshua

I've been sick most of the past week and am especially struggling with my throat/voice. When Joshua no speak, RPF no happen. (And of course that's a good reminder of the value of disability planning!)

So, in light of the Equifax breach, I'll issue this replay for you. If you skipped this episode when it originally aired as Episode 461, don't skip it now.

Enjoy.

Joshua

Today we tackle the Equifax security breach. This is the most damaging release of personal information ever. And you need to take it seriously.

You must assume that you have been affected. At this point, I see no reason to even trust the official Equifax website. Here's why.

• Clark Howard's excellent credit freeze guide: http://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/credit-freeze-and-thaw-guide/
• Another excellent one by the Justin Carroll and Michael Bazzell: https://privacy-training.com/CreditFreeze.pdf
• I forgot to mention this on the show, but here's a link for those of you who are readers of the resources. The IRS seems to use social media to find people committing tax fraud.
  Source: http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2017/08/the-irs-is-mining-taxpayer-data-on-social-media-in-violation-of-federal-privacy-law.html
• The official Equifax response website: www.equifaxsecurity2017.com
• Why the Equifax breach is possibly the worst leak of personal information ever.
• What should you do if your data was hacked?
• The novel I mentioned: True Faith And Allegiance, a Tom Clancy novel by Mark Greaney

I was inspired to do this show by watching a recent conversation thread in the RPF Facebook Group about where to store your emergency fund.

I thought it'd be fun to share with you the things I think about with regard to emergency fund storage.

Enjoy the show!

Joshua

• www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Hey Radicals!

Thank you to so many of you who have inquired of our health and safety following Hurricane Irma.

Here's my personal report for you!

Short version: we are well. :)

Joshua

I've been busy today preparing for Hurricane Irma here at the Radical Personal Finance Global Headquarters.

At the moment, the National Hurricane Center forecasts the eye of the storm to pass squarely over HQ.

So, I thought I'd record a podcast and share a few things with you:

• Based on watching the Hurricane Irma frenzy, I'm convinced that "societal collapse" scenarios are plausible. I learned this at Costco yesterday.
• I'm also convinced we live in the greatest time to be alive and that there are so many tremendously powerful companies who are laser-focused on serving their customers. I learned this at Costco today. And from reading this article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/inside-story-what-took-keep-texas-grocery-chain-running-chip-cutter
• The final 20 minutes of the show involves an off-the-cuff discussion of practical hurricane preparation if you decide to stay put through a storm.

Gotta run! Lots to do...

Joshua

It's Friday! On Fridays we do a live Q&A show. Today we cover:

• (2:30) What Should a New Expatriate Do With Their Investment Money?
• (18:30) What To Do With an Old Pension?
• (26:40) How Should a Newlywed Approach the Rent or Buy Question?

If you'd like to join me for a future Q&A show, sign up to be a Patron at www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Joshua

Whenever there's a natural disaster, we have various articles on price gouging's lamentability, to wit, its harmfulness and illegality.

But, is it really bad?

I say not.

"Price gouging" (or, more accurately stated, the adjustment of market prices to meet changing demand) has tremendous utility for the well-being of all involved and is absolutely upright, moral, and ethical.

Of course, this guy says it's wrong, morally and economically. I deal with his "arguments" in the show.

Joshua

• Support RPF on Patreon: www.radicalpersonlfinance.com/patron

I've been watching the #HoustonFloods this weekend and considering the lessons I can learn for my own disaster planning.

Today, I share some useful ideas for you about how to plan for events like the Houston Floods.

Joshua

• Episode 381 - Simple, Cheap, Practical Tips to Help You Prepare for a Coming Hurricane
• Episode 347: Disasters Happen – Make a Plan Now to Ensure You Have Plenty of Money Available to You to Solve the Problems Money Can Solve

Yesterday I was watching the solar eclipse (up north in the 100% band) and I happened to have breakfast with an expediter.

Not sure what that is?

Basically, a truck driver who drives a van. (More in the audio show.)

As we ate, I tried to lay out a few paths on how he could become financially free based on his current work.

And, I promised him a show on the topic.

So, you get to listen in as I tell him--and you--how any normal person can use a live-on-the-job opportunity as a trampoline to bounce them into the upper tiers of financial abundance.

Enjoy!

Joshua

• The novel I mentioned is Enemies Foreign and Domestic by Matthew Bracken.

Time for Friday Q&A! If you'd like to join for a future show, sign up here: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Today, we cover:

• 2:00 Should I refinance my credit card debt by moving it to a HELOC?
• 34:10 Do you have passion for a job before the fact or do you become passionate about it after you're good at it?
• 42:30 Should I drop the military's Survivor Benefit Plan for my pension in favor of buying a 10-year whole life insurance policy?

Enjoy!

And remember! I have 27 seats remaining for the new Radical Personal Finance Guide to Career & Income Planning. If you're interested, I'd love to have you in the class. Join here: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/career

Joshua

As I celebrate the opening of the registration page for the beta launch of the new Radical Personal Finance Guide to Career & Income Planning, I intend to share with you a few simple lessons related to career and income.

Today, we begin with the philosophical fundamentals: the interplay of human capital and financial capital. We all start with what we have (human capital) and use it to create financial capital, which we ultimately work to have in surplus. Once we have surplus, we get to decide what to do with it.

Enjoy!

Joshua

• Try Hello Fresh to get awesome, pre-measured fresh ingredients delivered right to your front door! Save $30 off your subscription with code RPF30! www.hellofresh.com/rpf30
• If you're interested in joining the beta launch of my new Guide to Career and Income Planning, I've got 65 seats left. Registration closes either on 8/20 or when I sell out the seats, whichever comes first. More details here: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/career

I've had a tough summer. I have nothing to complain about. I've been richly blessed and, in almost every way outside of Radical Personal Finance, life has been sweet. But, RPF hasn't been so great for me. And, if it hasn't been so great for me, it might not have been so great for you either.

I thought you might appreciate hearing the explanation and the story.

It's important to me to share the good and the bad--the heights and the lows--with you in order to help you understand that we all share common struggles and trials.

That said, I don't think it's helpful to talk about problems unless I can also suggest a solution. And, thankfully, I've worked out some solutions to my problems. So, now I'm ready to share the problems with you!

I've figured out what's wrong with Radical Personal Finance. And [I think] I've figured out how to fix it!

Here's the story...

Joshua

• The book I read from is called "Out of the Ashes: Rebuilding American Culture" by Anthony Esolen http://amzn.to/2v69tLh

On Fridays we do a live Q&A which is open to Patrons of the show. Become a Patron at www.RadicalPersonalFinance.com/patron

Today we cover:

• Can I Have Both a SIMPLE IRA and a Traditional IRA
• What Personal Finance Books Does Joshua Recommend
• What Three Investments Would I Buy To Leave Alone for a Decade
• What Are the Rules of Thumb for Who Should Buy Long-Term Care Insurance
• And more!

Joshua

On Fridays, I host a Q&A call. Patrons of the show are invited to call in and ask any question they want!

Today, we cover:

• (1:57) What's the best type of retirement plan for my wife's side business? (SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Solo 401(k)?)
• (16:45) How can I help my sister-in-law who is asking me for financial advice?
• (30:20) Should I pay off my debt as fast as possible or save up and pay it off in large chunks of money?

Joshua

• Become a Patron of the show and gain access to future Q&A shows here: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

There's been an interesting switch in the world of personal finance wherein some people are building financial plans based on extremely low spending projections. In essence, some people assume that if they can live on an extremely low budget per year today, they can build a long-term financial plan predicated on maintaining that spending forever.

I think this is a dangerous assumption. And, in today's show, I explain why.

Joshua

• Earn up to 8.5% return on your money by financing solar energy projects with Wunder Capital. www.WunderCapital.com/radical

Welcome to another Friday Q&A Show! Today, we cover:

• Is It Legit That You Can Find Missing Money That's Still Unclaimed
• Should I Take Free Housing With a Longer Commute
• How Do I Deal With Massive Medical Bills
• Do I Need a Personal Insurance Agent
• What Three Books Would Joshua Take to A Desert Island?

If you'd like to join me for a future Q&A show, become a Patron of the show at www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Joshua

• Save $30 off a new subscription for awesome food at www.HelloFresh.com using coupon code: "RPF30" Give it a try!

Friday Q&A is back! Today:

• How does an LLC Protect My Liability and Help Me Save on Tax?
• How Can I Lower My Tax Bill on the Sale of My House?

If you'd like to participate on a future show, sign up here! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Joshua

I've long struggled to know how to advise people with regard to debt. On the one hand, the use of debt can dramatically increase the financial returns of an investment. On the other hand, debt can have a dramatic negative impact on the lifestyle of the borrower when everything goes wrong.

So, how do we reconcile these two things?

I've come to see that they're two entirely different scales. Because they are two totally different scales (think: how do kilograms and degrees Fahrenheit interact with one another), it's hard to simultaneously factor in both.

Enjoy the show,

Joshua

• Sponsor: www.wundercapital.com/radical Invest in commercial solar projects and earn up to 8.5% on your money. Start with as little s $1,000.

I've alluded to my long-term guess that the US Government will default on many of its current promises.

But, I've never really supported that argument.

I thought I'd kick that support off today by sharing with you a succinct and coherent description of the problem by reading Professor Laurence Kotlikoff's testimony to the Senate Budget Comittee in 2015.

Enjoy,

Joshua

• America’s Fiscal Insolvency and Its Generational Consequences: Testimony to the Senate Budget Committee http://www.kotlikoff.net/sites/default/files/Kotlikoffbudgetcom2-25-2015.pdf
  
• Support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon! www.radicalpersonafinance.com/patron

I've never invested in raw land. My #1 reason? Since raw land has no utility, there's no way to pull income from it. And at this stage of my life, I value income-producing assets.

But, my guest on today's show has a great system for solving that problem.

He has parlayed raw land into a very helpful income stream leading to his own financial freedom.

Enjoy my interview with Mark!

Joshua

• Mark's website is: https://www.thelandgeek.com/
• Please support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Today's episode is Part 2 of a mini-series on the seasons of life.

The world of work is changing rapidly. We find ourselves pressed on all sides to do more work and different work.

And yet in personal finance circles, the focus of our conversation is quite frequently how to get out of work.

I believe work is a blessing and not a curse. And that to run from work is the wrong answer.

And yet how can we adjust our relationship with work so that it feels more meaningful and less ephemeral?

Part of the answer is in learning to work with the natural seasons of life.

Enjoy,

Joshua

• Please visit www.HelloFresh.com to get awesome food, delivered right to your door. Save $30 when you subscribe with promo code RPF30. Thanks!

Poverty is hard. Money helps to make life less hard. But, in our modern world, it's hard to figure out how much money is enough.

As you go through the seasons of your life the usefulness of money will wax and wane.

Money comes with a cost: time, labor, risk, attention.

You need to think carefully about the season of your life you're in and consider the unique value of money during this particular season.

Joshua

• Did you find value in this episode of Radical Personal Finance? Please sign up to support the show on Patreon: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Today I have an interview for you with Ben Higgenbotham, a funeral director who's also well in tune with the Radical Personal Finance philosophy.

He's here today to share the inside scoop on how to effectively work with a funeral director so that you can get the funeral experience that your family desires without losing your shirt.

Enjoy!

Joshua

p.s., If you didn't hear it, you might want to first go and listen to Episode 409, "How to Get Yourself Put 6 Feet Under Dirt Cheap!". https://radicalpersonalfinance.com/cheap-burial/

That show was the "radical" approach; this discussion was intended to be a bit more mainstream. This interview was recorded almost immediately after that show was released, but I misplaced the file and neglected to get it into the schedule! Sorry, Ben!

What do dentists who shoot lions, publicists who make jokes in poor taste on Twitter and Indiana pizza makers have in common? Their lives were suddenly and irrevocably changed for the worst while doing something that they could never have predicted would lead to it.

Avoiding catastrophe is an important pillar of the wealth building strategy that I promote through Radical Personal Finance. As personal finance enthusiasts, we are one of the most prudent groups of people on this planet: we build our emergency funds, insure against negative events, diversify our investments and make careful choices about our spending.

Radical Personal Finance is, however, about going beyond the obvious and into the territory of things less commonly considered, but just as important. I want you to be prepared to deal with a hurricane, becoming a refugee, dealing with food scarcity or even the possibility of getting arrested.

In my experience as a financial advisor, it has often frustrated me with how little care is sometimes taken to ensure the client’s financial security, despite the good intentions of most people in the industry. But why is this possible? The answer is that most people care even less about their data.

It’s shocking to discover how vulnerable we actually make ourselves by not taking simple security measures when using bank accounts, email and social media - vulnerable not only to a loss privacy but potentially to a very real financial loss.

I’ve taken an interest in this subject a while ago, and have been really impressed by the book The Complete Privacy and Security Desk Reference which stood out in a field where information is often cursory or out of date.

That is why I invited co-author Justin Carroll to Radical Personal Finance to talk about real, actionable ways in which you can become more secure and protect your privacy. This article contains some of the best tools mentioned in our discussion, though for a more complete picture I recommend that you listen to the episode above and purchase the book itself.

But This Won’t Happen to Me

I often get this objection: “I’m not doing anything wrong - why should I be concerned about privacy?”. Here’s an analogy that I’ve found helpful in explaining why I promote these ideas:

Do you remember the time when every phone call was a party line? Anyone in the household could pick up another receiver and there was very little one could do about it at the time. Now, however, you do have a choice - do you want to make everything you search for, consume, talk about as well as access to all of your accounts and purchase history a party line?

Complete privacy and security are very difficult to achieve, but some very simple steps and tools can protect you from most of the headaches in the future.

Another thing to consider is this: You may not be a target right now - but you may become one in the future as your wealth increases, you endorse unpopular political or religious perspectives or just live your life the usual way, as the stories at the beginning of this article illustrate.

This may be a decade from now, but to prevent it you must build the skills and the mindset starting today, because you don’t know what circumstances you will face in the future through no fault of your own, and you can’t control things after the fact.

Some simple tools and habits that have a great impact:

Accounts and Passwords

You are at great risk if you use the same or the same few passwords for all of your accounts. You will see this warning often and for good reason when creating new accounts: it only takes one company to be breached (who didn’t store your data properly) and an attacker gains access to all of your accounts. Alternatively, it’s often enough if they just gain access to your main email and phone account (which isn’t very difficult) and that opens up everything else. Using a different strong password for every account mitigates some of this risk.

Less often mentioned, but equally important is using different and random usernames. Is your email address firstandlast@gmail.com? You’ve just given away an important piece of the puzzle to would-be attacker.

The problem often is safely storing and remembering all of these account names and passwords - that’s where a password manager comes into play. Using LastPass (more convenient) or KeePass (more secure) can make the process a whole lot easier and secure.

Two-Factor Authentication

Nowadays you can often see a website offering (or requiring) you to enter a code from a text message in addition to your password. This is a form of two-factor authentication: an attacker job is made more difficult since he needs access to both your account name and password as well as your phone number. Unfortunately, phone numbers are often accessed by social engineers (who exploit human psychology) or accounts are simply hacked into, making this method not particularly secure.

What I recommend instead is that you use Authy or Google Authenticator on your smartphone. This works in a similar way, but you need actual physical access to your device (as opposed to just the number) which significantly enhances your security.

For even more security, you could purchase a YubiKey, which is a special piece of hardware dedicated entirely to two-factor authentication.

Encrypted Communication

Even though we rarely send long and heartfelt email anymore, there’s still a lot of important information that someone can gain from reading the emails that you send and receive. The same is true for instant messaging and phone calls.

I encourage people who own an iOS to use Facetime Audio instead of calling and to use Signal (iOS and Android) for instant messaging - both of which are encrypted.

Setting up email encryption used to be somewhat difficult, but tools such as Proton Mail offers end-to-end encrypted communication. You can also encrypt sensitive documents with a password using Adobe Acrobat Pro (Windows) or Preview (Mac).

Don’t Trust Your Financial Advisor (or Your Bank)

Just because someone is in the financial industry, it doesn’t mean that they take good care of your information. Bank accounts sometimes have worse-than-average security - make no difference and use the same tools and principles that you would with any other account.

The same is true with financial advisors, accountants etc. Your information is not always stored appropriately - sometimes physical copies are kept that are not secured, sometimes administrative staff has access to digital documents, sometimes your information may be shared between financial advisors at the same firm.

Make sure to compartmentalize information: think carefully if that person or organization really needs this or that particular piece of information, and try not give a complete picture whenever possible. This way, if there’s a breach at a particular firm, that information alone will not be enough to impersonate you or access your other accounts.

Use Cash Whenever Possible

Show me your bank statement, and I’ll tell you who you are.

How much could I learn about you knowing where you shop, where you get your morning coffee, where you fill up your car, where you eat your lunch and what kind of shops you visit? All this information can paint quite an accurate picture of you - there’s no reason to offer it up on a silver plate.

Use cash whenever you can - it’s not so hard to get used to (again).

Maintaining Privacy in Online Payments with Burner Credit Cards

Sometimes you can’t get around using a card - but by sharing your bank-issued credit/debit card details when making purchases, you are losing control over the transaction. Most of the time, everything stays win-win, but in contentious situations it’s often a problem if the merchant has all of your details. In addition, unauthorized spurious charges have been known to occur, sometimes in foreign countries, which drain your time and energy to deal with.

Using services such as Privacy.com, SudoPay (connected with Apple Pay) and Blur you can create credit cards that work only for one transaction, or are used for only one merchant. This also means that you don’t have to use your real name or address when making these payments, protecting you from when (often inevitably) the merchant’s database gets compromised.

In addition, you can also set up additional email addresses and phone numbers - this way, for instance, you can share one virtual number with friends and family, and another virtual one to important accounts, that way your accounts stay safe even if your actual phone number is compromised.

Act Now

The tools here are some of the lowest hanging fruit available to you right now to ensure that your assets and your information stay safe. I’ve gone into even more strategies with Justin in the podcast episode that this article was based on - including owning a car and a house as well maintaining a mailing address as privately as possible.

You can find our discussion above this article, or in iTunes. I also wholeheartedly endorse Justin’s and Michael’s book on the subject, as well as their podcast.

Proper prudent planning beats trying to fight the fires after the fact. Take the steps today to protect yourself so you aren’t caught off guard in the coming decade!

I am available if you’d like to have a phone conversation on this subject.

Here are all the resources mentioned in the podcast episode:

• Justin Carroll’s and Michael Bazzell’s podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-complete-privacy-security-podcast/id1165843330?mt=2
• Justin Carroll’s and Michael Bazzell’s book: https://www.yourultimatesecurity.guide/books.html
• Encrypted PDFs on Windows: https://acrobat.adobe.com/uk/en/acrobat/acrobat-pro.html
• Encrypted messenger: Signal
• Encrypted email: https://protonmail.com/
• Password manager: http://keepass.info/
• Password manager: https://www.lastpass.com/
• Two-Factor Authentication: Google Authenticator
• Two-Factor Authentication: https://authy.com/
• Two-Factor Authentication: https://www.yubico.com/products/yubikey-hardware/
• Buying car privately with New Mexico LLC: https://jjluna.com/Resources-LLCs
• Defense against private investigators: JJ Luna How to Stay Invisible https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250010454/
• Secrets of Super Thief https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Superthief-John-MacLean/dp/0425056457/
• True Faith and Allegiance https://www.amazon.com/Clancy-True-Faith-Allegiance-Novel/dp/0399176810
• Open Source Intelligence Techniques: https://inteltechniques.com/book1.html
• Credit Freeze: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs
• Credit Freeze: https://radicalpersonalfinance.com/credit-score-management/
• Virtual Credit Cards: https://privacy.com
• Virtual Credit Cards, Phone Numbers and Email Addresses: https://sudopay.com/
• Virtual Credit Cards, Email Addresses: https://dnt.abine.com/

I frequently get this question: "Joshua, what should I invest my money in?"

Well, that's a hard question to answer. I'm not you, so how should I know?

But, here are the factors I think you should consider in answering that question for yourself:

1. time
2. money
3. knowledge
4. skill
5. temperament
6. timing
7. opportunities
8. tools

Joshua

p.s., did I miss any important factors? If so, let me know in the comments.

Many people are far too free with their personal financial information. This can be very dangerous.

You cannot expect your financial advisor to keep your personal information private, secret, and secure.

You've got to take steps to protect yourself.

Joshua

I'm not sure how to explain this one to you via text...perhaps it's just better if you hit play and listen!

:)

Joshua

I'm a big fan of Cal Newport's work and I stumbled across this TEDx talk that he gave on the topic of social media.

Consider his points and see how they might relate to your personal social media usage.

It'd be a shame to look back at the end of the year and recognize an alternative use for the hundreds of hours that most of us use in social media activities. Always think about the opportunity cost...

Joshua

• Original video: https://youtu.be/3E7hkPZ-HTk

Hey Radicals!

Today's show is a little audio ramble among friends to tell you that my wife and I are celebrating the birth of a new little baby boy!

(I also tell you about my 3-year-old's first successful investment...and his 100% ROR!)

Joshua

• Episode 212: Comments on Preparing for Child Birth with Mrs. RPF

Rounding out our theme this week of how to survive and thrive during police encounters so that you are not arrested and imprisoned, I bring you an important video by the Flex Your Rights organization.

This one is best viewed as a video and is available for free here: https://youtu.be/s4nQ_mFJV4I

It contains dramatic presentations and acting and is really well done. I recommend that you don't listen to the audio file here; I recommend you make the time to watch the video yourself, then again with your spouse and children.

However, I find that it's hard to make the time to watch videos, so I'm posting the audio here for you to at least listen to. You'll gain a lot from simply listening to the audio.

But, again, if you can make the time, stop listening and go watch it: https://youtu.be/s4nQ_mFJV4I

This is the audio from a presentation at the CATO Institute by Law Professors James Duane and Randy Barnett. (original video: https://youtu.be/gpkc2FZFR5k)

It is a follow up of the concepts outlined in James Duane's excellent book "You Have the Right to Remain Innocent."

There is very little additional value from watching the video file, so enjoy the audio and you'll get the most important points.

• Buy James Duane's book "You Have the Right to Remain Innocent" http://amzn.to/2qgDFDF

I urge you to make the time to listen to this presentation about why you should not talk to the police, no matter your guilt or innocence in any matter.

This is an audio presentation of this YouTube speech (viewed over 23 million times wherein Regent Law Professor James Duane gives viewers startling reasons why they should always exercise their 5th Amendment rights when questioned by government officials: https://youtu.be/d-7o9xYp7eE

(There is very little added value in the video presentation, so you'll gain the bulk of the knowledge by listening exclusively to the audio.)

Also, you should buy and read the $5 book that Professor Duane wrote to follow up to this speech: "You Have the Right to Remain Innocent." (highly recommended) http://amzn.to/2qgDFDF

If you get arrested, you can kiss anywhere from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars good-bye.

You need insurance against that eventuality.

Today, I'm going to teach you why it's vitally important that you arrest-proof yourself and how to do it.

Joshua

• Arrest Proof Yourself book: http://amzn.to/2ph7Xos
• Don't Talk to the Police video: https://youtu.be/d-7o9xYp7eE
• You Have the Right to Remain Innocent video: https://youtu.be/gpkc2FZFR5k
• BUSTED: The Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters: https://youtu.be/yqMjMPlXzdA

My guest today is Dr. Marilyn Brodeur, founder of the Infant Dental Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Marilyn reached out to me after hearing my response to a caller in Episode 417 who was struggling with a decision of whether to pursue her career aspirations or to focus her attention on her children.

So, I invited her on the store to share her story about how she has built a successful business that allows her a great deal of flexibility and capitalizes on her skills and ability.

Enjoy!

Joshua

• Marilyn's practice: http://www.infantdentalcenter.com/

I don't have a new, original show for you today. But, I do have this interview that I gave last year on Everything Financial Radio! My segment of the show begins at 22:20. Enjoy!

• This is the original episode link: http://www.everythingfinancialradio.com/2016/04/joshua-sheats-and-tom-aspray-join-host-dennis-tubbergen/

It's Friday! That means Q&A:

• Where Should a 48-Year-Old Focus Financially for Retirement?
• Should I Sell a Stock that Makes Up 25% of My Net Worth?
• Should I Move Across the Country So My Children Can Be Near Their Grandparents?
• How Strong Is the California Pension System?
• Should I Contribute More to Retirement So I Can Pay Less on My Student Loans?

Today we tackle the Rule of 72 with a quick explanation of what it is and why it's useful to you.

The Millionaire Next Door Wealth Index:

"Multiply your age times your realized pretax annual household income from all sources except inheritances. Divide by ten. This, less any inherited wealth, is what your net worth should be."

About once a week, I get an email asking me for my opinion on network marketing opportunities. So, today, here is my opinion and advice for you!

Joshua

• Please support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon. www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Here's a great Monday-morning sermon by ETtheHipHopPreacher to kick off your work week. Thank God it's Monday!

Original video: https://youtu.be/5fsm-QbN9r8

We do a live Q&A show on Fridays. Today we cover:

• How Do You Help Young People Engage in Goalsetting?
• How Much Debt Is Too Much on Rental Properties?
• How Do You Help Your Brother-In-Law Learn About Money?
• Last-Minute Health Savings Account Contributions?

Enjoy the show!

Joshua

• Please support the show on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron
• Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/YNAB
• Try out the Personal Capital dashboard: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/personalcapital

I've often made comments like, "Your 401(k) won't make you rich." Or, "People Don't Get Rich Because they Invested in Their 401(k)."

A listener recently asked for clarification on that statement. I thought it was so important that I dedicated an entire show to it.

In today's show, I give my defense of my statements and argue my case.

My thesis is simple: high 401(k) balances are correlated to people who are rich, but they are not a causative factor of wealth.

Enjoy!

Joshua

• Please support my show on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

A little while back I gave this interview for Joe Fairless on his show, "Best Real Estate Advice Ever." We focused on the intersection between personal finance and professional financial advice. Enjoy!

Joshua

http://joefairless.com/best-financial-advice-achieving-maintaining-financial-freedom/

Today, please enjoy this recording of my appearance on Episode 107 of the Sound Retirement Planning Podcast with Jason Parker!

This show was recorded in Q4 of 2016.

http://soundretirementplanning.com/107-radical-retirement-planning-joshua-sheats-radical-personal-finance/

I see lots and lots of people talking about the idea of "passive income." Everywhere I look, I hear people talking about passive income and why it's so great!

But, I've heard very few people define the concept and explain what a true passive income opportunity is.

And the vast majority of opportunities I hear of don't qualify as passive income in my book.

So, let's bust this "passive income" myth today!

Joshua

• Looking for a financial advisor? Start here: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/paladin
• Please support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron 

It's Friday! On today's Live Q&A show we cover:

• Should I sell the house we just moved out of?
• How Do I Figure Out If I Should Fire My Financial Advisor or Not?
• How Can I Organize a Really Cool Networking Event for Celebrities that I Admire?
• How Can Divorced Men Creatively Avoid Paying Higher Child Support?
• What Competitive Advantage Does Dimensional Fund Advisors Have Over Vanguard?
• How Has Joshua Changed His Financial Plan Over the Last Three Years?

Enjoy!

Joshua

• Please support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Today, we cover this question:

Joshua,

My husband and I love your show and would LOVE IT if you could help us answer a question from your point-of-view.

Facts:

1. We're completely debt-free except for our house.
2. We make around $130,000 per year.
3. We're currently investing 10% for retirement.
4. We are dead-set on paying off the house in the next 2.5 to 3 years.

The DILEMMA:

Dave Ramsey suggests saving 15% for retirement for someone in our position. We can do this..but that'll slow down our house payment goal quite substantially (or, in my mind it's substantial, as I want this house paid off TOMORROW!)

The goal after the house repayment is to throw everything we can spare towards investing in retirement funds.

THE QUESTION:

Should we stay strong on our course to pay off the house in 3 years tops only saving about 10% for retirement or do we bump up retirement savings? Ultimately how do I figure out the opportunity cost in each scenario?

Thanks so much!

Taliah

--

• Please support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron
• This is the debt-payoff calculator that I use constantly! https://www.vertex42.com/Calculators/debt-reduction-calculator.html

Today's show comes by inspiration of this listener question: "Joshua, will you please send me a link to the best show on your website for a woman wanting to convince her husband that they can make it financially if she stays home?"

Well, I didn't have such a show. But now I do.

Here it is!

Joshua

• Don't have good data on your income and expenses? Start tracking it with YNAB! Get a free 34-day trial at www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/YNAB

DATA:

I've really got a great show for you today. It's one that brings together so many things that I love talking about! Travel with Family, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Financial Independence, and more!

My guest is Anthony Amos.

He's an Australian entrepreneur who started out with a tiny little backyard dog-washing business. He grew it, franchised it across Australia, and then sold it and decided he was rich enough to go into property development.

His timing was not so great (right before the real estate crash) but he suffered through.

Later, he wound up buying the company back and he's in the process of expanding across the United States!

At the moment, he and his family are in the middle of a 50+-state RV trip all across the USA with a goal of raising $1,000,000 for dog rescue. Along the way, they're enjoying an incredible family adventure and publicizing their dog washing business!

This one is well worth your time!

Joshua

• Anthony's website: https://bathetosave.com/
• Please support RPF on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

It's tax-time! That means that you face a problem: how should you do your taxes? Should you print off the 1040 form from the internet and fill it in by hand? Should you use tax software? Should you hire an accountant?

Here are my thoughts on the matter!

Joshua

• Great records will make doing your taxes an absolute breeze. Why not try YNAB for your budgeting and recordkeeping? Get a free 34-day trial at www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/YNAB
• Please support RPF on Patreon. Currently 267 people of the ~18,000 daily listeners support the show on Patreon for a total of $1,659 per month. I'd be thrilled if you'd join them! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

It's Friday! That means it's time for a live Q&A show.

Today we handle two questions:

• How Can a 13-Year-Old Young Man Get His Start as a Financial Advisor?
• How Can an Early Retiree Calculate If He Has Enough Money

Enjoy the show!

Sign up as a Patron to be invited to future Friday call-in shows. www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Joshua

Today's show is dedicated to marketing. I focus on answering a specific question about podcast marketing, but I do share a number of tips that are applicable on a broader basis.

Here's the question:

Hi Joshua,

I was inspired to start my own podcast six months ago when I listened to your episode 300 entitled "30 podcasting lessons learned from 300 episodes".

Your words of encouragement were invaluable for me and really made me believe I could do this. Your suggestion to focus on content and not the technical aspect of podcasting was the most significant takeaway for me.

The podcast is only 30 episodes in and we consistently publish an episode every single week but wondered if you could provide some suggestions on how to grow your audience.

Background information:
Candian based personal finance podcast, host/co-host format, with the occasional guest

Thanks so much,
Trevor
Simple Money Solutions podcast

• Go listen to Trevor's show! http://livelifesimple.ca/
• Please use the coupon code "Radical" to get your first month of podcast hosting for free at www.libsyn.com
• Please support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

I wasn't quite sure how I should approach today's book review of Tony Robbins new money book, so I asked the Radical Personal Finance Facebook group.

I wrote: "I'm about to record my review of Tony Robbins' new book, Unshakeable. Should I do it in my current mood as ticked-off, angry Joshua and rip it to shreds or should I do it in my calm, collected and intellectually neutral voice, carefully presenting the good, the bad, and the ugly? Whadya want?"

Well, most people seemed to want option A, so I turned the mic on and let it rip.

Enjoy my review of Tony Robbins' latest book: Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook: Creating Peace of Mind in a World of Volatility.

Joshua

p.s., If you missed it, here's my 3-hour review and critique of his first personal finance book, Money: Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom.

• Get a free 34-day trial of the personal budgeting software that I use every day: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/YNAB
• Please support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/Patron

I recently completed a brief demographic survey of the Radical Personal Finance audience. I learned a ton about who you are!

I thought it would be fun for me to share it with you and share how it impacted me.

Enjoy!

Joshua

    Do you need a website? Reach out to my own personal web team at www.sillygrasshopper.com and see if they can help you!

Radical Personal Finance Audience Demographics    
    
Gender    
Male    78.9%
Female    21.1%
    
Age    
13-17    0.2%
18-20    0.6%
21-24    6.9%
25-34    48.5%
35-44    29.8%
45-54    9.9%
55+    4.2%
    
Marital Status    
Single    27.4%
Married    70.1%
Divorced    2.4%
Widowed    0.1%
    
Race    
Asian    4.5%
Black    3.9%
Caucasian    82.1%
Hispanic    4.5%
Native American    0.1%
Pacific Islander    0.7%
Other    4.2%
    
Education    
Less than high school graduate    0.4%
Graduated high school / GED    1.7%
Trade / Technical school - no degree    1.5%
Attended college but did not graduate    5.4%
Two year college degree    5.3%
Four-year college degree    50.1%
Masters degree    26.6%
Doctoral degree    9%
    
Income    
<25k    2.8%
25k-49k    7.6%
50k-74k    14.7%
75k-99k    16.5%
100k-199k    40.8%
200k+    17.6%

On episode 425 of the podcast I interviewed Mr. Money Mustache. That episode was not intended to be an introduction to his teaching or his philosophy; rather, it was a human interest discussion with the man himself.

Today, I introduce you to the philosophy and teaching: the message.

What is mustachianism? What is the plan for financial independence espoused by Mr. Money Mustache?

Enjoy!

Joshua

• Start your search for a great financial advisor here: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron
• Please support the show directly as a Patron: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Hey Radicals!

We're quickly coming up on Episode 500 of the show. To celebrate, I'd like to do a special show, exclusively featuring your stories.

1. Will you please record a quick 2- or 3-minute audio message telling us about the changes you've made in your life and how you've made financial progress in your life?

I think hearing your story will be so encouraging to all of us.

Also,

2. Will you please send me a picture of you and/or your family for me to post on my screensaver?

I'd like to create a picture gallery of who my listeners are so that I can picture you and record better information for you!

Email those two things to: joshua@radicalpersonalfinance.com

Thank you!

Joshua

I'm traveling today and unable to record.

Enjoy my recent interview on the Richer Soul podcast!

http://richersoul.com/2017/03/07/ep-0010-richer-soul-joshua-sheats-radical-personal-finance/

Joshua

I learned about business and money during my six years working as a financial advisor than at any other time period in my life.

Today I'm kicking off a series sharing some of the lessons that have most deeply impacted me. I'll share both the lessons I learned from business as well as the lessons that I learned from working with hundreds and hundreds of clients.

Lesson Number 1 is simple: Don't wait for business to come to you; go find it!

Joshua

• Looking for a financial advisor? Start here: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/paladin
• Please support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

It's Friday. Pay attention. That means the weekend is here. Have you planned and scripted it out for maximum results?

Do it.

Love you,

Talk next week...

Joshua

My guest today is a lady named Ruby. We met at Camp Mustache SE 2017 a couple of months back and I got to hear her immigrant story! She and her husband are both recent immigrants to the United States and they are aggressively pursing financial independence.

Enjoy her story!

Joshua

• Please support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

I've been thinking about computer and data security this weekend and I decided to run with that theme for today's show.

I've compiled a simple list of 18 tips for you to enhance your financial security and financial privacy.

These range from the simple (#1 is for you to cover your PIN code with your hand) to the contentious (#10 is my advice as to whether you get greater security from using a credit card or a debit card).

But, they're all useful and free (or at least nearly free).

Enjoy!

Joshua

• Looking for a new financial advisor? Start your search here: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron
• This is the Access Denied RFID blocking wallet that I have. http://amzn.to/2mZcZCJ
• Here's a ladies version of the Access Denied wallet. http://amzn.to/2md0a7K
• RFID blocking sleeves for your credit cards: http://amzn.to/2lPCcOm
• This is the MobileSec Cell Phone Blocker bag I mentioned: http://www.mobilesecsolutions.com/cell-phone-blocker
• I own this Amazon Basics paper shredder. It works really well http://amzn.to/2mPwiBy

My guest today is Gwen, writer at www.FieryMillenials.com

She is a hardcore saver who is working her tail off to reach financial independence and to teach others through her story.

This is an ideal follow-up to yesterday's advice to my 22-year-old listener.

Enjoy!

Joshua

• Please Support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Today I answer this listener question:

Hi Joshua,

I am a 22 year old recent college graduate. I have since landed a job and have been working for about 4 months now. Prior to graduating college, I was much less educated on money matters and hardly mindful about my personal finances. Upon graduating, I realized that I knew next to nothing about budgeting, saving, investing, and growing wealth. Additionally, many technical terms and aspects of finance confused me. Since I was going to be getting a “real job” soon and making more money than I ever have before, I decided to self-educate and rid myself of financial ignorance. I began reading books, blogs, watching YouTube videos, and listening to podcasts. I now find myself in a much better position to make sound monetary decisions.

Here is my current situation:
I live at home with my parents rent free.
I am extremely fortunate to have no debt from college.
I have no debt.
I work a full time job and save virtually all of that money. I work a part time job and use that money as my “spending money.”

Essentially, I am blessed to have a blank slate coming out of college.

The downside of my equation is that my full time job does not pay particularly well ~$31,000 a year and I live in an area with a high cost of living (northern VA).

Do you have any advice for someone like me who is just getting started in the real world and wants to begin a path to financial independence?

I do realize that a huge step would be to find a better paying job – I am working on that. However what would you suggest that I do in the meantime to add additional income and begin my journey to FI?

My goal is not to make this all about making more money, but rather to position myself in such a way that I can live life the way that I want. ALSO I want to be in a position where I can easily provide advice and assistance to those who are less well off than I am.

Thank you in advance for any advice that you can provide!

Enjoy!

Joshua

• Please support Radical Personal Finance on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Today, I answer this question from a listener:

Joshua- Fan of the show and a Naval Officer. I have some questions on overall investing strategy.  I have close to 17 years in the Navy and will likely retire at 20 with a full pension (about $55k/year before taxes), currently have $440k in retirement savings for my wife and I split between Roths and TSP, have over $140k in college savings for my 2 kids (8 and 10 year old, plan on also transferring my GI Bill which will essentially pay for one of their college educations), and have about $30k in taxable accounts.  We are selling our house in Norfolk, VA this year-- been a rental for 5 years but we are moving from Tampa to Jacksonville where I will take Command of a Destroyer there.

So- my question-- I am looking at getting into real estate investing and slowing down retirement savings over the next 5 years (from about $25k/yr to $12k-- maxing out Roths and minimum to TSP).  Curious to hear your take on my overall situation and real estate investing writ large.  Ideally we'd put about $40-50k into things this year-- either buy and hold type rental properties or a flip- and then snowball any earnings plus about $30k annually over the next 4 years until I retire to setup passive income sources.  Thanks!

• Please support RPF on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Listener Allyn writes in with this question: "What are your thoughts on using whole life insurance as a college savings plan? If you don't like it, why?"

My thoughts are in the show!

Joshua

• Thank you for supporting the show on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Do you feel richer today than you did yesterday? If not, why not?

Joshua

• Daily by Seth Godin
• How to Get Richer Every Day by Mark Morgan Ford

Different people learn in different ways. For that reason, we need many new approaches to helping people learn about financial independence.

I'm glad to bring my new friends Jonathan and Brad on the show to talk about their project ChooseFI.com.

Operating under the banner "Experiments in Financial Independence," they're seeking to create a new approach to learning and teaching about financial independence.

Enjoy the interview!

Joshua

• www.ChooseFI.Com
• www.TravelMiles101.com
• Find a great financial advisor! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/paladin
• Use the same budget software I use! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/YNAB
• Support RPF on Patreon: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

It's Friday! That means a live Q&A show. Today we tackle:

• Should I Get Rid of my 3rd Car?
• What is a Modified Endowment Contract and How Does it Work?
• What Should We Do With All This Extra Money our Church Just Received?

If you'd like to join a show like this and ask your question, sign up to become a Patron! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Joshua

• Support RPF on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron
• Connect with us on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RadicalPersonalFinance or in the Facebook Community Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/RadicalPersonalFinance/

Today, I bring you an interview with the #1 most requested guest! Mr. Money Mustache himself.

I connected with him while up in Gainesville for Camp Mustache a couple of weeks ago.

This interview isn't about the nuts and bolts of Mustachian philosophy or on how to become financially independent in a few short years; those topics have been well covered elsewhere.

This interview is about his current life, current projects, and things he's excited about at the moment.

Enjoy!

Joshua

• Try Hello Fresh! Get $35 off your first order at www.HelloFresh.com with promo code RPF.
• Support RPF on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Every day I mention that little slogan, "financial freedom in 10 years or less" in my intro. It's an aggressive, spicy little slogan. But I probably don't do a good enough job of highlighting what that phrase actually means and how many different ways it can be achieved.

Today I have a really fun profile of someone who has successfully achieved financial freedom in less than 10 years by capitalizing on AirBnB. And doing it with properties that she didn't even own!

Enjoy hearing Zeona McIntyre's story of financial freedom!

Joshua

• Zeona's website: https://www.zeonamcintyre.com/
• Start your search for a financial advisor here: www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/paladin
• Try a free 34-day trial of the YNAB budgeting software! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/YNAB
• Support me directly on Patreon! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron

Perhaps you've noticed that the topic of refugees has been in the news. The recent news sparked this question in the Radical Personal Finance Facebook group.

If I were unexpectedly detained/deported while I was traveling, with the uncertainty of my job or my possessions (or even my bank accounts) being accessible to me or even available to me if I were to somehow return, what would I do, and how would I manage? How might I create a plan to restart my life from scratch if I had to begin again in a different country?

I think it's a fantastic question!

Today I answer this question in 3 parts:

1. What can you do to prepare for detainment by foreign border guards?
2. What should you do if you're caught up in the mess created by the detainment of other people?
3. What can you do to set yourself up to start a new life in another country if you have to flee in the middle of the night?

Enjoy!

Joshua

• Support Radical Personal Finance as a Patron! www.radicalpersonalfinance.com/patron
• Ideas from the survivalist world on what you can carry with you in an airport carry-on.
• Witness.org has some great resources on filming protest and human rights violations.

I'm traveling today (appropriately enough), so I'm not able to serve you with a Q&A show today.

Instead, enjoy this recording of my appearance on the Nomad Together Podcast!

This show originally appeared on September 8, 2016 right here: https://nomadtogether.com/financial/

Joshua