42: The Wealth Gap of the Middle Class

As financial advisors, we get a lot of questions… Is the economy heading towards a recession? When will the Fed cut interest rates? What’s happening in the stock market?  On this episode, we will answer those questions. But more importantly, we will give YOU a list of questions that you must answer in your OWN financial life. Some of these questions, you can figure out with your financial advisor. But there are other questions that only you can answer.

After a long break, we are back! There has been lots of talk this week about the pay disparity between WNBA players and NBA players. Despite dazzling the country in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, Caitlin Clark will earn less than $80,000 per year, while NBA players will earn more than 200x that amount. While there is a huge pay gap in professional sports, there is also a pay gap in Corporate America – women earn 82 cents on the dollar compared to men, and the figures are even more stark if you consider race. On this episode, we discuss the pay gap, but more importantly, we give tips and strategies on how to close it.

Most people are getting excited about "March Madness" but what we're seeing and hearing about even more is mortgage madness. Reports shows that a lot people are out here refinancing mortgages right now even though they're going to end up with a considerably higher interest rate. On this episode, we talk about all things mortgage including when it is--and is not--a good idea to refinance.

Have you heard the story about the Uber driver who won the lottery and was still driving Uber? Well, we have and we know it firsthand. On this episode we talk about what happens when you actually hit the lottery, the Powerball, the MegaMillion? How much money do you get, when do you get it, who should you know, and how should you be thinking to make this miracle a long-term blessing.

In the past 30 days, Allan and Tiffany have bought 2 cars: one for their business and one for Allan’s family. In times past, Allan was adamant about the "proper" way to buy a vehicle, even though his thoughts were very different from Tiffany's. It turns out, after these two new car purchases, Allan is ready to admit his wrongs. Tune in to this episode to learn all about buying a car in today's climate and how what you thought may be best, may not suit your car buying needs in the end.

What happens when one friends starts making considerably more--or less--than the rest of the friend ground? Do you feel like you have to change your friends as your financial situation changes? Did you get married, get a promotion, get laid off, have a baby, or some other financial milestone, and now you feel left out of the group chat? On this episode we get direct about how a change in someone’s financial situation can have ripple effects throughout their social groups and meaningful friendships.

First, it’s Black History Month and we couldn't be more excited! Second, Byron Allen is in the news this week for offering to buy Paramount Global for $14.3 billion dollars. People may recall that he also attempted to buy BET Media group for $3.3 billion just a few months ago. This reminded us of Allan's hero, super-entrepreneur Reginald F. Lewis, and his book, "Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?" On this episode we dissect the prominent business moves of Byron Allen and share how you can be even more successful by taking some simple advice from his career story.

Every so often we have to get serious and talk financial markets. What has (really) happened, what is going on right now, and what we think is on the 2024 horizon. On this episode we talk about the ever-elusive recession, declining interest rates, the recall of inflation, and why 2023 was the year of "Wipe Me Down!" (Spoiler Alert: We still aren't serious!)

It’s that time of the year when raises, bonuses, or promotions start to happen and you are on track to make more money in 2024 than you did in 2023. What should you do to make the most of this financial increase? On this episode, we teach you how to ensure this new money--no matter how big or small--lasts longer and goes farther this time around.

Allan’s childhood friend died last week and the family has to do a GoFundMe to cover necessary expenses. On this episode we highlight some of things to do, now, to make sure your family is prepared for when there is an emergency and/or loss of a loved one.