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Listen to Episodes of the Talking Money® Podcast & Radio Show

Talking Money®, the live, call-in radio program, airs every Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 on WGTK 94.5 The Answer in Upstate South Carolina. Listen live or check out the podcast. Get the answers you need without the sales pitch.

How To Protect Your Money In The New Year And To Take Advantage Of A Bad Market

Air Date: January 14th, 2023

This week Mike shows you some ways to increase the interest on your savings and other ways to protect your money in 2023. Plus, he tells you some ways to take advantage of a downturn in market prices like tax-loss harvesting and a Roth conversion.

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Big Changes to the Required Minimum Distribution

Air Date: January 7th, 2023

Senior VP of Southern First, Rob Reeves, joins Mike to discuss the outlook for the economy and how it will affect interest rates. Plus, Mike reviews some of the key provisions of the recently passed SECURE Act 2.0, including the changes for Required Minimum Distributions and the new Charitable IRA Rollover.

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Best of Talking Money: What is Everyday Steward?

Air Date: December 31st, 2022

Mike is joined by David Garrigan, CFP®. David works as a financial planner for the Everyday Steward division of Ronald Blue Trust out of the Greenville office. Mike and David discuss what kind of client the Everyday Steward division helps, what services they offer, and how someone could give a gift of a financial plan.

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BEST OF TALKING MONEY: WHAT IS A DONOR ADVISED FUND AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOU SAVE TIME AND MONEY

Air Date: December 24th, 2022

Gift Planning Attorney, Daniel Hicks joins Mike to discuss this great planning tool.

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How Can Trust Services Benefit My Family and Me?

Air Date: December 17th, 2022

Senior Personal Trust Officer, David Laign, joins Mike to discuss the various types of trusts and when to consider using one; How to choose a trustee and Personal Representative; What are the advantages of using a Tennessee-chartered public trust company.

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Judge Faulkner demystifies the Probate process!

Air Date: December 10th, 2022

Probate Judge Debora Faulkner joins Mike to discuss how the Probate Court helps advocate for adults who cannot advocate for the themselves. Plus, Judge Faulkner reviews the process survivors need to follow when settling an estate.

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MARKET VOLATILITY CONCERNS

Air Date: December 3rd, 2022

Mike answers a number of questions related to the current market volatility and general investing:

Is it still safe to invest in the stock market? Is it less risky to invest now?
Are there any particular sectors or stocks to consider investing in?
How should an investor react to the ups and downs in the market?
Are annuities as really as low risk as they promise?
What cautions should I take when investing in real estate?

For more information, read this article from Ronald Blue Trust’s investment team.

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The Bucket Strategy

Air Date: November 26th, 2022

What is the bucket approach to retirement planning? How do you adjust for inflation?

How can you determine your personal inflation rate? What factors come into play?

Which bucket should I focus on?

What are some different vehicles we use for income?

What are some other ways to try to retain income security in retirement?

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Senior Investment Strategist, Mark Elam, joins Mike to give his perspective on inflation.

Air Date: November 19th, 2022

Is the current inflation rate unusual over the long term? Should investors be concerned? What’s being done and will it get better? Does a balanced portfolio (stocks and bonds) still work?

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Miracle Hill Ministries Turkey Fry

Air Date: November 12th, 2022

Mike broadcasts live at the Miracle Hill Ministries Turkey Fry Donation Drop Off. Listen how you can participate in this community effort that provides a feast for people in Miracle Hill’s shelters and in the Upstate. Plus, Mike discusses the results of a survey revealing why people of different ages give.

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Business Leaders Share Their Story

Air Date: November 5th, 2022

Ronald Blue Trust clients and business leaders of Eastern Industrial Supplies Inc., Kip and Kim Miller join Mike to answer some personal questions on money, business, and caring for their employees.

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Insurance Basics

Air Date: October 22nd, 2022

Stephen Piper of Piper Insurance Group joins Mike to answer insurance questions:

  • How does inflation affect home and auto insurance?
  • What are some ways to save when you add a teenage driver?
  • Is there a way to report insurance companies not paying what is due?
  • How do you make sure you have enough coverage?
  • What about coverage for the contents of the house?
  • Do I need to take a video inventory of my possessions?
  • What might be involved in the claims process if something happens?
  • Should I insure my rental properties under an LLC or under my name?
  • If I rent a car, am I covered under my personal policy?
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What is a Donor Advised Fund and How it can Help You Save Time and Money

Air Date: October 8th, 2022

Gift Planning Attorney, Daniel Hicks joins Mike to discuss this great planning tool.

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Economic Review, October 2022

Air Date: October 1st, 2022

Mike shares a recent podcast from Ronald Blue Trust where Nick Stonestreet and Brian McClard discuss the current economic landscape, why the market is struggling, how international events are affecting investors, what may lie ahead, and how this may affect you. He then shares a few thoughts about the interview.

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What is Everyday Steward?

Air Date: September 24th, 2022

Mike is joined by David  Garrigan, CFP®. David works as a financial planner for the Everyday Steward division of Ronald Blue Trust out of the Greenville office. Mike and David discuss what kind of client the Everyday Steward division helps, what services they offer, and how someone could give a gift of a financial plan.

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Best of Talking Money: Investing Philosophies

Air Date: September 17th, 2022

Highlights from show originally aired April 9, 2022

What is the importance of researching the companies you are investing in or the firms you are using to invest for you?

Beware those who show you past performances and promise the same future returns. Ask where they invested 5, 10, 15 years ago.

Remember: no one can accurately predict the market!

Make a plan and stick to it.

When making a large purchase (car, house, etc), do you think about how a larger loan may affect your daily cash flow and budgeting?

What is the bucket strategy?

What is your portfolio’s primary goal: meeting future cash flow needs, limiting volatility, or keeping up with the benchmarks? You can’t have all three, and each have their trade-offs.

If you are holding on to a stock that has gone down since you purchased it, ask yourself if you would buy it today. If the answer is no, why would you continue to hold on to it?

Invest according to the time frame in which you will need the money.

Don’t let fear or greed take you away from your plan.

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Best of Talking Money: Stocks and Bonds

Air Date: September 10th, 2022

Highlights from show originally aired April 2, 2022

What is a stock? What is a bond? How do they work?

Stocks: what they are and how they work. Stockholder owns part of the company. Stocks are sold at an auction, so the price does not reflect the value of the company. Your money doesn’t actually go to the company.

Bonds: you are investing in the debt of a corporation or government, basically giving them a loan. Have a time limit. Interest rates can affect bonds as well.

Why is it important to stay diversified in stocks and bonds? What about just riding out the rise and fall of the market?

What is the danger of following the “guru” who got their guess right once?

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Best of Talking Money: What is Your Risk Tolerance?

Air Date: September 3rd, 2022

Highlights from show originally aired March 26, 2022

Do you know your risk tolerance? Mike looks at several questions, and your answers may surprise you.


“Risk doesn’t bother me as long as I don’t lose anything.”

“Overrating past performance is the most common mistake mutual fund investors make. Giving inadequate weight to risk, however you manage that risk, would be number two. And being willing to shift funds too quickly would be number three” – John Bogel

“Always diversify your investments” – Sir John Templeton

“If you don’t feel comfortable owning something for ten years, then don’t own it for ten minutes” –  Warren Buffett

“Don’t try to buy at the bottom and sell at the top. It can’t be done, except by liars.” –  Bernard Baruch

“The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.” – John Kenneth Galbraith


Want Mike and his team to come do a workshop for your company? Contact him at 1-800-588-7526 or mike@talkingmoneyradio.com for details.

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Live from the 2022 Miracle Hill Kids’ Ninja Challenge

Air Date: August 27th, 2022

Mike takes the show on the road to the Miracle Hill Kids’ Ninja Challenge.

Yolanda shared some updates on how the even went and how it benefits Miracle Hill.

Mike also  took the opportunity to interview a couple of participants in the challenge: his grandson Dawson as well as Henry, the second place fundraiser winner.

Allen got to share his story of how Miracle Hill helped him overcome an alcohol addiction, and Ryan, the CEO of Miracle Hill, shared how the Lord has used the ministry throughout his life.

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Questions and Answers

Air Date: August 20th, 2022

Mike answers some recent listener questions including:

  • I would like to give money to my kids and help myself on my taxes at the same time. How can I do that?
  • I have several stocks that were purchased at a good price. I would like to sell, but don’t want to pay a lot in taxes. Is there a way to accomplish this?
  • What is an advantage of giving an asset instead of giving cash?
  • I’ve inherited funds, but I don’t really need the money. What should I do?
  • My company used to have a pension, but then switched to a 401K. When I got to retirement, they gave me a list of options to take for the pension. How do I decide?
  • How should I set up my estate so that I know my spouse will still be taken care of after I pass and/or ensure they spend the funds wisely?
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