Filing for Bankruptcy the Right Way with Ashley Morgan
Release Date: 05/16/2025
Bedroom Real Estate: How This Unique Rental Strategy Earns $50,000 a Month
Money Tree Investing
Ryan Chaw shares his bedroom real estate rental property strategy. As a pharmacist-turned-real estate investor Ryan shares how he built a successful portfolio of 14 rental properties generating $50,000/month in income by renting out homes by the bedroom to students and professionals near college campuses. Now financially free, he spends his time coaching others and maintaining a disciplined approach to growth while avoiding low-quality competition and preserving strong tenant relationships. Today we discuss... Ryan Chaw transitioned from a pharmacist to a real estate investor inspired...
info_outline
2025 End of Quarter Performance… How Did You Do
Money Tree Investing
Today we talk the end of quarter performance for quarter two of 2025. How did you do? We also cover a wide range of economic and market topics, beginning with the complexities of investing in artificial intelligence, lessons on succession planning, leadership transitions, and the importance of understanding demographic and power dynamics in both politics and investing. We note that large-cap growth, tech, and industrials led Q2 performance, while energy and real estate lagged. Mounting debt, rising delinquencies, and wage garnishment were cited as signs of economic stress, especially among...
info_outline
The Art of Shaving with Eric Malka
Money Tree Investing
Eric Malka shares his journey from arriving in the U.S. as a 17-year-old immigrant with $100 to co-founding The Art of Shaving, a brand that redefined men’s grooming by turning shaving into a premium ritual experience. He explains how a chance job in men’s grooming and exposure to traditional shaving culture in London inspired him to bring the concept to the U.S., where he and his wife opened their first store using natural ingredients and a four-step shaving system. Eric attributes their rapid growth and eventual acquisition by Procter & Gamble to their emotional connection with...
info_outline
AI Just Taught Me This Cool Thing… It is Amazing
Money Tree Investing
AI just taught me this cool thing... keep on listening to find out what it is! Today we talk about the massive and fast-moving implications of AI. We share the personal experiences with how AI challenges traditional business structures and workflows, requiring users to reimagine how work is done. We also explores how AI may replace many functions within organizations, from marketing to operations, while still lacking in areas like math accuracy and sales conversations. We also talk about Mary Meeker’s AI report, noting unprecedented user adoption, the rapid rise of global competitors like...
info_outline
Commodity Cycles And Investor Sentiment Secrets
Money Tree Investing
Mukarram Mawjood is here to share on commodity cycles and investor sentiment secrets. He discusses his focus on alternative assets including precious metals, crypto, and real estate, highlighting silver as his top current pick due to its price lag behind gold and significant upside potential. He explains how gold’s recent surge has largely priced in geopolitical risk, while silver remains undervalued despite industrial demand. He also touches on market psychology, gold-to-silver ratios, and how cryptocurrencies are increasingly competing with gold as alternative stores of value. We...
info_outline
War in the Middle East. Is AI the Cause?
Money Tree Investing
There is war in the middle east again! Today we talk about the recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran, with speculation that the U.S. may be involved indirectly. Media narratives are particularly frustrating, with uncertainty and conflicting reports make it difficult to know what’s truly happening. This definitely parallels the financial markets, particularly with how differing narratives shape reactions during times of volatility with many often making moves on perception rather than confirmed facts. The war could potentially impact on oil prices and inflation among other...
info_outline
Breaking Finance with Blockchain with Matthew Le Merle
Money Tree Investing
Matthew Le Merle joined the podcast to discuss his journey from a consulting background to breaking finance with blockchain. He explains how he and his wife Alison pivoted to blockchain after recognizing it as the next major wave of digital value creation following the internet era. He breaks down the differences between blockchain, crypto, and DeFi, and shares how the financial industry is slow to adapt due to outdated systems and vested interests. While adoption may seem slow, it's actually progressing rapidly by historical standards, and transformation remains inevitable no matter...
info_outline
The #1 Investment You Can Make in AI is…
Money Tree Investing
AI is causing a big disruption but the number 1 investment you can make in AI is learn it before you get left behind! Today we talk on the cultural, societal, and economic disruption caused by AI, comparing its transformative potential to that of the industrial age. While traditional frameworks—like working for purpose, identity, and productivity—are deeply ingrained in modern life, AI is rapidly eroding these norms by replacing jobs and altering what it means to be valuable in the workforce. Despite the uncertainty and anxiety around obsolescence, the best current investment is learning...
info_outline
The Money-Smart Solopreneur with Laura Adams
Money Tree Investing
Laura Adams shares her journey into personal finance, podcasting, and authorship with her new book Money-Smart Solopreneur. She shares how she transitioned from corporate finance aspirations to helping individuals improve their money management through writing and podcasting. She discusses the evolution of book publishing, the growing need for supplemental income due to inflation and stagnant wages by starting side businesses, and practical advice on identifying marketable skills. We discuss... Laura Adams has worked in personal finance for nearly 15 years, transitioning from a corporate...
info_outline
AI Will Change Your Life in Surprising Ways
Money Tree Investing
AI will change your life! Are you ready? Today we dive into the evolving landscape of AI, the capabilities and limitations of current AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Gemini, and why most users don't get the results they truly want. While AI is a very powerful but immature tool, learning how to use it effectively will help you to stay relevant in the workforce and can benefit your personal life as well. AI disruption is inevitable and potentially beneficial but it also raises serious questions about human adaptability for a rapidly changing future. We discuss... Douglas Heagren | ...
info_outlineAshley Morgan is here to share on filing for bankruptcy the right way. There has been a rising demand for bankruptcy services amid job losses and contracting challenges in the D.C. area, particularly among government contractors, and Ashley's VA based Law Practice has been doing a lot of work on these cases for both individuals and businesses. Ashley explains how bankruptcy can offer a fresh start, protect certain assets like homes or retirement accounts, and in some cases discharge tax and SBA debt. The conversation also covers the complexity of student loan discharge, the importance of asset protection and planning before filing, and misconceptions around credit damage post-bankruptcy.
We discuss...
- Ashley Morgan, a bankruptcy attorney near D.C., discussed the rising demand for her services amid increasing job losses, particularly among government contractors.
- The economic slowdown in the D.C. area is creating a trickle-down effect, impacting local small businesses as stable government money dries up.
- Bankruptcy is a legal, court-supervised process to eliminate or restructure debt, offering individuals a fresh financial start.
- The U.S. system allows broader bankruptcy relief compared to many other countries, though outcomes depend heavily on income, assets, and debt type.
- Common types of bankruptcy include Chapter 7 (liquidation), Chapter 13 (repayment plan), Chapter 11 (business restructuring), and Chapter 12 (for farmers/fishermen).
- Chapter 11 is often used by large businesses to renegotiate leases, restructure payments, or close unprofitable locations.
- Small business owners can file Chapter 7 to shut down a business, but Chapter 11 can be cost-prohibitive for many.
- Personal credit isn't always impacted by business bankruptcy unless the owner personally guaranteed business debt.
- Bankruptcy doesn’t automatically ruin credit—many filers see credit scores rebound shortly after filing.
- Asset protection during bankruptcy varies by state; homestead exemptions can protect homes, but limits differ widely.
- Timing and transparency are critical—transferring assets before filing may trigger fraudulent conveyance issues.
- Retirement accounts (e.g., 401(k)s, IRAs) are often protected and can be used strategically before filing.
- Student loans are generally not dischargeable, though rare exceptions exist through adversary proceedings under "undue hardship."
- SBA and certain tax debts may be dischargeable under specific conditions, like being sufficiently old and properly filed.
- Ashley emphasizes the importance of early education, legal consultation, and realistic expectations about outcomes when considering bankruptcy.
Today's Panelists:
- Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
- Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast
Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast
Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast
For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/filing-for-bankruptcy-ashley-morgan-712