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...
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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 | ...
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How the MLS is Destroying Your Real Estate Investment Strategy
Money Tree Investing
Barbara Friedberg | Follow on Facebook: Follow LinkedIn: Follow on Twitter/X: For more information, visit the show notes at
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AI Is Getting Smarter—But Are We Ready for It?
Money Tree Investing
Douglas Heagren | Follow on Facebook: Follow LinkedIn: Follow on Twitter/X: For more information, visit the show notes at
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The Hidden Costs of Bad Estate Planning with Lauren Klein
Money Tree Investing
Your bad estate plan is going to cost you! In today's episode, Lauren Klein, a Florida-based tax and estate planning attorney, discussed the critical components of effective estate planning. She debunks myths about revocable trusts, touches on the importance of regularly updating estate plans, and shares on the unethical financial incentives some attorneys may have to let plans fall short. We also talk the strategic use of irrevocable trusts, asset titling, and state-specific protections like Florida’s homestead laws for enhanced asset security. We discuss... Lauren Klein is a Florida-based...
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China Tariffs Are Causing Big Problems In This Sector
Money Tree Investing
China tariffs are causing big problems right now. Today we talk about the recent developments in U.S.-China trade relations, particularly the temporary pause in tariffs and the broader implications for investor sentiment and economic narratives. The fear over supply chain disruptions quickly faded once tariff discussions resumed—even though actual inventory issues remained unresolved. We also analyzed a new Republican tax bill, highlighting key proposals like eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, allowing deductions for car loan interest, and introducing a “MEGA account” to support...
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Filing for Bankruptcy the Right Way with Ashley Morgan
Money Tree Investing
Ashley 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...
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This Hidden Bull Market Is Hiding In Plain Sight
Money Tree Investing
This hidden bull market is actually lying in plain sight! Find out what it is today as we discuss media fear-mongering, unhelpful propaganda, Bitcoin and gold, and more. The central banks continue accumulating gold, emphasizing its historical role as a long-term store of value, and noting that despite the rise of digital assets like Bitcoin (which the U.S. now holds as a reserve), gold's cultural and material significance remains deeply embedded worldwide. Oh, and we also got a new Pope! We discuss... A new Pope from the U.S., Pope Leo XIV (formerly Robert Prevost of Chicago), was...
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Venture Capital in the Age of AI with Anthony Georgiades
Money Tree Investing
Anthony Georgiades shares the future of venture capital in the age of AI. He shares his journey from an early failed startup to becoming a deeply technical investor focused on frontier technologies. He emphasizes the importance of technical literacy in venture capital, especially when evaluating deep tech. We also touch on the economic and existential risks of AI, emphasizing the need for governance, transparency, and decentralized control, while pointing to robotics as a slower-moving but ultimately transformative force in the physical economy. We discuss... Anthony Georgiades shared...
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Central Banks Are Hoarding This Asset Expecting Trump’s Next Move
Money Tree Investing
Douglas Heagren | Follow on Facebook: Follow LinkedIn: Follow on Twitter/X: For more information, visit the show notes at
info_outlineLaura 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 finance path after noticing even smart professionals struggled with money basics.
- Her passion for financial education led her to blogging and podcasting in the mid-2000s, eventually growing the "Money Girl" community.
- Writing books is a major undertaking that requires deep effort, especially when promotion is involved.
- Her dream of seeing her book on bookstore shelves motivated her to pursue traditional publishing, despite the changing landscape of book promotion.
- How the financial pressures facing many Americans today, especially due to inflation.
- Laura encouraged people to consider starting a side business to supplement income and access tax advantages.
- Side businesses should ideally be enjoyable since they often take place during personal time.
- Starting small and testing the market with minimal upfront investment is a smart approach to launching a side hustle.
- People should leverage existing skills and interests when brainstorming side business ideas.
- If your goal is quick income, practical gigs like freelancing, tutoring, or becoming a virtual assistant may be for you.
- Many people feel intimidated by starting a business but advised against overthinking early-stage logistics.
- Wait until a side business earns around $10,000 annually before worrying about formal structures like LLCs or accountants.
- Market research through conversation can spark ideas and reveal where your talents might fill a gap.
- Iterative experimentation are a great way to discover what business ideas are both enjoyable and viable.
For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/money-smart-solopreneur-718
Today's Panelists:
Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
Douglas Heagren | ProCollege Planners
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