Podcasts about Equifax

Recorded live at MBA Annual 2025, HousingWire CEO Clayton Collins talks with Joel Rickman, SVP of Verification Services/Workforce Solutions at Equifax, and Justin Demola, President of Lenders One, about the ripple effects of FICO's new pricing model, the rise of VantageScore, and how smarter lending data can drive efficiency, affordability, and innovation across the housing market.In this episode:Why is the FICO vs. VantageScore discussion so important right now?The FHFA's move to accept VantageScore opened the door for more competition and potential savings. While some lenders worry about cost increases, experts explain how competition is already driving innovation and pricing transparency—helping lenders better serve homebuyers.How are Equifax and other bureaus responding to these market shifts?Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion have each added new data benefits within existing pricing structures. At Equifax, that includes embedding income and employment data into credit reports to reduce costs and improve decision accuracy. The goal: help lenders make smarter, faster, and fairer lending decisions.What role does Lenders One play in shaping this change?Lenders One represents over 230 independent mortgage bankers, providing cooperative buying power and technology tools. By building its own credit-reporting platform and partnering with bureaus like Equifax, Lenders One helps members gain flexibility, lower costs, and optimize workflows.How can lenders create efficiency in loan manufacturing?The guests stress “buy what you need, when you need it.” That means pulling the right data at the right stage of the loan, automating income verification later in the process, and using analytics to predict fallout rates—reducing unnecessary costs while keeping accuracy high. 

Today's show features: Kable Derrow, Owner of Findlay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Will Holleman, Automotive Sales at Equifax Devin Kaulback, GM of Subaru of Niagara This episode is brought to you by: CR Stream – Put the power of multiple auctions in your hand! CR Stream multi-lists your inventory to OVE, SmartAuction, and Copart simultaneously. Capture vehicle photos, damage, details and pricing start to finish in under 10 minutes with the CR Stream iPhone and Android mobile apps. Pay only $150 sell fee when you vehicles sells at auction! visit https://crstream.com/ to learn more. Equifax – Fund More Auto Loans, Faster. Auto loan applicants are 40% more likely to be funded when instantly verified by The Work Number. You can get the data you need to know your borrower better and make fast, smart decisions. Equifax provides instant, secure access to verified borrower identity, address, income, and employment information, helping you move deals forward quickly. Visit https://carguymedia.com/3Lplzue to learn more. CDG Circles – A modern peer group for auto dealers. Private dealer chats. Real insights — confidential, compliant, no travel required. Visit https://cdgcircles.com/ to learn more. Car Dealership Guy is back with our second annual NADA Party—happening in Las Vegas on Thursday, February 5th. It's the hottest ticket at NADA 2026. Spots are limited and unfortunately we can't invite everyone —so RSVP today at https://carguymedia.com/cdglive and we hope to see you in Vegas! — Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: CDG News ➤ https://news.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Jobs ➤ https://jobs.dealershipguy.com/ CDG Recruiting ➤ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com/ My Socials: X ➤ https://www.twitter.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ https://www.instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ https://www.tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy/ Threads ➤ https://www.threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com

It's November, and holiday shopping is underway. How do you make sure your packages aren't stolen? Also, now that we're in Black Friday month - there's a major hazard to avoid while purchasing online.  Thwarting Porch Pirates: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Warning: BNPL aka Pay In 4: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Avoid Porch Pirates With These Delivery Options From Amazon, UPS, FedEx and USPS⁠ How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax & TransUnion⁠ ⁠Should I Freeze My Credit With the Other Credit Bureaus?⁠ 12 Keys To Keeping Your Home Wi-Fi Network Safe and Secure Why 'Buy Now, Pay Later' Worries Clark Howard What is hospital medicine, and what is a hospitalist? Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Show Notes: Jonathan Hughes talks about his career in consulting, starting with an economic consulting firm, Putnam Hayes and Bartlett, in Los Angeles. He mentions his connection back to Harvard through CMI (Conflict Management Inc.) founded by Roger Fisher and Bruce Patton, and his subsequent roles at Vantage Partners and BDO. The Career Path As a Consultant Jonathan describes his role at CMI, focusing on complex negotiations and business partnerships, and his role in helping to start the boutique firm, Vantage Partners where he spent around 25 years as a partner. He later moved over to BDO, a large professional services firm, where he led the Management Consulting practice in the US, and globally. Working As a Conflict Management ConsultantJonathan discusses his work with CMI, emphasizing the importance of managing conflict constructively and approaching conflict creatively to develop solutions. He shares his experience with a pro bono project for OCHA (Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance) at the UN, focusing on partnerships with the private sector. Jonathan highlights his work with conventional and special forces in the military, including SEALs and Civil Affairs, on negotiation and conflict management training. He explains the challenges of internal and interagency negotiations, as well as those with external parties, in both the military and corporate sector.Influence Training to Special ForcesJonathan elaborates on the influence training provided to special forces, including negotiations with governments and local leaders, partner forces, CIA, and the Department of State.He compares the challenges of internal negotiations within organizations to external negotiations with customer, strategic partners, and suppliers. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of aligning different stakeholders and executives within any organization. He shares an example of a multi-billion dollar negotiation with  a state-owned enterprise a global corporation where understanding the other side's perspective was key to coming to an agreement.Unpacking Negotiation TechniquesThe conversation turns to the influence techniques at McKinsey, including role-playing scenarios and tools like legitimacy, logical persuasion, and appealing to friendship.Jonathan discusses the importance of fact-based negotiation and the role of psychology and emotional motivations in influence. He introduces the concept of "calling people to a higher purpose" and the psychological drive for consistency. Jonathan shares a story about a negotiation where challenging the other side's unreasonable demand led to a more fair agreement.Work History SummarizedWhen asked how conflict resolution training has influenced Jonathan's personal life.Jonathan says that he is sometimes better at giving advice than incorporating it himself. Jonathan mentions that he has pursued a breadth of experiences working across life sciences, and biopharma, energy and natural resources, the semiconductor industry, and the intersection of software, financial services, and data and analytics. He mentioned extensive work with Equifax over the last 13 years. Jonathan discusses the balance between competition and collaboration in his strategy work.Creative Pursuits and Cat RescuersJonathan mentions his current focus on figuring out his next steps after leaving BDO and shares his interest in film. He mentions his experience as an executive producer on a documentary called "The Cat Rescuers." Jonathan mentions his love for travel, scuba diving, reading, and writing, including contributions to Harvard Business Review and MIT's Sloan Management Review, focusing on topics ranging from innovation, to supply chain management, to negotiation, influence, and conflict management. Jonathan expresses his interest in finding another film project in the future. He emphasizes the importance of reading philosophy and science books, which continue to influence his thinking.Harvard ReflectionsJonathan mentions his concentration in philosophy and the impact of professors like John Rawls and Stanley Cavell. He highlights a course called Thinking About Thinking taught by Stephen Jay Gould, Alan Dershowitz, and Robert Nozick. Jonathan discusses the relevance of his philosophy education to his career in consulting.He mentions his continued interest in philosophy and science, despite focusing on business in his professional life. Jonathan shares recently read books, including a new translation of The Odyssey and rereading the Earthsea trilogy by Ursula K. Le Guin. He reflects on the theme of human finitude in Le Guin's books and its relevance to current discussions on human immortality and transhumanism. Jonathan expresses mixed feelings about the pursuit of human immortality and the importance of accepting human limitations. He mentions his recent LinkedIn post predicting future trends, including the impact of AI and technology on society. Timestamps: 02:56: Conflict Management and Pro Bono Work  06:25: Influence Training for Special Forces 11:37: Influence Techniques and Training Methods  22:43: Conflict Resolution in Personal Life  23:44: Professional Evolution and Current Focus  27:28: Personal Interests and Future Plans  29:19: Influential Courses and Professors at Harvard  32:48: Favorite Novels and Personal Reflections  Links: LinkedIn: Jonathan Hughes | LinkedIn Articles: What's Your Negotiation Strategy? HBR Formalize Escalation Procedures to Improve Decision-Making - MIT Sloan Review Unlearning to Innovate - Ivey Business Journal Why Influence Is a Two-Way Street - MIT SMR Store Simple Rules for Making Alliances Work - HBR Featured Non-profit: Hi. This is Mark Messenbaugh, class of 1992. Special thanks to Will Bachman for putting this podcast together to keep us all informed of what one another is doing. Great to hear your stories. The featured non-profit for this episode of The 92 Report is the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. I worked for BGCA back during the 2000s. It is a life changing organization that brings youth development and safe after school and summer programs to neighborhoods around the country that need it most. Saves Lives, saves communities. I hope you'll take a look at them. You can learn more@www.bgca.org and with that, here's Will Bachman with this week's episode. To learn more about their work, visit: www.bgca.org. AI generated show notes and transcript  

Send a message directly to Lee ( Include your details )We dismantle the broken listed‑to‑settled process and show how banking‑grade rails rebuild it end to end. Lucas McEntee reveals how RiverStone Partners unifies signing, AML, deposits, supplier payments, commission advances, and PEXA settlement into one secure workflow.• treating property sales as a financial sequence• the shift from SaleFunder to Riverstone Partners• why deposits and settlement must come first• BPAY vs direct debit and chargeback risk• AML Phase 2 made practical with Equifax• one screen, seven tabs from sign to settle• promotion funding and supplier payment controls• advancing commission at exchange with Agent Funder• PEXA integration and instant order on the agent• compliance, SOC 2, ASIC, AFCA, and Law Society oversightUse this particular link, and you will get your first five settlements free of charge as a special offerHosted by Lee Woodward Training Systems Brought to you by The Complete Salesperson Course & Super Coaching Program

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also today - What are the chances of full recession, what's the extent of it  now, and how can you prepare?  There are some key steps to take.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Recession Planning: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Should I Freeze My Credit With the Other Credit Bureaus? Streaming TV - Clark.com Why You Need To Check Your Credit Report Today Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips Axios:The 22 states close to (or in) recession Credit Card Balance Transfer Calculator Loan Payoff Calculator  /  Make A Budget - Clark.com 10 Ways To Save on Prescription Drugs 3 Reasons You Should Never Book a Nonrefundable Hotel Room Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded live at MBA Annual25 in Las Vegas, host Rebecca Kritzman, SVP of Experience and Partner Marketing at Equifax, sits down with Emmaline Aliff, Tom Ciulla, and Chris Mock to unpack the biggest themes from Day One — from innovation and data-driven lending to the industry's ongoing dialogue around tri-merge vs. single-bureau credit models.Who are the speakers?Rebecca Kritzman – SVP, Experience & Partner Marketing, EquifaxEmmaline Aliff – Leader, Equifax AdvisorsTom Ciulla – SVP, Enterprise Alliances, EquifaxChris Mock – VP Mortgage Verification Services, EquifaxTogether, they bring perspectives from marketing, data strategy, sales, and economic analysis. What are the major takeaways from MBA Annual25 Day One?Optimism and Energy: Attendees are feeling energized by collaboration and the potential for industry innovation.Tri-Merge vs. Single-Bureau Debate: Executives discussed the implications of recent announcements on credit models and what they mean for lenders and low-to-moderate-income borrowers.Data-Driven Decisions: The Equifax team emphasized how expanded data, tri-bureau perspectives, and new credit indicators help lenders make more responsible, inclusive lending decisions.Balancing Innovation and Safety: Many sessions focused on adopting new technologies without compromising trust or consumer protection.Industry Alignment: Across meetings, Equifax was recognized for leadership in data innovation and responsible lending. Why is innovation such a key theme this year?Rapid regulatory shifts, market uncertainty, and announcements about credit scoring models have pushed lenders to explore new data sources, smarter automation, and more personalized credit insights. The conversation centered on how innovation can serve both lenders and consumers — improving efficiency while promoting fair access to credit.  What challenges did the speakers highlight?The group noted miscommunication and uncertainty around policy changes and data use. They stressed the need for industry education, transparent communication, and data-backed decision-making to reduce fear and misinformation.  What gives them hope about the mortgage market?Every guest emphasized a shared sense of responsibility and care within the industry — a collective commitment to helping people live their financial best through responsible, data-driven lending.  

Recorded live at MBA Annual25 in Las Vegas, host Rebecca Kritzman and guests Ashley Sellers, Elaina McFarland, and Bobby Deery break down what lenders are asking for right now: AI-driven workflow efficiency, expanding use of soft-pull strategies, and dual processing to analyze Vantage Score alongside existing scores. Who are the speakers?Rebecca Kritzman – SVP, Experience & Partner Marketing, EquifaxAshley Sellers – VP, Mortgage Sales, EquifaxElaina McFarland – Leader, Solution Sales Experts (Credit & Verification), EquifaxBobby Deery – SVP, Product, Credit Division, EquifaxTogether, they explore the intersection of innovation, compliance, and customer trust.What were the major insights from Day Two?AI and Automation in Workflows: Lenders are adopting AI to streamline process flows and improve efficiency from application through close.Rising Interest in Dual Processing: Many lenders are testing Vantage Score alongside existing models to compare outcomes and assess portfolio risk.Soft Pull Momentum: Equifax's soft-pull tools are helping lenders pre-qualify borrowers and protect consumers' credit scores, especially under the new trigger law.Voice of the Customer: Product teams are incorporating direct lender feedback to guide new innovations such as income qualify and telco/pay-TV/utility data integrations.Education and Clarity: With rapid industry change — from FICO model updates to 1B vs. 3B credit reporting — customers are asking for clear, data-driven guidance. What challenges did attendees highlight?Widespread uncertainty dominated discussions — from pricing implications and trigger-law timing to confusion around single- vs. tri-bureau models. Customers expressed concern about misinformation and asked for help educating both lenders and consumers on what these changes truly mean.What recommendations did Equifax leaders share?Stand up dual-score processing to compare outcomes between Vantage and FICO models.Collaborate with Equifax product teams to provide feedback that shapes future solutions.Audit your process flows to align products (credit, verification, income qualify) with milestones that deliver the most value.Prioritize education and communication — both internally and with consumers — to navigate market shifts confidently. 

Learn how to get and read your free credit reports and spot red flags so you can protect your score and money. How do you set a realistic budget for a big life event without guilt? What's the foolproof way to get and read your free credit reports? In this episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss wedding budgeting and credit monitoring to help you protect your finances. They open by discussing trip and wedding budgeting trade-offs, like how to prioritize comfort, set spending caps, and decide when to splurge. They share tactics for separating wedding and honeymoon costs, using cash gifts and registries wisely, and staying flexible when real prices blow past early estimates. Then, NerdWallet lead writer Amanda Barroso joins Sean and Elizabeth to answer listeners' questions about how to access and monitor their credit reports. They explain the difference between reports and scores and do a live read-through of Sean's Experian report. They cover how to get free weekly credit reports, how to spot hard vs. soft inquiries, what truly matters to your score, what to ignore, and step-by-step moves to dispute errors with the right bureau(s) fast. NerdWallet's list of the best high-yield savings accounts: https://www.nerdwallet.com/banking/best/high-yield-online-savings-accounts  Standout high-yield CDs: https://www.nerdwallet.com/m/banking/standout-cd-rates-2  Enter your deposit, CD term and APY to see what interest you would earn on a certificate of deposit with NerdWallet's free CD calculator: https://www.nerdwallet.com/banking/calculators/cd-calculator  Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: free credit report, credit score, FICO vs VantageScore, how to read a credit report, dispute credit report errors, credit freeze vs lock, Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, hard vs soft inquiry, identity theft credit report, free weekly credit reports, adverse action notice, credit utilization, bank app credit score, frozen credit report, collections on credit report, mortgage on credit report, mixed credit files, verify identity for credit report, step by step read credit report, remove errors from credit report, how to check credit score for free, VantageScore 3.0, FICO score 10T, credit bureau upsell, lock vs freeze security, and travel budget planning. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I'm joined by Ryan Downing, Dealer and CEO of Ross Downing Auto Group. We break down his plan to scale to 20 dealerships by 2040, how he's achieved 100% absorption at every store, and what it took to grow group revenue from $270M to $490M in just five years — plus much more. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Auto Hauler Exchange - Ship Smarter. Pay Less. No Middlemen. Tired of brokers driving up costs and slowing you down? Auto Hauler Exchange puts YOU in control. Ship cars faster and cheaper with 5,500+ vetted carriers. Get cars delivered in just 4 days on average. Transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and real-time tracking. Move cars smarter. Move cars faster. Learn more @ http://www.autohaulerexchange.com 2. Equifax - Fund More Auto Loans, Faster. Auto loan applicants are 40% more likely to be funded when instantly verified by The Work Number. You can get the data you need to know your borrower better and make fast, smart decisions. Equifax provides instant, secure access to verified borrower identity, address, income, and employment information, helping you move deals forward quickly. Learn more @ http://www.theworknumber.com/auto 3. CDG Recruiting – Hire top dealership talent, fast. From sales managers to GMs and C-suite execs, we've placed over 1,000 roles across auto retail. Ready to scale without the hassle? Visit @ https://www.cdgrecruiting.com to get started. Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: Industry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dealership recruiting ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgrecruiting.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Fix your dealership's social media ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.trynomad.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Request to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgpartner.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Industry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Request to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Topics: 00:41 How to achieve 20 stores by 2040? 01:43 Biggest challenge taking over during COVID? 03:47 Key growth strategies for scaling? 07:27 What is your leadership and operational style? 11:03 How to ensure sustainable growth and staffing? 21:01 Why focus on fixed operations for growth? 24:20 Biggest challenges in scaling accounting? 28:39 Best leadership and training initiatives? 33:04 How to balance tradition and innovation? Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠x.com/GuyDealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/cardealershipguy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@guydealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠threads.net/@cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Everything else ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome back to the Fintech Takes podcast. I'm Alex Johnson, joined by Kevin Moss (Senior Advisor at Baselayer, former CRO) to help launch Facing Credit, a new series where we unpack what's happening in lending right now. We start with student loans. Repayment data is finally flowing back to credit bureaus after years of paused reporting (which have inflated credit scores; lenders need to recalibrate how they read risk). Meanwhile, the SAVE program's gone, and borrowers in default could have up to 15% of their wages garnished. Around 2M people are already at risk, with more likely to follow. If federal loans move back to the private market, college access could shrink fast. Next, open banking. Chase and Plaid agreed to a deal for paid API access, while Chase also partnered with Nova Credit to expand cash-flow underwriting. Kevin's view is that cost recovery makes sense (as a former banker for 31 years, who's been in fintech for 10+ years!), and there's precedent for it, but data pricing shouldn't stifle innovation (or become a tool to protect card economics). Finally, big moves in mortgage land. FICO ended its long-time exclusive distribution arrangement with the credit bureaus and began selling scores directly to lenders. Equifax fired back by cutting VantageScore pricing and pledging free scores in 2026 for FICO users. Kevin sees this as the end of FICO's monopoly and the start of real competition. Lenders have gained leverage to rethink data models, and if the bureaus play it right, they'll win the long game. Plus, we'll close each Facing Credit episode with our guest's take on one trend (or observation) shaping the industry. This time: how will a slowing economy hit lending portfolios? Tune in for Kevin's take! Sign up for Alex's Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don't forget to check out my YouTube page. Follow Kevin Moss: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-moss-b032163/   Follow Alex Johnson:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnsonX: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson

Debt isn't the enemy. But misused, it will absolutely hold you back. In this week's episode, Neil breaks down the truth about debt, credit scores, and how they impact your ability to scale a property portfolio. From personal experience to national statistics, he walks you through: The difference between good debt and bad debt How credit scores are calculated—and what tanks them Simple steps to check, improve and manage your credit The impact of credit cards, Afterpay, and personal loans on your borrowing capacity Tools like Equifax, Experian, and how to use them wisely Debt-to-income ratios, defaults, and how banks assess your risk With over $43 billion in credit card debt circulating in Australia, understanding how lenders view your profile is more critical than ever. Key takeaway: If you want to invest with confidence, you need to understand and control your credit. This episode will show you how.

Les données volées lors de la fuite massive de données personnelles chez Desjardins en 2019 circulent toujours sur le dark web, soulevant des inquiétudes. Même si le service de surveillance d'Equifax offert est arrivé à échéance, il existe des moyens efficaces pour se protéger contre les vols d'identité. La solution la plus simple et la plus efficace pour éviter les problèmes est de verrouiller son dossier de crédit auprès des deux agences principales: Equifax et TransUnion. Au Québec, ce service de verrouillage est offert gratuitement, un avantage unique au Canada. «Quand on verrouille son dossier de crédit, il n'y a personne qui peut faire un prêt en notre nom, qui peut ouvrir une nouvelle carte de crédit ou s'acheter une auto», explique Marie-Eve Fournier. Autre sujet abordé Lutte contre la fraude: Ottawa annonce une nouvelle agence. Voir https://www.cogecomedia.com/vie-privee pour notre politique de vie privée

Food prices continue to rise - and Team Clark continues to find ways to help you control those costs.  Also today, something else costing more - electricity. With winter weather on the horizon how do you keep yourself warm and avoid setting your wallet on fire? Clark discusses ways to help you use less electricity. Grocery Savings: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Home Power Bills: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How to Save Money on Groceries: 22 Clever Ways Aldi products have a new look / Aldi rebrands its private-label products Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More  /  How To Monitor Your Credit How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion How To Save Money on Utilities   /   Electrify Now Heat Pumps  /  Want a heat pump? This startup just cut the cost in half Is It Ever OK To Co-Sign a Loan With a Family Member? Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keith sits down with Terry Kerr and Matthew Vanhorn, the leaders of America's oldest turnkey real estate provider, Mid South Home Buyers, to unpack the practical systems that keep thousands of rental units profitable and tenants happy. With national renter mobility dropping, longer stays are now the norm. Average resident stay is 4 years—double the industry average, thanks to proactive maintenance and relationship-driven management. Instead of fighting for eyeballs on Zillow, they target HR departments at hospitals, universities, and major employers, tapping into pre-screened, income-verified tenants with stable paychecks and predictable work schedules. Invest where returns still make sense. Visit midsouthhomebuyers.com to book your investor tour and get $500 off your first property. Resources: Switch to listening to the podcast on the Apple Podcasts or Spotify app, as the dedicated GRE mobile app will be discontinued at the end of the month. Show Notes: GetRichEducation.com/576 For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com GRE Free Investment Coaching: GREinvestmentcoach.com Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE  or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments.  For predictable 10-12% quarterly returns, visit FreedomFamilyInvestments.com/GRE or text  1-937-795-8989 to speak with a freedom coach Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search “how to leave an Apple Podcasts review”  For advertising inquiries, visit: GetRichEducation.com/ad Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— text ‘GRE' to 66866 Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Complete episode transcript: Keith Weinhold  0:01   welcome to GRE I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, learn about how to cut your rental property vacancies and keep tenants twice as long. Why Memphis, Tennessee stays the cash flow King, and exactly where to find really low cost, quality properties today. That make sense from day one today on, get rich education.   Keith Weinhold  0:26   You know, most people think they're playing it safe with their liquid money, but they're actually losing savings accounts and bonds don't keep up when true inflation eats six or 7% of your wealth. Every single year, I invest my liquidity with FFI freedom family investments in their flagship program. Why fixed 10 to 12% returns have been predictable and paid quarterly. There is real world security backed by needs based real estate like affordable housing, Senior Living and health care. Ask about the freedom flagship program. When you speak to a freedom coach there, and that's just one part of their family of products, they've got workshops, webinars and seminars designed to educate you before you invest. Start with as little as 25k and finally, get your money working as hard as you do. Get started at Freedom family investments.com/gre, or send a text now it's 1-937-795-8989, yep, text their freedom coach, directly. Again, 1-937-795-8989,   Corey Coates  1:39   you're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is get rich education.   Keith Weinhold  1:49   Welcome to GRE from New York's Long Island Sound to Washington's Puget Sound and across 188 nations worldwide. I'm Keith Weinhold, and you're listening to get rich education. There's an economic trend that you need to be aware of. We're going to talk about how you can play it in this era, sources ranging from Redfin to Housing Wire and others, you know they're all in agreement that the transiency rate, that mobility rate for Americans, is down. And what that means is, when people find a place to live, whether they're a property owner or a renter, they are staying put longer. They put this big, heavy anchor down, and that kind of goes along with employment. Although the unemployment rate is low right now, there aren't very many people moving jobs or changing jobs. So the rate of hiring is low, that's bad, but the rate of employer firings is low, that's good. So on balance, Americans are keeping their job if they've already got one, and they're keeping their home if they've already got one. But because movement has slowed, as we are in this slower housing market, I'll drastically oversimplify here. All right, a few years ago, you might have had a tenant stay for two years, and then there would be a one month vacancy between tenancies today, double both of those. You're more likely to see a four year stay, but two months between vacancies. So your occupancy rate, therefore, is the same in both scenarios, but there's less movement. Again, oversimplifying, but you can see the effect a longer vacancy period is bad, a longer tenant retention period is good, all right. Well, how do you increase your tenant's length of stay and decrease that vacancy in order to be more profitable as an investor and yet give your tenant a satisfactory experience too well. One thing that you can do is list your vacant unit with an employer. Yeah, advertise it through a local stable company. You're going to end up with higher quality tenants. See, there's already this built in screening that was done for you. The employer basically did that for you. So when you work directly with especially hospitals, universities, corporate campuses or military bases, what you're doing is you're fishing from a pond of already vetted, income verified and drug screened candidates. See these tenants what they had to do. They already had to pass HR background checks and employment verification in order to get their job. So for you, that saves you both risk and time compared to the you know, the Craigslist style roll the dice crowd. Now, Of course, we cannot discriminate against certain groups of people, and we'll get into that shortly. But of course, steady employment equals steady rent tenants sourced through employers. They usually have reliable paychecks, often through direct deposit. They've got predictable work schedules, and there's going to be less income volatility. So that means that you'll have fewer late payments and lower eviction risk. And some landlords, you know what they do, they even structure rent payments through payroll deduction. I mean that essentially automates the rent collection. Yes, you can do that. Employees who move for a job, they often sign longer leases, because relocating again would be a hassle. So many will stay in your unit as long as they stay employed. That could be two years or five years, especially in the health care, education and tech sector. So less turnover means fewer make ready costs for you, fewer showings and just more ease and peace of mind. So advertising through employers that is a really low competition marketing channel as well. You know, most landlords, they blast their listings on Zillow apartments.com or maybe Facebook marketplace. Well over there, your post is just one out of hundreds, instead of all that competition, what you're doing is you're finding quiet, uncrowded channels when you utilize these employer housing boards and their HR relocation departments, and this way you can even get inside that company's internal newsletters so you're reaching renters before they can even start scrolling listings over on Zillow and see employers love this too. It's not like the employer is having to do a favor for you. They love it, because when they can help new hires or transferees find housing, it's better for that company. It reduces the employee's stress. It improves the retention at that company. If they have an employer that's satisfied and has a good place to stay, and it really boosts that company's recruiting success. So you're helping yourself, you're helping that company, and you're helping their new employee, which is your tenant. So this makes HR departments. They are surprisingly receptive to you. They might even circulate your listing internally or add you to their housing resource list. So this is a perfect fit for these hands off turnkey investors. So if you're doing that or you're managing properties remotely, this employer outreach, it really gives you a nice extra layer of reliability. And as far as the people that will be your tenants, think about nurses, engineers. IT staff, sometimes teachers, sometimes military based personnel. I mean, they are all ideal long term tenants. Now the way that you can actually do this and put it into practice is identify major employers that are near your property, that could be hospital systems, that could be universities or manufacturing plants, then contact their HR or the relocation department, and after that, it's not hard just provide them with a concise PDF or a one page flyer with your property photos and the monthly rent amount. And one thing you can do, and you should in this case, is put the distance or the time it takes to travel to the employer from your rental unit, and then add your contact info. That is exactly how you do it. You can offer a small incentive, like $50 off the first month for employees. So this is a slick way to advertise your vacancy with employers and make you more profitable over time.    Keith Weinhold  7:02   Now today, we're going to talk to who is actually America's oldest turnkey real estate company. As far as we know, they're based in Memphis, Tennessee, and we'll learn how they advertise a vacant unit and screen prospective tenants and place them and maintain their units over time. They are called mid south homebuyers. You've heard them on the show before, and because of their success, both investors and other real estate companies, they actually listen in intently to what these people have to say. I mean, others study them and learn from them. These are the people other companies study, and you're still going to hear from their principal and their sales lead about reducing your vacancy time and increasing your tenant duration. And, you know, it's just kind of funny how often Memphis, Tennessee, which is where they're based, how often this comes up in cash flowing real estate conversations that you have out there over time? I mean. And Memphis consistently has the best cash flow, maybe, amongst any substantial Metro in the nation. We'll just say among metros that are big enough to have a major pro sports team. I mean, Memphis does have the NBA Grizzlies. There aren't many other cities that can even compete with Memphis as the cashflow King, although there are some that you can work into the conversation. Indianapolis, Cleveland and Oklahoma City are some of those places. Now, before we're done, you'll also learn about how, even following this generation's big inflationary wave, how purchase prices are still as affordable as they are in both Memphis and Little Rock. I mean, this is going to make you ask out loud today, how could they still be so low? We'll also talk about conventional, enduring property management techniques today, now next month here on the show, we're going to talk about how you can use AI to self manage your properties, and that show next month is going to be with an expert straight from Silicon Valley. We're going to talk to the CEO of hemlane then and their AI driven property management software. She used to work for Apple, and she's got a Harvard Business School degree. That is next month today. It's about tried and proven techniques to make you more profitable as an investor   Keith Weinhold  11:24   I'd like to welcome in longtime friends of the show, with the emphasis on long time since they were first here with us, nearly 11 years ago, They are those ever steady property providers based in Memphis, mid south homebuyers. They also serve Little Rock, Arkansas. I have physically walked their offices and properties in person myself. They are, in fact, America's oldest turnkey real estate provider. And it's the return of their founder and principal, Terry Kerr and a second guest who you'll meet shortly, Terry, welcome back on of the show.   Terry Kerr  12:04   Thanks so much, Keith, so glad to be back.   Keith Weinhold  12:07   Congrats on your success. Your model and operation is prominent and exemplary nationally. You've now grown to 110 w2 employees there, and your 13 plus year property management guru who's been leading that entire division is now your sales director. It's terrific to introduce him to the world today. Matthew Van Horn,   Matthew Vanhorn  12:31   Keith, so great to be on here. Long time listener of the show. Really great to meet you.    Keith Weinhold  12:36   Yeah. Appreciate it now you'll soon be listening to yourself on the show. GRE, listeners are familiar with the turnkey real estate model. What you do is buy a distressed property, you rehab it, and then you place a tenant in the property, and you hold on to that for investors across the nation for the production of long term cash flow. Well, let's get an update between Memphis and Little Rock. How many properties do you hold under management for investors now and then? What percent are single family rentals versus other types?   Terry Kerr  13:07   Right now, we're about 57 maybe a little closer to 5800 and the vast majority of them are single family houses. I'm going to say probably. What 5% are duplexes? Matthew, something like that. Yeah, something like that. So no other multis, just single family, most of them rehabs. And of course, now we're doing a new construction direct to rental as well.   Keith Weinhold  13:29   Interestingly, with 58 to 5900 rentals, I mean, you can easily sort of be your own surveying outfit in an informal way, in finding out what's happening with the market, what all the dynamics are. So why don't we start at the beginning, when you're marketing and advertising and looking to place a tenant, tell us about just what you look for, just what you need to avoid. I mean checking for the tenant. That typically involves an employment check, a credit check, a rental history. Sometimes something might appear like a red flag, say, a 590 credit score. Would you always accept tenants in that condition? Because there are times when there are extenuating circumstances when a tenant with a 590 credit score actually might be a good placement. So tell us more about that screening.   Terry Kerr  14:17   As you know, it is renters that drive our returns as investors, and so selecting the right renter is where the money is made in this business, for sure, we are doing as much screening as we can for our renters. There's a lot that goes into that. We actually have a whole processing department. You know some people here who spend their whole day working in the processing division. And what you really got to watch out for, as far as red flags, is just fraud. There are so many ways you can use machines to defraud, and we have people who are able to detect and weed out the bad actors there, but we know what works really well. We have, for instance, in. Arkansas, the main employer of our residents is Baptist Health Medical Center, and we love our healthcare workers there. So that's a place that, you know, starting from the marketing side, we're going to dial up our marketing in those places we're going to go to the HR department, or we're often in the HR department of Baptist Health Medical Center, pushing and asking for referrals from them, you know. And same with just referrals in general, good tenants tend to refer other good tenants. We're of course, looking for strong income that we can verify. And more than anything, we're looking for strong, credible current rental history, so someone who's paying the rent today somewhere to a verified landlord, not their sister, you know, but a very verified landlord. That's the big thing, Keith.   Keith Weinhold  15:50   Tell us more about that. That's great that you're being proactive and getting right in there with a stable, steady employer. That is where our rent comes from. After all, are there any other red flags, maybe things that people would not think about identifying as a red flag when it comes to that employment, in that credit, in that rental history   Matthew Vanhorn  16:11   one reason I bring up the localized marketing that some people may not think about is that renters who move from Out of state often will land in a place and then stay there for one year, which is fine, but then they often don't renew their lease and they'll move somewhere else. Now, of course, what we have to do above all is we have to be legal, you know, so we can't discriminate against someone from coming from out of town, but what we can do is dial up our localized marketing so that we're getting people who are in the neighborhood, who love the neighborhood already where they are, and so that contributes to longer residence days, and it's just little things like that. Once again, you're looking for employment that you can verify, so that you know that you're getting a quality renter.   Terry Kerr  16:59   I'll also say that one of the ways that we try to attract the most potential residents we can is by having a free application. So typically, a property management company is going to charge, you know, 50 to 75 bucks per applicant. And we're very fortunate that we've get a terrific deal from Equifax, because we're also lenders, we do some lending to our investors, which gives us a really good deal on paying for credit checks. And so we waive those fees for our residents. And so a lot more folks are going to apply with us, because it doesn't cost them anything to apply. And of course, the more people that apply, you've got a much better shot at a filling the property quicker, but also finding a much better resident.   Keith Weinhold  17:44   well this is a great part of building the connection. One of the first interactions they have with you is realizing that you don't have any application fee. And AI can be great for marketing and for doing things like writing listing descriptions, but you build that human connection there. For example, you do in person showings. You invite prospective tenants in current tenants into your physical office, kind of replacing society's trust crisis with humanity.   Matthew Vanhorn  18:14   Yes, that's right, Keith. In the last 12 months, we've spent more money than ever on technology, so we are leaning heavily into creating the systems and processes that allow us to get to our service quickly. And at the same time, we've invested more into staffing up in the past 12 months, into inviting people into our office, you know, and we can still do everything remotely. We can do it virtually for folks who want that, we found that a lot of residents love to look us in the face, and they like to come down to our office, and they like to sit across from Karen and across from Gabby, and they just love the personalized experience that we give them. It's hard to quantify it, Keith, but I just really believe that it drives longevity, right?   Keith Weinhold  19:04   Having a face behind that rental because your properties are freshly rehabbed, or, in some cases, they're new builds, so hopefully you won't have too many tenant service calls once they do become a resident, and you don't need to interact with them all the time, though you're there for them, but once you have chosen a tenant, and that tenant is placed, you know somebody has to be the adult in the lease, and we sincerely hope that the tenant is one of them. So with regard to that, how do you help ensure that tenants keep making on time payments, and you can keep tenants and not get ones that break the lease. So can you speak to us about that, how you can help identify that in the screening and then that ongoing relationship?   Matthew Vanhorn  19:47    I will say that perfect vetting does not necessarily lead to perfect collections, because it turns out that every one of our residents, they are humans, and as humans, we run into things you. Know, divorce can happen. Relationship breakups can happen, job losses happen. Just very human things happen. And so we like to stay in touch with our residents as often as possible, and very much encourage an open line of communication. We very much believe in compassion based collections here at Mid South. And so when residents fall upon hard times, we are truly there for them. Memphis actually has more nonprofits per capita than any place in America then. So when residents do fall on hard times, you know, and it happens, we're actually able to reach out. We have connections with several agencies that can help with rental assistance for renters who need it, we found that by pouring into our staffing with the resident support and solutions department that we've had a lot of success in collecting just by keeping that relationship intact when the pandemic hit. For instance, and I know that's been a few years from now, and maybe we all want to forget it, our collections rate actually went up during that time, and I attribute that largely to the fact that, number one, we had a relationship in place with our renters. We staffed up, and matter of fact, we had a full time person just working to get rent assistance for those renters who kind of had been disenfranchised by the pandemic   Keith Weinhold  21:26   during pandemic times or post pandemic times whenever it is us as investors, we're always interested in reducing that vacancy time. We seem to be in a period, at least nationally, where when people get a hold of a place, they want to keep it and hold on to it. In a lot of markets, the duration of a tenancy has been increasing. So despite what era that we're in, can you talk to us about some of the best practices for how you reduce the vacancy time? Because we all know vacancy and turnover is our biggest expense over time. As investors,    Terry Kerr  21:58   I like to say, you know, at the heart of what we do is making sure that when a hard working, single mother comes home at the end of the day, she can give her child a hot bath. And that's not possible if the water heaters out. And that's just one example, but our main job is to give a good quality of life to the residents that we are caring for, and if we can do that, and if we can treat them with respect when they do fall on hard times, like Matthew said, they're going to want to renew the lease. So we have got a almost twice the average length of stay as the industry average, which is we've got about a four year average resident stay. And when folks move out of a mid south house, it's not because they can find a better value they're going to get. They're already in the nicest house on the street. And if something breaks, we're out there lickety split to fix it. When folks move out of a mid south house. It's either because they're downsizing. Kids are moving out, or they're going up because they're having their family increases and they've got to move up, or maybe something happens to them, like Matthew mentioned, you know, death, divorce, disability, these things happen, right? But no one's moving out because they can find a better value or because they're not getting the service or respect that they deserve.    Keith Weinhold  23:25   That says a lot. Being managers of 5800 to 5900 properties, which gives you this sort of canvassing or de facto surveying ability that you have. What are we seeing for the direction of rents? We'll get into rents and prices later, because nationally, rents are just holding steady. They're really not rising very much. What do you see there?   Matthew Vanhorn  23:49   Yes, we saw them fairly stable. Over the course of 2024 I have started to see an uptick here in the past few months, I will say, which is encouraging for investors, for sure, each month, I'm looking at all of the renewal rates personally, to kind of look at that, engage the market. And like you said, it really is helpful. I mean, yes, we have all the tools, Zillow, rentometer, all these things, but there's nothing like just our own data of seeing, hey, what's the house across the street renting for? You know, how long did it take for that to rent and incorporating that into our data. And right now, our houses are moving at a faster pace on the leasing tip, which rent increases tend to follow that    Keith Weinhold  24:30   when it comes to optimizing rents, a lot of that coming back to reducing vacancy time. There are a number of strategies that one can employ now it's not with you guys, but I have a single family rental home in another market, and one promotion that that manager is running and encouraged me to participate in is a 50 inch flat screen TV having that and giving it away to the tenant. Somehow, that only costs $250 so I decided to do that. At for a vacancy that I have there in that market. Now, some investors might say, you know, why am I buying TVs for a tenant? I'm already providing them with a place. If the rent is 1500 bucks, a $250 TV only costs five days of vacancy, and that helps me reduce that vacancy period. Might even make a tenant want to stay longer, so sometimes you got to be thinking about how your tenant thinks, and you can come up with inventive ways to reduce vacancy. Do you have anything like that, any small concession that you've offered or have needed to offer in either market?   Terry Kerr  25:33   Well, we haven't done anything like that, Keith, but what we do like to do, and Matthew mentioned this earlier, is as great tenants tend to refer other great residents, and so we have a referral bonus that we pay out to our residents that refer other folks to us, and that does not come out of the pocket of our investors, that comes out of our pocket, because it's our job to make sure that We rent these properties as quick as we can to qualified residents.   Keith Weinhold  26:04   One thing that I've liked about Memphis, which few markets have, is that it's embedded within renter culture in Memphis, since it is such a renter city, that renters travel with their appliances, like the refrigerator, in their stove, in their dishwasher, which always seems crazy to me, so you're not providing those appliances. It seems like that fact alone might help with resident retention in Memphis. They're just less likely to move when they have more stuff to move.   Matthew Vanhorn  26:35   Yeah, it's really true. Yeah. And the longer people stay, the longer they tend to stay as funny as that sounds. And yeah, that's something that we found even in our new construction homes where we do provide the appliances we've been finding in many instances, still the residents are coming with their own appliances. And so we're storing our appliance, our brand new appliances, in our warehouse.   Keith Weinhold  26:58   Wow, yes, that's just something that you don't see in other places. And when it comes to retention, we're interested in maintaining the property like you talked about being proactive with are there some other things you do to help ensure that the maintenance expenses stay lower throughout the lifetime of that investor ownership? How do you approach that?   Terry Kerr  27:16   It really starts with doing a full blown rehab, right? So every once in a while, you know, we'll have houses that, you know, have some age on the components. But when we do a rehab, everything is brand spanking new, like a new roof, gut, the kitchen, got the bathroom, you know, all new electrical, all new plumbing, all new HVAC, a new water heater the whole nine yards. So it starts there, and then when a property turns over, we go into the property, and we are looking for safe and clean, right? So we want to make sure to keep the water out. We want to make sure that everything is safe and the property is tip top and super clean. Fortunately, the folks that are maintaining the houses for our investors. The technicians are the same technicians that did the renovations on the property, right? And it's the same materials. Yeah, it's like, we have an assembly line and a junky house jumps on the assembly line, and we rip everything off, and all the same materials jump back on the house. So we're able to keep costs low because of that, and also because the labor that we end up having to pay the technicians typically is a lot less than normal, because they're used to working on the same water heater, the same HVAC system, you know, the same furnace, the same dishwasher. So our volume model kind of helps with that.   Keith Weinhold  28:39   Oh, if you were listening closely, yes, what a huge efficiency that can be. You fellas, have any last thoughts about efficient property management, since that's what you've led for more than 13 years, Matthew,   Matthew Vanhorn  28:51   I resonate with what you said about how many investors overlook vacancy costs when properties turn over. And so I think it's just getting your rents right on the money, maybe just a little below, can actually drive returns, as opposed to maybe trying to get an extra 25 bucks more, which takes you three weeks longer to rent. You actually did not come out ahead in that, in that scenario, Keith   Keith Weinhold  29:14   today, with inflation, a $25 difference, I mean, we're down to what 12 hours of vacancy is, really how we're talking about there Property Management turning a passive income into an active lifestyle since forever. That's what they do. Property managers are the people that have never met a maintenance issue that waited until business hours. So that's why I'm grateful that my managers do what they do for me. That's what we're talking about today. More when we come back with Terry Kerr and Matthew Van Horn of mid south homebuyers, I'm your host. Keith Weinhold   Keith Weinhold  29:45   if you're scrolling for quality real estate and finance info today, yeah, it can be a mess. You hit paywalls, pop ups, push alerts, Cookie banners. It's like the internet is playing defense against you. Not so fun. That's why. It matters to get clean, free content that actually adds no hype value to your life. This is the golden age of quality email newsletters, and I write every word of ours myself. It's got a dash of humor. It's direct, and it gets to the point because even the word abbreviation is too long, my letter takes less than three minutes to read, and it leaves you feeling sharp and in the know about real estate investing, this is paradigm shifting material, and when you start the letter, you'll also get my one hour fast real estate video course, completely free as well. It's called The Don't quit your Daydream letter. It wires your mind for wealth, and it couldn't be simpler to get visit gre letter.com while it's fresh in your head, take a moment to do it now at gre letter.com Visit gre letter.com    Keith Weinhold  30:56   the same place where I get my own mortgage loans is where you can get yours. Ridge lending group and MLS, 42056, they provided our listeners with more loans than anyone because they specialize in income properties. They help you build a long term plan for growing your real estate empire with leverage. Start your pre qual and even chat with President chailey Ridge personally, while it's on your mind, start at Ridge lending group.com that's Ridge lending group.com   Tom Wheelwright  31:31   this is Rich Dad Advisor Tom wheelwright. Listen to get rich education with Keith Weinhold, and don't quit your Daydream.   Keith Weinhold  31:37   welcome back to get rich education. You've got the pleasure of listening to the voices of America's oldest turnkey real estate provider mid south homebuyers based in Memphis, Tennessee, and some years ago, they branched out to Little Rock, Arkansas as well, just about a two hour road trip west of Memphis. When us as investors buy a property, we've got to be cognizant of the fact that that property swims in an economic ocean, and therefore job vibrancy is, after all, how the tenant pays the rent. So tell us about economic developments in Memphis and Little Rock, because there are some exciting ones.   Matthew Vanhorn  32:24   So yeah, both in Memphis and in Little Rock, we've got the roads, we've got the rivers, we've got the rails, which drives both Memphis and Little Rock as distribution hubs here in the middle of America. And so of course, FedEx famously has their headquarters here in Memphis. Many of your listeners will know it's the largest cargo airport in America. We've had a resurgence of X. AI has actually come to Memphis and built the world's largest supercomputer here in Memphis, and they're actually working hard now on building a second called Colossus two, which is going to be even larger. They're saying it may hold as many as 1 million Nvidia chips, which I can't do that math, but that's a lot of money. And so x AI is has quickly become the second largest taxpayer here in Memphis and in Shelby County. And 25% of those tax proceeds, by the way are going, they're earmarked to go right into that local community beside where the plant is, and all the development is in Little Rock. You know, of course, it's Arkansas's largest city. It's the capital city, and so by nature of that, there are many stable state government jobs there that is a bulwark of the economic development there. There is a actually Fintech startup space is big in Little Rock as well. Lockheed Martin has been doing developments there, so a lot of aerospace development around Little Rock. Folks who look at our homes will also notice that we are in Jacksonville, which is a suburb of Little Rock that's anchored by the Air Force base there in Jacksonville. And there's actually a large munitions supplier there, Sig Sauer, which provides a lot of jobs to the locals there. And our number one, I may have mentioned it earlier, our number one employer in Central Arkansas is actually Baptist Health Medical Center. And just generally speaking, health care workers make up the largest portion of our residents in Central Arkansas. So a lot of great economic drivers that we're seeing bringing renters to Little Rock and and new jobs there. As a matter of fact, not just that, but I noted recently that the cost of living in Little Rock is now 10% below the national average. I think we had a report on our website a few years ago that it was 6% and that's actually. It's only becoming more favorable to live in Central Arkansas.   Keith Weinhold  35:04   You're talking about stable and growing drivers here, AI related businesses and healthcare. Let's talk about those rents and prices. Because really, this is one reason why national investors are so drawn to that area. It's that high affordability and that high ratio of rent income to purchase price. So what sort of rent and price ranges are we looking at in both markets now,   Matthew Vanhorn  35:29   it's not the same as it was when I started here in 2012 Reds have increased and so, you know, average rents around here start around 900 and now we're going up to about 1700 toward the high end there. And you know, the great news is that incomes have increased as well, and so our renters are able to afford this just as well as they were before. Or maybe even better, like I mentioned, cost of living in Arkansas has actually improved. And so what that means is people are actually making more money compared to the rent, even though rents have increased, which I believe is good news for investors, and it's been good news for us as a management company, as I think that contributes to the resident longevity there, once again,   Keith Weinhold  36:17   nowhere in the nation Do we hear enough about increased affordability stories, which is exactly what you have when your income rises faster than your rent, which is a harbinger of being able to increase the rent in the future. Tell us more about the rent in price ranges in both markets.   Matthew Vanhorn  36:35   In Memphis, if you get a two bed, one bath, you can often find that for as low as 808 850, something like that. As you step up into a three bed one bath, that's going to be somewhere between 1000 1200, depending on where you are in the city, there in Memphis, if you're in our new construction homes, those can range between 1395 all the way up to 1850 once again, depending on the size of the construction and the location out in Arkansas, rents tend to be just a little bit higher than in Memphis. So you see the rent starting there around 950 and going up to just under 2000   Keith Weinhold  37:19   and we're interested in that capital price, because a lot of times, investors think about their purchase through that perspective of the ratio of the rent income to the purchase price.   Matthew Vanhorn  37:30   As far as sales price goes, Keith, we started right around $100,000 on the low end, and those can range up to 240,000 thereabouts, on the high end, if you're talking about a new construction, three, two with a two car garage in an appreciating area. You can see that sort of range in Memphis, very similar, very similar. We have some of our smaller rehabs starting as low as 100,000 and going up to about that $215,000 range.   Keith Weinhold  38:04   Now, I would imagine, in the inflationary era that we're still in, that you get investors that call in there, and you do have these robust interactions with investors, where you talk with them on the phone like a human being, and people that say, come on. How can you get a respectable tenant in a single family rehab rental home that only costs $120,000 How do you handle questions like that?   Matthew Vanhorn  38:30   That's the whole job here is explaining that Sure, no where our renters are living. It's the best home that they've ever lived in, and it's it's in a affordable area. It's in an area where their friends live, where you just have workforce, just blue collar, but beautiful neighborhoods where they live. And I mean, they're proud to call these houses their home, and for many, it really is their dream home.   Keith Weinhold  38:55   People mold their lawns. The streets aren't littered with trash. I know where you guys invest. I've been on the streets there with you, checking them out. What percentage of investors finance the property, and how has that changed over time?   Terry Kerr  39:09   I'm going to say that it's probably about 75% finance, 25% cash. A lot of your listeners come with their own mortgage broker. The ones that don't, we have our tried and true mortgage brokers. Interest rates are not 4% anymore, and some folks are are wanting to pay cash, and they do, and some of them will pay cash, and then, you know, plan on refinancing later. But right now, that's probably about 25% cash, 75% finance.    Keith Weinhold  39:36   Yeah, it's interesting to see that direction, since rates did begin to get higher in 2022 you have this robust interaction with investors, but that doesn't only have to be over the phone. You guys are so proud of what you do that you've long offered investor tours. In fact, now you're doing more of those investor tours than you ever have. I believe you're doing 11. In tours per year in Memphis, and five in Little Rock as well.So tell us about that.    Terry Kerr  40:04   I guess it was maybe seven or eight years ago. We're so stoked that everybody wants to buy houses from us, and we've got, you know, a short wait list, and that's awesome, but we want folks to come visit us, and so, you know, we just started offering folks $500 off of the purchase of their first home, if they'll just come visit us. And so we know it's in our best interest to try to get to know our investors on a personal level, and the investors that do come to visit us, and we're able to pull back the curtain and show them, you know how operational efficiency benefits them as investors. I think they appreciate it, and then we do also just kind of like the nerd out on the nuts and bolts of the business. So it's fun to be able to pull that curtain back.   Keith Weinhold  40:48   Now, you don't have to be an investor to come on the tour, either prospective investors or regular investors that are already there can come on the tour. Is the Tour Free? Absolutely. So the tour is free, and you get a $500 credit if you end up purchasing there. Most investors never come physically see the property at all, but you sure can do that, and they make it really easy for you. Well, this is going to help a lot of people, especially when we think about how to manage the tenant and reduce our vacancy time in today's era. Before I ask how our listeners can learn more about you. Do you have any last thoughts at all about anything that we discussed management or properties or tenants or anything else? Maybe I did not think about asking you.   Matthew Vanhorn  41:32   I'll just go back to Keith talking about how well staffed we are here at Mid South. I think that's where we stand. Apart from a lot of our competitors is that we're not just two or three guys in an office here, we have over 100 employees. It takes speed to deliver good service. Service leads to satisfaction. Satisfaction leads to the residents staying. The resident staying leads to stacks of cash for you as investors, and the only way you can do that is if you're staffed up properly. And so that's something that you want to ask if you're ever vetting another property manager, is what does your staff look like? And really understand, can they actually provide the service to their residents and to their investors that they're reporting?   Keith Weinhold  42:17   You have helped more of our listeners than any other provider in the nation, certainly over 100 of them, perhaps hundreds by now. I'm not really sure if listeners want to get a hold of you, what's the best way for them to do that?    Terry Kerr  42:31   Invest at mid southhomebuyers.com   Keith Weinhold  42:34   that's a great starting place for you. And that way you can take a look at properties, get thinking about the market. Learn more about their management and get a hold of them. Terry and Matthew, it's been valuable as usual. Thanks so much for coming out of the show.   Matthew Vanhorn  42:49   Thank you, Keith.    Terry Kerr  42:49   Thank you, Keith.   Keith Weinhold  42:56   Oh yeah. Sharp insights from Terry and Matthew at mid south homebuyers today, waiving their application fee means more applicants, a bigger renter pool to choose from, which either shortens your vacancy time or it's going to get you a better quality tenant. Now, a lot of people, they think that real estate is unaffordable and even impossible, but few make it easier and more affordable than these people. And I think I shared with you before that, an 18 year old guy who I do know and have talked to in person, he bought his first ever rental property from mid south homebuyers. So it's kind of interesting. His goal was to own his first rental property when he was 18, and he closed just in time the day before his 19th birthday. I think he's age 20 now, but because fully renovated single family homes can be bought in a range of about 100 to 220k here, and you will put 20 to 25% of a down payment on that your monthly rent is about eight tenths of 1% of that purchase price. Okay, so that's renovated, and then new builds sell in a range of 200 to 260k rent to price ratios on those are a little lower. They're point seven five or so. Now we are here in an era where mortgage rates are in the low sixes for owner occupied that means you'll pay closer to 7% on income properties. But if you go new build, which is really something I've been suggesting to you for a while, if you can swing it, those rates are as low as five and a quarter percent for qualified buyers here, yes, at these low Memphis and Little Rock prices, they've got a few duplexes usually available as well, renting your residence. It's just something that's sort of in the culture there in Memphis, and that's why they're confident in offering a number of guarantees for investors. They just do things that. That other providers don't do in the rare event that your property is occupied and then it somehow falls vacant during your first year of ownership. Their releasing fee is free. They also have a guarantee that you will cash flow after you close. They have a one year bumper to bumper warranty on the renovations we're talking about from the doorknob to the ductwork, and there's a lifetime 90 day occupancy guarantee. What that means is, if your property were ever vacant for that long, they would start paying rent to you on day 91 but you know what's amazing? It's easy for them to offer that they'll tell you that they've never had to pay out on that, because they've never experienced the vacancy of more than 55 days. Just amazing. And all those guarantees I just told you about that is in writing on their website. So if you want to get a hold of them, there's virtually no one else in the nation that makes it easier and more affordable. I believe that's an email address that Terry gave there. Again, it is invest@midsouthhomebuyers.com their website is, as you might have guessed, midsouthhomebuyers.com that's midsouthhomebuyers.com interestingly, you can even look at their income properties. There some provider websites don't let you do that. And again, they offer free tours, and if you prefer, their phone number is 901-306-9009, this week, you learned some great techniques for reducing your vacancy and being more profitable, as well as a provider that can deliver it for you. Should you so choose? The proverb goes, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Well, you've got the option of doing either one or both today, until next week. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, don't quit your Daydream.   Speaker 1  46:59   Nothing on this show should be considered specific, personal or professional advice. Please consult an appropriate tax, legal, real estate, financial or business professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of get rich Education LLC, exclusively you   Keith Weinhold  47:27   The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth building, get richeducation.com  

As the U.S. government shutdown delays key economic data, the Equifax Advisors team steps in with deeper insights. Host Emmaline Aliff is joined by Jesse Hardin, Tom O'Neill, and Maria Urtubey to unpack the indicators that matter most when visibility is limited—and to debut the Market Pulse Index, a new holistic measure capturing the intersection of credit, income, assets, and financial behavior across populations.Economist Justin Begley of Moody's Analytics delivers our macroeconomic update.In this episode: What is the Market Pulse Index?The Market Pulse Index is a new measure developed by Equifax Advisors that combines multiple financial dimensions—credit performance, income, debt, assets, and affluence—into one holistic view of consumer and market health. It helps lenders and policymakers understand economic conditions beyond single metrics like CPI or GDP.Why is the Market Pulse Index important right now?With the U.S. government shutdown delaying key data releases, traditional indicators such as the jobs report and GDP updates are unavailable. The Market Pulse Index fills this gap by integrating real-time, multi-source data to reveal trends in affordability, financial durability, and consumer well-being.How does the Market Pulse Index differ from other metrics like CPI or GDP?Unlike single-dimension indicators, the Market Pulse Index combines hard data (credit, income, assets) and soft data (consumer sentiment) to provide a multi-layered view of economic conditions. It can reveal disparities across populations, regions, and credit tiers—helping decision-makers identify who's thriving and who's struggling.What is the K-shaped economy and how does it relate?The K-shaped economy describes uneven recovery patterns—where high-income consumers see wealth gains while lower-income groups face rising debt and affordability challenges. The Market Pulse Index captures these differences, offering a clearer picture of financial resilience across demographic groups.How can lenders and businesses use the Market Pulse Index?Organizations can use the Market Pulse Index to:Track aggregate consumer health across income, geography, and age groupsIdentify emerging credit risks and opportunitiesAdjust lending and pricing strategies based on holistic insightsImprove risk management and marketing segmentationIf you have questions or suggestions for future podcasts, please reach out to riskadvisors@equifax.com.

In today's episode - do you consider steaming TV as a monthly essential? You won't believe how many of us do. So how do you spend less to watch your favorite shows?  And later - does certified pre-owned actually mean anything when you're considering a used vehicle purchase? Clark explains how the CPO program began, and how it's become very problematic. Your Streaming Costs: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 CPO Vehicles: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: STREAMING TV - Clark.com What Disney's New Price Hikes Mean for Your Favorite Streaming TV Bundles Best Free Streaming Services in 2025: Movies and TV for Cord Cutters 4 Things To Know Before You Buy a TV Antenna Clark Howard Is Making These Changes to His Streaming TV Strategy How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles: What You Need to Know Before You Buy Should You Buy an Extended Warranty on Your Car? Are Car Wash Memberships Worth It? Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The powersports industry continues to grapple with volatile market conditions including rising prices, falling sales, waning consumer demand and a rapidly changing compliance landscape, but there are some lenders and dealers who have proven themselves resilient.  Auto Finance News today announced 11 powersports executives to watch heading into 2026 who have thus far proven their ability to support lenders, dealers and consumers in a political and economic climate that is also rapidly changing. Dealers and lenders are leaning into the used market to drive sales and overall growth in the fourth quarter and heading into next year. In fact, manufacturers including Harley-Davidson are pushing certified pre-owned inventory as consumers search for more affordable purchase options.  Relationships between dealers and lenders in the auto market are also strengthening as evidenced by Arivo Acceptance becoming the captive finance arm of Ken Garff Automotive Group, news that Auto Finance News broke Oct. 10.  In other news, Tricolor Auto is reported to have stopped paying rent to some of its landlords ahead of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  Listen as Auto Finance News Senior Associate Editor Truth Headlam and Associate Editor Aidan Bush unpack the past week's auto finance news and unveil some of what attendees can expect at this week's Auto Finance Summit 2025. Auto Finance Summit, the premier industry event for auto lending and leasing, returns Oct. 15-17 at the Bellagio Las Vegas. Learn more about the 2025 event and register here. This episode is sponsored by The Work Number by Equifax. 

Shawn O'Malley and Daniel Mahncke break down Fair Isaac Corporation (ticker: FICO), a company whose algorithms are essential to computing credit scores, which are used in everything in the U.S., from applying for a mortgage, credit cards, apartments, to even job applications and more. FICO has incredible market penetration and earnings leverage, as almost all of its price increases trickle down to the bottom line, even though the cost of credit checks is typically a very small portion of the mortgage origination process, for example. In this episode, you'll learn about how FICO came to dominate credit scoring in the U.S., how credit scores have made it possible for millions of people to access financing, why FICO's industry-leading position is so rock-solid, whether FICO can still be a “compunder” going forward,  and whether FICO's stock is attractively priced, plus so much more! IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 15:35 - How credit scores helped to democratize access to credit 25:47 - What actually goes into a FICO score 29:08 - Why FICO has become the industry standard for credit scores 29:49 - About FICO's relationship with the three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion 30:19 - How the government helped solidify FICO's moat, and whether that's changing 55:12 - What makes FICO one of the most profitable businesses we've ever looked at 01:03:04 - How to think about modeling FICO's intrinsic value 01:11:26 - Whether Shawn and Daniel add FICO to their Intrinsic Value Portfolio *Disclaimer: Slight timestamp discrepancies may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Intrinsic Value Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Sign Up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Intrinsic Value Community.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Business Breakdowns coverage of FICO. Check out the Value Investors' Club Pitch for FICO. FICO's investor relations page. Explore our previous Intrinsic Value breakdowns: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paypal⁠⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Uber,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Nike,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reddit,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TSMC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alphabet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ulta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LVMH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Square Garden Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Related ⁠⁠⁠books⁠⁠⁠ mentioned in the podcast. Ad-free episodes on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium Feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. NEW TO THE SHOW? Follow our official social media accounts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Try Shawn's favorite tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Finance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy exclusive perks from our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠favorite Apps and Services⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠best business podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: Harvest Right Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also in this episode - Football season means Clark is back to watching TV, and he's got clarification on some offers in ads you're likely seeing too.  Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 “FREE” Phones? Not Really: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 4 Things To Know Before You Buy a TV Antenna How To Watch Local Channels Without Cable Report: The Most Affordable Places To Live in America 5 Money Mistakes To Avoid When Traveling Best Way To Exchange Dollars for Foreign Currency & When To Exchange 5 Money Tips To Know Before You Travel Abroad Why You Should Never Use a Debit Card To Pay for Anything The Best Phone Plan For You - Compare Phone Plans Should you ever get a "free" phone from a wireless carrier? How To Monitor Your Credit   /   How To Get a Free Credit Report How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are live here at Adventure Unknown in Fenton, MO.I'm joined by a returning guest, Brad Starnes, with Talent Fuze, to talk about a major announcement we both made a couple of weeks ago.Builders of Authority has officially acquired Screamin Cow Marketing Group.Brad and I first connected back in 2021 when he joined our BOA Mastermind and became one of my first 1-1 coaching clients. Over the past few years, he's built an incredible marketing agency, launched a new company, and continued to grow personally and professionally.In this episode, we're diving into:How the sale came togetherWhat we both learned from the processWhat's next for Brad as he goes all-in on Talent FuzeBrad's story is a perfect example of what can happen when you take action, trust the process, and bet on yourself.Brad's Bio:Brad Starnes is the Owner of Talent Fuze and the former CEO & President of Screamin Cow Marketing Group, which was recently acquired by Builders of Authority.As a serial entrepreneur, Brad's journey is rooted in resilience, innovation, and faith. Before launching Screamin Cow, he founded Splitsy, a fintech startup that secured a 6-figure crowdfunding round and a spot in Equifax's accelerator program. He was named the 2021 Bloch School Entrepreneur of The Year and has continued to make an impact across industries ever since.Today, Brad leads Talent Fuze, helping companies find top tier marketing and creative talent. Outside of business, he's a husband, new father, and a man of faith dedicated to serving others and creating a legacy built on perseverance and purpose.Connect with Brad:FB: http://facebook.com/BradStarnesOfficial/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradstarnesofficial/Tiktok: bradstarnes.fyi/links-tkYT: https://www.youtube.com/@bradstarnesofficial

A federal investigation into subprime auto lender Tricolor Holdings was confirmed as court proceedings began last week.  In a court hearing on Oct. 3, Tricolor's lawyers confirmed that federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies are investigating the buy here, pay here dealer and subprime lender for alleged misconduct and alleged systemic fraud. Since Texas-based Tricolor's Chapter's 7 bankruptcy filing on Sept. 10, the company's bond prices have plummeted, signaling that investors believe there is an increased risk of losses, particularly in riskier tranches. Meanwhile, third-quarter sales among auto makers climbed as OEMs pushed incentives and consumers pulled ahead their EV sales prior to elimination of the $7,500 federal tax credit on Sept. 30. In regulatory news, powersports lenders and dealers are in an interesting position amid the shifting compliance landscape. The powersports industry has long been overlooked by regulators, with a fraction of complaints the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau received since 2011 directed at the powersports industry.  But with the pullback at the CFPB and state regulators and other agencies like the FTC ramping up enforcement, it's imperative that lenders and dealers don't do anything to garner enforcement actions.  In this episode of the “Weekly Wrap,” Auto Finance News Editor Amanda Harris, Senior Associate Editor Truth Headlam and Associate Editor Aidan Bush discuss Tricolor proceedings, OEM third-quarter sales and powersports compliance for the week ended Oct. 3. Auto Finance Summit, the premier industry event for auto lending and leasing, returns Oct. 15-17 at the Bellagio Las Vegas. Learn more about the 2025 event and register here. This episode is sponsored by The Work Number by Equifax.  Editor's note: This transcript has been generated by software and is being presented as is. Some transcription errors may remain. 

In this episode, football is in full swing, and so is something very troubling. People are losing enormous amounts of money on electronic gambling. Clark discusses how the nature of modern gambling can increase the risk of gambling addiction, and steps to take if this is a concern.  Also - How accurate are credit reports by the 3 credit bureaus? What you don't know about your credit report can hurt you. A Clark assignment. Sports Gambling: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Credit Report Accuracy: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Resource: Pause Before You Play Best Online Banks: Free Checking and High-Interest Savings Accounts How To Buy a Used Car How To Get a Free Credit Report Credit Karma Review: Free Credit Score and More at Your Fingertips How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Why Clark Howard Wants You to Set Up a 'Financial Chromebook' How To Bring an Old Laptop Back to Life for Free Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Powersports dealers are working closely with manufacturers to balance supply with a decline in sales and worsened consumer confidence, themes that were prevalent during Powersports Finance Summit 2025, held Sept. 23-24 in Columbus, Ohio.Lender Octane, for one, is working to provide the technology and finance programs needed to support dealerships as they face smaller margins compression and lower sales alongside higher promotional spend. Dealers are also turning to used units to meet consumers' demand for more affordable products and as many expect sales to pick up in the coming months. On the new-vehicle side, tariffs continue to be a leading concern for powersports manufacturers, especially as steel and aluminum tariffs raise costs on parts and accessories. While powersports dealer are not faring equally amid challenges plaguing the industry, prevalent themes throughout Powersports Finance Summit 2025 included optimizing for a rise in AI usage by consumers, preparing for a potential uptick in regulatory scrutiny and continued mixed sales performance by market segment. Listen as Auto Finance News Senior Associate Editor Truth Headlam and Associate Editor Aidan Bush recap the 2025 event and highlight news to come this week.This episode is sponsored by The Work Number by Equifax.  Stay up to date with all the news coming out of Powersports Finance Summit 2025 here.

As the Department of Justice investigates the alleged fraudulent claims against Tricolor Auto Acceptance, one expert warns that there may not be enough collateral to satisfy the subprime lender's outstanding debt with all its financiers. In more common bankruptcy scenarios, assets are liquidated to repay outstanding debt.  “What makes it a little bit more complicated [with Tricolor] is there's 25,000 creditors in this particular case that have claims here, and some of them have claims against the same collateral,” Brian Bastin, program director for the business and automotive programs at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Keiser University, tells Auto Finance News in this week's podcast. JPMorgan Chase, Origin Bank and Fifth Third Bank all had existing warehouse lines with Tricolor and are just some of those in the long list of Tricolor's creditors.  “In all likelihood, there probably is not going to be enough money to be able to make whole everybody in this particular situation,” Bastin says, noting that there is a pecking order to claims and payments as a result of liquidating the lender's assets for its Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  “In all likelihood, there probably is not going to be enough money to be able to make whole everybody in this particular situation.” -- Brian Bastin, program director for the business and automotive programs, Keiser University, Consumers should be proactive about making sure that any former loans, title liens, service contracts and warranties are properly dealt with to avoid any road bumps down the road.  Join Senior Associate Editor Truth Headlam and Keiser University's Brian Bastin as they break down the potential implications of Tricolor's bankruptcy for lenders, consumers and the subprime market as a whole in this week's Weekly Wrap. This episode is sponsored by The Work Number by Equifax. 

Host Jesse Hardin sits down with Stephanie Gunselman, head of Federal Government Relations at Equifax, for a wide-ranging look at how Washington is shaping the future of lending and credit reporting. From a cooling labor market and inflation to evolving priorities at the CFPB, they explore the latest legislative and regulatory developments — including open banking, data privacy, AI governance, medical debt rules, and more. Whether you're a lender, policy watcher, or data-driven strategist, this conversation will help you prepare for the policy shifts that could impact your business in 2025 and beyond.Economist Justin Begley of Moody's Analytics delivers our macroeconomic update.

Fraud costs are climbing and fintech leaders face pressure to onboard customers faster while keeping trust intact. Host Tedd sits down with Ravi, a fintech veteran and CEO of KYXStart.AI, to break down how identity verification has shifted from a back-office task into a true growth driver.This conversation tackles the reality that fraudsters now use deepfakes, synthetic identities, and AI-built scams while many companies still rely on outdated methods like scanning licenses. Ravi shares how the right approach can reduce onboarding time by 80%, cut fraud rates by 60%, and boost revenue by 20%. The insights go beyond security to show how stronger data, smarter compliance, and customer-focused design actually increase revenue.TAKEAWAYS1️⃣ Rethink Compliance As StrategyUse compliance frameworks as tools to strengthen trust, open new markets, and support onboarding that scales growth.2️⃣ Use Contextual Identity SignalsGo beyond static IDs. Add phone, banking, and social signals to improve accuracy and cut false positives.3️⃣ Design Teams Around CuriosityBuild teams that question, test, and adapt. Curiosity drives better fraud defenses and stronger customer experiences.4️⃣ Adopt Continuous Verification ModelsMove past one-time checks. Continuous verification keeps accounts secure, reduces fraud risks, and maintains trust.5️⃣ Prioritize Deterministic Over PredictiveChoose deterministic checks for clear, real-time answers that deliver faster approvals and stronger compliance.LINKS:Guest: Ravi BijlaniLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravibijlani/Company Website: https://kyxstart.aiCompany LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kyxstart/X: https://x.com/KYXStart_AiYouTube: https://youtu.be/meoKNa_C67AFintech ConfidentialPodcast: https://fintechconfidential.com/listenNewsletter: https://fintechconfidential.com/accessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fintechconfidentialX: https://x.com/FTconfidentialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fintechconfidentialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/fintechconfidentialSUPPORTERS:Under - Streamlines application and underwriting with digital PDF processing - https://under.io/ftcSkyflow - Zero trust data privacy vault with simple API calls - https://skyflowsecure.com Hawk - AI tools for real-time fraud detection and transaction monitoring - https://gethawkai.comABOUT:Guest: Ravi Bijlani is the Founder & CEO of KYXStart.AI with more than 25 years in fintech. He previously served as GM at Equifax and Prove Identity. Ravi is an investor in SingularKey (acquired by Ping Identity) and holds multiple patents. He earned an MBA from Georgia Tech with Summa Cum Laude honors.KYXStart.AI is a global identity verification platform that offers AI-powered verification, fraud detection, and compliance solutions. It is designed to improve match rates, reduce costs, and streamline onboarding with real-time data across more than 200 countries.Host: Tedd Huff is CEO and Founder of Voalyre, a fintech advisory firm, and the host and executive producer of the FinTech Confidential network. With 25+ years in payments and fintech, Tedd has served as an advisor, co-founder, and executive, driving growth and simplifying global payment systems.DD3 Media is a media creation, management, and production company focused on delivering engaging content globally.CHAPTERS:00:00 Highlights01:38 Under Sponsor02:43 Welcome Ravi04:47 Getting Into FinTech06:29 Identity Verification Today08:54 Evolution of Identity11:05 Friction vs Security18:27 Skyflow Sponsor19:29 Market...

Brian Singer, a PhD candidate at Carnegie Mellon University, joins Robby to talk about his research on creating autonomous attackers and defenders for networks. In their conversation, they discuss how Brian and his team made a system that uses LLMs to autonomously attack networks.Singer and his team recently got a lot of attention after using this system to successfully recreate the Equifax cyber-attack from 2017, one of the largest data breaches in U.S. history, in a virtualised cloud environment. In turn, showing how LLMs can be taught to plan and execute sophisticated cyberattacks without a human involved.They also talk about how LLMs are unlocking new capabilities for defenders, where he is seeing a lot of opportunity, and how he thinks security will be developing the next three to five years. Send us a text

Buy here, pay here dealership Oak Motors is slowing approval of credit applications as long-term affordability concerns persists and despite increased volume.  Anderson, Ind.-based Oak Motors' applications were up 30% year over year at the beginning of September, according to data the dealership group provided to Auto Finance News. The dealership group did not specify the number of applications. The increase comes despite a drop in sales and amid a decline in approvals at the dealership group, which has five locations in Indiana, Executive Board Member Tiger Okeley told AFN. “We've seen about a 20% decrease in sales, and that's by design,” he said, without providing specific sales numbers. Oak Motors focuses on identifying consumers who can commit to long-term deal structures that are beneficial to the consumers and the dealership, he said.  While the BHPH dealership sells as many vehicles as it wants to sell, success depends on finding customers capable of keeping up with weekly payments, Okeley said.  “If they stop paying us, it didn't matter if we sold them a car,” he said. The bottom line is “we didn't get paid.”  BHPH is attractive to customers with risky credit profiles or those who don't have access to traditional financing, Okeley said. Some BHPH dealerships offer customers a chance to rebuild their credit to qualify for traditional financing down the road. In fact, an inaugural survey of 1,015 consumers across the country published by Oak Motors on Aug. 15 revealed that 32% of consumers avoided applying for an auto loan due to concerns about their credit score this year.  Hear more about Oak Motor's credit survey results, market trends and the state of the buy here, pay here market in this week's podcast. This episode is sponsored by The Work Number by Equifax. Auto Finance Summit, the premier industry event for auto lending and leasing, returns Oct. 15-17 at the Bellagio Las Vegas. Learn more about the 2025 event and register here. 

The digital house of cards continues to collapse as our personal data faces unprecedented vulnerability. This week, we reveal how the Department of Government Efficiency's reckless handling of over 300 million Americans' Social Security numbers could lead to a massive security crisis. After repeatedly warning about these dangers, our predictions are unfortunately coming true - just as we've seen with Taco Bell's embarrassing AI drive-thru experiment.Remember when Microsoft promised Windows 10 would be "the last operating system you'd ever need"? That promise expires October 14th, 2025, when support officially ends. But don't panic - we break down exactly how to secure free extended security updates through 2026 using Microsoft Rewards points. With nearly half of all PC users worldwide still running Windows 10, Microsoft has been forced to create options for those who can't or won't upgrade to Windows 11.The technology failures continue mounting as TransUnion joins Equifax and Experian in the data breach hall of shame. Despite claims of "limited exposure," dark web samples reveal the credit bureau leaked names, addresses, phone numbers, and unredacted Social Security numbers for 4.4 million Americans. When all three major credit reporting agencies have been compromised, who can we trust with our most sensitive information?Our Two Truths and a Lie segment challenges listeners to separate fact from fiction in today's outlandish tech landscape, while Mike's Mesmerizing Moment examines why the constant pursuit of new technology doesn't actually make us happier. We also take a nostalgic journey back to 1977 when Pioneer 11 made history as the first human-made object to fly past Saturn.Grab your favorite whiskey and join us as we navigate this technological minefield together. Whether you're concerned about your digital privacy, struggling with Windows upgrade decisions, or just want to hear which bourbon earned our unanimous approval this week, Tech Time Radio delivers the insights you need with the humor that makes complex tech digestible.Support the show

Equifax Advisors Maria Urtubey, Emmaline Aliff, Tom O'Neill, Jesse Hardin, and Dave Sojka share what they're hearing directly from Equifax lending customers across industries. From student loan repayment impacts to shifting auto lending dynamics and tariff uncertainty, the team highlights the questions lenders are asking, the insights uncovered in one-on-one advisory sessions, and the recommendations that have resonated most in 2025. Economist Shandor Whitcher of Moody's Analytics delivers our macroeconomic update.What is this episode about?This episode of the Market Pulse Podcast brings together Equifax Advisors Emmaline Aliff, Tom O'Neill, Jesse Hardin, Maria Urtubey, and Dave Sojka to share what they are hearing in one-on-one customer advisory sessions.What are lenders most concerned about in 2025?Advisors discuss the resumption of student loan payments, the ripple effects of tariffs, shifts in auto lending, and how these issues vary across industries such as credit unions, banks, and fintechs.How are customers using Equifax advisory sessions?Advisory conversations allow lenders to bring their own portfolio challenges to the table and get tailored insights—turning market data into actionable strategies.

Step into a conversation that goes right to the heart of nonprofit operations: banking relationships, establishing credit, and securing financial footing for long-term stability. Guest Jason Garcia, CEO of Holdings, a bank just for nonprofits, offers real guidance on how nonprofits can think like businesses when it comes to financial credibility and strategy.Jason begins by sharing his vision for HoldingsForGood.com: “Our hope and mission is to be the dedicated partner for nonprofits across the U.S. and help them achieve their goals and increase their chances of success in their missions.” With a career built in community banking and startup finance, Jason brings a sharp perspective to an area where many nonprofits struggle—creditworthiness.The conversation turns to the importance of establishing a credit strategy early. Jason advises that nonprofits should begin as soon as possible, even if they aren't immediately seeking loans or credit lines: “The best time to talk to different credit providers is when you don't need it.”Practical steps emerge throughout the conversation, cohosted by Ellie Hume and Julia Patrick. Building a strong permanent file of organizational documents—EIN, IRS determination letter, bylaws, state registrations—was identified as essential. Ellie emphasizes that many nonprofits have these materials but often can't locate them when needed. Jason describes how physical addresses (not PO boxes) are becoming non-negotiable due to fraud prevention measures, a reminder of how operational details intersect with financial access.This important discussion expands beyond traditional lines of credit. Vendor relationships, government contracts, and reporting to credit bureaus such as Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax were positioned as overlooked opportunities to build a financial profile. Ellie points to the frustrations nonprofits face when executive directors are forced to tie personal social security numbers to organizational credit cards.What will be clear is that banking relationships are not just transactional; they're strategic. From choosing the right accounts and systems that sync seamlessly with accounting platforms, to knowing when to push for the removal of personal guarantees, nonprofits must think about finance as a forward-looking strategy rather than an emergency fix.The episode closes with an energizing call from Jason: operate like a business. By being proactive with credit, asking the right questions of financial partners, and benchmarking against peer organizations, you can position your NPO for resilience!Find us Live daily on YouTube!Find us Live daily on LinkedIn!Find us Live daily on X: @Nonprofit_ShowOur national co-hosts and amazing guests discuss management, money and missions of nonprofits! 12:30pm ET 11:30am CT 10:30am MT 9:30am PTSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show

Ever wake up Monday regretting how much you spent over the weekend? Today Clark re-examines the no spending trend through a needs-vs-wants traffic light lens as a smart way to think about spending.  Also today  - Travelers are being heavily targeted at ATMs & check outs. Clark shares an easy way to protect your wallet and identity when out & about - and why this is necessary now more than ever.  Mindful Spending: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 ATM Pickpockets: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Should you buy it? If you answer 'yes' to these questions, probably not What Can I Safely Use for Peer-to-Peer Payments? Can I Use an Online Will Maker or Do I Need an Attorney? How To Create a Will Online  /  Wills & Funerals Archives How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax & TransUnion NYTimes: Help! A Pickpocket Used My A.T.M. Card, and Citi Won't Cover It. Unpack these cybersecurity tips for a stress-free vacation Why It's a Great Time To Get a Cheap Ticket to Europe How To Pack a Carry-On the Right Way Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlocking Small Business Success: Insights from Levi King, Founder & CEO of NavIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge speaks with Levi King, Founder and CEO of Nav, about building a solid financial foundation for small business growth. Levi draws on his experience as a serial entrepreneur and fintech leader to unpack the complexities of business credit, share best practices for navigating the often unregulated lending landscape, and highlight the mental health priorities that keep entrepreneurs resilient. This conversation offers practical strategies and tools for business owners who want to strengthen their credit, secure better financing, and safeguard their well-being.Building Credit, Navigating Lending, and Prioritizing Mental HealthLevi explains the key differences between personal and business credit, noting that business credit operates in a less transparent environment with varying data across Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax. He shares how Nav helps entrepreneurs monitor and improve their credit by aggregating reports from all major bureaus, integrating cash flow insights, and providing personalized, actionable recommendations. Levi also discusses the launch of the Nav Prime Card, designed to help business owners build both business and personal credit through daily underwriting and repayment, creating a pathway to more traditional financing options.The conversation then turns to the realities of small business lending, where Levi warns against opaque pricing and aggressive marketing from certain lenders. He advises entrepreneurs to prioritize transparency, fully understand the true cost of financing, and consider platform-based lending options that often offer better rates. By combining data-driven decision-making with ethical lending practices, Levi underscores that businesses can protect themselves while securing the capital they need to grow.Finally, Levi addresses the human side of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of managing stress and protecting mental health while running a business. He shares that success isn't just about credit scores and capital—it's about sustaining the energy and mindset needed for long-term growth. Through Nav's resources, tools, and commitment to transparency, Levi and his team aim to empower small business owners to thrive both financially and personally.About Levi KingLevi King is the Founder and CEO of Nav, a leading financial health platform for small businesses. A serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits, Levi is passionate about making business credit and lending more transparent and accessible for entrepreneurs.About NavNav is a fintech platform that helps small business owners understand and improve their business credit, connect to financing, and make informed financial decisions. By aggregating data from all major business credit bureaus and integrating cash flow insights, Nav provides tailored recommendations and tools to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses with confidence.Links Mentioned in this EpisodeNav WebsiteLevi King on LinkedInEpisode HighlightsUnderstanding the key differences between personal and business creditHow Nav aggregates and simplifies business credit dataThe benefits of the Nav Prime Card for building creditNavigating the unregulated small business lending landscapeWhy mental health is a critical part of entrepreneurial successConclusionLevi King's insights reveal that financial health for small businesses is about more than numbers—it's...

Send us a textIn this episode of Navigating the Customer Experience, we are joined John McCahan who is a Customer Experience and Service Executive Leader who has transformed CX across industries including automotive, banking, logistics, manufacturing, retail, and most recently at FTD, where he led its post-bankruptcy customer experience transformation. Currently a Board Member of FullCircle and Advisory Board Member for Execs in the Know, John's career spans leadership roles at Avon, Milacron, Fifth Third Bank, Target, and Equifax, as well as eight years of service as a U.S. Army Captain. He was recently named one of the “100 Leaders Transforming Customer Experience.”In this conversation, John shares how his journey into CX began unexpectedly after his military career, when he was asked to lead an underperforming contact center. He discovered his passion for helping people help others and driving organizations to improve execution in service delivery. He emphasizes that customer issues often stem not from frontline staff but from organizational execution failures.Top Competencies for Exceptional Service Delivery John identifies three critical behaviors that cut across all industries:Meet customers where they want to be met—via phone, chat, AI, or digital channels, adapting to customer preferences across demographics and cultures.Leverage frontline insights—agents hear customer issues daily and provide the most accurate view of recurring problems. Fixing root causes reduces unnecessary contacts and strengthens customer trust.Embed CX into company culture—true transformation happens when CX is embraced across the entire organization, not just by service teams.Convincing Leadership of CX Value John shares strategies for professionals struggling to gain executive buy-in: (1) identify and track metrics that matter, (2) ensure CX leaders have a voice where decisions are made, and (3) live customer centricity through action. He highlights loyalty and lifetime value (LTV) as vital measures, citing FTD's success in more than doubling its LTV by shifting from transactional interactions to long-term relationships. He also stresses patience—cultural change takes years, not months, to take hold.Vendor and Partner Alignment John's credo, “Find vendors and partners that fit your business,” underscores his belief that success requires alignment in vision, culture, and technology. He shares examples where misaligned outsourcing relationships caused friction, while true partnerships created collaboration, transparency, and innovation. He draws on military principles such as “Fail fast, fail early, fail small” and occasionally “Ask forgiveness, not permission” to illustrate how decisive leadership can accelerate progress.AI and the Future of CX For John, AI is not about replacing people but enhancing effectiveness. He uses Microsoft Copilot daily and is especially excited about the potential of Agentic AI—intelligent systems that anticipate and personalize experiences. He imagines applications like concerts or restaurants where AI tailors interactions to individual preferences, turning ordinary transactions into memorable moments.Books and Inspirations Two books deeply influenced his leadership: Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, which taught him to embrace change, and Would You Do That to Your Mother? by Jeanne Bliss, which reinforced empathetic, customer-first leadership. He illustrates this philosophy with a powerful story of a loyal 91-year-old customer sending monthly flowers to his wife, showing how empowered, compassionate agents can turn service failures into loyalty-building experiences.Listeners can connect with John on LinkedIn. Follow

In today's episode, Clark talks about the condo market and what makes it different from the single-family home market. Later, there's a common, costly fee that may appear on your doctor bill that is generally not disclosed, and charged after treatment. Clark explains what's going on and how to prevent getting gouged by this.  The Condo Market Difference: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Undisclosed Facility Fees: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Credit Lock vs. Credit Freeze: What's the Difference? NBC News: Did your doctor's office charge you a 'facility fee'? Here's what to know. Why It's a Great Time To Get a Cheap Ticket to Europe What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor and Do I Need One? How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor Best Financial Advisors in 2025 Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textIt starts with a strange letter in the mail. A car loan you never applied for. A credit card you don't own. A digital ghost is quietly living your life, and you have no idea how it got the keys. When you turn to one of the silent guardians of your financial identity for help, you find only chaos, confusion, and a company that seems to be a danger to itself.This week on Digital Fallout, we tell the true story of one of history's most catastrophic data breaches. It's a tale of staggering corporate negligence, a botched public response that became a dark comedy, and a 76-day silent heist where the identities of 147 million people were stolen.What happens when the keepers of our most valuable secrets simply forget to lock the door?Show Notes: SourcesThis story was pieced together from numerous public records, government reports, and in-depth investigative journalism. For those who want to learn more about the 2017 Equifax breach, these are the key sources we consulted:The official report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) titled "Data Protection: Actions Taken by Equifax and Federal Agencies in Response to the 2017 Breach," which provides a definitive timeline and analysis of the failures.Federal Trade Commission (FTC) public statements and court filings related to the landmark global settlement with Equifax.In-depth reporting from security journalist Brian Krebs (KrebsOnSecurity), who meticulously covered the botched response, including the fake phishing sites promoted by Equifax's own Twitter account.Technical explainers from outlets like WIRED magazine that broke down the Apache Struts vulnerability and how it was exploited.Ongoing coverage of the corporate and financial fallout from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal during September and October 2017.The public testimony of former Equifax CEO Richard Smith before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where many of the internal failures were brought to light. Support the show

Equifax Senior Advisor Tom O'Neill sits down with Ian Wright, Chief Strategy Officer at IXI, to unpack the shifting landscape of consumer wealth in a post-COVID economy. Drawing on exclusive IXI data, they explore how total U.S. household assets have grown to over $66 trillion—while the median household has actually lost ground. The conversation dives into the shrinking mass affluent segment, the rising influence of retirees, regional trends in affluence, and how financial institutions can better target high-potential markets. Economist Justin Begley of Moody's Analytics delivers our macroeconomic update.In this episode:·      Post-COVID wealth trends and overall asset growth·      The shrinking mass affluent segment and rise of the “barbell effect”·      Disparities in wealth distribution across income tiers·      Differences in financial outcomes by age group (Gen Z, Gen X, retirees)·      Geographic variations in wealth concentration·      Stock market and investments as primary drivers of wealth growth·      Declining deposit levels and implications for banks·      K-shaped economic and credit recovery·      Strategic marketing approaches for targeting affluent households·      Outlook for deposits and investments through 2025–2026

Interview Segment - Lessons Learned from the tj-actions GitHub Action Supply Chain Attack with Dimitri Stiliadis Breach analysis is one of my favorite topics to dive into and I'm thrilled Dimitri is joining us today to reveal some of the insights he's pulled out of this GitHub Actions incident. It isn't an overstatement to say that some of the lessons to be learned from this incident represent fundamental changes to how we architect development environments. Why are we talking about it now, 4 months after it occurred? In the case of the Equifax breach, the most useful details about the breach didn't get released to the public until 18 months after the incident. It takes time for details to come out, but in my experience, the learning opportunities are worth the wait. Topic Segment - Should the US Go on the Cyber Offensive? Triggered by an op-ed from Dave Kennedy, the discussion of whether the US should launch more visible offensive cyber operations starts up again. There are a lot of factors and nuances to discuss here, and a lot of us have opinions here. We'll see if we can do any of it justice in 15 minutes. News Segment Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/esw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/esw-417

Interview Segment - Lessons Learned from the tj-actions GitHub Action Supply Chain Attack with Dimitri Stiliadis Breach analysis is one of my favorite topics to dive into and I'm thrilled Dimitri is joining us today to reveal some of the insights he's pulled out of this GitHub Actions incident. It isn't an overstatement to say that some of the lessons to be learned from this incident represent fundamental changes to how we architect development environments. Why are we talking about it now, 4 months after it occurred? In the case of the Equifax breach, the most useful details about the breach didn't get released to the public until 18 months after the incident. It takes time for details to come out, but in my experience, the learning opportunities are worth the wait. Topic Segment - Should the US Go on the Cyber Offensive? Triggered by an op-ed from Dave Kennedy, the discussion of whether the US should launch more visible offensive cyber operations starts up again. There are a lot of factors and nuances to discuss here, and a lot of us have opinions here. We'll see if we can do any of it justice in 15 minutes. News Segment Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/esw for all the latest episodes! Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/esw-417

Interview Segment - Lessons Learned from the tj-actions GitHub Action Supply Chain Attack with Dimitri Stiliadis Breach analysis is one of my favorite topics to dive into and I'm thrilled Dimitri is joining us today to reveal some of the insights he's pulled out of this GitHub Actions incident. It isn't an overstatement to say that some of the lessons to be learned from this incident represent fundamental changes to how we architect development environments. Why are we talking about it now, 4 months after it occurred? In the case of the Equifax breach, the most useful details about the breach didn't get released to the public until 18 months after the incident. It takes time for details to come out, but in my experience, the learning opportunities are worth the wait. Topic Segment - Should the US Go on the Cyber Offensive? Triggered by an op-ed from Dave Kennedy, the discussion of whether the US should launch more visible offensive cyber operations starts up again. There are a lot of factors and nuances to discuss here, and a lot of us have opinions here. We'll see if we can do any of it justice in 15 minutes. News Segment Finally, in the enterprise security news, We discuss the latest fundings a few acquisitions a vibe coding campfire story how to hack AI agents zero-days in AI coding apps more AI zero days why Ivanti vulns are still alive and well in Japan how wiper commands made their way into Amazon's AI coding agent it seems like vulnerabilities and AI are pairing up in this week's news stories! All that and more, on this episode of Enterprise Security Weekly. Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/esw-417

“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” - Romans 6:6Being born again in Christ changes a person. We're given a new nature that fights against our old, corrupt nature. Sometimes, the evidence of this is in the area of finances. Straight ahead—a journey to faithful stewardship.Bobby's TestimonyIt's always a great privilege to connect with people, answer their financial questions, and offer help whenever possible. Recently, we spoke with Bobby from Nebraska, whose story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith and determination.Bobby was in a tough spot. He had accumulated significant debt, including a car repossession, delinquent medical and credit card debt, and unpaid overdraft loans sent to collections. However, despite his financial struggles, Bobby was determined to turn his life around. When asked if anything had changed in his life since accumulating that debt, Bobby shared his story.In his own words, Bobby explained, “Back then, I was big into partying and addicted to drugs. I sold drugs and went to prison for it. Well, now I'm clean and sober. I don't do any of that anymore. I actually have money in my bank account. September 10th, 2021, was the biggest start of it. That's when I gave my life to Jesus Christ. And now I'm just trying to get everything back in line and where it needs to be.”Hearing about Bobby's life change since inviting Christ into his life as his Savior was truly inspiring. His commitment to sobriety and financial stewardship is a powerful example of God's redemptive power.Steps Toward Financial FreedomA few weeks ago, we advised Bobby to take several steps to get his finances in order. First, we recommended that he pull copies of his credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion to identify all his debts. Then, we suggested he contact Christian Credit Counselors to help manage his credit card debt through a debt management plan, which would consolidate his payments and help him pay off his debt faster.We also offered to connect Bobby with one of our Certified Christian Financial Counselors (CertCFC) at no charge. This counselor would work with him one-on-one to develop a budget and create a plan for paying off his old debts. Finally, we took a moment to pray with Bobby, thanking God for His miraculous intervention and the gift of eternal life that Bobby had received.Biblical Principles Guiding Bobby's TransformationBobby's journey highlights several biblical principles that are now guiding his life:The Body as a Temple: Bobby's decision to give up drugs aligns with 1 Corinthians 6:19, which reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Recognizing that we are not our own but belong to God is a powerful motivator for making healthy choices. Humility: Bobby's willingness to seek help, even on a public platform, reflects the humility described in Proverbs 22:4: “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” Honesty: Bobby's commitment to owning up to his debt is a reflection of the biblical principle of honesty. Exodus 20:16 and Colossians 3:9 teach us the importance of living truthfully, especially as followers of Christ. Repaying Debts: The Bible emphasizes the importance of repaying our debts. Psalm 37:21 says, “The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.” Bobby's desire to pay off his debt is a step toward fulfilling this principle. Stewardship: The most significant principle guiding Bobby now is stewardship. He wants to manage his finances faithfully, in line with 1 Corinthians 4:2: “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”We were grateful to help Bobby on his journey to faithful stewardship, and we want to extend that same help to you. If you're struggling with your finances, need help creating a budget, or want to develop a plan to pay down debt and start saving, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to help you take the next step toward financial freedom and faithful stewardship.Bobby's story is a powerful reminder that with God's help, it's never too late to turn your life around and get back on track. If you're ready to take that step, we're here to walk alongside you.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm a 60-year-old single retiree, and honestly, I feel financially illiterate. I have two annuity accounts, but I don't fully understand how they work. Should I stay in them or look at other options? I'd appreciate some guidance on how to manage my limited savings wisely.I'm single and trying to plan ahead to create passive income for my future family. I'm debating between buying a rental property and investing in the stock market. Which of these would be the smarter long-term move?My husband and I are retired and considering a reverse mortgage. What's the best way to approach this, and is there a type of reverse mortgage that will ensure we can stay in our home?I loaned money to my cousin, and they repaid me with an extra $300 in interest. Do I need to report that interest as taxable income on my tax return?Can you explain the difference between a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA? Additionally, can someone who is not employed by a company open a 401(k) account?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Movement MortgageHome Equity and Reverse Mortgages: The Cinderella of the Baby Boomer Retirement by Harlan J. AccolaChristian Credit CounselorsWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.

Host Emmaline Aliff is joined by economist Amy Crews Cutts, President at AC Cutts and Associates, and a panel of Equifax experts—Maria Urtubey, Tom O'Neill, and Dave Sojka—to unpack the latest signals from both hard and soft economic data. From shifting consumer sentiment to rising tariffs and the ripple effects on credit, lending, and affordability, the team explores the impact on consumers as we head into the second half of the year.

The Friday Five for July 18, 2025: Update on Regulation Banning Medical Debt from Credit Reporting Google Announces NotebookLM Featured Notebooks This week in Apple Rumors Threads Usage Up, Meta Testing Facebook Login 2026 Midwest D-SNP Market Opportunity   Get Connected:

You bought it, you wore it once, then sent it back. Maybe you just changed your mind. In addition to online purchases necessitating more returns, there are those gaming return policies. Clark predicts how this challenge for retailers will become costlier for consumers. Also - Is now a good time to tackle a home improvement project? There's something going on in the market you need to know. Retail Returns Costly: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Home Improvement Decision Making: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: 15 Items That Can't Be Returned to Amazon 3 Reasons You Should Never Book a Nonrefundable Hotel Room The Only Reason You Should Make an Improvement to Your Home Americans delay home improvements in latest blow to US housing market Certificate of Deposit (CD): What Is It, Best Places To Open One What Is a CD Ladder and When Is It a Good Idea? CD Ladder Calculator - Clark Howard How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hugo Blankingship III is a highly respected attorney based in Washington, D.C., specializing in identity theft and false credit reporting issues. With over 30 years of experience, he has built a strong reputation for advocating on behalf of consumers who are struggling with inaccurate credit information. His mission is to help clients get incorrect data removed from their credit reports, allowing them to move forward with their financial lives. A graduate of the University of Virginia (B.A., 1982) and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary (J.D., 1986), Hugo began his career as a law clerk to the Honorable Albert V. Bryan, Jr., former chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. This foundation shaped his career and led him to become a passionate consumer rights advocate. Throughout his career, Hugo has fought tirelessly against major credit reporting agencies like Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, ensuring they adhere to the rules. In 2004, he argued the case Nigh v. Koons Buick Pontiac GMC before the U.S. Supreme Court, and has represented clients before the Supreme Court of Virginia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Hugo's clients know him as a tenacious attorney who won't back down in the pursuit of justice. Thomas B. Christiano received a B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1993 and a J.D. from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary in 1999. Mr. Christiano has handled numerous consumer protection cases and specializes in cases involving inaccurate credit reporting under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. He has reviewed the credit reporting procedure process from the major credit reporting agencies and the dispute investigation procedures of many banks who have furnished inaccurate credit information. As an experienced credit report lawyer, he can identify the actual damages associated with credit report problems, including emotional distress damages, the loss of employment opportunities, inability to obtain a mortgage, and loss of use of credit., Mr. Christiano also publishes a blog at yourfaircreditreportlawyernow.com, which is an excellent informational resource on the subject. Thomas B. Christiano has decades of experience helping clients who have been the victim of credit fraud and identity theft. Discover how he can help you!   During the show we discussed: Common credit report errors and their impact on consumers Effects of identity theft on credit and first steps to take Challenges in disputing false credit report information Overview of the dispute process with credit bureaus How bureaus respond to disputes and what to do if ignored Consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Role of Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion in disputes What to do when bureaus don't fix errors and how attorneys help Issues with mixed/merged credit files and how to resolve them Fraud tactics in credit manipulation and identity theft prevention Importance of checking credit reports and common review mistakes Steps to fix credit scores after finding report errors How bad credit affects loans, housing, and employment Benefits of working with a credit report attorney vs. doing it alone   Resources: https://www.yourfaircreditlawyer.com/  

BOSSes Anne Ganguzza and Tom Dheere, your "real bosses" and co-hosts, connect to dive deep into the critical world of online security and scam prevention for voiceover professionals. They unpack Tom's recent harrowing experience with an AI voice cloning scam, offering a candid look into the crucial insights needed to navigate digital threats and build a truly secure business in today's landscape. Listeners will discover the essential role of vigilance and proactive measures in protecting their assets, gain an understanding of emerging scam tactics, and appreciate the power of community in safeguarding their careers. Anne and Tom also discuss practical pathways for secure transactions and the evolving nature of digital defense.   00:01 - Anne (Host) Hey guys, it's Anne from VO BOSS here.  00:04 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) And it's George the Tech. We're excited to tell you about the VO BOSS. Vip membership, now with even more benefits.  00:10 - Anne (Host) So not only do you get access to exclusive workshops and industry insights, but with our VIP plus tech tier, you'll enjoy specialized tech support from none other than George himself.  00:22 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) You got it. I'll help you tackle all those tricky tech issues so you can focus on what you do best Voice acting. It's tech support tailored for voiceover professionals like you.  00:32 - Anne (Host) Join us guys at VO BOSS and let's make your voiceover career soar. Visit voboss.com slash VIP-membership to sign up today.  00:45 - Speaker 3 (Announcement) It's time to take your business to the next level, the boss level. These are the premier business owner strategies and successes being utilized by the industry's top talent today. Rock your business like a boss, a VO boss. Now let's welcome your host, Anne Ganguzza. Hey, hey, everyone, welcome to the VO BOSS Podcast.  01:04 - Anne (Host) I'm your host, Anne Ganguzza. Hey, hey everyone, welcome to the VO BOSS Podcast. I'm your host, Anne Ganguzza, and I'm here with my real boss, Tom Deere. I had to think about that, Tom. We've been together so long. I was like what is our subtitle here? We are real bosses.  01:20 - Tom (Host) Yeah, we're real bosses. Thanks for having me back, Anne.  01:23 - Anne (Host) How are you doing, Tom, my real boss? Co-host.  01:26 - Tom (Host) All things considered, I'm doing okay, I had a weird experience recently which it seems like a lot of voice actors are experiencing. I got an email from someone expressing interest in wanting to cast me for a voiceover project. Oh yes, I looked at it and it was this long-form project, something like 9,000 and change words. And I looked at it and I'm like and you know I was reading the ins and outs of it and I'm like, huh, like my spider sense was tingling a little bit, but I'm looking at, I'm like this one is worth replying to and getting some information about.  02:00 So there was a little bit of back and forth about it.  02:03 - Anne (Host) So you did reply, and then there was.  02:05 - Tom (Host) There was more conversation.  02:06 - Anne (Host) Yeah, there was more conversation, which is what I always do when I'm trying to find out more information about a job to make sure it's legit.  02:12 - Tom (Host) Right Now, around the same time, maybe a couple of days after that, someone posted on a Facebook group hey, I got this email. It was saying this and this Did anyone else get it? Does it seem legit? And it looked like it was the same email that I had gotten, so I was following that it turns out.  02:28 It was posted by our friend, bridget Real, who is the co-founder of VA for VO, the virtual assistant site that helps voice actors, and we talked about it a little bit and we're both like, yeah, we're going to keep digging a little bit and see what's going on. And then her business partner, lynn, also got the email and I was getting ready to accept it just to see what would happen. And that morning I got a message from her saying hey, did you accept this project? Yet I'm like no, why? And she said because both of us accepted the project. We both got cast for the same exact project. We both got the same exact script. They sent me the script.  03:00 So then I did this. I went to Gemini, google Gemini, which is my AI bot of choice, and I did the prompts. I said you are an expert at detecting scams. Please analyze this script and let me know if you think that this script could be used to harvest a voice actor's voice to clone it. A voice actor's voice to clone it. And it did its analysis and I've got like the 2.5 advanced. So it takes a little time. And it wrote back oh, yes, it does. And here are all the reasons why this, this, this, this, this, this and this. And then I sent that information to Bridget and Lynn and they're like we knew it. We knew it. So then she created a wonderful post on LinkedIn talking about it. And then I wrote a blog with all the information and, like what happened, it was the most read blog I've had in like three years or something like that.  03:52 Yeah, it was crazy.  03:53 - Anne (Host) What's so interesting is it could have been a legit job, like for payment. You would have done it, they would have paid you for it, but they would have used your voice as an AI voice.  04:05 And so therefore, legally right in the end. Right, if you found out later on they could say, oh no, no, no, we paid you. I mean, it was a job that we paid you for and there was no extenuating circumstances or contracts to be signed which, by the way, I'm going to bring up Nava and the AI writer For all your jobs. You should be attaching that AI writer so that your voice is not going to be used as an AI voice, for sure, for sure.  04:37 - Tom (Host) So, to let everybody know, the website was GigLumin G-I-G-L-U-M-I-N. And if you do a Google search of GigLumin and this is what Bridget had figured out is that the website was only a month or two old. And there's these scam websites that you can enter the URL of a website in and it can tell you how likely that's a scam. It checked every red flag, every box, every single box.  04:56 - Anne (Host) So, yes, vo people, bosses, beware, right. So beware of emails. And you know, it's funny because it's lately, just because of the whole AI thing. Anytime I get an email with a job from someone that I don't know, right, that is just out of the blue, that I didn't audition for, where they have large amounts of words, the hairs on the back of my neck kind of stand up and I immediately, immediately check into it. And I think this really warrants a discussion, bosses, because it's very timely that you want to make sure that these jobs are legitimate. So the more research you can do. And I love, Tom Dheere, how you used AI to fight AI Again.  05:37 We had our previous episode on tools that we use. I mean, we are utilizing it as a tool to help us in our day-to-day jobs, and so I think, being aware of possible scams out there, we absolutely have to be, and I'll tell you if it's somebody that I've never heard of and they don't have a signature file. I've gotten to the point where I don't even like and it's not like from a company.com. I don't even literally take it seriously anymore. I don't know about you, Tom, what do you think?  06:05 - Tom (Host) Yes, I'm equally skeptical these days but, I, really like what you said about when you receive the email, check to see if there is a signature at the Tom of it with the company logo, website and contact information. That is one of many red flags and I don't know how much you've noticed lately, Anne, but since I would say about early April, there has been an explosion of scam attempts going on in the voiceover industry. We've had the overpayment scam. That's been going on for at least 10 or 15 years.  06:37 - Anne (Host) Gosh, at least, and bosses. If you haven't heard about it, Tom, let's talk about the overpayment scam for just a minute. Yeah, yeah, Okay so what happens is it's very common.  06:45 - Tom (Host) It's very common. It's been going on for a really long time. So basically they email you and say hey, we've got a project for you, da-da-da-da-da-da. The classic one was the game show host voiceover.  06:55 - Anne (Host) It has since evolved.  06:56 - Tom (Host) And basically they say that we've booked a studio in the area nearby. We're going to get paid or pay for the studio and then send us back the difference and something like that. And it's never a gig.  07:12 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) All they're trying to do is get you to cash that check and send them money, which is fraudulent, by the way.  07:18 - Anne (Host) And, by the way, I've gotten to the point where, if I have a new client, the only way they can really pay me is electronically.  07:25 And I figure, if you don't have electronic means to pay me immediately before the job and it's even in my terms and I've done this for years, Tom, I always have payment in full prior to job start is appreciated and other options available upon request.  07:39 But if it's a new client, I'll take that out because I must have that money in my bank account before I will even consider finishing that job or sending a file. And I'll tell you what, Tom for all of my career it's worked for me Because if people are serious about hiring you, they know that you're a professional, they know that you're going to get the job done. Of course they have to put their faith in you. But in reality and I'll even say because you're a new client I require payment up front electronically. And here are the ways that you can pay me. And so I'll send them, like a QuickBooks invoice, or I'll give them a PayPal account or however that works, and I expect that money in the account and I wait for that money and I make sure that I have the money and then I'll proceed with the job.  08:21 - Tom (Host) That's a really good idea. There's nothing wrong with even asking for 50% or 25% or just some percentage of it. The fact that they're actually going to fork over money with no expectation of an overpayment or getting it back or disputing the payment or anything like that.  08:37 Once it clears, you know that they're serious. And there's a bunch of like. I use Wave apps, for example. That's a great way to do it and I'm pretty sure they can do a partial payment. Or you can just make one invoice just for the deposit and then issue another invoice for the balance If they're a legitimate client that actually has money that they're planning on paying you with, they would have no problem with paying at least a portion of it up front.  08:59 - Anne (Host) Yeah, a lot of my clients nowadays the larger clients that used to like work off of purchase orders, and then it would be like 90 days after the job has been submitted. We'd have to wait for that check, they'd have to generate the PO and everything. You'd sign contracts like vendor contracts and that sort of thing, which I've done a lot, and so if they've got a contract for you to sign, that's vendor, nda, that sort of thing, and you know the company. It's like a well-known company. They're on the web. They've been on the web for years. I mean you can pretty much trust in that where I'll do the job and then I'll get paid. If I've worked with them before, I know that's typically how larger companies work and so that's when I'll accept a check. But even now most of those companies they're going to electronic deposit, like ACH they call it.  09:42 ACH, yeah, so it's direct deposit to your bank and most of the companies I know will do that and that's a form of payment that I trust and that would be a client that I would trust. So if it's a larger company that I know they exist on the web and they talk about, well, you're going to have to do the job first and then we'll be able to pay you once the purchase order is created, blah, blah, blah, blah, and you sign these contracts. I feel fairly good about that and I don't have to think, oh, this is a scam. But whenever I get an email without an actual signature file that comes from an address that isn't companycom, right, if it's a Gmail or a Yahoo or whatever, even a Microsoft what is the free Microsoft one?  10:20 Hotmail, hotmail, yeah, even if it's Microsoftcom, I feel like there's some sort of free sort of Microsoft. You know what I mean Like email that says that I just don't trust it and I'll immediately. The first thing I'll do is look for a website and when I get to the website I'll look for a phone number and then I'll actually try to call that phone number. What are the steps that you take, Tom, to ensure that your job is legit?  10:41 - Tom (Host) Everything that you just said. I also, by the way, I do love the ACH direct deposit because there's no fee. When PayPal, there is a fee, or wire transfer. That's really nice. Here's one thing that I've been doing lately is, if I get a we'll call it a solicitation, for lack of a better term from a company saying hey, and it'll most often be we found you on Google, we found you on Voice123 or some other front-facing thing. You know what's an interesting thing to do? Go look for them on LinkedIn.  11:11 Look for them on LinkedIn. Look for the company and look for the individual and see if you have any mutual connections. I mean, it could be anybody, whether it's a voice actor or somebody in some other profession, and you can reach out on LinkedIn and say, hey, I got an email from this company and you have a connection with them on LinkedIn. What's your experience with them? And that could give you some really quick insight. Sometimes it's just like, oh, I've been working with them for years, or it's oh, they're a huge scam. I forgot to disconnect with them. Run, run, run. Or I'd sent a rando invite, or they sent a rando invite and I don't have any information for you. But it could increase your chance of vetting them a little bit better. Another thing is that I keep an eye out, for is if they ask me to send them a W-9, the more likely that they are legitimate.  12:00 Yeah, yeah, absolutely, which I find interesting because if they were a real, true scam artist, they would want that W-9, because now they would have your social security number and now they can steal your identity too.  12:11 - Anne (Host) Well, oh my gosh, Tom, and that's scary actually, but that's why you don't put your social security number. You put your EIN number, because you're a company right, and you don't have to give up your EIN number, which is, by the way, one thing. I'm glad you mentioned that like we should all be having an EIN number. I'm glad you mentioned that, like we should all be having an EIN number.  12:30 - Tom (Host) Yes, it's very, very simple to get. It takes very, very little time. So it's a very easy get. I just reminded myself and we just talked about identity theft is that I almost had my identity stolen yesterday.  12:43 - Anne (Host) Whoa, that's scary. Yes.  12:45 - Tom (Host) How do you?  12:46 - Anne (Host) know like what happened.  12:51 - Tom (Host) Okay, so it was about a little after 10 am yesterday is when things started happening, so within a few minutes of each other, I got an email from Credit Karma, norton which, because I have my Norton 360 antivirus software package, I pay a subscription through that and Experian. For those of you who don't know, there are three major credit bureaus there's Experian, there's TransUnion and there's Equifax. I have a free account with Experian and I have a free account with Credit Karma. All three of them, within a few minutes of each other, messaged me and said that there was a hard inquiry.  13:30 - Anne (Host) Yeah.  13:30 - Tom (Host) So what that means is if you are applying for a loan, a mortgage, a credit card or something like that, the company that you're applying to will do a credit check. So they will check your credit and see if you are a safe credit risk to make the loan or to get the credit card, for this was a hard inquiry. If you get enough hard inquiries on your credit, your credit will go down.  13:55 - Anne (Host) Yeah, absolutely. I know that because I'm a stickler about my credit.  13:59 - Tom (Host) Me too. My credit rating, oh my gosh. If mine isn't at least 800, something I freak out, oh my gosh.  14:04 - Anne (Host) Yeah, no, mine has to be like almost close to perfect, and when it goes down like two points, I'm like wait why? Why did that happen? Right? And it's just because you put a charge on it for a few hundred dollars, and then you pay it off next week and then everything's fine, so that's normal.  14:18 - Tom (Host) So all three of them told me at roughly the same time that there was a hard inquiry. So I clicked on all the emails and all three of them said that somebody was applying for a Discover credit card, I think in Salt Lake City, and someone was applying for a Capital One credit card in Delaware, and I was in New York City neither applying for a Discover credit card or a Capital One credit card. I certainly wasn't in Salt Lake City or Delaware at the same exact time.  14:49 - Anne (Host) You know, what's so interesting, Tom, is that, like I don't know, a few months ago I don't know if there was a discussion circulating or maybe I got an email but somebody said, and like I should have done this years ago, I mean you can freeze your account so that if you don't open up a credit card every other day which I'm certainly not right Because again, it affects my credit rating and I'm anal about that and so I'm like well, I don't need to apply for any other credit cards, so you can go and freeze that, so that you can actually reduce the risk of somebody trying to open up credit cards or identity theft.  15:19 So and it's super simple to do it, as I said, everybody should have that free account. You should log in, you should check your credit scores regularly I think they allow you once a month, I think even my credit cards. My American Express will tell me oh, your FICO score has changed, right, so they're monitoring it too, and so literally, I get lots of notifications when that rating goes up and down. But I know that I've reduced my chances of identity theft, which is a very scary thing, by freezing those accounts and it's very simple to unfreeze. So, if you know you want to apply for a credit card. You just got to go and unfreeze it for a certain amount of time so you can apply for it and then freeze it back up again. So that way it reduces the risk.  15:57 - Tom (Host) And all those emails that I got, all those notifications did give me the option to do that. I was also able to say this because it, literally, when Norton 360 popped up and it took me to their website, it literally said is this you and you can check yes or no? And I wrote no and then the whole screen turned red saying okay, we know this is a problem, we will look into it.  16:17 It did it with all those and then I called Capital One Bank. It took me a few people. It had to get escalated a couple of times to the credit card fraud department.  16:25 - Anne (Host) Well, don't you say, they give you a special number, right?  16:27 - Tom (Host) They say call this number if it's not you, or you can call this number. I just called the general number because all that was on the notification, I think, was the Capital One in Salt Lake City or something like that. So I called directly and said please state your problem. I'm like I think I'm getting my identity stolen. And then it got up there and then they manually rejected the credit card application at least for the Capital One.  16:50 And then this morning I got another Credit Karma email saying that there was a check on my Equifax report not the Experian one and I looked at the date of it. It also said yesterday. So that means Credit Karma had my back twice and Experian had my back and Norton had my back twice. Right, right, and Experian had my back and Norton had my back and everybody bosses. This is the takeaway. Creditkarmacom is free, having an account with Experian is free, it doesn't cost you a nickel.  17:18 - Anne (Host) All of them TransUnion, they're all free TransUnion, Equifax, they're all free.  17:23 Exactly and you can check your scores and, like I said, a lot of banks and a lot of credit cards are actually adding that on as like a value add kind of service, but you don't have to pay anything for it. I think there's a lot of it going on, Tom, which is kind of scary. We got to be careful about scammers, that's for sure. And anytime, even in your email, right, if you get like again, if I find something that doesn't have a signature and then they have an attachment like PayPal has been well-known scams where you get like oh, you've got a PayPal invoice, right, and you have to pay this amount and it looks legit. I mean, they've got like the PayPal logo. I've gotten quite a few of those over the last six months.  18:01 - Speaker 2 (Announcement) And.  18:01 - Anne (Host) I just ignore anything. Just remember that most financial institutions will never email you for information and they'll never text you necessarily for that information either, and you should also, Tom. We should have a big discussion on having multi-factor authentication.  18:19 - Tom (Host) Yes.  18:19 - Anne (Host) This is extremely important.  18:21 - Tom (Host) It's annoying as hell or two-factor, two-factor authentication For every account that you have, especially the financial ones, you should have two-factor authentication, which means either they send you a text message and you just click on the link and you're good to go, or it sends you an email and it'll usually give you a passcode of some sort and then you go to the website. When you're trying to log on, you enter that passcode and then it'll let you do it, and most of them are only good. Some of them are only good for 30 days. Sometimes you can check a box saying this is my private computer. It's okay for a certain amount of time, or they make you do it every single time, which isn't the worst thing in the world. Yes, it's annoying.  18:55 - Anne (Host) You know what I just thought about. It is annoying but it keeps you safe. It's funny how much like value you put in that number, that phone number, in this phone which, by the way, I just got a new phone but in this number for the two-factor authentication, right Like text me at this number. So think of the power that these phone companies have right, and that is scary. I mean it used to be a thing where I always thought like the large scale communication companies were a little bit of a monopoly, depending on the area that you're in. I mean, when I lived in the East Coast it was always Verizon right, verizon everything, verizon this, verizon that. Out here it's a couple of different companies but still, if you think about it, I mean I'm glad to have the two-factor authentication and it's super convenient on the phone.  19:39 But, it's interesting to know that you wouldn't want the hackers to get smart right and then start really infiltrating the phone, you know, and impersonating a phone number.  19:50 - Tom (Host) There's a couple of things about that is that, when it comes to authentication, when you're logging on your phone, I've got it set up where I just use my thumbprint for a lot of it.  19:59 - Anne (Host) I love that, or Face ID yeah the Face ID is a great one.  20:05 - Tom (Host) There's also a thing for a lot of the websites where I have a personal PIN that has nothing to do with the PIN or the password to access the site itself. If I am using my phone to log in somewhere, I can enter a four-digit PIN that's different from everything else, so it also increases the chance of having a secure whatever. Also, just as a rule, I don't do anything financial on my phone, with the exception of like Venmo Well, I have mobile banking If I'm like sending money if, like me, and the guys are having pizza, you know what I mean.  20:31 - Anne (Host) I have mobile banking and I do have Apple Pay.  20:35 - Tom (Host) Well, I have GPay too.  20:36 - Anne (Host) Yeah, so.  20:36 - Tom (Host) I'm a Google guy but like I will unless to my bank accounts online or Wave app or Wise or PayPal on the phone, unless I absolutely have to.  20:49 - Anne (Host) Interesting. I go to them quite a bit. Actually, you're probably fine because of all the precautions that you're taking, but I'm just a little extra neurotic about it. Oh, it's constantly got multi-factor authentication, but I get that. I totally get that. Wow, yeah, being careful, and you know what.  21:02 What's interesting is, back in the day and I'm going to date myself when I was working at the school and we had text-based email okay, and text-based email, I could have something and it was all based on like the Unix systems and so like hacking into a text-based, like I don't know how to say this, but hacking into a system like that, like a Unix system, and reading your email with text-based, you didn't always have like the conditions of people attaching things that could be viral, loading a virus on your computer. So I was always proud to say that I used text-based email and I used something called a PGP signature, which was a digital signature at the time, which meant that when I sent mail out, my PGP signature, it would actually negotiate and verify with the person that I would send it to so that it could be a verified digital signature. That indeed, yes, this mail did come from me, and I think that Norton probably has something like that now right. Is that with your email or no?  21:59 - Tom (Host) Yeah, it has all kinds of functions.  22:01 And it works on my desktop and it works on my laptop and it works on my phone. The most important function that it has is when I'm not home and I'm on my phone or my laptop or my tablet is the VPN when you can turn it on to make sure that if you're using Wi-Fi at a cafe or something like that, that it's secure, because apparently there are people who just like sitting around at a Panera or a Starbucks with their laptop and just waiting for someone to have an insecure Wi-Fi connection and they can just steal their life right there through their own laptop.  22:31 - Anne (Host) Well, it's funny how this conversation has turned into a big security conversation, starting off with scamming. Which guys you got to be aware? It's one of the reasons why, for all of my years and because of my years working in technology, I like wired connections. I mean Wi-Fi. I mean it's a wonderful technology and it's convenient as anything. However, it's not as secure as a wired connection, because a wired connection is basically, you know, your digital numbers flowing back and forth along a wire, versus all this information out in the air where, if somebody is sitting outside of my home, they can possibly hack into my wireless network and then they can run some sort of a tracer to see and to actually get my passwords, which is something that you don't really want that to happen. So you should really be cautious, guys, and I think it's always a good idea that, if you are working from home, if you have the opportunity to have a wired connection to your router, I think that that's better rather than using Wi-Fi. Number one it's more stable, right, it's faster and it's also more secure.  23:32 - Tom (Host) I agree. If you have a desktop at home and you are doing any kind of recording or you're doing basically anything, you should have an ethernet connection. That yellow wire with the big old phone jack that plugs right into the back of your computer and plugs into your Wi-Fi router.  23:47 - Anne (Host) And it sounds old school, but it's still the most secure method of data transfer.  23:51 - Tom (Host) Without question so if you are recording from home. If you're doing whatever from home, you have a desktop ethernet. If you have a laptop, I are recording from home. If you're doing whatever from home, you have a desktop Ethernet. If you have a laptop, I think the newer laptops don't even have an Ethernet connection. I have to think about my laptop and whether I even have one anymore, and here's the simple reason.  24:06 - Anne (Host) Think about it. It's a wire, guys. It's a wire. It's not like data floating around in the air which people can listen to. Somehow the frequency of the data traveling in the air right? Wi-fi works on frequencies when your data is traveling via a wire like a physical cable, unless somebody like I don't even know, unless they tap into that wire, right, somehow.  24:26 I don't know how they do that, and we're talking about your wire in your house going from your computer to your router. Right, that's as secure as it gets, right, unless somebody's coming into your house and hacking into the wire and tapping into it.  24:38 - Tom (Host) You've got some foreign embassy bugging your home.  24:41 - Anne (Host) Yeah, yeah, doing some fancy work, you're not going to have to worry about your data being transferred. So if you're working on the internet right, at least the data that's transferring from your house to your router is absolutely secure. And then it's up to your internet provider right on the router, to their routers, to make sure that things are encrypted, things are secure and for the most part I mean that's been handled right. I mean there are hackers out there that they can hack into networks. They can hack into things like that, but you want to be as safe as you possibly can, so wired is best.  25:14 - Tom (Host) Yes, it's fascinating. We talk about hard security and soft security, yes, that's hard security, that's hard security.  25:20 - Anne (Host) So, if we go back to talking about the scams that are floating around these days, one thing I wanted to mention is I think one of the best applications for groups, facebook groups and social media groups and discussion groups is for that thing, so that you and Bridget were talking to one another about this job that you both got, and then it's really wonderful that we can come together as a community and protect each other right and say, hey, look, watch out for the scam. So it is one of the best advantages, I would say, of being a part of the social media groups in that way. Otherwise, we've talked about how it's hard to sometimes they're toxic, sometimes it's really hard to be on social media. But I would say one of the best reasons to be on social media, in those groups and in those forums, would be because of the protection that you're getting of us banding together and saying, hey, watch out, this is a scam.  26:09 - Tom (Host) Absolutely, it's one of the most important things. Community is more than just about you know rah rah and whoop whoop and you know we support you and feel better if you're feeling down, but like just actual education, along with inspiration and commiseration can literally save your identity Absolutely.  26:27 - Anne (Host) Wow, what a great conversation, Tom. So bosses out there, be aware of scams. Be cautious. Research, research. Take a look at those signatures when you get emails coming in, when you get something that's asking for lots of words and a good price and it seems too good to be true, guess what it might be. So make sure that you're communicating with the community as well, checking those jobs out and attach that AI rider to every one of your jobs. Now, it's simple. It's there at NAVA and it's free. You can attach that rider to every job. If you have a new client, make sure you're very careful with the payment options. You know we spoke about that. I always make sure I get money up front, or partial money up front, first to make sure that it's a legit client. What else did I miss, Tom, in this recap?  27:14 - Tom (Host) Hardware and software VPNs.  27:16 - Anne (Host) EINs yes.  27:19 - Tom (Host) Oh yeah, VPNs, EINs, Two-factor authentication.  27:20 - Anne (Host) I love it. Yeah, Make sure you guys are implementing all of that to keep yourself safe and secure. So great topic, Tom. I like geeking out like this.  27:30 - Tom (Host) Yeah, it's fun and helpful.  27:31 - Anne (Host) Yeah, I'm going to give a great big shout out to my sponsor, IPDTL. You too can connect and network like real bosses. Find out more at IPDTL.com. Guys have an amazing week and we'll see you next week.  27:52 - Speaker 3 (Announcement) Bye. Join us next week for another edition of VO BOSS with your host, Anne Ganguzza, and take your business to the next level. Sign up for our mailing list at voboss.com and receive exclusive content, industry revolutionizing tips and strategies and new ways to rock your business like a boss. Redistribution, with permission. Coast-to-coast connectivity via IPDTL.   

The Congressional Budget Office update found the top 10% of earners in the U.S. have 70% of the nation's wealth, possibly the greatest disparity in our history. Today, Clark discusses the severity of income inequality and its effects on our society. Also - if you have a smart device in your home, you might not realize some of the privacy concerns, especially with Amazon's Alexa. Income Inequality: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Privacy Warning!: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: NYTimes: America Has Never Been Wealthier. Here's Why It Doesn't Feel That Way. How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Understanding Home Equity Agreements Amazon Is Removing a Key Alexa Privacy Setting: Should You Worry? [The Washington Post] Alexa is getting creepier. Take this one step to improve your privacy. When Is the Best Day and Time To Call Customer Service? Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode - you may have heard ads for services that allegedly lock your home's title. Are they worth it? Clark talks about how best to guard your greatest asset - your home.  Also, as the economy goes into lower gear with layoffs more frequent, Clark has important new info for today's job seekers.  Home Title Protection: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 AI & Your Resume: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: CBS News: FBI Boston warns property owners, real estate agents about "title pirates" after I-Team reports How To Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit With Experian, Equifax and TransUnion 4 Signs You're a Victim of Deed Theft (and How To Avoid It) 4 Insurance Policies You Actually Need (And 4 You Don't) Should You Buy an Extended Warranty on Your Car? Best Resume Template: 9 Ways To Update Your Resume CRASH Network - Insurer Report Card How to Shop for Lower Car Insurance Fidelity - Spending & Saving Money | Take Control of Your Money Best Online Banks: Free Checking and High-Interest Savings Accounts Clark.com resources Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices