rich & REGULAR with Kiersten and Julien Saunders

In this episode of The Rich & Regular podcast, The Saunders answer the question: why should you join AARP? According to the myAARPmedicare website, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is “the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organisation dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age." While it used to have an age limit of 55 and over, AARP now allows members aged 18 and up. So why is joining AARP a wise financial choice? A membership appeals to people across generations because of the amazing perks, discounts, and coupons offered across multiple industries and budget ranges. These categories include travel, finances, insurance, shopping, groceries, restaurants, technology, entertainment, transportation, home, real estate, and health and wellness. The organization also has a loyalty program, top-notch members-only content, and lobbying and giving back initiatives to assist seniors.  Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support Rich & Regular by sharing and rating it five stars on Apple Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

This is the 100th episode of “Rich & Regular,” which explores life at the intersection of money! Today we investigate the question, “Are ‘collectibles’ investments?” From limited edition Legos, comic books, stamps, alcohol, sneakers, art, jewelry, and sports memorabilia, Kiersten and Julien explore if sinking money into collections of material items is worthwhile.Many collectibles do have appreciating value, yes. The Saunders present some of the challenges acquiring and maintaining collectibles and offer their two cents on what to consider when investing in collectibles and how to make sure you protect your collection - or at least how to get reimbursed if something does happen.Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support Rich & Regular by sharing and rating it five stars on Apple Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

What’s the difference between mutual funds and EFTs (Exchange Traded Funds)? This week on the rich & REGULAR podcast, Kiersten and Julien ask registered investment advisor Rich Compson (Fidelity) this question and more. Rich explains how direct indexing works, where you own a portion of all the stocks in an index, like the S&P 500. This enables you to have more personal preferences when investing, focusing on companies that reflect social or environmental values, for example. Rich also talks starting simple with investing, fractional shares, how portfolios work, and offsetting tax gains and losses. Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support rich & REGULAR by sharing and rating us five stars on Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Has tipping culture gotten out of control? The typical American spends about $700 a year tipping in restaurants. And that’s just at restaurants. Tipping is often expected in hair salons and spas and for hotel housekeeping and valet service. But the rise of mobile payment technology and fast-casual restaurants have changed who we tip and how much. And there has been a push to move away from tipping altogether.This week, Kiersten and Julien dive into the messy conversation of tip culture. They outline AARP suggestions on what to tip for everything from buffet restaurants to electricians and plumbers. As well as how tipping has become gamified with some restaurants and delivery services requesting gratuities up front. They discuss questions like do you tip on the pre-tax amount or the total bill? And is a gift for a teacher a tip? Mentions:Tipped by Barbara Sloan  Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Leave us a tip! Support rich & REGULAR by rating and reviewing on Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Couponing has evolved from clipping paper to digital deals, with many strategies available online. The hosts discuss how to leverage apps and websites like Camel Camel Camel for tracking prices and maximizing savings. They explore the staggering amount of unused gift cards and innovative ways to redeem them. Tips on avoiding impulse spending while taking advantage of local discounts and loyalty programs are shared. This conversation emphasizes the importance of thoughtful financial choices in today's economy.

As inflation continues to rise, cell phone bills remain a top concern for many people trying to keep their finances in check. But with the constantly changing world of mobile devices, there are now more opportunities than ever to reduce this monthly expense.Join rich & Regular hosts Kiersten and Julien Saunders, in this must-listen episode as they explore the world of cell phone bills and offer expert tips and tricks for saving money. From negotiating with providers to finding the best plans, this episode will give you the power to take control of your cell phone bills and put more money back in your pocket. Discover simple and effective ways to reduce your cell phone costs without sacrificing quality! Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support rich & REGULAR by sharing and rating us five stars on Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Have you ever tried to do a no spend challenge? It may seem intimidating but can be done in a way that’s tailored to your spending habits. Today, Kiersten and Julien provide all the options available for your challenge. You can focus on just one weekend a month if your spending gets out of control on weekends. Or go for a whole month of financial detox. Create a motivational goal by deciding where the unspent money from your challenge will go, such as towards a travel fund or paying off credit card debt. They also provide tips on when to schedule a challenge during the year, or even according to the weather. As well as taking it to the next level, by earning money or learning new skills while doing a no spend challenge. Resources:The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait FlandersAtomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James ClearRoundup AppLearn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support rich & REGULAR by sharing and rating us five stars on Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

We’re in a repossession frenzy; they’re on the rise while many people are hurting financially. This week, Kiersten and Julien Saunders explain how repossessions work and how the industry is currently operating, with fewer repo companies in business and higher demand. Kiersten and Julien discuss how to know when your car is stolen, towed, or has been repossessed. They talk about solutions if you find yourself on the bad side of a deal and unable to make payments, including what to be aware of, deficiency amounts, loan modifications, and adjusting the loan terms. They also get into how to get the best deal when selling or buying a car.  Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support rich & REGULAR by sharing and rating us five stars on Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Are credit card balance transfers a good thing? While many are struggling with consumer debt at the moment and interest rates are rising, balance transfers can be a good financial choice for some. Today, Kiersten and Julien talk about what credit balance transfers are, who they’re good for, and what you should be aware of. They discuss fees associated and partial transfers, as well as how promotional periods work and the importance of scheduling payments.  Resources:All the Hacks podcastFinancial Freedom by Grant Sabatier and his website bankbonus.comUS News rankings NerdWallet.com Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. We are forever indebted to you for your support. If you like what you heard, head over to Apple Podcasts to leave us a five-star review!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow

Medical tourism continues to grow and is here to stay. Americans are now going to many other countries for treatments, surgeries, prescriptions and more. Kiersten and Julien first heard about medical tourism from a friend who had four prescriptions filled for around $2.50 in Mexico. Other friends traveled to Mexico to have dental work done. A knee replacement in the USA can cost around $40,000, while the price in India is $6,000 - 9,000 and in Singapore around $12,000.The CDC has an entire webpage dedicated to medical tourism. From a hospitality standpoint, they discuss current advantages to existing in this market, including for airlines and hotels. They also talk about the issues you may encounter abroad.Learn more at richandregular.com, purchase Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Kiersten and Julien Saunders and follow on Instagram @richandregular. Support rich & REGULAR by sharing and rating us five stars on Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Connect with Julien and Kiersten on our website, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.Join our email list to get updates from us, opportunities for discounts, freebies and a quick rundown on the relevant financial and career news impacting your life. Get our book Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away, named 2023 best overall book about investing by Business Insider and one of the best personal finance books by ForbesIf you would like to learn more about investing, check out our newest class, Making Money Grow