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Financial scams are becoming harder to recognize as criminals use cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and carefully developed relationships to deceive investors. In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Courtney M. Werning, Principal at Meyer Wilson Werning, to discuss how these scams operate, what warning signs to watch for, and how individuals and families can better protect their savings. They discuss: How "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams use relationships and fake investment profits to gain victims' trust Why older adults and retirement accounts are frequent targets of financial fraud How AI-generated voices, government impersonation, and fake cryptocurrency exchange calls deceive victims Warning signs such as unsolicited messages, secrecy, unrealistic returns, and pressure to act immediately How trusted contacts and independent verification can help prevent financial exploitation Why financial institutions play an important role in detecting and responding to suspected fraud What to do after a scam, including reporting the incident, preserving evidence, and exploring potential legal remedies   Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by bankruptcy attorney Ashley F. Morgan, founder of Ashley F. Morgan Law, PC, to discuss how to prepare for holiday spending, manage debt, and enter the new year with a more realistic financial plan. They discuss: How to create a holiday budget around what actually matters to your family Why planning for gifts and other seasonal expenses early can help prevent holiday debt Where recurring expenses may be quietly eating into your monthly budget Different approaches to paying down debt and why progress should be reevaluated when a strategy isn't working The differences between debt consolidation and debt-settlement programs Risks to consider before using home equity to consolidate unsecured debt How Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy work and when it may be time to speak with a bankruptcy attorney   Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Shavon Roman, Founder and Chief Money Strategist of Heal. Plan. Invest., to discuss how to prepare financially and emotionally for the holidays and the year ahead. They discuss: How to conduct a year-end money checkup without judgment Why financial planning should consider both your numbers and your emotions How to create a realistic holiday spending plan before the expenses start piling up Why holiday budgets should account for gifts, meals, travel, gatherings, and self-care How planning ahead and setting aside dedicated holiday funds can reduce financial stress Ways AI and other tools can make holiday planning and gift buying easier How reflecting on the past year can help families make better financial decisions in the next one   Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

Discover Europe on two wheels without overspending. In this episode, Steve Sexton is joined by cycling tourism expert Riccardo Sedola to discuss how travelers can plan a European cycling holiday that fits their experience level, travel style, and budget. In this episode, they discuss: Why shoulder season can be one of the best times for a European cycling trip Guided vs. self-guided tours and how to decide which is right for you How self-guided cycling trips can reduce costs while offering more freedom What to expect from hotels, luggage transfers, routes, and day-to-day riding Whether to bring your own bicycle or rent one after arriving in Europe How e-bikes can make cycling holidays accessible to travelers with different fitness levels Common mistakes first-time cycling travelers should avoid Riccardo also shares practical ways travelers can save, including booking outside peak season, renting bikes locally, using Europe's rail network, and planning ahead. In the interview, he notes that shoulder-season cycling trips can sometimes cost substantially less than comparable peak-season trips.   Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by two guests offering practical ways to make your money go further. Tara Busch, Founder and CEO of Conscious Travel Collective, shares strategies for smarter shoulder-season and winter travel, while Antonia Bensusan Millé of CardCookie explains how discounted gift cards can help families reduce back-to-school and everyday shopping costs. They discuss: How to identify the true shoulder season for a destination Why traveling during the "off-season" can sometimes leave you with closed hotels, restaurants, and limited transportation How booking directly with independent hotels may lead to better value, flexibility, upgrades, or added benefits Why your travel budget should account for location, time, and the experiences that matter most to you How far in advance to begin planning shoulder-season and winter travel How discounted gift cards can reduce the cost of purchases families are already making Ways shoppers can stack gift-card savings with sales, rebates, and other discounts   Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Rodney Mason, Chief Marketing Officer of Minty, to discuss how families can use artificial intelligence to shop smarter, stretch their back-to-school budgets, and save both time and money. They discuss: How to use AI to compare prices and determine whether you're really getting a good deal Why detailed AI prompts can produce better shopping recommendations How to give AI a fixed budget and have it prioritize must-haves and nice-to-haves Using AI to identify the best time to buy and find lower-cost alternatives How to stack sale prices, cashback offers, credit-card rewards, and rebates Ways to save on larger purchases such as laptops, electronics, and school uniforms Why you should check the price one last time before completing a purchase   Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Leah Hadley, AFC®, CDFA®, MAFF®, Founder and Senior Wealth Advisor of Intentional Wealth Partners and Founder of Intentional Divorce Solutions. With nearly two decades of financial services experience, Leah helps individuals navigate divorce and major financial transitions with greater clarity and confidence. They discuss: How emotions can influence important financial decisions during divorce Why organizing financial documents early can make the process more manageable How to build a realistic individual budget for life during and after divorce Why establishing boundaries can help reduce unnecessary conflict The importance of understanding assets, debts, income, and expenses before making major decisions Who should be part of your professional support team during a divorce How thoughtful financial planning can help you prepare for your next chapter   Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Tracy Panase, CFE, CEO and owner of the Just Between Friends Franchise System, to discuss smart ways families can stretch their budgets during the back-to-school season. They discuss: Practical ways to save money on back-to-school clothing, shoes, and other essentials How children's resale events help families shop for quality items at significant discounts How parents can earn extra money from clothing, toys, and gear their children have outgrown Why secondhand shopping and resale continue to grow in popularity Tips for finding the best deals when shopping resale How to prepare and price children's items to improve their chances of selling How families can use resale earnings to offset—or even eliminate—parts of their seasonal shopping budget   Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Lisa Linkowsky, CEO and Founder of Milestone Franchising. A Certified Franchise Consultant and former multi-unit franchise owner, Lisa helps people explore whether franchise ownership could be the right next chapter for them. They discuss: What a franchise is and how the business model works The different types of franchise opportunities available What skills can help someone succeed as a franchise owner How to determine whether franchising is the right fit for you What to look for when evaluating a franchise opportunity How much it can cost to get started How prospective owners can make more informed decisions before investing Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Diana Bernal, speaker, executive coach, and author of Career with Intention. Diana helps professionals build confidence, overcome obstacles, and create intentional career momentum. They discuss: Why financial freedom matters when you need a way out of a toxic or unsustainable situation How staying with one employer can sometimes be riskier than becoming self-employed The mindset needed to make a career change or move into self-employment How to choose a side hustle that fits your goals and strengths How to talk with your spouse or family about a major career transition Why building a financial cushion is so important before making the leap What surprises people most when they become self-employed Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Gerda Maissel, MD, BCPA, President and Founder of My MD Advisor. As both a physician and private patient advocate, Dr. Maissel helps individuals and families navigate complex medical care and make more informed caregiving decisions. They discuss: When families should start researching care options for aging parents What to expect financially as a parent's care needs increase How to prepare for the often-overlooked costs of caregiving Common misconceptions about the cost and safety of care The most important questions to ask before hiring a caregiver How to research and evaluate caregiving options How families can avoid both over- and underspending on care Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Ray Shefska, Co-Founder of CarEdge, to discuss how consumers can negotiate smarter and avoid common mistakes when buying a vehicle. They discuss: The questions car buyers should never ask at a dealership Why negotiating monthly payments instead of total price costs consumers money How dealerships use down payments and financing information during negotiations Why securing financing before shopping gives buyers more leverage Common misconceptions about negotiating vehicle prices Practical strategies for staying in control throughout the buying process How AI and real-time market data are helping consumers negotiate better deals Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Nidhi Singhvi, Co-Founder and CEO of Unvault, an AI-powered platform helping consumers discover the true value of their gold jewelry in minutes. They discuss: Why Americans may be sitting on billions of dollars in overlooked gold jewelry Why people often underestimate the value of their jewelry by three times or more How artificial intelligence can estimate jewelry value from a simple photo What happens after receiving an AI valuation Common mistakes consumers make when selling jewelry When it may make sense to sell versus holding jewelry as a long-term asset How technology is bringing greater transparency to the jewelry market Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Robert Siciliano, cybersecurity expert, bestselling author, private investigator, and CEO of Protect Now. Robert has spent decades helping consumers and businesses defend against identity theft, fraud, and the constantly evolving world of cybercrime. They discuss: How artificial intelligence is changing the landscape of financial scams and what you can do to protect yourself Practical strategies to help safeguard your personal information, finances, and online accounts How to recognize scam warning signs and avoid common security mistakes How to strengthen your passwords and account security What to do to better protect your Social Security number and personal identity Why digital estate planning should be part of every family's financial strategy And more! Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Andy Williamson, the CEO and Co-Founder of ONLC Training, one of the largest privately owned IT training companies in the United States.   They discuss: How artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work and what professionals need to do to keep up Why AI fluency is becoming one of the most important skills for workers and business owners How individuals can start building practical AI skills without feeling overwhelmed or left behind Why this moment feels less like a normal technology upgrade and more like an industrial revolution happening at record speed The difference between using AI to replace people and using it to augment human capability Why the future will likely be a mix of disruption and new opportunity   Learn more about the show at www.SavingWithSteve.us