Money Talks

Guest, Ray Higgins - Director of PERS This podcast has information about PERS for retirees, those close to retirement, and those employees still working with retirement in the future. You could read the Public Employee Retirement System of Mississippi handbook, or listen to MPB’s Money Talks broadcast and podcast with the director of PERS, Ray Higgins. You’ll get a good understanding of how PERS benefits state workers and retirees.Contact PERS at their statewide number: 1-800-444-7377 or email them at their email address: customerservice@pers.ms.govWebsite: pers.ms.govDepartment of Finance and Administration for Mississippi: Health Insurance for Retirees http://knowyourbenefits.dfa.ms.gov/

What’s an annuity? Are they all the same? Who needs one? We’ll learn about these financial products from our financial analysists - Nancy and Ryder - who can also take your personal finance questions.Discussion about annuitiesCalls:paying off a student loanare annuities good or bad?what is an index fixed annuityhow to get started in investingpaying extra on a mortgagewhat's up with GameStopIRAs podcast: http://moneytalks.mpbonline.org/episodes/5cd31f1533f6c1be55607d57S and P 500 podcast: http://moneytalks.mpbonline.org/episodes/money-talks-s-and-p-500Baby Steps of Investing: http://moneytalks.mpbonline.org/episodes/money-talks-investing-baby-steps

If you are a renter or a landlord, you'll particularly want to listen today’s Money Talks. Our guest is the Executive Director for Mississippi Home Corporation. Scott Spivey talks about the agency and the grants available to Mississippians who can’t pay rent during this pandemic. He discusses programs for first time home buyers and rehabilitation assistance. Our expert hosts are also available to answer personal finance questions. https://www.mshomecorp.com/ https://www.newper.com/RAMP – the rental assistance program. It’s for those impacted by COVID-19 - renters and landlordswww.ms-ramp.comIf you need assistance or wish to speak to a representative, call 601-533-8401 (local) or 1-888-725-0063 (toll-free)**Harrison County received its own funds for rental assistance. If you are a resident of Harrison county and wish to apply, you must call the Open Doors Homeless Coalition at 228-604-8011.Trailers too!The Emergency Solutions Grant COVID-19 (ESG-COVID) program created by the CARES Act funds is designed to prevent and respond to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).Individuals and families who have been laid off or have current income under 50% of area median income (AMI) and individuals who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance are eligible to receive funds. https://ms-ramp.com/esg/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSHomeCorp https://twitter.com/NewPerMS https://twitter.com/MPBOnlineFirst time homebuyers assistanceYouth Drawing CompetitionPartnerships with developersIn the news:COVIF-19 funeral assistance from FEMA https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistanceCOBRA subsidy during pandemic https://www.natlawreview.com/article/new-covid-relief-act-provides-cobra-premium-subsidies-and-increased-exclusionCalls:annuitymortgage assistancePPP loans through your bank

We’ve made it to April in 2021. We’ve got some IRS tax tips to share, some April buy and not to buy suggestions. But this is just chit chat between your calls and emails. It’s an Open Topic show.In the News:IMF forcast for global growthYeld curveObservances in April:Fair Housing MonthFinancial Literacy MonthNational Financial Capability MonthNational Internship Awareness MonthMoney Smart Week - April 10-17, 2021Global Work From Home Day - April 10International Financial Independence Awareness Day - April 25 Ways to gain financial literacy:Bogle On Mutual Funds: New Perspectives For The Intelligent Investor (Wiley Investment Classics) John C. Vogel bookhttps://www.investopedia.com/https://twitter.com/LizAnnSondershttp://moneytalks.mpbonline.org/their book P.I.G.G.Y. Plan-It: Prudent Investors Get Going YoungMSU extension service - guest on podcast for Dec 22, 2021Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany the Budgetnista AlicheNew Perspectives website and twitter@NewPerMS IRS Tweet Tips - see cute puppies and funny graphics in their twitter feed: https://twitter.com/IRSnewsIncome taxes due: May 17, 2021 for federal and state returnsWhat to buy and not buy in April?Do BuyCar Parts and Accessories:April is National Car Care Month, so auto parts stores and service centers will be running promotions. Even if you don't need any major work done, it's usually a good time to take a vehicle in for a tune-up; check brakes, wipers, and tires; and shop for car accessories.Jewelry: Bling just might be the thing to buy in April. With the Valentine's Day bump a distant memory, jewelers are ready to compete for tax-refund money by offering low prices to get customers in the door.Mother's Day Gifts: Speaking of jewelry, early April is also the moment to get a head start on Mother's Day shopping.You can lock in a good price on flowers by ordering a month in advance. Take advantage of deals on chocolate and other treats after Easter. Mass-market chocolate will quickly go on sale but you might also find discounts from higher-end brands like Godiva, too.Home Improvement Supplies: With spring in the air, many do-it-yourselfers are ready to tackle some projects they let slide over the winter. While demand is high, so is competition, making it possible for enterprising homeowners to snag some great deals this time of year. Deals have covered everything from lawn mowers to mulch to patio furniture. Spring Apparel: Retailers are ready to clear out spring apparel to make room for summer duds. That means shoulder-season clothing — think jackets, lightweight sweaters, and long-sleeve T-shirts — will be going on sale.Cookware: Retailers typically feature April promotions on pots, pans, and cooking tools in time for bridal showers, weddings, and college graduations and Mother's Day.Secondhand Goods: Spring cleaning yields loads of donations to thrift stores, so take a break from your own chores to check out a fresh array of secondhand clothing, home decor, and other deals from stores. Smart thrift-store shopping tips include buying off-season for the best selection. Vintage clothing is always in style, and cheap home decor and pieces can often be repurposed.National Park Trips: National Park Week runs from April 17-25, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate, including free admission to any national park on April 17th! Visit the National Park Service website to search for special park events happening near you.Don’t BuySkip: Grills -Although outdoor temperatures are climbing and many people are itching to barbecue, waiting until July or August to buy a cheap grill pays off. Skip: Mattresses - Mattresses seem to be perpetually on sale, but with no "shopping holidays" in April, they're less likely to be discounted. If you can hold off, you'll find much better mattress deals once Memorial Day rolls around at the end of May.Skip: Kitchen appliances : Appliance deals abound during Memorial Day sales in May, so if you can, let April come and go before you buy a refrigerator, a dishwasher or even a smaller kitchen appliance like a blender.Memorial Day is May 31 this year, but we predict sales will start a few days before the holiday and extend a few days after. Memorial Day appliance sales traditionally take place at home improvement stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot.Calls:corporate value and minimum wagesocial security and working after 65

Money Talks wants to help you today to Prepare Before the Storm. That “storm” might be weather, economic, or family issues. We’ve got some websites and some suggestions.New Perspectives blog posts: https://newper.blogspot.com/Financial Resilience And Mutual AidSaturday, February 20, 2021On Preparedness Friday, February 19, 2021In the News:PPP loans expandedJob losses going downSuez Canal ship stuckNon-fungible tokensEmergencies savings for loss of income, vehicle replacement, medical careResilient BudgetsWhere to keep fundsEmergency Financial First Aid Kit https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/ready_emergency-financial-first-aid-toolkit.pdfBe Prepared For A Financial Emergencyhttps://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/ready_financial-emergency_info-sheet.pdfCalls:start saving early - be a part of your communityCommunity Emergency Response Team https://www.ready.gov/cert

It’s time to review all the topics we’ve covered on Money Talks in the past 12 months. If you’ve missed any episodes, we’ll give you the flavor of some of the episodes so you can find the ones that interest you on our podcast.Last Spring, we talked a lot about current events each week. We had guests from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, we talked about fraud and the Cares Act and the Economic Impact Payments. We had a guest from Edmunds dot com talk about new car buying. A guest from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. The executive director of Mississippi Food Network.Nancy remarked on the information that MDES gave us so often and so willingly for the first of three shows on 04/07/20.Kevin like the car buying show on 04/28/20 and fraud show on 04/14/20 that we were able to share with our listners.Producer, Liz, like the MS Food Network information from 06/02/20.In the Summer and Fall we had less Open Topics shows and more personal finance broadcasts. We recapped those organization providing pandemic financial assistance.We discussed different types of investment professionals, day trading, money saving tips, credit cards, the S and P 500, and mindful spending.We had guests discuss Social Security, home buying, flexible jobs, the Census, MDES, bankruptcy. Our Mississippi Treasurer talked about his agency.Nancy talked about the finanical videos she and her husband made during 2020. Also the Real Estate Investment broadcast on 11/17/20Kevin remarked on the helpfulness of Shawn Mercer from Social Security on 07/07/20 and our Mississippi Treasurer on 09/15/20.Liz, enjoyed the money mindfulness broadcast on 10/27/20.From the holidays to now, Money Talks covered: CDs, cutting expenses, the baby steps of investing, stock fragments, GameStop, free goods and services, and minimum wage.Our guests helped us talk about real estate investment, community foundations, more Social Security, financial education available from the Extension Service,more MDES, and student loans.Nancy talked about the listener driven inspiration for our minimum wage broadcast on 03/16/21.Kevin liked the investing baby steps from 01/19/21 and cutting expenses show on 11/24/20 for "starter" shows for listeners.Liz like learning about the education opportunities from the Extension Service on 12/22/20.