Money Talks

We’ve got one of our most popular shows each year for you today. Our guest, Shawn Mercer from Social Security will answer your questions. Ryder Taff can take your personal finance questions.https://www.ssa.gov/

Workforce Wednesdays is a program from the Education Department of MPB. Dr. Tara Wren, Director of Education and Jasmine Harvey, Student Engagement Specialist are with us today to explain the initiative and let us know how anyone in Mississippi can participate. https://gettingtowork.mpbonline.org/ https://education.mpbonline.org/Participants in Workforce Wednesday get information about workforce development including mentoring programs, apprenticeships, work-based learning and soft skills. With the pandemic these networking get togethers are virtual so anyone can participate.Workforce Wednesday occurs every third Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. It’s a service of the Education Department of Mississippi Public Broadcasting.Project SEARCH Mississippi: An MDRS Workforce InitiativeSeptember 15, 202111:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Project SEARCH connects high school seniors with disabilities to employers waiting to hire them after they graduate.Learn more about this program and how your school or employer can get involved.Videos:Confessions of a Word Nerd - February 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji1YBYS_kuA&ab_channel=MPBEducationHow to Improve Your Personal Brand on Zoom- March 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIjElyuzsGk&t=14s&ab_channel=MPBEducationPlease Wear Pants to Work – April2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctLxbZ0dsc4&t=1664s&ab_channel=MPBEducationCustomer Service Still Matters – May 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut-NhDPV--I&ab_channel=MPBEducationGetting Back to Work in Mississippi – June2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4PXQbos m8k&ab_channel=MPBEducationAmerican Graduate Path to the Future – July 2021 https://youtu.be/F_qdZeMrsNkCustomer Service Employment Academy – August 2021 https://youtu.be/-FQNTx1XtXkPastWorkforce Wednesdays with blog summaries:Lunch and Learn with CN Railroadhttps://gettingtowork.mpbonline.org/blogs/community-events/lunch-and-learn-workforce-wednesday-with-cn-railroad/MS Coding Academy featured at Workforce Wednesdayhttps://gettingtowork.mpbonline.org/blogs/community-events/workforce-wednesday-with-ms-coding-academy/Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann speaks at MPB's Workforce Wednesday Luncheonhttps://gettingtowork.mpbonline.org/blogs/community-events/secretary-of-state-delbert-hosemann-speaks-at-mpbs-workforce-wednesday-luncheon/Counselor's Workforce https://gettingtowork.mpbonline.org/blogs/community-events/counselors-workforce-luncheon/Military OneSource Offers Myriad Services to Service Members and https://gettingtowork.mpbonline.org/blogs/community-events/military-onesource-offers-myriad-services-to-service-members-and-civilians/Why Hiring a Veteran is a Plus for Employershttps://gettingtowork.mpbonline.org/blogs/community-events/why-hiring-a-veteran-is-a-plus-for-employers/Murphy Shares Lessons on Mentoring at Workforce Wednesday Eventhttps://gettingtowork.mpbonline.org/blogs/community-events/murphy-shares-lessons-on-mentoring-at-workforce-wednesday-event/Commissioner Cecil Brown shares state’s problems, solutions during Workforce Wednesday Luncheonhttps://gettingtowork.mpbonline.org/blogs/community-events/commissioner-cecil-brown-shares-states-problems-solutions-during-workforce-wednesday-luncheon/Apprenticeship is a workforce development solution benefiting individuals and employers https://gettingtowork.mpbonline.org/blogs/community-events/apprenticeship-is-a-workforce-development-solution-benefiting-individuals-and-employers/Waller talks opportunity, career coaches and strengthening Mississippi's workforcehttps://gettingtowork.mpbonline.org/blogs/community-events/waller-talks-opportunity-career-coaches-and-strengthening-mississippis-workforce/

We’ve got a variety of financial scenarios to discuss today. Maybe one of them speaks to your financial mindset.Listen along and ask questions about your situation.Discussions: state income tax elimination9/11/2001 impact on US's financial marketsParents who haven't saved for collegeCaring for aging parentsWorrying about cybercrimeWhat if I lose all my moneyQuestions:disabilty insuranceearned income and social securityadvisorpaying for a nursing home

With identity and data theft on the rise, we’d like to suggest what you can do now and if you are informed of a data breach.Discussion:Ida on the economyCOVID on the economyhow to get a credit reportwhat will they askwhy freeze creating new creditafter you freeze your creditif your credit report is wrongcheck your Social Security Information at ssa.govYou might not be able to keep your data from being stolen but we’ve got tips on what to do if it is. These are tips anyone can use to protect their bank account, the retirement, their credit record. ?https://www.fultonbank.com/Education-Center/Privacy-and-Security/personal-data-breach-tipsChange your passwordsSign up for two-factor authenticationCheck for updates from the companyWatch your accounts, check your credit reports Consider identity theft protection services Freeze your creditIdentitytheft.govCyver Security podcast from Aug. 9the 2019 http://moneytalks.mpbonline.org/episodes/money-talks-cyber-securityCheck your credit report: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/03/free-weekly-credit-reports-during-covid-extended-until-april-2022Phone numbers for the 3 credit reporting bureaus: Equifax:1 (888) 766-0008Experian:1 (888) 397-3742TransUnion:1 (800) 680-7289

Your emergency fund is our topic today. How large should YOUR fund be, where should you keep your emergency fund, what IS a financial emergency and what isn’t. In addition, Ryder takes your personal finance questions.Calls:working with a CPAcredit profilingdo you need a credit scoreFurther information:https://www.bigpictureloans.com/blog/what-is-financial-emergency-what-is-nothttps://www.bigpictureloans.com/blog/get-money-fast-financial-emergencyhttps://due.com/blog/what-is-considered-a-financial-emergency/https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/best-places-to-keep-your-emergency-fund/

It’s an Open topic show today. We have emails we’ll address on various topics. We have money saving tips and a suggestion to calm your financial fears. And we take your questions.Discussion:decrease of retail spendingwar isn't "good" for economyemail - canceling credit cards https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/03/free-weekly-credit-reports-during-covid-extended-until-april-2022how many credit cards do I have Call 1-877-322-8228sell or rent out property?can you have a zero credit scoreemail - ibondsfear of finance after breadwinner diesFEMA funeral assistance https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistancepandemic money lessons https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/personal-finance/articles/5-money-saving-hacks-our-readers-swear-by/https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/what-to-buy-august

What can you do with a houseful of Grandma’s things? Where can you go to find that perfect retro dining set? Maybe you need to learn about auctions. We’re happy to have Dwight Stephens from Stephens Auction House with us today to answer our questions about this method of shopping and selling.Suggested website:https://www.auctionzip.com/https://www.liveauctioneers.com/https://www.mississippiauctioneers.org/https://www.keyauctioneers.com/auction-tips/

We’ve got some personal finance statistics to share with you today. We hope by learning these facts you can change your life or help someone you care about change theirs. Our data comes from Morningstar. Their website says:Morningstar has been empowering investors since 1984 through research.https://www.morningstar.com/companyDiscussion:COVID rates in MississippiInflation talkways to gather finanical informationThe Earnings Gap - why?Retirement fundsImportance of savings

IRAs and Roth IRAs- what are the rules if you need to withdraw money? How do you set one up? What’s the difference between the 2 anyway?What about an inherited IRA or RMDs?What about the new rules concerning RMDs – required minimum distributions?Why do we have RMDs?Who takes them?When do you have to take them?Is there a special time of the year to take them?What can you do or what can you NOT do with the funds?Calls:RMD to a charityinherited IRAwhat to do with an old employers 401KSIMPLE IRAs: Savings Incentive Match PLan for Employeesemail difference between IRA and 401K RMDlimit to contributionshow kids learn money skills http://moneytalks.mpbonline.org/episodes/money-talks-kids-learning https://mscee.org/money and taxes