Go Money with Syga Thomas

You think the real estate route is only for the already rich? Then let me fill you in on a personal truth: I bought my first real estate at a time when I could NOT afford to buy (or loan) it! No joke. The catch? None. I was just lucky I knew about the “Lease to purchase” option. Now, don’t worry if you do not, because we’re exploring it in detail today.

Do you have to master all the legal stuff as a business owner? No. Does it mean you can brush them off and sign legal papers on your phone after skimming through the headings alone? Absolutely not. Some things, no matter how accomplished a business owner you are, are unavoidably important. Like understanding contracts and liability insurance. Especially now that instant gratification rules the world! Believe me, if it weren't for that, I would still be paying a random broker a certain percentage from the sale of an asset I was interested in some time back!

Who would you hand your financial assets to after you’ve passed away? Ever wonder? Perhaps your loved ones. But have you planned it properly?Explore your options and make the transfer of your wealth as smooth as can be, after life bids you goodbye, in today’s episode of Go Money. Our star topic for today is ‘revocable trusts’, but we’ll also discuss ‘wills’ and the differences between the two. Learn how to create them, the resources you can use for help in doing that, and leveraging them for better flexibility and tax benefits on your legacy wealth.Since just about 33% of Americans, including celebrities and wealthy superstars, have created their own revocable assets (as per survey), I’m aware of the lack of awareness the majority of us have around it. So, I’ll cover most, if not all, of its benefits (the tax benefits are incredible!), and steps-to-caution to ensure you’ve checked the must-have points before handing over your wealth to the next person. Plus, always remember, a revocable living trust can be changed in the future, so it doesn’t have to be a freezing one-time decision.

The pandemic has influenced ‘where’ people work. Especially Americans. While your counterparts travel the world breathing the air and waters they crave, do you still dream of sipping cocktails on a Mediterranean rooftop but shrink back by the demands of your job/career in the US?

You want to start a business, but also feel lost and paralysed? Michelle Blue just followed trial and error and ended up running a luxury fashion brand. Now, she is a coach and talk show host. She shares her whole journey in this episode and gives you an idea of where to start if you feel lost in starting your business. She talks about showing up, finding yourself, and being ok with making mistakes.

My child always wants too many things, without caring how much it costs - so I wrote a book about it. I wanted to write a book that taught my kids and other kids the value of money and I wanted it to be compelling enough for them to remember what they learned from the book the next time they found their new favorite thing at the mall.I talk about why I wrote the book, how I made it engaging, what’s in it, and how to begin teaching your kids about the value of money (with or without the book).

Not only can life insurance support your family if you pass, but it can also help you grow your retirement income and cash reserves. Get answers to your key questions about life insurance like whether it’s worth it, whether you should opt for it as a single person, when the right time to get it is, and what it can do for you if you’re a real estate investor. “I know you might think, why would I ever get a life insurance policy? I'm not married, I have no family or anything. But there's more to it sometimes than you think.” (22:14)

We get it: it’s hard to have a good relationship with finances if you’re not taught how! On the Go Money Podcast, you’ll get schooled on everything you should have been taught in school.From budgeting basics to understanding the world of investment, Syga Thomas packages years of econ and finance experience into bite-sized lessons you can listen to on your morning commute, while making dinner, or while walking the dog.

Your business is your baby. There’s nothing easier than getting lost in it. But, what are you neglecting as a consequence of that? In today’s episode, I share how I spend time with my business, family, and friends. I also tell you what my daily routine is now vs. what it was 20 years ago when I first started my business.

You’ve heard it before: two people go into business as friends and exit as sworn enemies. How do you make sure that never happens to you? In this episode, you’ll learn about the pros and cons of entering into a business partnership and how to avoid the mistakes that make things go sour. By the end, you’ll be able to decide if entering a business partnership is something that’s right for you.

How hard is it to get a mortgage for your first investment property? If you’re a beginner real estate investor or if you’ve never invested in real estate before, approaching lenders to get a mortgage can be intimidating. In this episode, you’ll learn how to get approved for a mortgage as a first-time real estate investor - without any gimmicks. I’ll share 6 critical things you must keep in mind before approaching your lender so that you increase your chances of being approved for a loan.

When you are enrolled in an automatic savings program at work, you are 15 times more likely to save for retirement. The problem is that between 30-50% of private sector workers don’t have access to retirement savings at work. Kim Olson and Syga explore the new state-facilitated Individual Retirement Account that allows you to automatically save a chunk of your paycheck every month - before any money hits your bank account.