Stacy Johnson President/Journalist
Here's a little bit about me, my background, what I do and why I do it. I'm a 50-something married guy living in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, FL, the yachting capital of the world. I live in a modest house on a canal off the Intracoastal Waterway and have a boat or two behind my house. I love riding motorcycles (Softail Custom) sailing, fishing, traveling and laughing out loud as often as possible.
As far as credentials go, I've got more than most. I've been a CPA since 1980 and have also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options, mutual funds, life insurance and real estate. I spent 10 years working for three Wall Street firms (EF Hutton, Shearson and Prudential) and have been investing in both stocks and real estate for about 30 years.
For the last 20 years, I've written, produced and distributed Money Talks News, a consumer/personal finance TV news feature that airs in about 80 cities nationwide as well as around the web. I've now done close to 3,000 personal finance news stories. I've also written a few books, including what I modestly consider to be the best how-to-get-out-of-debt book in the universe, Life or Debt.
While I'm certainly not rich in the Palm Beach/Central Park West sense, I'm financially independent, meaning I work because I want to and not because I have to. I didn't get here by selling books, tapes or seminars. I did it the same way I expect you to: one hard-fought paycheck at a time.
My philosophy is simple: as you go through life, you have the opportunity to either look rich or be rich. But you probably won't live long enough to accomplish both. So make a decision. If you want to look rich, you don't need me. Just do what the commercials tell you. If you want to be rich, however, I can help.
Consider this: if you can save just 5 bucks a day every day for 30 years, and earn 10% on it, you'll end up with $343,693. That's enough to change your life and the lives of those you love. And I'll assist by hooking you up with savings, both big and small, so you'll find that 5 bucks. And I'll give you investing advice so your money works as hard for you as you do for it.
So if you'd like to make more, spend less, avoid being ripped off and better understand money, keep coming back. We'll leave the lights on for you!
Posts by Stacy Johnson
Take 5: A Roundup of Reads From Around the Web
Jun 08, 2012 - A look at five interesting personal finance posts from other bloggers around the Web. This week: flammable sunscreen, cheap I-love-you's, money love mergers, a "gimme" cure, and a customer service definition.
Ask Stacy: Do I Have to Pay Taxes If I’m Not in the US?
Jun 05, 2012 - You'd think that if you're living abroad and earning all your money from a foreign company, you wouldn't have to file a U.S. tax return or pay U.S. income taxes. Unfortunately, you'd be wrong.
Take 5: A Roundup of Reads From Around the Web
Jun 01, 2012 - A look at five interesting personal finance posts from other bloggers around the Web. This week: traveling with kids, paying them an allowance, questioning your marriage, stupid financial advice, and how to have a high-tech death.
Ask Stacy: If I Settle a Debt, Do I Have to Pay Taxes?
May 29, 2012 - Having debt you can't pay is taxing. But as it turns out, walking away from your debts can be even more taxing. Thinking of debt settlement? Read this first.
Take 5: A Roundup of Reads From Around the Web
May 25, 2012 - A look at five interesting personal finance posts from other bloggers around the Web. This week: saving on parties, bartering for the environment, defrosting for savings, making one meal into two, and being paid for your opinion.
Ask Stacy: Is the Authorized User on My Credit Card Hurting Me?
May 22, 2012 - If you let someone else use your credit card as an authorized user, it can help them establish credit. But does that tie their credit to yours?
Take 5: A Roundup of Reads From Around the Web
May 18, 2012 - A look at five interesting personal finance posts from other bloggers around the Web. This week: buying one share of Facebook stock, enjoying childhood without money, keeping a car for 16 years, how $75 can ruin your day, and why being frugal can be silly.
Ask Stacy: Should I Buy Facebook?
May 15, 2012 - Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is about to become the richest 27-year-old on the planet. Can owning a piece of his burgeoning business make you richer too?
Take 5: A Roundup of Reads From Around the Web
May 11, 2012 - A look at five interesting personal finance posts from other bloggers around the Web. This week: saving on prom, saving after prom, saving on baby showers, Mother's Day gifts to get right now, and teens being banned from malls.
Ask Stacy: Can I Trust Your Ads?
May 08, 2012 - Nearly all free media, including Money Talks News, is supported by advertising. If the ad appears on a trusted website, does that make the advertiser trustworthy?
Take 5: A Roundup of Reads From Around the Web
May 04, 2012 - A look at five interesting personal finance posts from other bloggers around the Web. This week: graduation presents, sick costs, burnout tips, a make-and-break story, and how to be less anxious about your money.
Ask Stacy: Can I Get My Sister Off My Credit Card?
May 01, 2012 - We've all done it, or at least been asked to: let someone less responsible share our credit by co-signing a loan for them or adding them to our credit card account. Here's what to do when you need the party to end...
Rebates Coming, Courtesy of Health Care Reform
Apr 27, 2012 - The Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to spend at least 85 percent of the money they take in on patient care. If your insurance company didn't, you might have some money heading your way this summer.
Take 5: A Roundup of Reads From Around the Web
Apr 27, 2012 - A look at five interesting personal finance posts from other bloggers around the Web. This week: beer and baseball, paying for waiting, a second life for cereal boxes, growing veggies at home, and free alerts for your cell phone.
I Fought the Law and I Won
Apr 25, 2012 - If you're the victim of credit card fraud, your loss is limited to $50 by federal law. Or is it? Here's what happened when I turned to government watchdogs to get a simple answer to a simple question.
