Category Archives: Investing

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Changing Young Children’s Lives through Education: Charitable Giving, Part One With Rebecca Roberts and Glenn Okuma (Ep. 37)



CYCLE Houston is a nonprofit charity organization that uses bicycles to motivate kids to reach defined academic goals. 

Their goal for 2021 is to build 10,000 bicycles—and you can help.

In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk with Rebecca Roberts, executive director and Glenn Okuma, webmaster at CYCLE Houston. They share how their charity began, it’s mission, and how it is growing to help Houston children and students.

Rebecca and Glenn discuss: 

  • How CYCLE began and the overall mission of the organization
  • How this organization helps children reach their defined academic goals and how many bicycles they make in a year
  • How supply chain distributions have affected the organization
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Rebecca Roberts and Glenn Okuma:

Connect With Green Financial Group:

 


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What to Think About To Live Your Dream Retirement (Ep. 36)



“A goal without a plan is just a dream.”

You will not be able to live your dream retirement without a proper financial plan in place.

In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith discuss the important things to think about as you plan for retirement. They recommend what actionable steps you could be taking now to plan for your dream retirement in the future.

Jeff and Lauren discuss: 

  • The value of using a bucket list to live out your dreams in retirement
  • The factors you need to consider when you decide when to start taking Social Security
  • The importance of planning when deciding on your retirement date
  • Why you should use your time before retirement to focus on your budget and cashflow
  • And more

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Your Cyber Security Mindset (Ep. 35)



Our personal lives have become so entwined with the internet with online banking, online shopping and much more! This means our personal information is much more vulnerable to identity theft. 

Last year, over 14 million people were victims of identity theft––are you next?

In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith share some cyber security tips you can implement to keep your sensitive information safe and secure.

Jeff and Lauren discuss: 

  • How to protect yourself against cybersecurity threats by using a private email address for sensitive accounts
  • The added level of security protection by using proper password protection––and two-step verification
  • Why and how you can avoid using public wifi
  • Tips to secure your home wifi network
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Green Financial Group:

 


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When Was the Last Time You Taught Your Kids Something New? (Ep. 34)



No matter their age, your children will always look to you for advice and to learn those essential life skills that everyone should know before they’re on their own.

In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith discuss some of the life skills, and financial knowledge you should be teaching your kids that will set them up for life. They share advice and their personal experience with teaching and learning these essential skills for life.

Jeff and Lauren discuss: 

  • Why you should teach your children the essential life skills like changing the batteries in a smoke detector or changing a tire on your car
  • The feeling of teaching your children how to grill, pitch a tent, camp in nature, and start a fire
  • The financial skills you should ensure your children know before they go to college
  • And more

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Meet The Team: Claire Holmes, Marketing Consultant (Ep. 33)



The team at Green Financial Group is passionate about helping those in the oil and gas sector take command of their finances. But each team member has their distinct role and specific passion, and we want you to get to know them!

In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith are joined by Claire Holmes, Marketing & Strategy Consultant and founder of Double H Design Co. and Mama Collaborative. Claire discusses how she helps the Green Financial Group team with productivity, time management, accountability, and processes behind the scenes within the company.

Claire discusses: 

  • Why time management is the key to success
  • Two of her top time management techniques she teaches to help you get your jobs done
  • The types of jobs she’s worked at––and how she ended up owning two of her own companies
  • How her interests are fulfilled through her own work
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Claire Holmes:

Connect With Green Financial Group:

About Our Guest: 

Claire Holmes’ goal is to help others achieve their goals. Whether that is helping a company develop and execute a thoughtful marketing strategy, writing professional bios that exude authenticity, or leveraging my creativity to develop custom photo books and slideshows. She is a (Type A) Jane of All Trades who likes to get things done. A perfectionist to her core, she is extremely detail-oriented, works hard to get the job done, and is always looking for ways to add more value for her clients.


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The Biggest Mistakes You Can Make in Your College Planning (Ep. 32)



The biggest mistake you can make is to wait to start planning for your college savings. The process may be much more complicated than you expect, and it’s important to have time on your side.

In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith share their insights about the college planning process and what you should keep in mind as you save money for your child’s education.

Jeff and Lauren discuss: 

  • The average fees and tuition costs for college students
  • The variety of sources your college money can come from
  • How to find out if your child qualifies for financial aid
  • How family members and friends can contribute to a child’s education
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Green Financial Group:


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The Expense of the Pandemic on Our Economy (Ep. 31)



We’ve gotten a taste of the post-COVID life. What are you planning to do, as the restrictions continue to lift?

In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith take a look at the recovery of the economy with high-frequency data numbers. They also share some of the effects of supply, demand, and inflation right now for consumers.

Jeff and Lauren discuss: 

  • High frequency data comparing numbers from the box office, hotel occupancy, TSA checkpoint data
  • The rising cost of flights for consumers
  • What reverse inflation is––and why inflation is here
  • The existing demand for rental cars with shortage in supply
  • And more

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The Biggest Proposed Conjecture Tax Changes (Ep. 30)



“Tax codes are written in pencil.” Taxes never go away but the rules and regulations around them are not set in stone. 

In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith share what you can potentially expect for the tax changes in the coming year under the Biden Administration. They share the little things to consider along the way for your tax planning.

Jeff and Lauren discuss: 

  • The potential increase in top ordinary income tax rates
  • The potentially high jump in capital gains 
  • What the elimination of the step up in basis at death could look like
  • And more

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Giving Direction for Your Children’s Financial Success (Ep. 29)



Children are not getting the financial education in school that they need before they enter adulthood. But there are a few things you can do as a parent to help prepare your children for financial success before they are on their own.

In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith share some tips to help parents get into the mindset of preparing their children before they enter the financial world.

Jeff and Lauren discuss: 

  • Why your children need to build a credit history
  • The importance of teaching your children to have a sense of savings
  • Why your children should be aware of good debt and bad debt
  • The idea of networking to make connections
  • And more!

Resources: 

Connect With Green Financial Group:


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Should I Pay Off My House Before I Retire? With Jim Chaplin (Ep. 28)



We all have those burning questions about planning for retirement. One of the most commonly asked questions that people want to know is, “Should I pay my house off before I retire?”

In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk with Jim Chaplin, vice president/senior mortgage loan originator at Elite Lending Group to get his perspective on the topic.

Jim Chaplin discusses: 

  • The items to take into consideration before deciding to pay off your mortgage before retirement
  • The backseat figures of making the decision
  • The state of the real estate market right now and how this may impact your decision
  • And more

Connect With Jim Chaplin:

Connect With Green Financial Group:

About Our Guest:

Jim Chaplin: Jim Chaplin has a total of 30 plus years of real estate related experience. Licensed Texas Real Estate Broker since 1974 which makes him very familiar with promulgated contract documents. Specialties include, lot loans, and construction loans as well as a wide range of mortgage products.