The Wilson Wealth Show

On this episode of the Wilson Wealth Show, host Ablavi Gbenyon-Little and founder Maurice Wilson explore a common but seldom-discussed problem: earning six figures yet feeling unfulfilled. Their guest, Shawnte Bell, a former HR executive turned entrepreneur, shares her journey from corporate leadership to building two businesses. Shawnte explains why money alone doesn’t guarantee happiness—covering burnout, workplace isolation, microaggressions, and the false sense of security that comes with a steady paycheck. She describes the practical and emotional factors that pushed her to leave a high-paying role and pursue entrepreneurship. The conversation also covers financial realities for high earners: higher taxes, lifestyle creep, fewer job options at the top, and the importance of building financial cushions and multiple income streams. Maurice and Shawntae discuss strategies for preparing to transition—saving deliberately, treating major purchases differently, building networks, and making business ideas concrete. Shawnte’s advice is straightforward: identify fears and blind spots, write a plan, act deliberately, and balance faith and wisdom in the leap. She emphasizes that entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone but urges listeners to create financial flexibility so work is a choice, not an identity. To connect with Shawnte, find her on LinkedIn (Shawnte Bell) and follow Sparkle Squad NW Gwinnett on social channels. The episode closes with a reminder that making money matters, but building a life you enjoy is priceless.

Hosts Maurice L. Wilson and Jon Bolston discuss why many high-income earners miss obvious but important financial moves and outline practical steps to take control of taxes, investments, and legacy planning. They explain Roth options inside employer plans, after-tax contributions and the backdoor Roth technique as ways to build a tax-free bucket for retirement and avoid a large taxable bill later. The episode critiques target-date funds for often becoming too conservative too early and stresses tailoring risk to account balances and long retirement horizons rather than following a cookie-cutter glide path. They also cover how taxable brokerage margin accounts can let you borrow against positions (like RSUs) to access cash without selling, or to opportunistically increase exposure—while noting the leverage risk involved. Finally, they emphasize estate planning—setting up trusts and clear documents to avoid probate, protect family outcomes, and keep assets flowing the way you intend.

Episode 45 of The Wilson Wealth Show features special guest Nakia Gray and focuses on how credit and financial scams target businesses, seniors, and families. The hosts discuss rising phishing attacks, cyber insurance, and best practices for small businesses such as separating personal and business emails and using security checks. Nakia explains common scams against seniors — including romance and trusted-contact fraud — and offers ways adult children can protect aging parents without controlling them, like co-owning accounts and staying informed. The episode covers crypto and investment fraud warnings, key red flags (too-good-to-be-true returns, urgency, and requests to wire funds), and practical prevention tips: never click suspicious links, verify URLs and sellers, watch social media marketplaces and Zelle transactions, and freeze credit if needed. Guests emphasize never feeling embarrassed if scammed, speaking up to help others, and acting quickly. The show closes with takeaways: fraud is a form of wealth transfer, intelligent people are targeted intentionally, and protecting wealth is as important as building it.

There was a time scams arrived by mail; now they arrive by text, email, and phone, often sounding official and targeting people when they're most vulnerable. This episode explains why fraud matters to anyone building wealth: a single wire fraud, identity theft, or targeted scam can wipe out years of disciplined saving and transfer wealth to criminals. We discuss impersonation scams and real estate wire fraud—how scammers intercept emails, create near-perfect fake instructions, and why you must always verify wiring details by phone using a known number. Learn how identity theft has evolved into sophisticated online and synthetic fraud, and the immediate steps to take if you suspect theft: notify your banks, contact credit bureaus, and clean compromised devices. Entrepreneurs and business owners are also targeted—watch for fake customers, phishing links, and coercive tactics like urgency or secrecy. Slow down, verify, and use fraud-prevention tools to protect yourself and your business.

On this episode of the Wilson Wealth Show, host Ablavi  Gbenyon-Little speaks with Maurice Wilson and gastroenterologist Dr. Kimmyeh Eboh about Colon Cancer Awareness Month and why colorectal cancer disproportionately affects African Americans. They explain what colon cancer is, how it develops from precancerous polyps, and why colonoscopy is powerful—it both detects and removes polyps, preventing cancer. The recommended screening age for most people is now 45, and earlier for those with a family history. Dr. Eboh covers common warning signs to never ignore (rectal bleeding, iron-deficiency anemia, persistent bowel changes, unexplained weight loss), the importance of properly completing bowel prep, and what happens during the sedated procedure. She also outlines other screening options for average-risk individuals and how a family history or risk factors change timing. They discuss lifestyle risk factors (obesity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, red/processed meats, low fiber, sedentary behavior) and stress that early detection leads to very high survival rates—screening can literally save lives.

Two business owners earn the same revenue, but different tax architecture leads to very different outcomes. This episode explains how the tax code rewards business ownership, investments, real estate, retirement plans, and philanthropy when structured correctly. Practical strategies covered include the S‑Corp election to reduce self‑employment tax, defined‑benefit and cash‑balance retirement plans for high earners, and real estate tactics like depreciation, cost segregation, and 1031 exchanges to defer and reduce taxable income. Charitable tools such as charitable remainder trusts and donor‑advised funds are explained as ways to manage capital gains and support legacy goals, along with the lesser‑known Augusta Rule for short‑term rental of a personal home to your business. The hosts also warn about common pitfalls: underpaying yourself in an S‑Corp, liquidity strain from aggressive tax plays, making bad investments for tax benefits, and failing to coordinate CPAs, advisors, and estate attorneys. Key takeaways emphasize long‑term planning, reasonable compensation, liquidity planning, and professional coordination to use tax strategies safely and effectively.

This episode compares two doctors with the same income and net worth but very different financial resilience. Dr. One has no debt and no liquid assets; Dr. Two carries high-interest debt but also holds cash, brokerage accounts, and retirement savings. The hosts explain why people instinctively label debt as bad and why that reaction misses the bigger picture. High-interest debt is a problem, but what really matters is whether you have options and the ability to respond if life changes suddenly. Dr. Two’s assets provide flexibility: cash and brokerage accounts create breathing room, retirement accounts offer long-term certainty, and together they allow strategic moves like paying down or refinancing debt. Dr. One’s debt-free appearance offers short-term comfort but leaves them dependent solely on future income. The episode concludes that Dr. Two is better off because assets create control, momentum, and choices—capital compresses time and makes recovery possible—whereas a lack of assets makes financial security fragile.

What does financial independence really mean inside a marriage? In this episode of The Wilson Wealth Show, host Ablavi Gbenyon-Little and CEO Maurice Wilson break down the difference between shared responsibility and true shared empowerment when it comes to money. Using a real client story, they explore how one capable spouse can unintentionally become the default financial manager—and how that dynamic can create fragility and fear if the other partner is left uninformed. They also address the opposite issue: when one spouse knows little about the finances and becomes overly dependent. Maurice shares practical, actionable steps couples can implement right away, including holding monthly money conversations as a conflict-free review of goals and accounts, making financial knowledge non-negotiable so both partners know where everything is and how bills are handled, and separating responsibility from power so one person can manage day-to-day decisions while both retain full agency. The episode centers on one powerful question: Would your partner be okay if something happened to you? Ultimately, they explain how strong financial plans strengthen marriages by replacing assumptions with clarity, reducing stress, and building true partnership around money.

In this episode Maurice Wilson and Ablobi explain why taxes—not market returns—often determine how much wealth you actually keep. They break down practical, legal tools to build tax-free and tax-efficient wealth, including Roth accounts for tax-free growth and withdrawals, HSAs as triple tax-free savings, 529 plans for tax-free education (and recent conversions to Roth), and cash-value life insurance for tax-free access and death benefits. The episode also covers tax-managed investing strategies like direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting to avoid unnecessary capital gains, plus ways to access concentrated stock positions without triggering big tax bills. Life insurance is highlighted as generally tax-free unless your estate exceeds current estate tax thresholds (around $10M+). Most people overpay taxes for two main reasons: a lack of coordinated planning between CPAs, advisors, and attorneys, and failure to revisit plans as life and laws change. The practical takeaway: have a tax-focused conversation with your advisor before April and build a coordinated, ongoing plan to keep more of what you earn.

If you ever said "we'll open this account for the kids," this episode is for you. Hosts Ablavi Gbenyon-Little and Maurice Wilson explain what a UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) account really is: an account where assets legally belong to the child immediately and an adult only serves as custodian until the age of majority. The episode covers why families use UTMAs—simplicity, no contribution limits, flexibility in spending, and grandparent gifting—and the trade-offs many miss, including permanent loss of parental control once the child reaches 18 or 21 and the inability to reverse or redirect the assets into trusts later. Key consequences are discussed in plain terms: UTMA assets count as the student's assets for financial aid calculations, investment income can trigger the "kiddie tax" (taxed at the parent’s rate above thresholds), and assets held in the child’s name may be exposed to creditors, lawsuits, or divorce. The show also highlights behavioral risks of giving large sums to young adults who may not be prepared to manage them. The hosts recommend matching the account choice to your intent: UTMAs can make sense for modest gifts and when flexibility is prioritized, but are often a poor fit for long-term legacy, asset protection, financial-aid-sensitive planning, or when parents want control past the age of majority. The episode closes with the core takeaway: use UTMAs with your eyes wide open and choose the right tool for your long-term goals.

If you've ever heard the words "your position has been eliminated," this episode walks you through a clear, step-by-step plan for responding—emotionally, financially, and professionally—when a layoff hits in your 40s. Host Ablavi Gbenyon-Little and Maurice Wilson cover immediate stabilization, evaluating severance and RSUs, building runway, health insurance choices, emotional recovery, choosing your next lane (reentry, pivot, or independence), protecting retirement savings, and using your time to rebuild with purpose.

Episode breaks down why the largest wealth transfer in U.S. history is happening without plans, causing families to lose homes, money, and relationships when loved ones die without wills or trusts. Learn simple solutions — wills, powers of attorney, beneficiary updates, trusts, and legacy letters — and ask yourself: Do I have a will? Do I have a trust? Do my decision makers know the plan?

Welcome to the latest episode of the Wilson Wells show. This episode poses an essential question about the recent successes of Nvidia in the artificial intelligence landscape: Is this a bullish trend, a market bubble, or a bit of both? Grounded in engineering with a keen interest in history, we attempt to apply the lessons of historical industry leaders like Nike, Microsoft, and Apple, and evaluate Nvidia's current position in the AI industry. We delve into patterns of trendsetting, industry leadership, and how these companies still managed to rise despite market crashes and bubbles. By comparing Nvidia's rise with that of the average semiconductor companies, we seek to determine the nature of its current trajectory. The discussion extends to weaving together the threads of history, market trends, and the leaps of technological progress, with a keen focus on Nvidia. We also explore the current bullish trend in Nvidia's stock while being aware of its susceptibility to a potential market bubble. Four strategies for navigating the Nvidia bull and bubble are examined in this episode: Waiting for the trend to end, betting against Nvidia's stock, asset allocation, and leveraging the bullish wave. Despite any impending bubble burst, the episode concludes that there are multiple ways to effectively invest in Nvidia stock, thereby minimizing potential losses and maximizing gains. To navigate this volatile market optimally, personalized strategies from seasoned investors or financial advisors should always be involved in your decision-making process. Join us in this episode as we unravel Nvidia's place in the AI industry and its market implications.

In this riveting episode of the Wilson Wealth Show, our host Ablavi, along with Maurice and special guest Gregory Devon, embarks on an illuminating discussion about traditional gender roles and their impact on financial stability and wealth generation. This deep-dive conversation delves into the complex debate surrounding the perception of a "high-value man," challenging the stereotypes associated with financial provisions, masculinity, and societal expectations. Through this engaging dialogue, the panelists discuss the evolution of the man as the central provider, taking into consideration both financial and non-financial aspects. They question how gender roles play out beyond the confines of the Black community, highlighting the critical issue of historical wealth accumulation and proper money management. The conversation also encompasses key areas such as corporate culture, individual ambitions, and societal influences on men's provision role. Moreover, the discussion explores the concept of wealth accumulation, emotional availability, and maintaining a healthy relationship, shedding light on the challenges of high-earning individuals. The conversation touches on the stereotypes set by social media and the significance of self-awareness and self-worth. It further investigates how generational wealth creation may result in emotional disconnect, leading to the significance of true companionship in creating enduring relationships. Experts Maurice Wilson and Gregory Devon share valuable insights and advice, focusing on the importance of goal-setting, financial independence, self-responsibility, and respect in relationships. In this enriching dialogue, the discourse unravels intricate aspects of career, relationships, and financial planning, thereby encouraging listeners to lead a purpose-oriented life and convert weaknesses into strengths. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to broaden their understanding of modern relationship dynamics, financialization of courtship, and the relevance of traditional gender roles in contemporary society.   Episode Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Setting the Topic   00:03:30 Greg’s Perspective on Provider vs. Highest Earner   00:08:08 Maurice’s View on Monetary Perspective of Providing   00:12:27 Black Community’s Historical Impact on Wealth Building   00:17:12 Perspectives on Male Leadership in the Household   00:21:03 Historical Wealth Building in Black Communities   00:29:27 High Value Man Debate on Social Media   00:30:18 The Financialization of American Society   00:33:34 The Importance of Character Over Income   00:40:45 The Search for Men Who Understand the Holistic Perspective   00:43:44 Examining Red Flags and Honesty in the Dating Pool   00:46:56 Unlearning Toxic Information and Valuing Each Other   00:47:40 Entanglement: Trust, Love, and Relationships   00:50:45 Transforming Ourselves for the Future We Desire   00:54:37 Realizing Where You Are and Seeking Help to Turn Around   00:57:54 Contentment and Purpose in Marriage and Life   01:01:43 Advice to young women: Look for a man with a future.   01:05:32 Teach girls to choose their own path, have financial independence.   01:09:10 Setting Personal Standards and Attracting the Right Relationships  

It’s all about time-honored, savvy advice tailored especially for Millennials on this special episode of The Wilson Wealth Show. Hosted by Maurice Wilson, Founder of Wilson Wealth, the focus is on smart financial planning strategies for people born between 1981 and 1996 – a huge group facing very particular challenges, thanks to things like high interest rates, a tight housing market, career instability and the pressures to keep up with influencers. You’ll learn about the negative impacts of social media, especially when it comes to trading long-term financial security for short-term lifestyle choices that are more “show” than “go.” Get sage advice from Millennial entrepreneurs like Garrison Warren, Laterio Jackson and Marcus­ Johnson of ­Nashville-based Johnson Capital Planning as well as actionable insights from our host and Ablavi Gbenyon-Little, his Director of Operations at Wilson Wealth. The panel covers everything from when and how to buy a home to why attending college isn’t – and doesn’t need to be – for everyone. If you’re a Millennial (or of any other generation!), this is your starting point for achieving the financial literacy, health and freedom you desire now – and into retirement!   Click here to learn more about the up-and-comers at Johnson Capital Planning or visit this link to meet the team at Wilson Wealth.   We hope you enjoyed this episode and will continue to follow, rate and review our show. Please click here to enjoy episodes from The Wilson Wealth Show archive!     Key Quotes:   “The days of not paying attention and just thinking that your income is going to be enough (to cover you through retirement) are over. It’s a disaster because it works until it doesn’t.” (Marcus)   “Homing in on what we want to do with our money is important because, if we don’t do that, without a plan for our money, that money’s going to get spent!” (Marcus)   “It’s a whirlwind of things that we’re dealing with. (High-living) is a great lifestyle from the looks of it, but in reality it’s kind of a ticking time bomb. The things that we’re doing today can really affect us in the future, financially and health-wise.” (Garrison)   “This (Millennial) generation can now build wealth incrementally in some of the best-run companies out there … You can automate a ‘keep the change’ program that’s going directly to your brokerage account.” (Maurice)   “Look into (life insurance) coverage while you’re young and healthy and get a policy to make sure you’re covered. There are also (term) life insurance policies that accumulate cash, which can be taken out on down the line.” (Laterio)   “The one thing that separates the people who are successful versus people that aren’t is that they were truly committed to whatever they did.” (Marcus)   “I was nervous. I was scared (to go out on my own). But I believed in my abilities.” (Garrison)   “So often we get caught up in trying to have the illusion of success today when we aren’t putting in the work to be that truly successful individual tomorrow.” (Maurice)   “It used to be that not going to college was a society marker for you being dumb, but now we’ve evolved past that. We use phraseology that allows us not to force anybody into a box ... It’s not about where you go but finding out what you want to do and giving it all you’ve got.” (Maurice)   “Become obsessed with figuring out what you want to be when you grow up and devise the plans to get there, understanding that you might have to pivot and adjust but if you stay focused you will accomplish your goal.” (Ablavi)   “The longer you stay in a career the more vulnerable you are to getting laid off in your 40s and not having a lot of options. So having a second income stream is probably one of the best pieces of advice you can give somebody.” (Maurice)     What We Covered: 0:25 – What defines a “Millennial” (born between 1981-1996) and why it’s a generation that demands our attention! 1:00 – About challenges Millennials are facing (that their Baby Boomer predecessors did not): Onerous student loans. Unaffordable/unavailable housing. Rising interest rates. Artificial Intelligence (and its implications). 1:25 – Meet our panel of Millennial experts: Marcus Johnson, founder of Johnson Capital Planning; Garrison Warren, VP at Johnson Capital Planning; Laterio Jackson, Director of Operations at Johnson Capital Planning; Ablavi Gbenyon-Little, Director of Operations at Wilson Wealth. 2:00 – Marcus spells out the key financial obstacles to building Millennial wealth: Avoidance: Lack of awareness and diligence about how they are spending money. Social Media: Unchecked spending to keep up appearances. Falling Short on Savings: Not setting aside funds to provide liquidity in retirement. 3:00 – How to budget, save and manage  debt! 3:45 – Key elements of a smart “spending plan” (aka budget!): What’s your overall monthly income? What are your predictable, fixed monthly expenses? (i.e. mortgage, car insurance, etc.) Are you running a deficit? If so, you need to make more money or cut expenses! Do you have a monthly surplus? It’s time to put that money to work for you! Set clear goals and benchmarks. 5:00 – Garrison, himself a Millennial, weighs in on the impacts of social media and the pressure to “keep up.” FOMO (fear of missing out) is real and can have real financial consequences. 6:30 – Warning: Maurice has observed that higher-income folks who tend to have the most vulnerability to immediate gratification rather than investing for long-term financial success. 7:40 – Garrison urges investing early in order to reap the benefits of compounding interest and committing to healthy habits to avert potentially costly medical issues and disqualification from life insurance. 09:48 – Marcus stresses the huge pay-off that can occur when we proactively manage our relationship with money and look at investing as a tool – and accelerator – for wealth. 11:00 – Laterio offers advice for Millennials who want to invest, even with limited resources. It starts with shifting your mindset and becoming financially literate! 13:00 – What is fractional investing? Maurice explains this new technology and how easy it is to purchase micro-amounts of attractive individual stocks. 14:15 – High interest rates, low inventory. Ablavi explores the considerations for Millennials when it comes to buying their first home, including: Saving for a down payment. Establishing excellent credit. Planning responsibly to carry the long-term financial commitment. Laying the foundation for a solid, reliable career/income. 15:25 – Is home ownership (or the possibility of being “house poor”) even a viable alternative for Millennials? A look at the upward interest rate cycle and what lies ahead, depending on geography and individual financial profiles. 17:20 – Laterio shares thoughts on life insurance, who needs it and at what point in life. It’s likely to be less costly and more available when you purchase as a young, healthy person. 19:30 – Where you want to be (at least 10x current income) when it comes to the amount of life insurance necessary to cover you and your family. Marcus also suggests you ask: What do you want your life insurance to do (and compensate for) if something were to happen to you? 23:10 – Getting entrepreneurial. Marcus reflects on his journey to starting an independent business and some of the common stumbling blocks for Millennials: Spreading their attention to thin; not committing to one focused project. Understanding that sacrifice is required and some days will be tough. Failing to keep the “why” front and center. Keeping to a vision that’s authentic (and not just something trending on social media). 25:45 – The secret to his success! What it took for Garrison to make a break from corporate banking to go out on his own in pursuit of a five-year plan to build independent wealth. 31:30 – What it looks like to be a Millennial parent who has switched careers. Laterio shares thoughts about the value of higher education, what she’s advising her teen-age daughter and why getting work experience is critical. 33:50 – Key Advice: Why Maurice believes it’s important to remind young people that careers can evolve and change. What you choose to do at 18 or 21 doesn’t have to be for life! 35:00 – Words to the Wise – The Panel’s Best Advice for Millennials Today: Ablavi: Become obsessed with figuring out what you want to be when you grow up and making the plans to get there. Even if you have to pivot, you’ll get there if you stay focused. Also: Consider starting a side hustle to protect against an unexpected layoff. Garrison: Stay off social media for social media’s sake! Take life seriously and plan for the unexpected. Get that life insurance early! Life is a journey, not a competition. Laterio: Remember that time is among your most valuable assets. Don’t allow yourself to be consumed by the thoughts of others about what your life should look like. Create a life for the person you want to be, bearing in mind that it might change down the line. Be gentle with – and invest in – yourself on the daily! Marcus: Remember that the people who make the most money in this world are the people who solve problems for other people. If you can figure out a way to do that, you’ll always have an income stream. 43:04 – Marcus’s Six Nuggets of Financial Wisdom: #1: Have a clear, specific idea of what you want your money to do. #2: Create an automated program for investing your money. #3: Diversify your investments and income streams. #4: Develop a long-term retirement plan. It’s not a short-term or do-it-yourself project! #5: Buy life insurance to create wealth. It’s a tax-free way to leave money to your kids. #6 : Protect your main investment: You! Self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. 44:43 – Parting Thought: Maurice emphasizes the importance of taking downtime to recharge and using time wisely. (Check out Episode 1 of The Wilson Wealth Show, "The Value of Time.")     Further Links/Relevant Resources: Garrison’s recommended listening: The Planet Money Podcast. Click here for more about Sunday rituals to set you up for success. View Episode 1 of The Wilson Wealth Show, “The Value of Time,” at this link.     Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram   Episode 34 – The Wilson Wealth Show All About Millennials & Money Host: Maurice Wilson, Founder of Wilson Wealth Guests: Marcus Johnson, Garrison Warren, Laterio Jackson & Ablavi Gbenyon-Little        

Episode 33 – The Wilson Wealth Show New South Real Estate Host: Ablavi Gbenyon-Little Guests: Jahlil Lord, Derrick Salter and Herman Hicks, Maurice Wilson & Marcus Johnson Summary: Nashville, Charlotte and Atlanta – an area dubbed the Piedmont-Atlantic mega-region – is having a moment. Join Maurice Wilson, founder of Wilson Wealth, for an in-depth look at these dynamic markets on this episode of The Wilson Wealth Show. Host Ablavi Gbenyon-Little takes a distinguished panel of guests with a range of business, real estate and investment expertise through an overview of how “New South” economies are doing in this post-pandemic moment. The panelists include real estate developer Derrick Salter, certified wealth strategist and banking executive Herman Hicks and financial services provider Jahlil Lord. Rounding out the group is Nashville-based Marcus Johnson, a planner with Wilson Wealth. You’ll come away from this lively conversation with a clear sense of where opportunities (both real estate- and business-related) are both hottest and most affordable as well as a practical list of factors to consider before making any commitments. The group also considers the impacts of rising interest rates and remote work on the commercial real estate market and digs into pockets of affordability for newer investors. They also take a look at the outlook for Airbnbs and how to accumulate that all-important liquidity. It’s all about closing the “wealth gap” and building solid, transgenerational financial rewards for Black-owned businesses and families. Join us!   We hope you enjoyed this episode of The Wilson Wealth Show! Please click here to explore our archive of previous shows!     Key Quotes: “The interest rates are extremely high compared to what we’ve been accustomed to seeing, which may be the new norm.” (Marcus)   “What’s important right now is to really make sure you structure the right deal on the front end when you get into commercial real estate.” (Herman)   “Real estate is completely based on cycles. A lot of people have not seen this cycle (featuring higher interest rates) before, but this is not anything new.” (Herman)   “In a city like Nashville … this is not a good market to be just now entering Airbnb. You need to find that next market. Places like Huntsville, Alabama, or places on the coast of Florida that are not as developed yet.” (Derrick)   “People (in Charlotte) are waiting on the sidelines, waiting either for interest rates to go down or some type of landslide in (real estate) prices.” (Jahlil)   “Properties (in Charlotte) have appreciated so much … (and) buyers are not motivated because of those high interest rates.” (Marcus)   “Charlotte as a city may be slowing down but it’s actually impacting the surrounding areas positively.” (Jahlil)   “Atlanta is still a place where you can find real estate deals if you know where to look. I don’t think there are as many deals … but if you’re willing to go to more rural areas further out from the city, you can definitely find deals.” (Ablavi)   “Atlanta has been a touchstone for the movement … If you own a Black business, you have to have some exposure to Atlanta. It’s kind of like our New York.” (Maurice)   “A lot of Black folk in Atlanta are starting their own companies … and we can definitely help contribute to closing that wealth gap.” (Marcus)   “The cost of living (in Huntsville) compared to Nashville, Charlotte and Atlanta is dirt cheap. Your dollar is going to stretch a whole lot farther there.” (Derrick)   “Business-wise I would headquarter in Atlanta for one reason: I’m no longer a Black business. I’m just a business. Atlanta has transcended.” (Maurice)   “You’re not just going to thrive (in Atlanta) because you’re a minority. You’re going to thrive because business is booming ... It is like the mecca for us and you can’t beat it.” (Jahlil)   “There’s just so much opportunity for everybody to be successful (in Atlanta) and I think that that is part of the allure of the city. It just depends on lifestyle.” (Ablavi)   What We Covered: The state of commercial real estate in Atlanta, Charlotte and Nashville (what the Regional Planning Association calls the Piedmont-Atlantic mega-region or “New South”). Herman Hicks breaks down the landscape in Nashville: Post-pandemic vacancies have opened up buying opportunities, even given higher interest rates. Factors to consider when structuring a commercial real estate deal: Loan-to-value ratio. Cash flow. Leasing options. Understanding tenant profiles and qualifications. About the very real impacts of remote working on the commercial real estate space. How tenants can maximize leases by leveraging “tenant improvement” allowances. All About Triple-Net Deals: A lease between a business and the real estate owner. The tenant pays taxes, insurance and for everything inside the walls. The owner is responsible for everything outside the walls. The reality of commercial real estate: Don’t believe everything you see on social media. The barriers to entry on larger buildings are high. Equity comes from liquidity, which means bridging the wealth gap. Purchasing a million-dollar property requires a minimum 20% cash down. There’s nothing simple about large acquisitions and the cash flow/liquidity required. Where investors park their cash: Tax-deferred retirement accounts. Blue-chip/conservative stocks. Short-term CDs. Term life insurance. Derrick Salter takes a look at the Airbnb short-term rental market: Travel has had a major post-pandemic bump. More recently there has been a dip (probably due to increased interest rates and a surfeit of available rentals). Social media makes it look easy (and often easier than it actually is). Purchasing at a modest price point is key to breaking even. To turn a profit requires owning multiple (at least 10) units. Derrick’s Top Three Things to Know About Running an Airbnb Business: #1: Know the market you’re entering. #2: Know where travelers are going. #3: Know your revenue forecast and break-even point. Jahlil weighs in on the state of commercial real estate in Charlotte: An impasse! Business has boomed, which equates to a big bump in prices. Property values inflated during pandemic. Post-pandemic prices were high even as interest rates were increasing. The current climate is …wait and see! People of color are investing in real estate in Charlotte, but aren’t always as aware as they need to be of the implications of real estate cycles. Despite a slow-down in the Charlotte real estate market (due to interest rates and lack of inventory), the city and surrounding areas are booming and transforming! Jahlil’s Top Three Things to Know About the Charlotte Commercial RE Market: #1: Know and clean up your financial profile before you go shopping. #2: Know the demographic you’re serving (factors like age and income). #3: Know your long-term goals in terms of loan structure and disposition of the building. Ablavi offers a look at Atlanta real estate: The deals in metro Atlanta are harder to come by than they used to be. Great opportunities still exist at reasonable price points outside metro Atlanta. Business opportunities are abundant. Black-owned businesses are on the rise! Maurice weighs in with the long view on Atlanta’s role in the Black business community and as a touchstone for the New South. Which of the top three Piedmont-Atlantic cities offers the best opportunities for real estate investors, home owners and businesses? Herman: Atlanta because the price points are still reasonable and there’s more bang for the buck. Nashville and Charlotte are more recession-proof but you pay accordingly! Marcus: Echoing Herman’s thoughts, he adds that cities like Huntsville and Birmingham in Alabama also offer good opportunities. Derrick: He doesn’t think people starting out should try to compete in developed areas like Atlanta, Charlotte or Nashville, preferring smaller, more affordable cities like Huntsville. Maurice: Atlanta and surrounding areas (where bargains can still be found) offer the biggest base for establishing a thriving business that transcends race. Jahlil: Charlotte offers both a strong economy and buying opportunities (especially on the outskirts). But Atlanta is a powerhouse in terms of business climate and growth. Ablavi: The investors she knows are tending to look for deals outside of metro Atlanta, where the real estate is pricier. Home ownership and starting a business may also be out of reach inside the downtown area. Opportunities are out there. It’s just a matter of doing the homework and seeking advice from qualified financial and business planners.   Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram    

In this episode we discuss the themes that dominated first half of 2023.  Artificial intelligence, inflation, and the banking crisis.  Is AI real?  What are the short and long term impacts of AI?  How should we invest?  What do we make of the banking crisis and inflation?   Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Episode 31 – The Wilson Wealth Show The Great Resignation with Guest Bryan Woodward   Summary: Have you heard about The Great Resignation? Are you feeling its effects? The Bureau of Labor statistics reports that as of November 2021 some 4.5 million Americans had quit their jobs – a trend that doesn’t seem to be letting up. It could be attributable to a number of things, but the consensus is that pandemic is the spark that ignited a lot of long-simmering kindling. This episode of “The Wilson Wealth Show” breaks down the factors driving people to reconsider their jobs – or whether they should be working at all.   Co-hosts Maurice, Ciera and Ablavi welcome Bryan Woodward, who provides his take on the role technology has played in reshaping today’s economy and workplace. Together they are sharing their observations about everything from the staffing shortages we’re all seeing at places like Starbucks to the ongoing housing market madness which – depending on whether you’re selling or buying – has made real estate either incredibly lucrative or completely out of reach. Other factors inspiring people to make a wholesale change? Burnout on the job is No. 1, according to research. Quitting is also more of an option both because jobs are plentiful, greener pastures abundant and for many the stock market has made their retirement nest egg fat enough to offer options.   Pandemic forced many Americans to take a breath and consider: Is this the life I want? Current economic conditions are inspiring in many people a desire to freelance, start up a business or take some other kind of entrepreneurial plunge. Others are saying “See ya” to employers who aren’t willing to embrace remote work and flex-time. How long The Great Resignation continues and which demographics it ultimately will best serve remains to be seen, but all the co-hosts agree that there is a very intentional shift going on as people figure out what they can do to enjoy quality of life and a sense of satisfaction in addition to income. “For many people it’s a realization that they hate working the way they work,” says Maurice. “They want to do it on their own terms now – and they can!”   We hope you enjoy this episode and will continue to join us for more in the year ahead. Please click here to listen to previous shows recorded in 2021!     Key Quotes:   “The same way that it’s a seller’s market in real estate I think in the job market folks that are professionals, have a degree or a specialized expertise, are seeing their wages go up tremendously.” (Bryan)   “If you can go to another organization and get a 20% or 30% pay increase, how long would that take you in your current position? There’s a lot of people are trading up!” (Bryan)   “Americans’ approach to work is really intense and stressful. It’s a cultural thing and because of the pandemic … people had time to reflect on, ‘Is this what I want for the rest of my life?’ ” (Ablavi)   “Because we don’t really study history … we don’t really understand work conditions. And U.S. businesses are task masters and will drive you into the ground if given a chance.” (Maurice)   “For many people it’s a realization that they hate working the way they work. They want to do it on their own terms now – and they can!” (Maurice)   “The country has proven that it can be just as – if not more – productive (to work) from home. So what sense would it make to do what we were doing five years ago? The organizations that don’t get that are going to be at a disadvantage in the job market.” (Ablavi)   “Diversity is on the rise … It’s good for business and good for our country overall. It’s just going to make us better and more innovative.” (Bryan)   “For entrepreneurs and new business owners coming on the scene there are a lot of tools and resources available now to support them.” (Bryan)   “If you aren’t making money, you’ve got to go back to work. No matter your plan. That’s critical in life, so it’s advantageous to plan.” (Ablavi)   “Everyone now has to adapt to this new normal and whoever does it the best is going to be rewarded. So overall, collectively, it’s a great thing.” (Bryan)   “With this turning point, inflection point, paradigm shift – whatever you want to call it – I’m optimistic that we can move the football forward and get to something that’s better for everybody involved.” (Maurice)     What We Covered: 00:00 – What exactly is The Great Resignation and is it real? The answer is: Yes! 01:20 – The panelists weigh in on the evidence they’ve seen of large numbers of workers quitting their jobs and likely drivers of the trend, including: A hyper sellers’ market among mid-range homes ($600k or less). Early retirements as a result of burnout – in part because the market has been so strong that some clients are making more money off their investments than their day jobs. Well-compensated people resigning to move to greener pastures. People who have accumulated nest eggs and/or are dual-earning are taking a break. 05:28 – Ciera shares recent research that indicates that burn-out is the No. 1 reason people are resigning, which mirrors an Indeed survey that found 27% of people struggle to unplug from work and 2/3s of professionals believe the pandemic has only intensified the problem. 07:04 – Ablavi recalls with fondness how appealing and evenly paced adulthood looked from her little girl’s vantage point years ago. Meanwhile, today’s workplace is hyper-stressful and loyalty is not repaid by employers, who take advantage of people to the point of burnout. 09:35 – Pandemic forced people to take a beat and consider a) Is this the life I want? and b) Now that we’ve seen that we can work from home, are there other opportunities out there? 11:00 – Maurice uses his own experience as a springboard to reflect on Corporate America and the pull to escape cubicles in favor of independent pursuits – which is more doable than ever in today’s remote and gig economy. 13:50 – Over the past two years corporations have been forced to experiment with remote technology and flexibility. Going into a physical office has drawbacks that employers are reconsidering in light of productivity, which has not dropped off during pandemic. 15:20 – The double-edged sword for workers: Data suggest that many people who work at home wind up blurring the lines and taking over personal space, mentally and physically. 17:50 – We’re not going backwards and the hosts agree remote options for workers are going to be standard going forward and those companies that don’t adopt at least a hybrid model will lose out in the job market. Valuing employees and providing flexibility are non-negotiable. 22:00 – Marcus offers some historical perspective, including the fact that Labor has often splintered as the result of those in power, who are skilled at locating potential divisions and exploiting them for their own purposes.        25:00 – Bryan shares data from a Salesforce.com study that suggest people – including those who have participated in The Great Resignation – are thinking creatively and innovating entrepreneurial ventures independently. Freelancing has seen a surge! 26:47 – The No. 2 reason people are quitting their jobs: They’ve had it with the lack of respect, inclusivity and equity. They are not only quitting but, in some cases, suing for discriminatory practices. It constitutes a major workplace culture shift. 29:27 – The hosts consider what the future might hold for entrepreneurs, who are bringing energy and opportunity to the economy. Technology has lowered the barrier of entry, but will these ventures be sustainable in the long term? At some point, it may not be as economically feasible to up and leave a job. 32:00 – Maurice weighs in on the DEI issue and demographic trends he sees in his own community and clientele. American corporate culture – and society at large – are being pushed to give up business as usual, a development he believes is here to stay. 34:25 – Where we are now: Is it progress? Is it positive? Ablavi believes it’s all good – so long as those who leave their jobs have a financial plan and a point of entry back into the workforce should that become necessary. Maurice sees a mixed picture. Making meaningful changes to workplace conditions is overdue, but he is concerned with how the economy and businesses will absorb service personnel shortages and the supply crunch. Bryan cites Covid19 as a historical watershed moment that has precipitated change. With it comes pluses and minuses, but he believes in the aggregate the system needed re-examination and reinvention. 38:38 – Ciera wraps up the episode with some optimistic observations about how the American workplace will eventually be remade in a better image. It’s just a matter of navigating the growing pains between here and there!     Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram  

Guest: Ashlee Brooks, Owner, Brooks & Associates Tax Consulting    Summary: When it comes to taxes, alas, it’s never too soon to get started. Which is why this episode of The Wilson Wealth Show is focused on helping you get ahead of the curve with leading-edge advice from tax expert Ashlee Brooks. As the owner of Brooks & Associates Tax Consulting, she’s dedicated not only to preparing filings but also educating her clients about the role smart tax strategy plays in building wealth and a worry-free retirement.   This conversation covers a range of topics relevant for business owners trying to decide whether or when to convert to S corp status, including potential write-offs. Ashlee also makes the case for investing early and at the maximum possible in retirement vehicles, protecting and growing dollars that would otherwise wind up going to the IRS. She and Maurice get specific about investment decisions that will monetize your hard-earned income well into the future. New cars and fancy houses are great, but if you want to build transgenerational wealth, your financial plan has to include an element of savvy tax strategy. This episode of Wilson Wealth breaks down exactly why – and how to get started!   You can reach out to Ashlee at her website or via @LinkedIn and @Insta.   We hope you enjoyed this episode and will continue to join us for more lively conversations planned for the year ahead. Please click here to listen to previous shows recorded in 2021! Key Quotes:   “It’s all about buying low and hoping if (the market) goes lower you have more capital to deploy at those prices.” (Maurice)   “When I’m speaking with a client, we’re not just preparing a tax return one time a year. We’re reviewing the tax return, looking line by line to understand their income, how it’s calculated and the tax liability.” (Ashlee)   “I’m really big on education to help people to be proactive because … tax returns are a key way of getting closer to (financial) goals.” (Ashlee)   “The average person doesn’t understand a balance sheet, but the biggest component is net worth. Whether it’s your net worth personally or the net worth of your business, that tells what type of ownership you have.” (Ashlee)   “If your net profit is $30k or more, that is the ideal time where you would want to look at being elected as an S corp.” (Ashlee)   “The biggest key to being an S corp from an LLC standpoint is that the money you’re paying yourself gets a bit of a write-off and that’s a huge way to save on taxes.” (Ashlee) “(LLCs and S corps) may not be beneficial for everybody. They can put a lot of people in a hole or put them in a position to be audited.” (Ashlee)   “If you can put money into a 401k, an IRA, one of those vehicles to save you on taxes, why would you not do that? Why would you rather pay the IRS thousands of dollars when you could have put that money into your retirement and reduce your tax liability?” (Ashlee)   “The mindset has to shift in terms of how we think about spending money … Would you rather pay your future self or the IRS?” (Ashlee)   “Investments are how you monetize a lifetime worth of work. It’s your exit strategy … You may have the cars and houses and bank account, but is anything growing when you stop working?” (Maurice)     What We Covered: 2:30 – Intros 3:33 – In the current market climate, there are stock and retirement investment opportunities to consider in terms of improving your tax basis. 4:46 – Ashlee talks about tax education and her role in helping clients understand how to plan for and build transgenerational wealth.  6:30 – Ashlee a recent presentation she gave about requirements for self-employed individuals seeking to purchase a home. 7:53 – It’s not generally within the realm of financial advisors’ expertise, but nonetheless very important to have an accurate base financial statement at the ready (for retirement planning or to secure a loan, for instance). That’s where tax planning experts like Ashlee come in! 12:38 – Ashlee shares the ins and outs of S corps. Who needs them and why? What’s the difference between an LLC and a “C” corporation? 14:45 – There are benefits to consider when deciding when/whether to become an S corp: You can start paying yourself as a W-2 employee and secure a write-off on the salary. You can offer yourself a bonus that will be taxed at a more favorable rate. 16:45 – Ashlee and Maurice break down the potential tax savings associated with converting to an LLC, including a significant reduction in onerous self-employment taxes for things like social security and Medicare. 20:30 – Timing is everything. Ashlee helps clients figure out not only whether to convert to an LLC but also determine when it makes sense in light of compliance, filing requirements and other variables. 23:20 – No matter your background, your status, your class, Ashlee believes it’s critical that you understand how taxes work. Not every detail, but at least the basics and some strategies to protect your best interests as you grow your money. 25:15 – Ashlee breaks down the basics on various retirement investment vehicles (SEP IRA and solo 401k). It’s a win-win: Reduce tax burden and invest in retirement. It’s a matter of mindset! 30:10 – Time flies. Even if you’re relatively young, it’s never too soon to take advantage of retirement investing and the tax benefits it confers. 34:10 – In combination with sound investments, smart tax strategy plays a huge role in overall wealth building.     Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Heading into the new year, The Wilson Wealth Show team focuses on reflections, resolutions and understanding the big picture. Intentionality takes center stage as Ablavi, Marcus and Maurice discuss their plans for 2022 and the discipline they’re bringing in pursuit of opportunity on the horizon. The co-hosts take a look at where we’ve been and where we’re likely headed, given historical economic, geopolitical, technological and cultural cycles. They’re excited!   Pandemic is also front-and-center on this episode: The many impacts of coronavirus not only in terms of disruption and loss of loved ones, but also because of the shifts that have occurred as a result. People no longer feel chained to dead-end jobs or cubicle commutes, which Maurice believes will have profound long-term impacts on family life and the economy. The co-hosts discuss trends in real estate in their respective markets in the “New New South” and what it means for the Black middle and working class.   Advisors at Wilson Wealth clearly see a rising level of interest among clients, who are exploring investment vehicles that might previously have seemed out of reach. The goal is to guide people at all ages and stages of life through landmines on the way to prosperity. Tune in to get oriented for 2022 and also hear about evergreen podcasts from 2021 (links below) that – if you haven’t heard them already – you won’t want to miss!   We hope you enjoyed this episode and will continue to join us for more in the year ahead. Please click here to listen to previous shows recorded in 2021!     Key Quotes: “Like with a lot of stuff in our community, we touch stuff and make it cool and I feel like we’ve brought the idea of making money into the mainstream.” (Marcus) “I like setting a (New Year’s) word versus a goal because then it’s something you can keep at and keep at doing.” (Maurice) “In broad strokes you have nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, metaverse, all the sustainability initiatives – all of that is pushing and shifting our economy.” (Maurice) “The coronavirus removed the muzzle that people had on in terms of complaining about their jobs and seeking different alternatives ... People are realizing the freedoms of not having to go into a cubicle every day.” (Maurice) “Any time you have great change you have a lot of problems that need to be solved, and those solutions are profitable and that leads to a great stock market.” (Maurice) “It’s going to come down to the have’s and the have-not’s … At the end of the day you just really have to have your money right to make certain moves. Period.” (Ablavi) “It isn’t fair but if your income isn’t at a certain place, unfortunately you’re going to be adversely impacted. That’s just how it works.” (Ablavi) “The Fed’s going to do what the Fed’s going to do, but if the economy is going to expand, it will expand. I’m really excited.” (Maurice)   What We Covered: 0:00 - Intros 1:00 – Sharing reflections on 2021, including cultural shifts that are fostering candid conversations about money. 3:20 – Last year saw clients opening up to things they previously thought were for “other people,” like investing in Bitcoin or other lesser-known market vehicles. 5:20 – About resolutions and what they look like, year over year. Intentionality is the mantra for Marcus, which Maurice reveals is coincidentally a huge goal within his household as well. 8:00 – About keeping 2022 resolutions going beyond the Q1 “gym effect,” in which enthusiasm for diet and exercise goals drops off a few months into the new year. 9:08 – The panel reflects on some of their favorite podcast episodes* of 2021, including: "The Value of Time" "The Value of HBCUs" "Trapped By Success" "Dating & Money" "Maternity & Money" "Women in Business" *Available on iTunes, Podbean, Google Podcast and @ www.wilsonwealth.com 13:33 – Looking ahead to the coming year’s forecast, Maurice uses historical references to understand where we are geo-politically, economically and technologically. 16:21 – Pandemic has had tremendous impacts on our culture around work and alternatives to being chained to a cubicle and unhappy work conditions. 16:55 – Marcus shares thoughts on stock market volatility. There are uncertainties that could impact the overall economy, but he doesn’t see this as a reason to shy away from long-term investments that pay off over time. 18:47 – Ablavi takes a look at the real estate market and upcoming Federal Reserve interest rate changes as well as inventory and points of entry. Marcus also reports huge demand in Nashville pushing per-square-foot pricing and whether that growth is sustainable. Maurice sees a steady trajectory as the “New New South” builds out. 23:45 – Some historic perspective. Maurice recalls the arc of the “new black middle class” in Atlanta dating to the 80s, its flowering over time and replication in Nashville’s more recent boom. Charlotte doesn’t quite yet have the same mix of culture and vibrancy, but “hope springs eternal.” 25:08 – The Fed: It’s always front-and-center for investors and can do no right, especially when it comes to increasing interest rates. But Maurice notes the anomaly that black families have historically improved their financial picture during periods of overall rate tightening. 27:45 – The hosts pause to share their excitement about what lays ahead both for the podcast and Wilson Wealth’s clients moving into 2022.     Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: www.wilsonwealth.com Facebook: Wilson Wealth | Facebook Maurice:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/wilsonwealth/  Wilson Wealth @Wilson Wealth (@wilsonwealth) • Instagram photos and videos     

In today's episode of the Wilson Wealth show, we are talking about Roth IRAs and the people who beat the system and made billions off them. The most famous example of this is Peter Theil. Peter Theil is the co-founder of PayPal, however he is most known for his five-billion-dollar Roth Individual Retirement Account balance. Join us as we discuss ethical dilemmas, congressional responses and how the average person can make significant money through these investment vehicles as well.    Please visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com, on Instagram and Twitter @wilsonwealth and on Facebook www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth for more information about us and the company.    Quotes  “Peter has congress second guessing the tax policies of these investment vehicles. Massachusetts Democratic Representative Richard Neal, who chairs the House Ways and means Committee, has requested a proposal to “stop IRAs from being exploited” -Ciera  “The outrage should be targeted at the politicians that protect these loopholes not the people who jump through them.” -Maurice  “These are tools to help you build wealth in the stock market.  Tools get misused all the time.  Using these accounts for retirement is a misuse.” -Maurice 

On this week's episode of the Wilson Wealth Show, we interview successful entrepreneur and friend of the show Derrick Salter. Derrick Gives us a tell- all about his journey from a successful and beloved school principal to a very successful entrepreneur running his own real estate business and living life on his own terms. We were most interested in Derricks speedy success, in just under five years he’s gone from five investment properties to over 40 with more on the way. Tune in to find out what he has to say about his success and what it took for him to get to where he is today. To find out more about us and the company, please visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com, on Instagram and Twitter @wilsonwealth and on Facebook www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth.    Quotes Most people can’t do what I do. - Derrick Salter I listened to my wife and she said you’re actually losing money going to that job everyday. - Derrick Salter Having passion alone doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be successful.  - Maurice Wilson I just did it instead of just talking about it. - Derrick Salter All my friends started making money. - Derrick Salter I wish I would have bought more real estate earlier on.  - Derrick Salter In order to help somebody else you got to help yourself first. - Derrick Salter You have to have luck.  - Derrick Salter Doing it and not talking about has been the biggest key to my success. - Derrick Salter   For more information about us and the company, visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com, on Instagram and Twitter @wilsonwealth and on Facebook www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth.

In today’s podcast, Maurice sit down with business owner, Lisa Brooks, to discuss how she left corporate America to start a successful company that has taken her from local celebrity to feature chef on The Tamron Hall Show.   Quotes Everything great in life happens on the other side of fear. – Lisa Brooks   You’re never too old to change the direction of your life.  I did so at 40.  The best decision I ever made. – Lisa Brooks   I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.  I’m the most secure I’ve ever been financially, and I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. – Lisa Brooks   For more information about us and the company, visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com, on Instagram and Twitter @wilsonwealth and on Facebook www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth.  

In today's episode of the Wilson Wealth Show, we dive into the insanity that is the current housing market. This year has broken every record imaginable in the selling and buying market, creating what many experts are theorizing is a bubble reminiscent of the 2007 crash. In part one of this two-part series, we are deep diving into all the arguments theorizing another historic crash in the market, and giving our predictions based on our research and opinions. Next week, in part two, we will be looking into other sources saying otherwise and why. So tune in and find out what the housing market means for you and your future home.   For more information about us and the company, visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com, on Instagram and Twitter @wilsonwealth and on Facebook www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth.     Quotes   “The housing market is seeing all-time record-breaking statistics across the board. Home prices: record high. Inventory: record low. Percentage of homes selling above asking price: record high. Average time on market: record low.” -Ciera    “Literally builders can’t build new homes fast enough and it’s getting to the point, where some aren’t even paying real estate agents or if they are they are lowering their commission, because there is so much demand. It comes down to supply and demand. When demand is high, prices go up.” -Ablavi    “The bubble occurs when hype and reality create a virtuous buying cycle that keeps the prices of an asset rising until eventually all the buyers dry up (for a host of different reasons) and the cycle unwinds, or the bubble bursts.” -Maurice 

On this episode the Wilson Wealth Show, Ciera and Maurice discuss the Biden Marriage Tax.   Please visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com, on Instagram and Twitter @wilsonwealth and on Facebook www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth for more information about us and the company, we’ll see you guys next week on the Wilson Wealth Show.

Today's podcast starts off our new series on the American wedding industry, today we are talking about The Wedding Hustle: How America’s Wedding Industry Gets Rich. The wedding industry is seeing a huge boom after COVID-19 canceled so many weddings back in 2020. With everyone trying to have the perfect wedding on a budget, don’t let the wedding industry take advantage of you!   Listen in as Ciera, Maurice, and Ablavi give their controversial opinions about wedding culture and the industry it fuels.    Please visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com, on Instagram and Twitter @wilsonwealth and on Facebook www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth for more information about us and the company, we’ll see you guys next week on the Wilson Wealth Show.   Quotes “If you’re in the wedding industry, you’re robbing people.” - Ciera McCosh   “Vendors charge more for the same services if they know the event they are catering is a wedding.” - Ciera   “Those who aren't getting married should not be inflicting pressure on those who are.” - Ablavi

Today's podcast starts off our new series on the American wedding industry, today we are talking about The Wedding Hustle:  How America’s Wedding Industry Gets Rich. The wedding industry is seeing a huge boom after COVID-19 canceled so many weddings back in 2020. With everyone trying to have the perfect wedding on a budget, don’t let the wedding industry take advantage of you! Listen in as Ciera, Maurice, and Ablavi give their controversial opinions about wedding culture and the industry it fuels. And tune in next week for part two! Please visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com, on Instagram and Twitter @wilsonwealth and on Facebook www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth for more information about us and the company, we’ll see you guys next week on the Wilson Wealth Show.    Quotes  “If you’re in the wedding industry, you’re robbing people.” - Ciera McCosh   “Vendors charge more for the same services if they know the event they are catering is a wedding.” - Ciera   “Those who aren't getting married should not be inflicting pressure on those who are.” - Ablavi 

In today's podcast, our host Ciera and Maurice talk about the final installation of this month's alternative homes series, kit homes. Kit homes are mail-order houses, delivered in parts by a manufacturer and stick built on the property by either you or a contractor. This up-and-coming home building fad dates back to the early 20th century and exploded in popularity during the baby boom. Tune in to find out more about the new explosion of kit homes and why it could be a great option for you. Please visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com, on Instagram and Twitter @wilsonwealth and on Facebook www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth for more information about us and the company.    Quotes  “Right exactly, basically you pick a design you want from a specific manufacturer, and they just come deliver all the precut materials and you put together your dream home.” - Ciera  “Over 100,000 kit homes were built between 1908- 1940, and according to the University of Maryland archivist, Sears was the biggest kit home manufacturer from that era.” - Ciera    “This could be a great option for people who like DIY or have the time to put in the work considering the money you'll save; however, my only advice is to know yourself and what you can handle before you commit to this because you are still building a house from the ground up which is a big task.” -Maurice      

On today’s episode of the Wilson Wealth Show, Ciera and Maurice talk about another alternative home option, shipping container homes. Shipping container homes are a fast-growing trend where out-of-service container homes are used as building materials for various types of unique homes. With homes ranging from a little as 10,000 dollars to as much as 175,000 dollars depending on how many are stacked and what amenities are put in, these containers are a cheap way to build your dream house or a minimal starter home. Find out if a container home is right for you in this week's installment of this month's series: Alternative Homes.  To find out more about us and the company, please visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com, on Instagram and Twitter @wilsonwealth and on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth.    Quotes:  “This can be for people of all socioeconomic classes; you can get a cheap starter home in your 20s or if your older and more established you can build the home of your dreams and go crazy with the design for half the price.” - Maurice    “You can pretty much do anything you want design wise; you can have them laid out farmhouse style or stack them to make multiple floors, it doesn’t have to be boxy I've seen a lot of cool designs with big windows and a more modern style.” - Ciera    “The smallest shipping container can be as small as 100 square feet, but eight larger containers put together can make a two-story house with about 1400 square feet of floor space.” - Ciera  

In today's episode of The Wilson Wealth show, our host, Ciera, and financial advisor Maurice talk about the Tiny Home movement. Tiny homes were popularized a few years ago by millennials and viewed as a fad. However, in recent years many home builders have jumped on the bandwagon and offer many different options for those looking to live in a sustainable home with travel abilities. With many millennials and older Gen Z unable to purchase a house the traditional way due to the current economic downturn and rough housing market, Wilson Wealth is showcasing different affordable options this month with our series "Alternative Homes." To find out more about the company and us, please visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com, on Instagram and Twitter @wilsonwealth, and Facebook www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth for more information about the company and us.   Quotes: “You have to remember it is a downsize, depending on what you get they can be smaller than a studio or about the size of a one-bedroom apartment” - Ciera “I think this is a good option for people who are either younger or retired who just want to travel around in their actual home” - Ciera “Owning a tiny home would create equity just like owning any home, so it would be a better option than wasting money on an apartment that does nothing but drain money” -Maurice  

In this episode of the Wilson Wealth Show, Maurice and Ciera discuss the three things you need to know when buying life insurance.  Maurice mentions that life insurance is for the unexpected.  No one expects to die, thus life insurance is a must for anyone seeking to build wealth and leave a legacy for their children.   We at Wilson Wealth are committed to helping you build generational wealth, to find out more about us please visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com and follow us on Instagram (@wilsonwealth) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth) for more information about us and the company.

In today’s podcast, we discuss what spending should look like in retirement. Most people spend their adult lives saving as much as possible for their retirement, but no one talks about the best way to spend that money. Maurice breaks down the common spending trends in retirement from the first ten years to the last ten years and what the best habits are in order to lower taxes and continue bettering credit. Retirement is meant to be spent, so tune in to find out more about how to live out your golden years in style while keeping that budget intact!  We at Wilson Wealth are committed to helping you build generational wealth, to find out more about us please visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com and follow us on Instagram (@wilsonwealth) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth) for more information about us and the company.   Quotes   “Imagine you're planning a vacation and you're looking at the weather and packing your bags, but you don’t plan an itinerary for when you actually get there, this is what people are doing when they save for retirement but aren't planning on how to spend their money.” - Maurice     “Most retirees will have most of their money coming out of an IRA which means you will always have to be running the tax numbers in your head, and the best way to avoid that is to have a fixed amount of money you're pulling out” - Maurice.    “Plan for a thirty-year retirement or longer “- Maurice    “You want to make a big-ticket bucket list that lists out everything you want to do in your first ten years of retirement and add all of it up, which I'm guessing would add up to about 100,000 dollars.” -Maurice    “It's best to avoid big withdrawals by financing instead.” - Maurice    

On this week's episode of the Wilson Wealth Show, our team discusses a big investment that many well-off families make for their children, private schooling. We ask the question, is private school worth it? We did a deep dive into the difference between private and public-school testing scores as well as some research on pricing, and which celebrities attended private vs public school. With private school costing almost as much as a college education, join us as we weigh the pros and cons of such an expense and find out if its right for you!  We at Wilson Wealth are committed to helping you build generational wealth, to find out more about us please visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com and follow us on Instagram (@wilsonwealth) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth) for more information about us and the company.    Quotes   “If your objective is to create generational wealth, then private school is not matching up with that objective” - Ablavi  “Basically, private school is for people who already have generational wealth, usually for legacy purposes, it's not really cohesive with the middle-class lifestyle” -Ciera  “Private school is like a trap fueled by peer pressure, once you're in it and its not working, it seems like social suicide to take your kids out”- Maurice   

In today's podcast The Wilson Wealth Show talks about investing in your child past the age of 18 and what that means in our current economy. Kids are having to stay at home longer and college is going up in price so what are parents to do? With the cost of raising a child at an all-time high, is it a worthy investment to continue to help your child past the age of eighteen? How do you save for retirement with the extra expenses of keeping your child into their twenties? Maurice, Ciera and Ablavi answer all these questions and more in this week's installment of our April investment series: “Is Your Child Still a Good Investment?”.  Please visit us at www.wilsonwealth.com and follow us on Instagram (@wilsonwealth) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth) for more information about us and the company.    Quotes   “We are keeping our children longer than 18, times have changed for a lot of parents” -Ciera   “The term boomerang kids means you throw out a kid at 18 and they have to come back four to five years later, that window of when a child comes back and leaves for good is getting longer.”- Maurice   “That Window of kids leaving used to be 18-25 but now it's more 18- 30, which means your expenses are definitely higher.” - Maurice   “Does the financial part of being a parent end at the age of 18? Traditionally, not really.”- Ciera    “I think what's really important is to be positioning yourself to help your child before they reach the age of 18 at the greatest capacity possible.” -Ablavi   “Don't invest in what you're not willing to lose.”-Ablavi   “When do you go from helping your child to enabling them?” -Ciera    “There's a fine line between doing everything you can to help you child and enabling them, there needs to be some tough love.”- Ablavi   “Parents have to protect themselves to, or your retirement will go down the drain and your kids won't be any farther in life.”-Ciera   “You don’t hope for any particular outcome, you plan for all possible outcomes”- Maurice   “It's important to have boundaries, even with your own children.”-Ciera    “Help you child in the way that helps them the most and not the way you wanted to help them.”-Ciera   

Today's podcast is more geared towards women because women are becoming the new breadwinners and are often the main caretakers of their children. Investing in your spouse can mean a few things, such as supporting them through school, or even helping them start a business. So how as a woman are you to approach these big financial decisions when love is the motivation?  Should Wives invest in their husbands despite possible risks? Let's ask the question: "Is your spouse a good investment?" and see what our hosts have to say today!    Quotes    “I Think a woman needs to protect her credit from the business” -Maurice    “It's not a one size fits all, you have to evaluate your partner and your specific situation and go from there.” - Ablavi    “I think it's perfectly fine to have all the student loans in the person who's getting the degrees name, but have the breadwinner to help with the payments” -Ciera    “Don’t do anything for your spouse financially that you can't easily unwind” - Maurice    “I think Married couples should have three bank accounts; his, hers, and ours”-Maurice    “It's not unheard of for a spouse to empty a bank account when things break badly and leave the other hanging”- Maurice     Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Facebook: WilsonWealthFBPage Instagram: Wilson Wealth Mgmt Group (@wilsonwealth) • Instagram photos and videos

Glass Ceiling Show notes  In today's podcast we ask the hard question “has the glass ceiling been broken?” regarding women in corporate America today. With the Inauguration of Kamala Harris, a monumental win for women across the country, we are seeing a shift in the conversation about equality between men and women in the workplace. So, is the inequality gone? How much has corporate America really changed in the last 20 years? Our special guests Francheska Werner and Akilah Charlamagne answer these hard-hitting questions and more. These women have been navigating corporate America for the last 20 plus years and have seen the changes themselves, as well as been a part of the change. Find out more about what these ladies had to say in this week's installment of women and money “ Has the Glass Ceiling Been Broken?”.  Francheska Bio:  Francheska Werner is an experienced sales leader that has worked in the Biotech and Molecular Genetics Laboratory Industries for over 24 years. She helps organizations meet and exceed sales objectives through development of go to market strategies, integration of sales and marketing programs and by supporting the field sales team. Hers is a philosophy of servant leadership that encourages innovation and accountability. This allows the team to execute at the highest level possible.  Akilah Bio:  Akilah Charlemagne, who is an influential Human Resources Business Partner and Relationship Builder with 20 years of experience working in Technology, Higher Education, Healthcare and the Non-Profit sector. She launched Career Lemonade in 2019 – where she partners with professionals and entrepreneurs who are looking to make a shift while increasing their confidence and supporting them in making better Career & Business decisions.   Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Facebook: WilsonWealthFBPage Instagram: Wilson Wealth Mgmt Group (@wilsonwealth) • Instagram photos and videos  

In this week's episode Ablavi and Ciera discuss relationships and success.  How do you divide the household duties when both spouses are building successful careers?  What about the kids' needs?  And where do gender roles come into play? Ablavi and Ciera have the answers. People post their highlight reel on social media.  - Ablavi I like to call marriage a beautiful challenge. - Ablavi It's all about challenging each other to be better.  - Ciera   Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Facebook: WilsonWealthFBPage Instagram: Wilson Wealth Mgmt Group (@wilsonwealth) • Instagram photos and videos

On this episode of The Wilson Wealth Show, Ablavi and Ciera continue this month's theme "Women and Money" with a conversation about he challenged women face in business. Some highlights: Are you doing what you are supposed to be doing?  Are you fulfilling your purpose? - Ablavi Our first step is to figure out what bring us fulfillment. - Ablavi I started over several times.  I was doing things my parents wanted.  I had to push back thoughts about being further ahead.  It’s all BS.  You have plenty of time to figure out what you want to do in life. - Ciera Felt pressure to be as successful as my mother.  Ciera You have to get used to people hating you.   Ciera’s Mom Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilsonwealth

On this week's episode, Ablavi and Ciera discuss the financial impact of maternity.   Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Facebook: WilsonWealthFBPage Instagram: Wilson Wealth Mgmt Group (@wilsonwealth) • Instagram photos and videos Maurice @ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricewilson

In today's podcast, The Wilson Wealth Show navigates a conversation about the trend of women choosing to have children later in life and why that is. Ciera and Ablavi talk about their own experiences with the phenomenon and why they think it's ultimately a good idea in today's economic climate.  They also discuss the financial and life impact of having a child and why planning is so important. Find out more about budgeting, planning, stigma, and everything that goes with having a child as an older woman in "Should I Wait to Have A Child" on the Wilson Wealth Show. “You need to plan for a baby in the same way you’d plan for any big purchase in your life like college or purchasing a home.” “If you want children, don’t put it on the back burner because it won't just fall into place, it takes a lot of planning and sometimes scientific help if you’re an older woman.”   Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilsonwealth Maurice @ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricewilson    

In this week's episode of The Wilson Wealth Show, Maurice highlights the value of historically black colleges and universities.  With the election of Vice President Kamala Harris as a Howard University graduate, which is the nation's premier HBCU; this has opened a conversation about how HBCU's are often underappreciated and undervalued.  According to our research, HBCU's often are the best values in price, networking, and obviously opportunity as Kamala Harris has proved by being both the first black and female Vice President. Is there something we are missing out on by not sending our children to HBCUs? Is there still a stigma about HBCUs that is preventing us from getting the best value out of the most expensive part of parenthood?  Find out more about this interesting take and more with Maurice in our final February episode on the Wilson Wealth Show.  Quotes: “If you’re in the black community or if you’re in a historically underserved or underrepresented community, you know the significance when someone from your community achieves something that is unprecedented.  It expands the horizon of what can be accomplished by you and your community.” – Maurice L. Wilson   “One of the perceived cons of going to a black college is that after graduation you couldn’t compete in a wide-open workforce and integrated economy and Kamala not only broke those barriers but gave hope to future HBCU students.” – Maurice L. Wilson   “Everybody loves a college student; nobody loves an unemployed college graduate.”  – Maurice L. Wilson   Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Facebook: WilsonWealthFBPage Instagram: Wilson Wealth Mgmt Group (@wilsonwealth) • Instagram photos and videos Maurice @ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricewilson

Show Notes: Dating & Money Part 2: This week's Podcast showcases the exciting conclusion to Dating and money in our final installment of this month's series “What's Love Got to Do with It?”. Things heat up with more hard-hitting questions about how our finances fit into our dating lives. Our panelists discuss questions that most would consider sensitive subjects in dating such as “At what point in dating do you ask how much someone has in savings, investments, a trust account or if they will be coming into a significant amount of money from an insurance policy or will?” or “What’s most important when dating as it pertains to money: career, credit, salary or savings?”. These different generations all have different points of view on these more difficult questions and many other subjects such as prenups, children, flashing cash and even religious perspectives in relationships.   Quotes: “My biggest question is can we grow together? Are we on the same page? Those are the things I think are the most important when dealing with finances in relationships”. -Cassandra   “There's a difference between protecting your assets and stealing; if we are really struggling and you're sitting on a million plus, that’s stealing, but if we are crushing it and you're sitting on that million plus, that’s protecting your assets.” - Maurice   “What's most important to me is a person's stewardship of their money. Managing your money is so much more important than how much you're making”. -Greg   Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Facebook: WilsonWealthFBPage Instagram: Wilson Wealth Mgmt Group (@wilsonwealth) • Instagram photos and videos Maurice @ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricewilson

Show Notes: Money and Dating Part 1 In this week's podcast, we explore the world of money and dating in three big categories: millennial and unmarried with guests Ciera and Connor late thirties and dating with guests Greg and Toccara; and lastly, for our 40+ group and divorced, we have our guest Cassandra. We asked all our guests a series of questions based on an old client of Maurice’s dating philosophy where he only dated within his credit score to protect himself. This begged the question; "At what point of dating do we ask our significant other their credit score?"   What about how much they make?   Find out how these different generations tackled the hard questions with their unique perspectives in our first installment of this month's series "What's Love Got To Do With It?".   Notable Quotes     " From the perspective of someone in their 20's, everyone is still figuring things out.  You could meet someone who has no idea what credit is at the same age as someone with fantastic credit, so it can be hard to navigate" - Ciera       "I'm more interested in a person's spending habits rather than their credit, that tells much more about a person than a credit score"- Greg       "I know doctors and Lawyers whose lifestyles don't reflect their salaries, so as long as you're living a comfortable life within your means, I don't care whether you make 30 or 60 grand"- Greg Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Facebook: WilsonWealthFBPage Instagram:  Wilson Wealth Mgmt Group (@wilsonwealth) • Instagram photos and videos Maurice @ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricewilson  

In this episode Maurice and Ciera sit down with special guest, Bryan Woodward to discuss the GameStop incident.   Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Instagram: Wilson Wealth Mgmt Group (@wilsonwealth) • Instagram photos and videos Facebook: Wilson Wealth | Facebook Maurice @ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricewilson

Summary: On this episode of The Wilson Wealth Show, Maurice, Ciera, and Ablavi discuss what it means to be trapped by success; how it happens and how you can escape, sharing real life examples and solutions.  Ciera explains that it is possible to reach financial milestones and still find yourself unfulfilled by the job, the house, the family trips and all the other things that come with success.  She says when this happens, you can begin to feel trapped. This episode focuses on strategies for how you can do what you love and get paid for it.   Maurice begins by diving into what causes someone to get trapped. He explains that if you have not established healthy financial milestones throughout your life you may not be equipped to pivot or take a risk when you find yourself in a career you don’t enjoy.  Parental pressure can also be a factor. It’s not unusual for parents to set the focus of a child on the wrong thing and that pressure to make ends meet can easily point them in the wrong direction. The parents might satisfied but in 20 years the child is trapped causing the cycle to repeat generationally.   If the goal is to make a living doing what you love than the key to escaping the trap of success is to keep focused on that goal. Maurice has years of experiencing helping clients reach that goal and suggests setting a 5-year window. Take five years to pursue a new direction whole heartedly by making sacrifices and adjusting your retirement timeline accordingly.  After the five years is up assess whether you have attained your goal or return to your original plan having borrowed the five years from your retirement. As Ablavi points out, escaping the trap is rewarding but requires mental fortitude to step into the unknown.    Ciera summarizes by suggesting 3 key takeaways. First, determine if you are trapped by success. Take a long look at your life and what you’re doing and decide if you are happy and proud of what you’re doing. Second, if you discover that you’re not it may be time to look into other options so you can have that fulfillment and escape the trap of success. Finally, and most importantly, create a strategy to get paid doing what you love. Wilson Wealth is experienced and equipped to help with that.  Visit wilsonwealth.com and check out the trapped by success infographic that describes Maurice’s escape plan in greater detail.   We hope that you found this episode helpful and we look forward to you joining us again next time!     Key Quotes:  “When you are trapped by success you have one of two options. You can remain trapped or you can figure out a strategy to attain the fulfillment you desire.” (Ablavi)   “If you’re not making any money as an adult doing what you love you’ve got to figure out a way to pay the bills until what you love starts paying you.”  (Ablavi)    “Vilification of money has been used as a coping mechanism for people to make excuses for not living up to their potential.” (Maurice)   “ You have good intentions but at the end of the day you cannot force yourself to be a different person. You are who you are.”  (Ciera)   “The escape is actually quite simple, just like the goal of making a living doing what you love.” (Maurice)   What We Covered: 1:05 – What does it mean to be trapped by success 5:50 – What causes someone to get trapped 11:49 – Impact of parental pressure 23:55 – The goal: make a living doing what you love 24:22 – How to escape the trap and reach your goal 27:35 – 3 Key Takeaways   Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Facebook: WilsonWealthFBPage Maurice @ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricewilson  

Summary: On this episode of The Wilson Wealth Show, Maurice, Ciera, and Ablavi discuss the importance of buying life and disability insurance at a young age and talk with special guest Nykea Gray about building credit early. Maurice explains that credit provides you with the ability to buy big ticket assets before you actually have the cash to pay for them and insurance protects your family and your income while you are building wealth. He uses the analogy of guaranteed versus non-guaranteed contracts to describe what it is like to be living with and without life and disability insurance.   Ablavi goes on to explain that while it is simple to say that you should buy insurance and build credit early, it is more difficult for individuals and families when economic conditions cause financial strain. She says that she is aware of many families who are having to prioritize day-to-day costs and needs over wealth-building ones due to the pandemic and underemployment. While this is a very real factor, Maurice points out that the less you spend on things like insurance and building credit, the longer it takes to build wealth.   Nykea Gray is a credit card and fraud expert who joins us today to share her insights on credit and provide a good tip on setting your kids up for success. While individuals must be 18 years old to qualify for their own credit cards, they are eligible at the age of 12 to be made an authorized user on their parents’ credit cards. Authorized users receive the benefits and drawbacks of the credit history on that particular card, so be sure that the card you choose to add them on has a strong payment history and a low utilization percentage, but this is the best way to establish good credit for them before they are able to do so for themselves. The door swings the other way as well, however, so be careful not to allow that particular credit card to get behind on payments or get too close to maximum utilization.   We hope that you found this episode helpful and we look forward to you joining us again next time!   Key Quotes: “These are critical tools that should be addressed at the beginning of our wealth-building journey.” (Maurice)   “In the game of life, we all have non-guaranteed contracts when it comes to how long we have to build wealth.” (Maurice)   “It is important to know the factors that are included in wealth-building.” (Nykea)   “Knowing how to manage and maintain credit at an early age is going to set you up for success.” (Nykea)     What We Covered: 0:56 – Credit and insurance as wealth-building tools 1:52 – How credit and insurance help you build wealth 4:32 – The less you spend, the longer it will take you to build wealth 6:53 – Our guest, Nykea Gray, shares about how to build credit early 14:56 – Making material cost cuts rather than transactional ones 16:30 – The negatives of adding your teenagers as authorized users on your credit card     Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Facebook: WilsonWealthFBPage Maurice @ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricewilson      

Summary: Whether executing your financial life plan or investing in your personal health and well-being, time is an incredibly valuable commodity! This episode of the Wilson Wealth Show builds on a special new year focus on “the value of starting early.” For many of us, 2021 offers a perfect opportunity to establish new habits that -- if adopted now -- will pay off exponentially throughout life. This week Maurice, Ciera and Ablavi take on the all-time classic New Year’s resolution: Getting fit. It’s about the most common of personal goals and one that pays huge dividends, especially if you get started early. But despite best intentions, it can be hard to get started at all. That’s why the team was eager to consult with Gregory Beacham, the inspiring founder of The Touch of Soul holistic practice in Washington, DC. He gets the ball rolling with a creative perspective on health and wellbeing. This is a conversation that will leave you both armed with the latest information and fired up to adopt new lifestyle choices to last a lifetime.   Greg is all about sustainability. He recognizes that the key to helping people reach their personal fitness goals is figuring out a balance that will work long-term with their real lives and individual styles. Originally trained as a masseuse, Greg has evolved a 360-degree approach that incorporates a full spectrum of mind-body practices. Hear his thoughts on everything from the benefits of a plant-based diet to the toxic byproducts of stress, strategies for getting kids to embrace vegetables and why salad at the end of a meal is the secret to healthy digestion. Most of all Greg shares with the team his perspective on centering practices, like yoga and Qigong, which he believes set the stage for everything else in life. Although meditation is the go-to most people think of when it comes to spiritual wellness, Greg shares an unexpected variety of ways to get that meditative benefit – even if you’re someone who finds it hard to settle down. He’s got lots of interesting, cutting edge knowledge to share and unusual approaches to establishing life-affirming habits that are easy to sustain. And, as we all know, the sooner we get started the more time there is for benefits to accrue over the long haul. So why not get onboard today?   If you’d like to listen to Part 1 of our conversation about “The Value of Starting Early,” in which we focused on building personal wealth, you can listen at: https://www.podbean.com/site/EpisodeDownload/PBF689C9P3REZ     Key Quotes:   “Although I’ve not made the best health decisions in a lot of cases, I do know the right things to do … There are always ways to adjust.” (Ablavi)   “Once you get out of college, you’re always focusing on your weight. Your body lies to you for about 25 years, then starts telling you the truth. This is who you really are and it’s here to stay!” (Maurice)   “You can’t eat fast food all the time and just expect it to be okay.” (Ciera)   “The body shouldn’t be in ketosis. It should be in homeostasis.” (Greg)   “You’ve got to enjoy the life you’re living, enjoy the food that you’re eating – but find balance in it.” (Greg)    “Meditation and the mental aspect of health is everything. The body is going to follow the mind.” (Greg)   “Journaling is huge. What the hands do the mind sees and the brain remembers. So putting stuff down on paper … is how you can truly process it.” (Greg)     What We Covered: 1:21 – Building good health is a lot like building financial wealth: The value of starting early. 4:00 – Touching on a few recent fads in working out and the diet piece of the puzzle. 4:58 – Introducing Greg Beacham and his holistic practice. 8:00 – Healthy lifestyles encompass a bunch of components that “makes life worth living.” 10:20 – Why fad diets like keto don’t work and how to embrace foods that will sustain you over the long term, both in terms of enjoyment and nutrition. 16:35 – Gut health and Greg’s take on the value in vitamins. 19:33 – About yoga, Qigong and breath/movement for healing and long-term health. 26:33 – Tips for parents who want to get kids excited about (or at least open to) healthy eating. 30:45 – How to meld a healthy lifestyle with the juggle of daily life. 32:30 – The single most important tip Greg feels he has to offer: Meditation (in one form or another). 34:50 – Greg’s recommendations for staying centered and techniques Ciera and Maurice use.     Connect with Greg Beacham: Website: www.thetouchofsoul.com Instagram: @thetouchofsoul Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetouchofsoul/ Twitter: @thetouchofsoul     Connect with the Wilson Wealth Show Team: Website: https://www.wilsonwealth.com/ Facebook: WilsonWealthFBPage Maurice @ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricewilson    

Summary: A new year means a whole new chance to start fresh, and on this episode of The Wilson Wealth Show Maurice and the team talk about the value of starting early, specifically when it comes to money and building wealth. According to a May 2019 study done by BankRate.com, America’s top financial regret is not saving early enough for retirement. Often, by the time it “clicks” with an individual that saving for the future is something he or she should be doing, it’s almost too late to start building the wealth necessary for a financially firm foundation. Maurice attributes this lack of money-saving initiative to scarcity. Like we saw in 2020, when a product like toilet paper is scarce at the store, we’re compelled to buy it, even if we don’t really need more toilet paper. When the clock starts winding down and we approach retirement age, we begin to start thinking about saving, but in reality, that scarcity mindset should be adopted much earlier in life. Maurice points to life’s three big time windows and how to act accordingly within each to reach your financial goals: 18-25 you’re working on establishing your career, 25-45 is the age where you do the bulk of your earning and saving, and finally, 45-65 is all about balancing the risk of loss with the goal of financial security to set you up after 65. The episode wraps up with this truth: it’s never too late to start saving, but there is value in starting early.   Key Quotes: “The problem is, we don’t actually understand how much time we have to achieve our financial goals. That’s why we don’t start early.” “No one has a K through 12 milestone, if you will, of getting from broke college graduate to financially secure adult. And I think that is where we drop the ball.”   What We Covered: 1:01 — Resolutions for 2021 3:32 — The Value of Starting Early: Money 6:04 — Why it takes so long for starting early with money to “click” 13:12 — Life’s three big time windows and how to act accordingly 15:58 — What happens after 65   Connect with the Team: https://www.wilsonwealth.com https://www.instagram.com/wilsonwealth https://www.facebook.com/wilsonwealth