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It's What You Keep

It's What You Keep

by Ken and David

Business Self-Improvement

Season 2

7 Ways to Limit Student Loan Damage

Student loans don't have to define your financial future. In Part 2 of our conversation on student loans, Kenny and Dave shift from the problem to the solutions. They share seven practical strategies that can help you avoid excessive student debt—or pay it off faster if you already have it. From scholarships and grants to employer tuition assistance, military programs, loan forgiveness, and skilled trades, this episode explores options that many students and families overlook. If college is in your future—or you're helping someone prepare for it—this conversation could save you thousands of dollars and years of financial stress. In this episode, you'll learn: Why avoiding student loans is the best financial strategy whenever possible How scholarships, grants, and work opportunities can reduce borrowing Why paying student loans off early can save a fortune in interest Which careers qualify for loan forgiveness programs Why skilled trades can provide an excellent career without massive college debt How combining multiple strategies can dramatically reduce the cost of higher education The cost of college may keep rising—but that doesn't mean your debt has to. Because it's not just what you make... it's what you keep.

Beware Student Loans!

A college degree can open doors—but student loans can quietly close financial ones if you're not careful. In this episode, Kenny and Dave take an honest look at how student loans really work. From deferred payments and accumulating interest to forbearance, repayment timelines, and why student loan debt is so difficult to escape, they explain the hidden costs that many borrowers don't discover until years after graduation. Whether you're a student, a parent helping pay for college, or still carrying loans years later, this episode will help you understand the financial realities behind one of the largest debts most people will ever take on. In this episode, you'll learn: Why student loans seem so attractive at first How interest grows while you're still in school The real impact of deferment and forbearance Why student loans are different from almost every other type of debt How student loan debt can affect your long-term wealth This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. In the next episode, Kenny and Dave discuss practical alternatives to borrowing and strategies for reducing the financial burden of higher education. Because it's not just what you make... it's what you keep.

CARS! New vs. Repair, Part 3

Should you repair your current vehicle or buy another one? Here's a practical framework to help you decide. In the final episode of our three-part series on vehicle ownership, Kenny Evans and David Berry share seven objective questions that can help you make one of the biggest financial decisions most people face. Instead of relying on emotions, peer pressure, or the excitement of driving a new car, this episode walks through a simple process for evaluating repair costs, vehicle reliability, depreciation, insurance, and the long-term financial impact of replacing a vehicle. In this episode, you'll learn: How to compare repair costs with future car payments Why the 50% rule can help guide your decision How to evaluate your vehicle's long-term reliability Why hidden ownership costs matter more than most buyers realize How to compare costs over a realistic time period Why checking your emotions is just as important as checking your budget A practical seven-step framework you can use before making your next vehicle purchase This concludes our three-part series on one of the most important financial decisions many families make. Whether you decide to repair your current vehicle or purchase another one, our goal is to help you make that decision based on facts—not emotions. 🌐 Learn more and explore additional resources at: https://www.keepitpodcast.com About It's What You Keep Hosted by Kenny Evans and David Berry, It's What You Keep is a personal finance podcast dedicated to helping people keep more of the money they earn through practical financial education, real-life experiences, and honest conversations about building lasting wealth. #CarBuying #PersonalFinance #MoneyManagement #FinancialLiteracy #CarRepair #UsedCars #BuildingWealth #ItsWhatYouKeep

CARS! New vs. Repair, Part 2

In this episode, we continue our discussion of the new versus repair car decisions and some of the emotional and financial factors that come into play. For most people, a car is the 2nd biggest expense in their budgets behind rent or a mortgage payment. And, unfortunately, it is one of those items that loses value with every passing day, so making sure we control that expense is important. Join us for some examples and stories that drive home the importance of making a good decision here!

CARS! New vs. Repair, Part 1

In this episode, Dave and Ken discuss one of the most challenging and potentially financially damaging decisions that people make: Buying a new car versus repairing the car I already have. Any car discussion can go many different ways, but here we are focusing on a decision many people face when they've had a car long enough that they've paid it off, and now are faced with repair bills and - wait for it! - opinions of others about the age and style of their car! We both speak from personal experience, having made some bad decisions in the past and try to share our lessons so you don't make the same mistakes!

Savings Challenge - Round-ups!

This episode, we put our money where our mouths are and commit to using ROUND UP features of our respective bank accounts to save money. In previous episodes, we have discussed the importance of saving money and suggested ways to make it a priority. With a round-up feature, saving money can not only be easy and consistent, but also almost invisible! Round-up savings leverages your normal, everyday spending to save by "rounding up" your purchases to the next even dollar and putting that rounded up amount into a savings or investment account. Join us as we track our savings over the next few months and, since you're here, start your own round up account as well! We think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results!

4 Ways to Automate Savings

In this episode, we talk about ways to make growing your savings a priority while keeping it painless and nearly invisible! Too often, people tend to make savings a low priority or an afterthought behind paying bills, giving money away and spending on non-essentials like restaurants and clubs! The best way to make sure you are saving is to not only treat your savings account as a BILL that HAS to be paid every paycheck but also treat it as the most important bill you have! There are methods and tools that can help by making sure your savings is the first thing that comes out of every paycheck on every pay day so that you don't "miss" the money. We've learned that people will adjust their spending to the amount of money that they actually see. And you help your future self if you put away money before you see it!

4 Ways to Use Credit Cards WISELY

In this episode, we revisit the use of credit cards. Only this time, we talk about ways they can be used to enhance your life as long as you practice discipline and control. Used wisely, credit cards can actually HELP you to save money and enjoy life without "breaking the bank"!

Season 1

Listeners' Q&A Take 2

This week, we answer 4 questions from our listeners about topics we've covered in previous weeks. Tune in to this episode to get some valuable tips on paying down your mortgage, keeping some "spare" cash and getting comfortable to ask for help!

3 Ways to Automate your Budget Plan

This episode, we build on the budget planning discussed in previous episodes. Once you have a solid budget mapped out, you can use technology to make your bill payments and savings happen without even thinking about it! We'll just touch on a few of the ways to make this happen and will dive deeper in future episodes. Thanks for joining us as we offer ways to help you make your path to financial health and wealth an easier one!!

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