Charged Up! with Jenny Hoff

The 401(k) is something 90 million Americans participate in and is vital to having a comfortable retirement. However, few participants know how much they're paying in fees, what they should be contributing and how best to maximize this vital investment. For those not in a 401(k) plan, the average savings they'll have at retirement age is $1,000. We speak with Tom Zgainer, CEO of America's Best 401K, about what you should know about your plan, what to do if you don't have one, options for the self-employed and what employers need to know about the plan they use for their business. Get Charged Up! about getting the 411 on your 401(k)!

Bestselling author, financial journalist and member of a presidential advisory council on financial education, Beth Kobliner has been a voice in personal finance for more than 20 years. She first published her seminal book for new graduates "Get a Financial Life" in 1996 and its 4th edition deals with issues young people are facing today. Discussing mortgages, student debt, taxes and the three most important pieces of financial advice - Beth offers a blueprint for financial success starting as early as possible. Get Charged Up! about getting a financial life!

Dubbed the "father of life planning" George Kinder has been an investment and wealth professional for more than 30 years as well as a mindfulness coach, which he brought together to create the "Life Planning Movement." More than just a financial planner, life planners get to the heart of what you really want in life as you plan the financial path to get there. Kinder talks about the three most important questions to ask yourself in order to understand your true life goals, questions his thousands of advisors ask their clients through the Kinder Institute of Life Planning. Get Charged Up! about planning your life!

Bestselling author, TV presenter and host of the CW's business reality show "Hatched," Nicole Lapin has made her own career out of helping people understand business and finance without the usual jargon. In her latest book "Boss Bitch," she takes readers through the steps to building your own brand, demanding the salary you deserve, starting a side hustle and becoming an entrepreneur. In this episode, she talks about the strategies and mindset you need to take your career to the next level. Get Charged Up! about becoming the boss of your career.

Tony Robbins is the country's top Life and Business strategist, a multiple #1 New York Times bestselling author and an avid philanthropist. He now speaks with Charged Up! with Jenny Hoff on the importance of investing: How to do it, when to do it and what you'll lose if you don't. With examples from his new book "Unshakeable," Tony takes us step-by-step through the four important core values of investing, based on interviews with 50 of the country's most successful investors (think Warren Buffet, John Bogle, Ray Dalio). Get ready to get Charged Up! about becoming an owner, instead of just a consumer.

Robert Kiyosaki became a seminal voice in personal finance with his book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," published 20 years ago. He now talks about how those lessons are more relevant today than ever before, as well as how the rich are getting richer, why President Donald Trump doesn't pay taxes and how you can learn to build wealth by learning the rules of the game. Not one to mince words, Kiyosaki's advice is blunt, controversial and comes with some lessons you don't learn in school.

A single mom, entrepreneur and now well-known blogger, Emma Johnson has proven that being a single parent doesn't mean living paycheck to paycheck. With her blog that attracts thousands of readers - often, single moms needing some inspiration, and a podcast filled with advice, Johnson gives strategies for not just surviving, but thriving on a single paycheck. Whether you're a single parent, or going to a single-paycheck household, Johnson's tips can help you build a strategy for wealth and abundance.

Part of a wealthy mindset is learning how to do more with what you have, and Prof. Scott Sonenshein spent years researching how this approach to resources actually can create astounding success. From business owners to individuals who learn how to 'do more with less' and become 'stretchers' instead of 'chasers,' Prof. Sonenshein shows us how a simple change of mindset creates innovation, fulfillment and a sense of wealth even for those who live humbly. In this episode, Prof. Sonenshein talks about what it means to be a stretcher, how you can change how you view your resources, how you can innovate and be more creative - thus achieving greater fulfillment - from mastering the tools of frugality, conservation and enjoyable constraints. Say goodbye to debt and hello to the art of stretching!

Creditcards.com columnist and author Erica Sandberg sits down with Jenny to discuss the questions you need to ask your spouse/significant other/partner in order to maintain a healthy financial relationship and avoid financial infidelity. Sandberg discusses the questions you should ask at the beginning of a relationship and why they matter, such as "What do you consider a splurge?" and "How do you view credit cards?" She then poses five questions you should ask either before you move in together or even if you're already married, such as "Can we look at your credit report together?" and "How do you view debt?" Sandberg explains how these conversations don't need to be awkward or confrontational, but rather a healthy step in a good relationship. She also warns of red flags you should watch out for when you get your answers. Listen to Charged Up! with Jenny Hoff's "Love and Money" episode to make sure your relationship stays honest and debt-free.

Dr. Harold Pollack once claimed you could write everything you need to know about personal finance on an index card. Well, he did just that, posted it to the web and overnight, the image went viral. We sit down with Prof. Pollack to talk about those 9 tips and how you can put them into action immediately. From how much you should be saving to what tax savings vehicles you should use to how to really invest your money, Pollack's tips are easy to understand and realistic to achieve.

Saving for retirement can be a daunting task and one that the majority of Americans put off. Author, speaker and professor Teresa Ghilarducci breaks down how much you need to be saving every month for different age groups in order to retire with enough money. She talks about what kind of debt you should, what debt you need to pay down as quickly as possible, how much of a house you can really afford and whether prioritizing your kids' college education over your retirement is wise.

Certified financial planner and head of Hilary Hendershott Financial, Hilary talks about her own 'aha' moment when she knew her spending had gotten out of control and the solution she came up with to help people budget their money. Instead of tracking everything you spend, Hilary's process is simple, easy and based on when you decided to spend the money, rather than on what. Hilary talks about how you can use this methodology to stick to your financial resolutions and create wealth with the money you already have.

Senior credit industry analyst and media guy for creditcards.com, Matt Schulz answers the questions you've sent to us about your debt issues. We choose questions that many of our readers and listeners confront, such as, "what do I do once I pay off my cards - should I close them?" and "Is making the minimum payments good enough? Why does my balance not go down?"

Creditcards.com columnist and CPA Sally Herigstad discusses the options you have when dealing with debt. Whether you are just beginning to feel the pinch of debt or you are scared to answer the phone because of the constant ring of debt collectors, Sally breaks down your options and the path you need to take depending on where you are in your journey out of debt.

Prof. Arshad Ahmad has been teaching finance for 25 years and has a course on mastering financial concepts for free on coursera.org. In this episode he talks about what financial literacy is, what you need to be able to do in order to be financially literate, the motivations behind our spending mentality and the kind of actions you should take in order to get on the path to financial security.