Podcasts

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Yishai talks about the importance of Tu B'Av in Jerusalem and why it needs to be celebrated. He moves on to discuss the recent American announcement of peace talks between Israel and the Arabs and why he feels that the talks are destined to not succeed.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

Doug interviews Peter Sims, author of Little Bets – How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge From Small Discoveries. Sometimes, a small idea can turn into something big if you are prepared to make a little bet, as many great inventors and successful businesspeople have found. Find out more by listening to this week’s podcast.

On the first part of this week’s podcast, new ideas are the name of the game. Doug meets Clayton Christensen, author of The Innovator’s Dilemma and professor at Harvard Business School. Professor Christensen shares his approach to realizing your ideas and visions and how to make the best of your life.

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Yishai presents a wonderful shir from David Sacks of the Happy Minion to discuss the story of the Sin of the Spies and it’s importance to Tisha B’Av

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Yishai presents exclusive audio from the 19th Annual Tisha B'Av walk around the Old City Walls. Interviewees include Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin, Professor Aryeh Eldad, Dominican Friar and Yishai’s friend Erik Ross, Director of the Israel Land Fund Aryeh King, and many more! Listen in and get inspired!

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

What happens when a woman has been out of the workforce for several years, and now she wants to get back in? Advances in technology and different expectations in the labor market can make going back to work very scary. Yehudit Sidikman, director of El Halev, a center for women’s self-defense, talks about how to get over your fears and become more assertive. Learn to believe that you can do it by tuning into the second part of this week's Goldstein on Gelt podcast.

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Yishai and Malkah kick off this special Tisha B’Av show by discussing a recent cab trip Malkah took from the Old City to their neighborhood in Jerusalem and the poor attitude of the taxi driver on the eve of Tisha B’Av. They move on to discuss garbage on the street in Jerusalem, and end with Yishai talking about an article of his that was recently posted on Ynet discussing the need for many American Jews to have Kosher hot dogs at their stadium and why their requirement is ridiculous.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

On this week’s Goldstein on Gelt podcast Doug talks to Stanley Barg, tax law and estate planning specialist, and chairman of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), about cross-border inheritances and how to make sure that you are doing the best thing for your children, no matter where they live. Tune in to find out more.

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Yishai visits a ceremony for the donation of a new defibrillator to his community on the Mount of Olives, courtesy of the Lewis family.  This ceremony took place at the United Hatzalah Center in Jerusalem and Yishai is given a thorough tour around the center by paramedics.  Yishai talks with the paramedics about the motorcycles, mopeds, and other vehicles that are used by Hatzalah to quickly respond to incidents across Israel.  The command center, which uses a combination of cameras and GPS technology to quickly assist medics with arriving on scene and assessing the situation, is also linked to the IDF Homefront Command in order to respond and avoid areas hit by rocket attacks.  This segment wraps up with Yishai discussing bulletproof vests and armor being issued to Hatzalah medics that are situated in the ‘hot zone’, areas that are prone to terror attack across Israel.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

Do you have a pension plan at work? If so, continue reading. If not, investigate the possibilities of beginning one, and then finish reading this article.

While it’s great that you are saving, don’t rest on your laurels. Do you understand the documentation that you have received from your pension or life insurance company? And even if you do, do you ever take the time to read through it?

Recently I was preparing a financial plan for a client, when he called to tell me he “found” some money – he forgot he had a pension plan from a previous employer, and only realized when he received the annual report in the mail. While the anticipated pension was a small sum, every bit helps.

Another financial planning client recently called to thank me after I insisted that he speak with the human resources director at work to get the details of his pension plan. In doing so, he discovered that many months worth of deposits were not properly credited to his plan. He called the appropriate people to rectify the mistakes, and now will keep closer tabs to make sure his pension savings are invested properly.

There are many places that “automated” pension plans could break down. It’s up to you to make sure that all is well at each step along the way: Were both yours and your employer’s contributions added to the account? Was it invested according to the allocation model you chose? Is the original allocation model still ideal, or should you switch funds? Does your pension fund fit into your ideal asset allocation as a whole? Are your disability and life insurance policies still sufficient? If you have more than one plan, make sure you keep careful records, even when your contributions stop.

Your pension plan is meant for your future. Take the time today to make sure all is in order.

In part 2 of the Goldstein on Gelt podcast this week, the international flavor continues with an interview with Tom Becker, co-founder and principal of Oceanskies, which handles the registration of private yachts and aircraft. Why does a yacht need to have a nationality, and how does this facilitate the navigation of international waters?  And what are the repercussions on nationality in general? Tune in to gain a new understanding of what “flying the flag” really means.

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Yishai is joined by Walid Shantur, an Arab American whose family hails from a village near Ramallah, that Yishai met while on tour in Ithaca, New York. They discuss seeing eye to eye on a statehood solution in Israel and how Israel already has a government and infrastructure to support both Jews and Arabs. They discuss the affect and ramifications of the Arab Spring to Arabs in Israel and end by talking about the role of the US in the Middle East and how Americans truly do not understand the region.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

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Yishai is joined by show co-producer and new Oleh to Israel Moshe Herman. They discuss Herman's first few days in Israel including a trip to the Israeli Armor Museum at Latrun, a roadtrip with the Fleishers to Beit El, and touring around Jerusalem with pensioners from Bat Yam. Listen in!

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

This week’s Goldstein on Gelt podcast has a cross-border theme. In Part 1, Doug meets Avner Buntman, founder and CEO of Forex Israel. Find out about the different ways to change foreign currency, the risks involved, and the various uses of foreign exchange on this episode of the Goldstein on Gelt Show.

Since gaining independence in 1948, Israel’s economy has flourished. Apart from making the desert bloom, Israeli technology and knowhow have transformed the modern world.

From the discovery of quasi-crystals to the invention of the world’s smallest video camera, to the development of the drug Copaxone to treat multiple sclerosis to the invention of the USB, Israeli technology is everywhere.

Many global companies and businesses have seen the potential of using Israeli labor and technology. The first of these was IBM, which established itself in Israel in 1949. Recently, I interviewed Meir Nissensohn, former CEO of IBM Israel, on The Goldstein on Gelt Show to find out what originally brought the company to the Israel and what Israel can offer to investors today.

Meir Nissensohn explained that the Israeli government first invited IBM to Israel to conduct a census. “After being here, they saw the potential of the young country and decided to stay,” he told me. Evidently, IBM is happy with the decision and it is still a big player here today.

When I asked Nissensohn about “brain drain,” when Israeli knowhow is used to bring profits to foreign companies, he told me that Israeli technology and the marketing leverage of a multinational enterprise can be a winning combination. Citing the example of IBM’s Global Technology Unit, he said, “IBM has got the need and the market reach. If we go to the market together, this is going to be a win-win. One plus one is going to be not three or four, but 10.”

The story of IBM in Israel and the development of Israeli knowhow and technology is clearly a happy one. Motorola, Intel, and other global leaders have followed the same lead, and hopefully other international corporations will follow suit. Of course, we can’t omit the many Israeli start-ups that have also boosted Israel’s economy.

We hope that the story of IBM and all of the other companies will continue to show the success of the Israeli dream onwards and into the future.

If you would like to hear more of what Meir Nissensohn has to say about IBM and the Israeli economy watch the video below, or download the podcast.

In the second half of this week's podcast, Dan Gainor, director of the Business & Media Institute, returns to Goldstein on Gelt to tell us how the IRS has been treating American conservative political groups. Is the IRS biased when it comes to granting tax-free status to certain groups, based on their political views? And do such groups deserve tax-free status in the first place?

How does moving abroad affect your financial rights? And who will help you settle into your new country when you might not yet know the language? On the first part of this week’s Goldstein on Gelt show, you will meet Peter Anstis, founder of Expatsradio.com, a resource for reliable information and entertainment for expats, would-be expats, and frequent travelers. Tune into this week’s show to find out what happens to your voting and pension rights when you decide to make the move.

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Yishai with Baruch Widen on the phenomenon of “Arab Idol” and what it teaches us about Arab society and nationality and how it is improving relationships in the Middle East.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

On this week's Goldstein on Gelt podcast, , Doug speaks to economist Dr. Bharat P. Bhatta, a professor of economics at Sogn og Fjordane University in Norway, about a new way to charge for overweight on international flights. Dr. Bhatta suggests charging passengers for their own physical weight in addition to their luggage. So is it time for you to step on the scales along with your suitcases, or do you need to ditch your overweight?

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Curious about the influx of energy deposits off the coast of Israel? Yishai interviews Tamir Druz (Director of Capra Energy Group) on why some people are so upset about the sale of Israeli natural gas abroad.

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Yishai presents exclusive audio clips from the historic Israeli Presidential Conference held on President Shimon Peres’ 90th Birthday. This segment includes audio from Yair Lapid in English.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

In the second part of this week's Goldstein on Gelt podcast, Doug meets Jonathan Eley, personal finance editor of the Financial Times to discuss the dramatic banking crash that occurred in Cyprus. So what exactly happened in Cyprus, and how has it affected the European economy, currency, and investments? Tune into this week’s show to know more.

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Yishai and Malkah talk about taking on the fast of 17th of Tammuz while living in the modern flourishing Jerusalem right next to the Temple Mount. They wrap up by presenting listener emails.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

On this week's Goldstein on Gelt podcast, Doug interviews international business coach and global attitude architect Katya Barry. Katya, who is Russian, was educated in the United Kingdom, is married to an Irishman, and lives in Germany.  Find out how to adapt your business to the culture and mindset of another country, as well as what it takes to go global by listening to this interview.

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With Yishai currently serving in the IDF, we present some recent stand out segments. Yishai presents his exclusive interview with Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Strategic Affairs Moshe “Bogie” Ya’alon. Yishai interviewed Minister Ya’alon during his visit to the Mount of Olives Jewish community in Jerusalem. They discuss the rocket threat to all of Israel from South Lebanon and how Tzipi Livni’s claim to have a solution for peace is nothing more than a deception. They move on to talk about the need to strengthen Zionist and Jewish identity among Israelis. Ya’alon gives a personal message to all Jews about the centrality of Israel. Yishai ends the segment with his reaction to Minister Ya’alon’s views and some ideas on how to infuse Israeli society with Jewish culture using practical steps that will improve everyone's lives.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

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With Yishai currently serving in the IDF, we present some recent stand out segments. Yishai is joined by the Director of the international department of the Temple Institute, Rabbi Chaim Richman. Together, they discuss the Iranian nuclear threat and how the Jewish People need to remain strong in the face of danger.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

Have you ever told your children, “Money doesn’t grow on trees?”

Indeed, when a very young child sees his mom take money out of an ATM, he thinks that the banknotes magically appear. And when he sees Dad writing a check, he thinks money gets created by writing down what you want on a piece of paper.

Even though we all learn the truth about where money comes from, the financial myths and habits developed by people who are not taught proper financial skills early on persist into adult life. Children who never learn about saving and budgeting grow into financially unsavvy adults.

Two ways to teach your kids about money

Next time you take your kids to the store show them the truth behind the sales: the “great deal” on three tins of lemon chutney for half price is nothing but a marketing ploy because you would never normally buy lemon chutney anyway. When you compare two different cans of tuna, let your kids be part of the calculation of the cost per unit and which one is more value for money. If they ask to buy a treat, explain that there is a limited amount of money to buy food, and the perils of going over the budget.

When you give your kids an allowance, make it contingent on their giving a portion of it to charity. Then, a piece should go into the piggy bank, and then, and only then, the rest can be spent. This teaches them the concepts of saving and planning.

Delayed gratification

If your kids don’t have enough money saved to buy the toy/gadget they want, don’t run out and buy it for them. Teaching them to save for what they want lets them determine if it is “worth it.” If your budget allows you to buy the gadgets they want, instead of giving them the money straight away, consider employing them and paying them to do odd jobs. This teaches the value of money and hard work. Children need to learn from an early age they can’t spend what they don’t have.

Teach your children how to be financially responsible when they are young, when the cost of mistakes is relatively small. Perhaps the best lesson you can teach children about budgeting is that it isn’t restricting – it gives you the freedom to spend what you have.

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With Yishai currently serving in the IDF, we present some recent stand out segments. Yishai presents a talk from alternative peace activist Yehuda HaKohen where he talks about Lechi's vision for Middle East peace at a memorial for Avraham "Yair" Stern.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

In part two of this week's Goldstein on Gelt podcast, Doug meets Professor Kenneth Arrow, who at the age of 51 was the youngest person to win the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1972. Stanford Professor Arrow shares the social choice theory and how it affects our lives today. Don’t miss out on hearing this interview on the Goldstein on Gelt podcast this week. And don't forget to listen to all of your favorite financial tips and tricks.

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With Yishai currently serving in the IDF, we present some recent stand out segments. Yishai was in Boston for a week to speak about Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) and ended up giving strength and Israeli perspective to the Jewish communities he spoke to as they faced terrorism in the heart of their small tight-knit American city at the Boston Marathon an event representing openess, family, and spring. How will they continue in the future? Yishai addresses the challenges ahead in this segment. Also see Yishai's video from the Boston street.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

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Baruch Widen, Arabic and Islamist expert joins Yishai to examine current events across the map of the Middle East and why Middle Eastern leaders are hostile to their own people.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

When is the best time to teach your kids about money, and how do you do it? On this week’s podcast, Doug meets Ron Lieber, a columnist for The New York Times. In 2011, Ron won the Loeb award, a prestigious honor in the world of business journalism, in the category of personal finance. Ron is also the author of Taking Time Off: Inspiring Stories of Students Who Enjoyed Successful Breaks from College and How You Can Plan Your Own and Upstart Start-Ups. He is also writing a book for Harper Collins called The Opposite Of Spoiled, about teaching young people money management. Tune into this week's podcast to find out more.

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Yishai is joined by Knesset insider Jeremy Man Saltan, who lets us in on the latest tension, victories, and what is ahead for the summer in Israeli politics.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

Benjamin Franklin said, "Nothing is certain except death and taxes," and just as your children will gradually learn about mortality, they will also find out about taxes and other financial issues.

Like many financial concepts, paying tax may at first be rather difficult to grasp. Indeed, many adults find it hard to accept that the government receives a certain percentage of their hard-earned money before they even see their paycheck. In fact, many question why it’s better to work "on the books" rather than "under the table."

Paying taxes is a piece of cake.

Try teaching your kids about taxes by relating it to something that they understand and like: cake.

So take them into the kitchen and bake a cake together. Then, explain that this chocolate cake can be compared to the economy. This is the money that belongs to the whole country and everybody needs a slice – the schools, the street cleaners, the hospitals, and the army. Without any "cake," the government can’t provide any of the things we need.

When you cut a slice for your child, take a small piece off and say that this is like taking a small piece from your wages and giving it back to the country. If no one would part with a small piece of his slice, there would be no cake/money for everybody else. We all use the sanitation services, schools, hospitals, and sidewalks that have to be maintained. As most people wouldn’t simply volunteer to give this money to the government even though they use its services, this tax is levied before you receive your paycheck.

Then ask your children how much of the cake should go back into the government. What if there is a family with a father, mother, and two children? Wouldn’t they need more cake than a single person living alone? And what about a person who gets a huge slice of cake because he has a well-paid job, as opposed to the worker who earns the minimum wage? Would they pay the same amount or would the slice that’s removed be different for each of them?

Once you have used the chocolate cake to illustrate the various ways in which taxes are levied and determined, you and your kids can sit down and enjoy the revenues you have produced. Apart from enjoying a fun time, your kids will learn a very valuable financial lesson…sometimes you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

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Formula One in Jerusalem?! Does the race belong in the Holy City? Yishai brings us exclusive reports from the street in Jerusalem where we hear from Mayor Nir Barkat and local journalists.

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In the second part of this week’s Goldstein on Gelt podcast, Michael Norton, Associate Professor at Harvard Business School and the coauthor of the new book, Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending, answers the question of whether having money brings happiness. Listen to this interview to find out whether wealth really is the key to joy and serenity and which kinds of spending people enjoy the most.

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The 40Days4Israel are underway! Hear all about it! Yishai and Malkah discuss former US President Bill Clinton and Mikhail Gorbachev’s upcoming speeches at the annual Israeli Presidential Conference this week, they give us a new perspective on the future of the Jewish nation, and elaborate on why the world continues to hear the same old speeches that miss the point and keep getting more expensive!

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

On this week’s Goldstein on Gelt podcast, Doug meets Dr. Jeff Cornwall, Professor of Entrepreneurship at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Cornwall was recently named the National Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year by the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and he is the author of the blog, “The Entrepreneurial Mind,” as well as eight books and numerous articles. Dr. Cornwall tells Doug what it takes to open and run a small business today. Find out more by tuning into the Goldstein on Gelt show.

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Yishai presents a shiur he gave at Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck, New Jersey. He talks about the sin of the spies mentioned in the text of Parshat Shelach and the heroic deeds of Calev ben Yefunah and Yehoshua ben Nun. This is the second part of his talk.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

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Yishai presents a shiur he gave at Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck, New Jersey. He talks about the sin of the spies mentioned in the text of Parshat Shelach and the heroic deeds of Calev ben Yefunah and Yehoshua ben Nun.

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

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Yishai interviews Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, spiritual leader of Teaneck, New Jersey’s Congregation Bnai Yeshurun. Consisting of nearly 600 families, it is one of the most vibrant centers of Orthodox Jewish life today. Listen in and learn about this amazing community!

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

As a financial planner, I’m often asked when people in general should start learning about good saving habits and how to plan for the future. My answer is "right from the very beginning."

It’s vital to teach children the importance of a good work ethic and of being financially independent from a young age.

What you see is what you’ll get

The way that you perceive money is often learned from what you saw in your childhood. Therefore, if you’re constantly borrowing money or spending indiscriminately, chances are that your children will absorb the same habits. It’s no coincidence that in certain cities, some neighborhoods are populated by families who haven’t worked for a generation or two.

You can’t tell the future

Another reason to educate your children towards financial independence is that you never know what the future may bring. You might think that you will always be able to provide financial support for your married kids, but what happens if your investments take a nosedive or you need the money for unforeseen medical expenses?

Furthermore, as anyone who has supported adult children will tell you, money and family often don’t go together. Tensions surrounding money issues are the cause of many major rifts between the generations.

When do you start?

When your children are little, you can give them two small coins each day. Get them to put one inside a charity box and the other inside a piggybank for saving. Show them after a week or two how the money has piled up and they can buy themselves an inexpensive present. Show them how their charity can help other people.

As your kids get older, base an allowance on chores done around the house to instill the concept of working for money. If your children want a new toy or gadget, don’t just give it to them. Teach them how they’ll get the money for it by saving some of their allowance, doing a babysitting job, or mowing lawns,

Take your children to the store with you and show them how you choose products, how to work out when a special offer really does save you money and when it’s just a slick marketing ploy. Tell them that the money in the ATM doesn’t just appear at the touch of the button. It has to be paid into the bank first. Similarly, credit cards always have to be paid for, and when you write a check, you aren’t simply "inventing" money that isn’t there.

As your children grow older, they need to learn basic money and budgeting skills that, sadly, are not taught enough at school. Hopefully, they will carry these skills with them into the future and learn how to work for their money and save successfully.

The gifts of financial knowledge and independence are the greatest presents you can give to your children, and it’s never too early to start.

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Malkah and Yishai are finally re-united for the summer, but only before Yishai heads off to reserve duty in the IDF. They talk about the joys and the practical difficulties of being activists for Israel and sending Yishai overseas to help keep the North American diaspora connected to the homeland. Be sure to listen in!

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

In the second part of this week's Goldstein on Gelt podcast, you can meet Thom Ruhe, vice president of Entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation. Thom talks about what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur and the various chances out there for businesspeople who are just starting out in the field. What are the risks and benefits of entrepreneurship in today’s financial world? Tune in to find out more. And don't miss all of the fun, financial tips, and sound advice that appear every week on the Goldstein on Gelt show.

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Israel is rapidly becoming a high-tech powerhouse and to discuss how Moshiach, the Jewish Messiah, could even be brought through high-tech means,Yishai presents a talk by Justin Rosenstein, co-foudner Asana. During his talk Rosenstein talks about his philosophy and experiences to create a positive outlook on the world. Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

Can the laws of physics also be applied to finance? On this week’s Goldstein on Gelt podcast, Doug interviews James Owen Weatherall, assistant professor of logic and the philosophy of science at the University of California in Irvine, and the author of The Physics of Wall Street. Find out the science of money by listening to the first half of this week's show, with all of your favorite money tips and ideas..

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Yishai presents an interview he recently recorded with Avital Aharon, Judaic studies & technology coordinator at Associated Hebrew Schools in Toronto. Yishai recently spoke in Toronto and had the opportunity to speak to students while there. They discuss how technology affects the minds and lives of young Jewish students and how technology has become an integral part of the student’s lives. Listen in!

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

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Yishai is currently on tour in the US and presents a talk he gave at the Memorial Weekend BBQ for the Matriarchs and Patriarchs an event put on by New Jersey Jewish Communities United for Hebron. In this livened discussion, Yishai talks about the power of self-sacrifice, the secret of Calev, and the reason money counts. Support Hebron and listen now! Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

Why is it important to study the strategies of history and the ancient art of war today? Has military strategy essentially changed over the years? In part two of this week's podcast, Andrew R. Wilson, Professor of Strategy and Policy at the United States Naval War College, and prolific author on the subject of Chinese military history, explains why the lessons of history are so important today.

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Yishai is joined by alternative peace activist Baruch Widen. Together, they discuss gun control and the atmosphere of violence that permeates the Middle East and how it affects attitudes in the entire region. Be sure to listen in!

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Dov Lipman (MK in the Yesh Atid ["There is a Future Party"] Party) gives Yishai an update on how the new and powerful party is handling issues like “Women of the Wall” and the black hat response to a potential draft to the IDF. Is Yesh Atid succeeding in their core campaign promise – addressing middle class economic concerns? Listen in to find out!

Yishai Fleisher on Twitter: @YishaiFleisher Yishai on Facebook

Can America’s economic problems be solved? Is there an end to the deficit, and is the U.S. economy really that bad? In the first part of this week's Goldstein on Gelt podcast, Doug meets David Leonhardt, Washington bureau chief of The New York Times and author of Here’s the Deal: How Washington Can Solve the Deficit and Spur Growth. Find out about Washington’s deficit problem and some possible solutions to America’s economic difficulties by listening to the part of this week’s podcast.

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Yishai is joined by Jeremy Man Saltan to get an exclusive political analysis in English. They talk about Prime Minister Netanyahu’s budget & spending in Israel, Minister Yair Lapid’s approach to Finance, and finish with Minister Naftali Bennett’s approach to expanding Israel’s already hot Commerce engine.

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Are you looking for a diversified portfolio and to have the final say on your investments, but you don’t have time to research the many stocks, bonds, and funds that are out there? If so, it might be time to call your financial advisor and ask him to find you a money manager.

If you already have a financial advisor, why do you need a money manager?

Whereas a financial advisor helps you plan your retirement, a money manager, which is often a professional investment firm, handles the day-to-day transactions in your portfolio. The focus is somewhat different and more specific, and very often both professionals work together.

Here are three reasons why a money manager is useful:

1. Take the headache out of investing

While you may be happy to have more of a say in your investments, you don’t necessarily want the headache that goes along with managing them on a day-to-day basis. In your everyday life, you don’t have the time to sit down and pore over market reports, charts, and other relevant information. And even if you did, unless you are a part of the financial world yourself, you would probably find it hard to interpret them correctly enough to benefit your situation. For this reason, it’s worthwhile to use a money manager, whose extensive knowledge and resources are now at your disposal.

2. A money manager can give you more of a say

A money manager can put your money into an SMA, or separately managed account. Once upon a time SMAs were strictly for the very rich, but they can now be opened with a starting sum beginning at $50,000.

Unlike a mutual fund, where you own a part of the fund controlling your investments, an SMA gives you the opportunity to become an actual owner of the stocks that are in your portfolio. This is more direct, and it gives you more of a say. Directly owning the individual shares (as opposed to owning shares in a mutual fund) can be beneficial when selling for tax purposes.

Learn more about SMAs and if they might be appropriate for you, by watching a short movie.

3. Widen your horizons

The great thing about using money managers is they provide you with greater financial resources than if you were on your own. Many money managers follow a policy of “open architecture,” which means that there can be a wider variety of investment accounts than in the average mutual fund. And with all of the information and expertise at their fingertips, a money manager can help you to build a portfolio that is more tailored to your specific needs, with the right balance for you of large cap or small cap stocks, bonds, or foreign stocks, and more.

To find out whether you need a money manager or an SMA, call your financial advisor today.

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Yishai is joined by alternative peace activist Yehuda HaKohen to discuss Israel’s national anthem. Hatikva, Israel’s national anthem is holy, but is it dated? Is the message out of touch? Can Israel become more Jewish while embracing the non-Jewish world?

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Meet Jay Shultz, president of the Am Yisrael Foundation and head of seven non-profit organizations serving the international community in Tel Aviv. What opportunities does Tel Aviv offer to immigrants from English-speaking countries and others planning to settle in Israel? Tune into the second part of this week’s Goldstein on Gelt podcast to find out!

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This week’s show kicks off with Malkah andYishai's take on Facebook’s purchase of Israeli social media GPS hit WAZE and their battle over WAZE insistence their HQ remain in Israel. Should Waze stay in Israel, is that a value? Is Jewish nationalism a value in the globalized world? Plus, an update on the Fleisher family adventures in Jerusalem as Malkah deals with Yishai’s expanded overseas speaking schedule.

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How can you get your masterpiece published? On this week’s Goldstein on Gelt show, you can get the lowdown on Internet publishing – how to put your book out there and make money online. Penny Sansevieri, founder and head of Author Marketing Experts, returns to the show to give some more red hot internet publicity advice after the reissue of her e-book of the same name. Whether you’re a budding author or not, don’t miss this interesting interview.

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Yishai is joined by Islamic and Arabic expert Baruch Widen. Together, they discuss whether Jerusalem is a city united or divided and also what it day to day life in the city is truly like. Get inspired!

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In the first half of this week's podcast, Doug meets Jim Rogers, the author of Street Smarts – Adventures on the Road and in the Markets. Jim is also an author, investment expert, and financial commentator who has appeared in various publications, including Time, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, and more. Jim tells Doug about investing in commodities and why it is advantageous to invest in what you know. Find out more by listening to this interesting podcast.

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Aryeh King, director of the Israel Land Fund, joins Yishai to explain the importance of the northern ridge of mountains around Jerusalem and how the defacto building freeze in Jerusalem today in Arab areas benefits the Arab population.

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Are you, or someone close to you, thinking of making aliyah? If so, you’ll probably use the services of Nefesh B’Nefesh, because it’s much easier to settle in a new country with their help. The same principle applies to your finances. It’s much easier to manage your money with the help of a financial advisor.

Here’s why

As most olim will tell you, there’s a lot to do when first settling in. You need to get used to a new language and climate and at the same time, you must find work and a home. The various aliyah organizations, from Nefesh b’Nefesh to the AACI, ESRA, and many more, are all on hand to provide advice, information, and moral support, making your transition into Israeli society much smoother. Through them, you will find out the best job opportunities – or how to retrain in your profession if that’s what is necessary. You will also get a clearer picture of your rights and what kinds of assistance exist for new immigrants. And some of these organizations also provide cultural and social activities, helping you to build up new friendships in your new country.

In the same way, when you want to begin investing, going it alone is not such a good idea. Do you have the time to do all of the necessary research into investments and markets? Are you familiar with the investment and tax problems that U.S. expatriates have? And do you have the financial background to understand the all the available information? Remember that time is also money, and you can lose a lot of money through inefficient investing.

So if you want to manage your finances more effectively, don’t go it alone. Get some help and make a plan. Call your financial planner today.

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We present a classic episode of Malkah’s “Eishet Chayil” show on the spiritual history of Jerusalem woven with songs for Jerusalem Day. Enjoy!

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This week, Doug speaks to Alana Newhouse, who has extensive experience in the world of American Jewish journalism, having worked as culture editor at the Forward before moving over in 2008 to Nextbook, which was eventually relaunched as Tablet Magazine. Alana tells Doug about how the Internet has become a valuable tool for spreading Jewish news. Tune into this interesting Podcast to hear more, along with all of your favorite financial columns and advice.

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Malkah and Yishai kick off our Yom Yerushalayim Special with a discussion of their move to Jerusalem, and the new consciousness that has awoken within them. How does one awaken the passion for the great project of building G-d’s city, and not take it for granted? Listen in to find out!

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This week, meet Michael K. Salemi, professor emeritus at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. His many writings include Money, Banking, and Financial Markets: What Everyone Should Know.” What do you need to know about your finances and the world of banking? Find out by listening to this week’s show.

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On the flight back from the USA to Israel last week,Yishai interviewed two olim (people making aliyah - immigrating to Israel): One person moving to Israel to join the IDF and a second person from S. Africa was a lifelong Zionist who worked hard on outreach and is finally going home herself. Listen in and get inspired!

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One of the reasons why many investors fail in their investments is because they are driven by their emotions. This problem is studied by academics who specialize in an area known as behavioral finance.

People make decisions for all sorts of reasons, but when you make an investment decision based on emotion, not fact, you stand to lose your head, heart, and pocketbook.

For example, sometimes investors hear some positive news about a certain stock and they rush to buy it simply because they feel good about it. They haven’t necessarily researched its individual merits, or checked it against their financial plan to see if it fits with their overall investment goals. They just make a sudden investment decision.

Have you ever done that?

Many investors are driven by fear or excitement, and in both cases their surging adrenaline may help them in a “fight or flight” situation, but not with their investment portfolio.

If an investor is too fearful, he could end up either selling a stock needlessly or not developing his investment potential enough. But sometimes investors don’t have enough fear and they become the victims of Ponzi schemes and other scams.

I recently spoke with Professor Meir Statman, author of What Investors Really Want, on the Goldstein on Gelt show, and I asked him why he thought people let their emotions get the better of them. He replied, “People follow their intuition, and their intuition says that they can tell the difference between honest people and dishonest ones. Dishonest people take advantage of precisely that.” (Click here to hear more of what Professor Statman has to say.)

In the ideal world, investors have the time and resources to take a step back from their emotions and properly research financial moves. But in the real world, who has the time, financial background, or desire to educate themselves properly before making rational investment decisions?

What’s the solution for avoiding the pitfalls of emotional investing?

Find an effective and reliable financial planner. A financial planner has the knowledge and background necessary for researching and assessing various investments and finding out which ones are the most appropriate for you and your financial goals. For this reason, it’s worthwhile taking the time and calling your financial planner today.

Having an objective certified professional oversee your investments is the best way to prevent yourself from falling into the trap of emotional investing.

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Yishai kicks off this segment talking to Chaim Messer, an Oleh on the way to Israel with his family who was partially inspired by a shirt given to him by Yishai years earlier. The flight was packed with Hassidic Jews making the pilgrimage to Meron (the burial place of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai) and following his talk with Messer, Yishai gets into the crowd to hear about this spiritual high and their hopes for blessings from Rabbi Shimon.

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Is there a connection between capitalism and the Jews, or is this just an anti-Semitic canard? In the second part of this week's Goldstein on Gelt show, Douglas Goldstein meets Professor Jerry Z. Muller of the Catholic University of America, who answers this question and more when he discusses his new book "Capitalism and the Jews."

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Yishai and Malkah are back on the air together to discuss Yishai’s return to Israel after a two-week tour in the US and also the story of Napo Evyatar Borovsky, a young Jewish father who was murdered in his neighborhood while waiting for a ride to work.

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1. What does Mr. Tax Man say about it?

2. Having money isn’t all about spend, spend, spend

3. Take it easy

Why do senior citizens, who have so much life experience, fall prey to fraud schemes so often? And who would be heartless enough to con an elderly grandparent? On this week's Goldstein on Gelt show, Doug Shadel, senior director of Washington’'s AARP and a leading expert on fraud and the elderly, explains how you can protect yourself and the people you love most from scams and cons.

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Dr. Ahai Urbach is an Israeli doing post-doctoral cancer research at Harvard University.Yishai interviews Dr. Urbach on his work in a field with great importance for all humanity. There are a lot of Jewish scientists working in cancer research: Is this part of being a light unto the nations? While working for the good of all, Ahai is also raising a young family far from home. How are Ahai and his wife raising Israeli kids in Boston and what will be the path to getting back home to the Jewish state? Listen in to find out!

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Naftali Perkal is the COO of Rofeh International (a project of the Bostoner Rebbe).Yishai speaks with Naftali about Rofeh and its mission to help Israelis, Jews and non-Jews when they need specialized medical care in the complex advanced treatment programs at Harvard's hospitals. They provide information, hospitality, and generally sheperd patients through the process as they battle serious medical challenges.

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Eta Gluzband tells Yishai her Holocaust survival story with all the twists and turns that comes with such a harrowing story while evading the Nazis. Gluzband moves on to talk about how following the war, she was a passenger on the Haganah ship Exodus and how it took three years and a trip back to Europe before she could finally reach Israel. As Yishai and Eta talk, the manhunt for the second Boston bomber was taking place outside her home in the streets of Boston. Be sure to listen in to this amazing and inspiring story!

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Doug interviews Meir Nissensohn, former general manager of IBM in Israel. Mr. Nissensohn explains why IBM came to Israel, what investment opportunities Israel offers to large, multinational companies and what these companies can give to Israel in return. Also find out why Israel has so many startup companies and why businesses and the Israeli economy continue to prosper on the second part of this week's Goldstein on Gelt podcast.

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Yishai was in Boston for a week to speak about Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) and ended up giving strength and Israeli perspective to the Jewish communities he spoke to as they faced terrorism in the heart of their small tight-knit American city at the Boston Marathon an event representing openess, family, and spring. How will they continue in the future? Yishai addresses the challenges ahead in this segment. Also see Yishai's video from the Boston street.

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What is a hedge fund and is it worth investing in one? What is the difference between a hedge fund and a mutual fund? Richard Wilson, founder of the Family Offices Group, president of Richard Wilson Capital Partners, and author of The Hedge Fund Book: A Training Manual for Professionals and Capital-Raising Executives and The Family Office Book: Investing Capital for the Ultra-Affluent, answers these questions and more. Find out whether hedge funds and using a family office is for you by listening to this fascinating interview in the first part of this week’'s Goldstein on Gelt podcast.

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Yishai kicks off this week’s show while on tour in Kansas City with an interview with rising star Rabbi Shmuely Yanklowitz of Kehillat Yisrael Synagogue. Yishai interviews this dynamic young Rabbi on veganism, moral kosher code, and the centrality of Israel for tikkun olam. A blast of Jewish energy from the American heartland!

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Yishai presents a special Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day in Israel) talk that was given in Tenafly, NJ during his current tour. Yishai talks about his personal memories and experiences in the Israeli Defence Forces from the age of 18 when he enlisted as a paratrooper and was sent to Lebanon where he was injured until today as an active member in a battlefield reserves paratrooper unit. This is the second part of his talk. Don’t miss it!

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How many times have you heard people say, “I could never make aliya. It’s too difficult financially”?

Well, now there is one less excuse.

There are the standard financial pluses of living in Israel: the Israeli unemployment rate is lower than in America, day school tuitions are cheaper, and you don’t need to use personal vacation days for the chaggim.

While there are many benefits to living in Israel, there are some financial challenges, particularly around tax-filing time. While Americans living in Israel have an obligation to file with the IRS, Israel and America have a tax treaty between them, according to which if you pay taxes in Israel and also owe them in America (since America taxes her citizens on worldwide income), you can take a tax credit on your American taxes for what you paid to Israel.

In addition to filing U.S. taxes, American olim must file FBAR forms and they also may be responsible for filing under new FATCA requirements.

Confused? You’re not alone. But if you used this confusion as an excuse not to make aliya, your excuse no longer holds water. A new book can help you.

The IRS recently implemented FATCA, and Uncle Sam wants you to file your American taxes (in addition to your Israeli taxes) and FBAR form, but before you start to get too worried, there are solutions. For starters, get a copy of my recent book, The Expatriate’s Guide to Handling Money and Taxes? As a financial adviser with more than two decades of experience helping Americans abroad handle their American brokerage accounts and deal with the problems that arise from living in dual currencies, I wrote the book with the help of various leading international tax lawyers and accountants.

Just as you would extensively research communities, ulpans, schools, and jobs before moving to Israel, learn what your tax obligations to the Old Country will be when you are offshore. This should make your transition easier, as you won’t have nightmares about the IRS demanding a share of your new salary.

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Yishai presents a special Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day in Israel) talk that was given in Tenafly, NJ during his current tour. Yishai talks about his personal memories and experiences in the Israeli Defence Forces from the age of 18 when he enlisted as a paratrooper and was sent to Lebanon where he was injured until today as an active member in a battlefield reserves paratrooper unit. This is the first part of his talk. Listen in!

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In the second part of the Goldstein on Gelt podcast this week, meet Charles Duhigg, a staff writer at The New York Times and author of The Power of Habit. How do habits affect human behavior? And what is the difference between innate personality and habits? Find out how habits govern your life and if you can change by listening to this fascinating interview.

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Yishai interviews Rabbi Shimshon Nadel on a bustling Jerusalem street to talk about the Torah significance of the Yom Haatzmaut. Listen in as Yishai and Rabbi Nadel talk about celebration of Israel’s independence by both secular and ultra-Orthodox Jews and how there are many, even in the most Haredi communities that are still filled with joy during Independence Day.

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On the first part of this week's Goldstein on Gelt show, meet Eric Siegel, author of Predictive Analytics: The Power to Predict Who Will Click, Buy, Lie, or Die. Eric tells Doug about data mining and predictive analysis. What do these terms mean, and how accurate are they in determining people’s behavior? Find out how data mining affects marketing and customer profiling, as well as daily life, by listening to this week’s show.

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Yishai is joined by alternative peace activist Baruch Widen to discuss the long-lasting impact on the US-Israel relationship as a result of President Obama's recent visit, and also broader implications for the region. They end the segment by discussing the ever-changing relationship between Israel and Turkey.

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Putting your money into individual stocks may be the fastest way to get rich – but it’s also the fastest way to lose the shirt off your back if you guess wrong. Buying a single stock exposes you to high levels of risk, even if the stock is strong. And even if you’re an expert on the company and its industry, there’s no certainty that the market won’t take an unexpected turn at any time and your stock won’t perform as well as you’d hoped. For this reason, it’s important to diversify your portfolio. If you have a diversified portfolio, any possible losses will hopefully be offset by a gain in a different stock.

Another disadvantage of buying individual stocks is that trading them can be very expensive. If you’re a high-volume trader, the multiple transaction costs involved in beating the market and selling your less profitable stocks take their toll.

Additionally, if you are thinking of purchasing individual stocks, ask yourself whether you have sufficient knowledge to choose these investments yourself. Do you have time every day to follow the market and stay in tune with the latest economic forecasts? The economic world is in constant flux and you need to be ready to adjust your portfolio to keep up. Do you really have the time and energy to devote to this, when you are also busy with your work and family?

So what’s the most effective way to invest?

For many people, the answer is mutual funds.

A mutual fund is a collection of securities, most often stocks and/or bonds. Every person who invests in a mutual fund is essentially a shareholder of this basket or collection of investments. The losses and gains of the fund reflect the movements of the individual assets inside the fund. A mutual fund solves the problem of diversification and the fund managers are the ones who have the responsibility of researching and making investment decisions. Though they may not get it right all the time, at least they have the time to investigate their ideas.

It’s important to note that with mutual funds, there’s no such thing as “one size fits all.” Different types and styles of mutual funds are appropriate for different kinds of investors. Indeed, a mutual fund’s value may be the time when the whole is really greater than the sum of its parts.

Call your financial advisor today to find out which fund may be best suited to meet your goals.

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Explore the City of David with Meir Eisenman and his life changing historic tours. Eisenman discusses his personal connection to the city (his family has been in Jerusalem for over 200 years!) and leads listeners on a tour through the city. Listen in and be inspired to come experience this walk through the footsteps of our forefathers!

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And if lessons from the past can help towards a better future, what can be gained from the life of U.S. President Calvin Coolidge? Best-selling author and columnist Amity Shlaes returns to the show to talk about her latest book, Coolidge, which is a biography of this almost forgotten U.S. president. Find out what Coolidge contributed to America and how understanding his policies could make a better future by listening to this very interesting show.

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Yishai is joined by Michael Palmer, father of the slain Asher Palmer (one of Yishai's neighbors in Beit El). A stone thrown at Asher's car caused it to veer off the road and both Asher and baby son, Yonatan, were killed. The stone thrower was just convicted in this landmark case and Yishai and Mr. Palmer help us gain a greater understanding of the seriousness of rock-throwing as a tactic of terrorism. Listen in to this touching segment.

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After a two-week hiatus, Yishai and Malkah return to the airwaves to report on Pesach in Jerusalem and what it is like to have a seder while literally looking at the Har HaBayit out the window. Listen in!

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Yishai presents a one-hour heart wrenching and inspiring in-depth look into the Holocaust survival experience of Hungarian Jewish wife, mother, and businesswoman Kate Bernath (grandmother of Malkah).

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Click to go to Part 1

For many people, money is a stressful subject. How can you lower your stress levels over handling money, and how can this make you more productive? Can you use this stress positively, or does it paralyze you? On this week’s Goldstein on Gelt show, David Allen, an author, consultant, lecturer, founder and CEO of the David Allen Company tells us more.

The American economy isn’t what it once was, and while some Americans are looking to move abroad to better their financial situation, Americans living abroad face specific financial challenges due to the fact that they are American citizens (which I discuss in depth in my new book, The Expatriate’s Guide to Handling Money and Taxes). While holding an American passport once was considered a great advantage, today it has broad ramifications for your finances. Any well-intentioned American parents or grandparents who are thinking of getting American citizenship for their Israeli-born children or grandchildren might want to think again when it comes to taking up this inherited privilege.

Why?

Below are six good reasons why financially, life has become more difficult for American citizens living overseas, regardless of how long they’ve been abroad, whether they’ve ever worked or lived in the States, or even whether they speak English:

(1) FBAR and FATCA. These terms refer to tax reporting requirements that U.S. citizens abroad must file if their assets reach certain minimum levels. Non-compliance can result in steep fines. These requirements have had a very serious effect on how foreign banks and investments view U.S. account holders, since FATCA requires foreign banks to report American accounts and assets to the American government.

The problems that follow are a direct consequence of FBAR and FATCA:

(2) Limits on buying mutual funds through an American brokerage account. You may think it’s O.K. if FATCA makes it difficult to open a foreign investment account, since after all, you can use your American brokerage account and continue with your familiar investments. But, beware: many American mutual funds are rejecting orders to buy if the address on the account is not a U.S. address. And I’ve been approached by clients of other brokerage houses whose mutual fund trades have retroactively been cancelled because of the foreign address issue. Not every brokerage firm in America is comfortable dealing with accounts of Americans living overseas.

There are also challenges in buying mutual funds through an overseas brokerage account. If your foreign investment house sells you a foreign mutual fund, not only will it report your assets to America (or else it risks facing steep taxes), but you may need to report the foreign mutual fund as a PFIC (Passive Foreign Investment Company).

(3) The current situation has made it very hard to transfer assets, as countries don’t automatically recognize notaries from other countries. This means if you live overseas and inherit an American brokerage account, you may need to fly into America to physically have your signature witnessed by an American company that can offer a “medallion guarantee.”

(4) It’s very difficult to get life insurance from a U.S. insurance company because they won’t recognize an address outside the United States.

(5) Say goodbye to your U.S. credit and debit cards. Some of them don’t work away from the United States, while many companies will refuse to mail your statements overseas. And if you have an existing account, now that your address has moved abroad, you won’t receive a new card when it becomes necessary.

(6) Don’t think you can solve your problems by opening a bank account in the United States. Without a U.S. address, forget about it. And if you receive a dollar check, it’s not a simple matter of depositing it in your bank account abroad, as the banks charge a fortune for conversions into local currency, and it’s not unusual to take up to three weeks for foreign checks (yes, outside the U.S. dollar checks are considered ‘foreign’) to clear.

So what are the solutions to these thorny problems?

You’ll find them in my new e-book, The Expatriate’s Guide to Handling Money and Taxes, which I wrote in order to help the many bewildered expats that I meet in my capacity as a financial adviser. As a reader of The Jewish Press, use the coupon code JPRESS to get the book at half price.

Filing taxes is complicated. The forms aren’t particularly user friendly, and if you’re not quite sure what you’re doing you can end up making quite a few errors. The problem with errors on tax forms is that they can be very costly. For people who have multiple citizenships and residences (think olim or folks who spend a portion of the year living in Israel), the challenges of tax reporting are even more complicated.

I spoke with international tax lawyer Dave Wolf (and fellow contributor to a book on tax guidelines for American expatriates) and asked him, “What’s the worst mistake you’ve seen an expat make?”

He said: “The biggest mistake that I’ve seen expats make is believing that once they move out of America, they no longer have to report their worldwide income or report the existence of foreign bank accounts or companies.” Indeed, when it comes to the IRS, out of sight is not out of mind. It’s also important to note that if you have American citizenship through a parent or grandparent, even if you’ve never lived in America and English isn’t your mother tongue, you’re still obliged to report to the American tax authorities.

Mistake #2

Another common blunder that Dave mentioned was that people look for investment opportunities without taking into consideration the U.S. tax code. Specifically, complicated U.S. tax laws basically prevent American taxpayers from investing in overseas mutual funds. The IRS considers those investments “PFICs,” (passive foreign investment companies), and most Americans who understand how they work would not want to get involved with them or offshore mutual funds. When trying to invest smartly, lack of knowledge of international tax consequences can cost you a lot of money.

Final Mistake

The third blunder people make, Dave said, is “They either go to the wrong adviser, one who has no overseas experience, or they just don’t get any professional help at all.” I asked how you can avoid these mistakes. He said, “Make sure to consult with your tax lawyer, accountant, and/or investment manager before you leave the States to avoid any adverse tax consequences of investing or moving money overseas.” Sadly, many people overlook this seemingly small detail before making what could be one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

Find out more about what Dave has to say about avoiding making major tax mistakes by reading The Expatriate Guide to Managing Money and Taxes. For Jewish Press readers, get half off the regular price of the book by using the discount code JPRESS. Go to www.ExpatGuideToMoney.com and order now. The discount will expire on tax day, April 15th.

Knowledge is power, and reading this easy-to-follow guide for U.S. expats you can stay in full compliance with the law.

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Jeremy Man Saltan ("Knesset Jeremy" - blogger and political analyst) joins Yishai to breakdown the newly minted government coalition in Israel and to explain Naftali Bennett's proposed basic law defining Israel as the "national state of the Jewish people". How can such a fundamental concept stir-up so much controversy? Listen in and find out why!

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As Pesach approaches, the themes of freedom and liberation from slavery are prominent in a Jew’s mind. Indeed, the message of Pesach is one of the most powerful Jewish experiences, and many otherwise non-religious Jews find their way to a Pesach Seder.

Slavery in Egypt may seem like a distant memory to many Jewish Press readers, but take a moment to consider whether you are truly free. After all, doesn’t modern slavery come in the form of debt, overdraft, and heavy bills?

How free can you be facing bills, debts, long work hours and/or demanding employers? Can you consider yourself free if you spend nights worrying about how you will make it through the end of the month?

Maybe you and your spouse are both working full time. But those bills just keep coming in. You’re not even wasting your money on fancy vacations or designer clothes. Yet there seems to be a permanent hole in your bank account. Bills and expenses seem to pursue you wherever you go. You can feel like a slave.

Although everyone has his own story, one common thread to many families’ financial woes is that they aren’t managing their money properly. Unfortunately, money management and budgeting skills don’t occupy the same place on the school curriculum as math or history. As a result, many people never learn how to properly take care of their money, and they stumble and struggle to meet their daily expenses. Budgeting and financial planning need to be learned, no matter how old you are or at what stage of life you find yourself.

Successful finances require keeping track of spending and income. Start by keeping your receipts and noting down your daily expenses.

Learning to budget and plan efficiently can help liberate you from the slavery of overspending, fiscal disorganization, and debt.

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Jeremy Man Saltan ("Knesset Jeremy" - blogger and political analyst) joins Yishai to breakdown the newly minted government coalition in Israel and to explain Naftali Bennett's proposed basic law defining Israel as the "national state of the Jewish people". How can such a fundamental concept stir-up so much controversy? Listen in and find out why!

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What are the treasures that authors throw away? Are they worth any money? If you are a budding author, will people be reading your rough scribbles in fifty years’ time? Ken Lopez specializes in helping living authors to sell their papers. He has stumbled on many interesting artifacts belonging to famous writers. Find out more about Ken and the interesting papers that he has bought and sold on this week’s episode of the Goldstein on Gelt show.