As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a podcaster

For Cineversary podcast episode #27, host Erik Martin wears a wire and goes undercover with film critic Glenn Kenny, author of the new book Made Men: The Story of Goodfellas, to uncover the secrets behind perhaps the greatest mob movie ever made, “Goodfellas,” directed by Martin Scorsese, which celebrates a 30th anniversary this month. Erik and Glenn explore why this film is worth commemorating all these years later, its cultural impact and legacy, what we can learn from the picture today, how it has stood the test of time, and more.

Glenn Kenny

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download or subscribe to the Cineversary podcast using Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Google Play Music, PodBean, RadioPublic, and Overcast.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at tinyurl.com/cineversarypodcast and email show comments or suggestions to cineversegroup@gmail.com.

The green you'll need for a getaway property

Owning a vacation/second-home sounds like an appetizing prospect. You can use the property as a personal getaway destination when you're looking for some overdue R&R. And you can lease out the residence via Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms whenever you're not occupying it.

But purchasing, owning, maintaining, and managing a vacation home won't be easy. Plus, there are plenty of expenses to consider before committing to this major transaction. To learn more about the bread required, as well as many unexpected out-of-pocket costs you'll be responsible for, read my newest article for Bankrate, available here.

When it’s better to hire a pro for the job

As a homeowner, it’s often tempting to bite off more than you can chew. Like that DIY bathroom redo that you were hoping to save money on, that sagging garage roof crying out for your magic touch, or that new foyer light fixture waiting to be hung.

Fact is, savvy and skilled weekend warriors can march into the home improvement battle with confidence. But the rest of us are usually better off enlisting experts for a fix-it or remodeling project. Learn why by reading my newest article for CTW Features, available here.

Hit the accelerator on your mortgage

If you have a mortgage loan, chances are you plan to pay it off long-term—often over 20 to 30 years. Over this time, you’ll likely pay tens of thousands toward interest alone. But if you pay extra on your mortgage bi-weekly, monthly, or annually, you can pay off your mortgage early. Plus, you’ll save big money otherwise spent on interest paid to your lender.

But making accelerated payments to achieve these goals isn’t for everyone. Check the math and figure out how much you shave off your repayment timetable and save versus investing that extra money elsewhere or refinancing.

Read my latest article for The Mortgage Reports and learn three key strategies for prepaying your mortgage.

Calling Dr. Zoom

Seeing a doctor or other health care provider doesn’t always require visiting an office or hospital in person. Instead, your provider may be able to evaluate, diagnose or consult with you remotely using videoconferencing, phone, an app, or another secure electronic means. This flexibility is particularly appreciated during the current pandemic, when many patients seek to avoid coronavirus transmission risks.

Eager to schedule a telehealth session with your provider? It’s important first to understand how telehealth works, state laws and restrictions, to what extent telehealth is allowed by your private health insurance plan, Medicare or Medicaid, and your options if a telehealth claim is denied. Remote doctor visits are likely to increase in the times ahead, but your current ability to take advantage of telehealth benefits may be limited.

Get the 411 on telehealth and if/how it works with your health insurance plan by reading my newest article for Insurance.com, available here.

Suffrage sisters

This year marks the centennial of American women earning the right to vote, thanks to ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1920.

One hundred is a big, memorable number worth celebrating. But it’s far from the most astounding number related to the suffrage movement. Consider that, for most of our nation’s history—144 years—females were denied this crucial right. Moreover, it took the suffragists 72 years before the women’s right to vote became law and, despite being passed by Congress a year earlier, 13 months passed before enough states ratified the 19th Amendment and made it effective nationwide.

Many important figures paved the path to the ballot box for women. Some are well represented in history books and museums. Others have been overlooked and underappreciated. But all are deserving of praise and recognition. Read my newest article for CTW Features and learn about some of these pioneering females in the suffrage movement by clicking here.