Episodes

Feeling unsure about the relevance of writing checks in a digital world? Wondering if they’re still a valuable tool for managing finances? Tune in to Episode 261 of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he uncovers why writing checks can still be an important financial practice. Why Should You Still Write Checks? With Ralph Estep Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph Show, host Ralph Estep Jr. addresses the question of why writing checks remains a relevant and effective financial practice...

Struggling to manage finances with your partner? Unsure how to align your financial goals and tackle money-related conflicts? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. and financial expert Karen Hackman as they share their insights on how to manage finances effectively as a couple. What Are the Best Strategies for Couples to Handle Their Finances Together? With Ralph Estep Jr. and Karen Hackman In this episode, Ralph and Karen dive into key strategies for couples to mana...

In this episode, Ralph Estep Jr. addresses how to build a Christian community to support your financial journey. Listener Sarah’s question about feeling isolated in her financial struggles prompts Ralph to share actionable steps for creating or finding a supportive network. How do I work at cultivating Christian community? Addressing a listener’s question about feeling isolated in financial struggles, Ralph provides actionable advice on finding or creating a group of like-minded believers. Fr...

Have you ever wondered if you retired too early? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he talks about early retirement. What are 5 regrets of Americans who called it quits too early by retiring? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. delves into the common regrets of Americans who retire too early. He discusses financial strain, loss of purpose, boredom, strained relationships, and difficulty re-entering the workforce. T...

Is your child prepared for a financially successful future? In this episode of the Ask Ralph Show, Ralph Estep Jr. explores essential money lessons every child should learn. What Are the Best Money Lessons to Teach Your Kids? In this episode of the Ask Ralph Show, host Ralph Estep Jr. tackles a crucial question for parents: What are the best money lessons to teach your kids? Ralph dives into effective strategies for instilling financial wisdom in children from a young age. He explores practical ...

Is life insurance taxable? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he talks about taxes regarding life insurance. Is life insurance taxable? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. addresses the question of whether life insurance payouts are taxable. Ralph explains that in most cases, life insurance proceeds are not taxable to the beneficiary, but there are exceptions. He underscores the importance of keeping beneficiaries ...

Have you ever wondered what secrets banks are keeping from you? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he talks about bank secrets that could cost you money. What are 10 things that banks don’t want you to know which could cost you money? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show, host Ralph Estep Jr. discusses a revealing article from a bank teller's perspective, exposing 10 secrets banks don't want customers to know. He covers topics such as the...

Have you ever received a QR code that seemed a little fishy? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he talks about squishing scams. How do I avoid being the victim of a squishing scam? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of The Ask Ralph Show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. dives deep into the world of squishing scams, a devious type of fraud involving malicious QR codes designed to steal personal and financial information. Ralph shares real stories from victims like Tom ...

Have you ever felt intimidated walking into a car dealership's finance office? Wondered if you're truly getting a fair deal or being taken for a ride? In this episode, we'll uncover the secrets of avoiding common pitfalls when finalizing your auto purchase. You'll learn practical tips to protect yourself from hidden fees and unnecessary add-ons, so you can confidently navigate the finance office and drive away with a great deal. Get ready to take control of your next car-buying experience and av...

Are you struggling to find your true purpose in life? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he shares wisdom on living out your Christian calling. How do I live out my Christian calling? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. addresses the struggles of finding true purpose and the calling to a greater path despite the fear of leaving a comfortable job. Ralph reads a listener's question from Tomi, who faces a dilemma betwe...

Have you ever wondered how to choose the right insurance agent or broker? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he shares 5 tips for choosing an insurance agent or broker. What are 5 tips for choosing an insurance agent or broker? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. examines the critical significance of selecting the right insurance agent or broker. He answers a listener's question about choosing a trustworthy agent a...

Are you over 50 and concerned about your financial future? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he covers common money mistakes that people over 50 usually face. What are 7 money mistakes made by those over 50? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. addresses the financial anxieties of those over 50 by identifying and providing solutions to 7 common money mistakes that can derail retirement plans. Ralph emphasizes the i...

Have you ever thought about what could cause an IRS audit? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he discusses the topic of IRS audits. What are 8 common reasons for getting audited by the IRS? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. addresses the anxiety-inducing topic of IRS audits. He starts by delving into a listener's question regarding audit concerns for small business owners. Ralph outlines the 8 most common IRS aud...

How can I help my newborn start off on the right financial path? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he talks about giving your child the gift of excellent credit. How do I get my infant on the course to great credit? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph Show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. explores how to set up your newborn for financial success, emphasizing the importance of building and protecting their credit from an early age. Ralph answers a list...

Have you ever thought about how a VPN operates and why it's so important in today's online world? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he talks about Virtual Private Networks. Do I need a VPN and why is it so useful? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this enlightening episode of the Ask Ralph show, host Ralph Estep Jr. dives into the importance of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in safeguarding your online activities. Drawing from shocking real-life stories of cybercrime,...

Debit cards may seem like a responsible financial choice, but they could be leaving you vulnerable to devastating fraud and financial losses. In this episode of The Ask Ralph Show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. explores the hidden risks of using a debit card and provides essential strategies to protect your debit card. What is your bank not telling you about using your debit card? With Ralph Estep Jr. In this episode of The Ask Ralph Show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. shares a shocking story about a client ...

Have you ever said something you instantly regretted? Do you struggle to control the words that come out of your mouth? Taming the tongue is a lifelong process, not a quick fix. In this episode of The Ask Ralph Show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. discuss the importance of taming one's tongue to build up others rather than tearing them down and what you should do to continually strive to improve. What are some ways I can learn to tame my tongue? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show...

Have you thought about buying a business? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he covers the key things to think about when buying a business. What are the specific things I should consider when buying a business? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show, host Ralph Estep Jr. discusses the critical considerations one must evaluate when buying a business to avoid making costly mistakes driven by emotions. Through real-life stories of clients who ...

Feeling overwhelmed by student loans? Unsure which loan option is the right choice for your future? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he helps students navigate the confusing world of student loans. What are the four types of student loans? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. addresses the concerns of students overwhelmed by the complexities of student loan options. He explains the differences between direct subsi...

Ever worried that claiming a home office deduction could lead to an IRS audit? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he tackles the question of whether taking a home office deduction might lead to an IRS audit. How do I prepare for an audit of my home office expenses? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show, host Ralph Estep Jr. addresses the common concern of whether claiming home office deductions could trigger an IRS audit. Ralph offers practi...

Have you thought about whether to start collecting Social Security benefits early? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he explains the advantages and disadvantages of starting Social Security benefits early. Why should I consider collecting social security benefits early? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show, host Ralph Estep, Jr. explores the critical decision of when to start collecting Social Security benefits. Ralph breaks down the pros...

Are you using technology to build real connections, or is it becoming a way to avoid genuine human interaction? Have you ever spent hours scrolling through social media, only to feel even more disconnected? Or noticed that your online relationships just don’t have the same depth as in-person ones? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he explores how technology impacts real human connections. Have I Become A Virtual Hermit? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of...

Are you struggling to keep up with your retirement savings? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he dives into the important topic of saving for retirement. How Does My Retirement Balance Compare to Other People of My Same Age? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the 'Ask Ralph' show, host Ralph Estep Jr. delves into the critical topic of retirement savings. The discussion is sparked by a question from a listener named Debbie, who, at 45 years old, is worrie...

Do you ever feel like God might be speaking to you, but you're unsure how to hear His voice? Tune in to this episode of the Ask Ralph Show with Ralph Estep Jr. as he talks about how to understand God's will when facing big life decisions. How Do I Discern Gods Will For My Life? With Ralph Estep, Jr. In this episode of the Ask Ralph show, Ralph addresses a listener's query about discerning God's will in life's major decisions. He shares his own journey of transitioning from a successful accountin...