Personal Finance Episodes

What starts as a small drip can quickly turn into a major financial disaster. 💧💸 This week on The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Joey and Abby from Friendly Neighborhood Plumber to talk about the costly plumbing mistakes homeowners make, how to avoid emergency repairs, water heater tips, tankless systems, leaks, clogs, and what every homeowner should know before disaster strikes. Plus… we announce a HUGE giveaway — a professionally installed brand-new water heater for one East ...

What happens when someone who’s already led the department wants to lead again? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with former Knox County Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones — the fourth and final candidate in this election cycle — to talk about leadership, experience, and what’s changed since his time in office. From implementing body cameras early to discussing modern policing, recruitment challenges, and the evolving expectations of law enforcement, this conversation g...

What if the problem isn’t your effort… but the way you’re building? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Brandon Barber to unpack what it really takes to go from burnout to breakthrough — and how to build a business that creates freedom instead of stress. Brandon and Michelle Barber have: ✔ Built 100+ courses ✔ Generated over $10M in revenue ✔ Helped over 1 million people ✔ And rebuilt their lives after burnout, business crashes, and personal challenges But th...

Originally recorded on The Legacy Investor Podcast hosted by Cameron Philgreen. In this powerful conversation, Cameron sits down with Joey Ruffalo — financial coach, best-selling author, and founder of The Prosperity Lounge — to discuss the real journey from financial chaos to clarity. Joey shares the deeply personal story of how he and his wife found themselves buried under $370,000 in debt, what rock bottom truly looked like, and the mindset shifts that helped them eliminate that debt in jus...

Are you accidentally losing $100,000+ in future wealth — without realizing it? Most 30-year-olds aren’t broke. They’re comfortable. And that comfort is quietly costing them six figures. In this episode, Joey Ruffalo breaks down: • The math behind the $100K mistake • Why your 30s are financially dangerous • A real-life story of two 30-year-olds who made one different decision • How to fix it — even if you’re already behind This isn’t about cutting coffee. It’s about time, compounding, and own...

Before a tree falls, there are always signs. In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Jeff Helie, Business Development Manager of Monster Tree Service of Knoxville — voted Knoxville’s #1 Tree Service Company — to talk about something most homeowners ignore until it’s too late: proactive tree care. We cover: • Why winter damage is more dangerous than you think • Warning signs of cracked limbs, split trunks, and leaning trees • Why insurance inspections fail becau...

What if business isn’t about hustle, motivation, or working harder — but about leverage, positioning, and systems? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Jake Shannon, founder of Scientific Wrestling and No1 Coaching, to explore why winning is a science — not an accident. Jake bridges the worlds of elite combat sports and high-performance business coaching, showing how the same principles that decide outcomes on the mat also determine success in leadership, entre...

Welcome to The Prosperity Lounge, where growth gets personal. In today’s episode, The Foundation of Prosperity: Stewardship, Discipline & Integrity, Joey Ruffalo introduces and recaps the first three weeks of Daily Dose of Prosperity, exploring the core principles that create sustainable growth in money, leadership, business, and life. This episode walks through: Why prosperity begins with stewardship How discipline bridges intention and freedom Why integrity protects long-term progress Th...

Most business owners believe they’re covered — until the day they find out they’re not. In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Anthony Slay of INTER-AGENCY INSURANCE SERVICE, INC. for a practical, no-nonsense conversation about commercial insurance and what business owners often misunderstand about their coverage. This episode breaks down: The difference between being insured and truly protected The most common commercial insurance gaps business owners overlook ...

Millions of financially responsible Americans are locked out of homeownership — not because they’re risky, but because the system hasn’t kept up with reality. In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Steven Rosasmilia, founder of IMEX USA, to discuss a groundbreaking new approach to mortgage insurance designed for credit-worthy, first-time buyers with “thin” credit files. Steven shares how this new model challenges decades-old assumptions about risk, credit, and ac...

Where your money goes after you spend it determines what grows. In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Don Buckner Sr., Founder and CEO of MadeInUSA.com, to explore how American manufacturing, consumer choices, and economic stewardship shape long-term prosperity. Don shares why buying American-made products does more than support jobs — it multiplies wealth through local communities, strengthens families, and keeps economic value circulating instead of leaving th...

Travel planning has never been easier — or more overwhelming. In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, host Joey Ruffalo sits down with Amy Shewmake, owner of Simply Magical Vacations by Amy, for a timely conversation about why real expertise still matters in an age dominated by AI, apps, and DIY booking tools. While technology can provide information, this episode explores the critical difference between planning and advocacy — and why relationships, experience, and judgment are often the de...

What if prosperity isn’t just about money — but about time, freedom, and making good decisions with the resources you’ve been given? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Tracy Ellett of LYH Homes (powered by Keller Williams) to talk about real estate as a practical tool for financial freedom, the mindset shifts that matter more than hustle, and why serving people well always comes before the transaction. Tracy shares insights on first-time homebuyers, downsizin...

At Liberty University’s CEO Summit, Joey sits down with Makyiah Sendelbach, a Financial Planning major and Peer Financial Coach, to discuss what the next generation of financial leaders are learning about faith, money, and stewardship. From helping fellow students create their first budgets to understanding that “God owns it all,” Makyiah shares how Liberty’s approach to faith-based financial education is shaping her future — and why she believes stewardship can change entire family trees. You...

The Insurance Playbook: Smart Coverage Strategies with Joe Lapera Most people pay for insurance… but have no idea what they’re actually protected from. In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey sits down with Joe Lapera of Lapera Insurance — a trusted Prosperity Partner — to break down the essential coverages every household needs, the biggest gaps people overlook, and how to build real protection around your finances and your future. Together, they unpack: 🔹 Why liability limits matter m...

What if your business — or even your school — was sitting on tens of thousands to millions of dollars in available tax credits and settlements… and no one ever told you? In today’s episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey sits down with Dan “Uncle Dan” Evertsz — founder of Uncle Dan Consulting and College Money Smart — a man who has spent over 40 years helping families and business owners uncover financial opportunities they never knew existed. From helping over a thousand students attend colleg...

At just 23 years old, Jake Sisk has already co-founded a commercial real estate company, scaled it to nearly $10 million in assets, built a faith-driven investor community, and developed a mindset that many entrepreneurs don’t reach until decades into their career. In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Jake sits down with Joey Ruffalo at Liberty University’s CEO Summit to share how he launched his business at 20, why he left the traditional career path behind, and how faith, discipline, a...

When’s the last time your dog taught you something about life — or even about money? 🐾 In this heartfelt episode of The Prosperity Lounge, host Joey Ruffalo sits down with Samantha Spoto — Licensed Veterinary Nurse, Accredited Claims Adjuster, and host of Tell Me About Your Dog — for a powerful conversation about planning, purpose, and prosperity from a pet lover’s perspective. From the real costs of pet ownership to the lessons of loyalty, preparation, and love, this episode dives deep in...

What if prosperity wasn’t just about money — but about peace, partnership, and purpose between nations? In this episode, former U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica S. Fitzgerald Haney joins Joey Ruffalo in The Prosperity Lounge to discuss faith-driven leadership, the creation of the Isaac Accords, and how the Genesis Prize Foundation is building bridges between Israel and Latin America. From growing up in Tennessee to serving in Israel, Ambassador Haney shares how faith, humility, and empathy guide...

In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, host Joey Ruffalo sits down with Jeff Talman, longtime Knoxville banker, community advocate, and Rotarian, to explore how everyday leadership can transform entire neighborhoods. From revitalizing communities through homeownership to leading with faith and purpose, Jeff shares powerful lessons on responsibility, resilience, and the kind of leadership that starts right where you live. Joey also reflects on key insights from his recent Liberty University ...

In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, host Joey Ruffalo sits down with Brent Gibson, former University of Tennessee football player, veteran law enforcement officer, and candidate for Knox County Sheriff, for a powerful conversation on leadership, integrity, and community service. Brent shares his journey from the gridiron to the badge, the lessons he learned from mentors like Coach Phillip Fulmer, and how those lessons shaped his philosophy of “service over status.” He opens up about trans...

What does real success look like when the game ends? In this Inside the Lounge episode, Joey Ruffalo takes you behind the mic to unpack lessons from his recent conversation with Caitlin Ryan, former Lady Vol softball player and Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development at the University of Tennessee. Caitlin helps lead the groundbreaking VOLeaders Academy — a program shaping student-athletes into global leaders who use their platform for positive change. In this post-show reflection, ...

In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Richard Swan—a seasoned professional with over 25 years in the mortgage industry and now a trusted real estate agent in East Tennessee. Together, they unpack the truth about renting vs. buying, 15-year vs. 30-year mortgages, and how to view your home as a long-term wealth strategy. You’ll learn: ✔️ The biggest myths about homeownership and mortgages ✔️ Why flexibility often beats locking into a strict 15-year loan ✔️ How th...

What if one week could change the entire direction of a child’s life? In this episode of The Prosperity Lounge, Joey Ruffalo sits down with Chris Tarver, co-founder of Camp Amplify, a summer camp designed for kids from foster care, shelters, and difficult home situations. Together, they explore how the camp’s “Four F’s” — Faith, Family, Food, and Fun — create safety, belonging, and joy for children who need it most. We cover everything from camp food to Dave Ramsey You’ll hear: ✅ Why camp exp...