Having an estate plan is very important. It ensures not only that your legacy is protected, but that you've planned for disruptions in your health and well being while you're alive. It's part of making sure that you are prepared for life's challenges (and the ultimate end of your life). But how you draft and prepare that plan can make a difference in avoiding problems when those documents are needed, especially your will. To tell us about how to avoid probate nightmares I talked with Certified F...
Jun 27, 2025•48 min•Ep. 227
According to research done by the authors of the book *The Millionaire Next Door,* 70% of American millionaires are first generation. This means that in most instances wealth is not being effectively passed down to the next generation, as it is not being preserved. That generation doesn't know how to handle that much money (how many lottery winners are broke a year or two later?) So to talk about how to deal with inherited wealth, in this episode of the podcast I talk with Master Life Coach Chas...
Jun 13, 2025•44 min•Ep. 226
There are only so many hours in a day, and sometimes, even with a second job, it can be hard to make enough money to achieve financial freedom for yourself and your family. One way to get past this problem is to disconnect time from money and start generating passive income. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with former practicing lawyer Tanisha Souza about what she calls an "Income Snowball" that can get you that extra income you need. In this episode you will learn: - What an In...
May 23, 2025•45 min•Ep. 225
No matter how hard they try, a majority of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and even more don't feel secure with money. With no money left over after the bills are paid, it makes it nearly impossible to save for the future and reach long term financial independence. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with financial expert Bill Westrom on how folks can break the paycheck to paycheck cycle, save for the future, and gain financial freedom. In this episode you will learn: - T...
May 09, 2025•53 min•Ep. 224
The sooner kids learn about financial literacy the better. They have a greater chance of maintaining financial freedom and independence in their adult lives. But this goes beyond budgeting, spending, and knowing how credit works; it includes saving for short and long term goals. So to find out more about what parents can do to educate their children on saving I talked with personal finance expert and podcaster Timothy Smith, who hosts "The Financial Dad" with his two daughters. He has some great...
Apr 25, 2025•51 min•Ep. 223
Tax time can be very stressful for folks, especially if they owe money. For those struggling with debt and trying to pay the bills, it is even worse. But it may not always have to be. Tax planning throughout the year is a good idea if you want to minimize your taxes (or maximize your refund) when you ultimately file your return. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with financial advisor Frank Buchholz about strategies you might be able to use to be in better shape when you file your...
Apr 11, 2025•37 min•Ep. 222
President Trump's efforts to downsize the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency has a lot of federal workers nervous. Many of them have built a career with the government and spent years in public service. The thought of transitioning to the private sector, should they receive a pink slip, can be very stressful. That's why in this episode of the podcast I bring back Certified Career Coach Bonnie Negron to talk about the best and most effective ways to find the right ...
Mar 28, 2025•39 min•Ep. 221
One of the first steps on the path to financial freedom is getting your spending under control and creating a budget that has you living within your means. But determining **why** you overspend is an important part of the process if you want to stick to that budget. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with certified financial coach Scott Yamamura on the psychology behind overspending and how you can use it to identify your motivations and keep your spending under control. In this ep...
Mar 14, 2025•42 min•Ep. 220
The ultimate goal of retirement savings is to have a source of income once you leave the workforce for good. One of the scariest things about retirement is that leap of faith that you will still have the money to pay the bills once there's no longer a paycheck. One way to address this is to plan for streams of income in advance, like annuities, which I discussed in Episode 218. But it's good to have options, which is why in this episode of the podcast I spoke with Tom Wall about how life insuran...
Feb 28, 2025•43 min•Ep. 219
One of many financial tools in the retirement savings toolkit is the annuity. Most people have heard about them, and that they provide a stream of income, but beyond that, not much is known. That's why in this episode of the podcast I bring back repeat guest Michael Karwic to talk about what annuities are, how many types they have, and how they can fit well into your retirement investment strategies. In this episode you will learn: - What an annuity is - How many kinds there are - When they are ...
Feb 14, 2025•46 min•Ep. 218
Young people starting out, and especially young families, need to have a good handle on their finances in order to reach and maintain financial freedom. They need to spend below their means and and save for short term and long term goals. To talk about the importance of doing this, and his new book that discusses **how** to do this, I talked to financial planner and previous guest Joe Okaly, to get the solutions you need to succeed. In this episode you will learn: - What a Financial Pinwheel Is ...
Jan 24, 2025•46 min•Ep. 217
Long term investing and saving is key to building wealth and financial independence. However, that wealth should also have meaning to you. Aligning your financial goals with a cause that resonates with you can transform your life, shifting your focus from mere accumulation to creating positive change. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk to repeat guest Derrick Kinney about how you can get clarity on the purpose of the wealth you are building in order to achieve true fulfillment in l...
Jan 10, 2025•40 min•Ep. 216
Lots of people dream of owning their own business. They have that entrepreneurial itch that needs to be scratched. But most start-up businesses fail because they are hard to get started and grow. But what if you were to buy an already thriving business? How would that work? To answer those questions I spoke with CFO and business advisor Karl Maier. He has some great tips and ideas on how to be successful in buying a business. - How to start discussions with a potential business seller - What a l...
Dec 27, 2024•43 min•Ep. 215
Financial literacy is an important part of anyone's education and should start before the student graduates from high school. In Episode 151, I talked with Jake Cousineau on how he teaches it to high school students. But this is a topic that needs to be discussed more. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with Aaliyah Kissick about her efforts to promote financial literacy, especially among the Gen Z. In this episode you will learn: - About the Financial Literacy Diaries and how they...
Dec 13, 2024•47 min•Ep. 214
Achieving financial freedom and meeting long term savings goals like retirement can seem beyond reach. This is often because the concepts of personal finance and investing can seem mystifying, or that myths out there have you thinking that these goals are beyond reach. Misty Lynch, a Certified Financial Planner, has been helping people demystify the process and bust the myths that may be holding them back. Once I heard about her, I knew I had to have her on the show. Here is our discussion. In t...
Nov 22, 2024•46 min•Ep. 213
We all hope to retire some day. The thought of being able to do what you want with your life without having to worry about having the money to pay the bills is the very essence of financial freedom. But figuring out the path to get there is often the hard part. Where (and how) do you start? When should you start (and what if you're starting later in life)? To answer these questions, I talk with certified financial planner Stephen Kates on how you should lay out your retirement plan. In this epis...
Nov 08, 2024•45 min•Ep. 212
Many people dream of starting their own business and being their own boss. It is something they built and can be their legacy. But most businesses fail at some point; it's only a matter of time. To increase your chances of success, you need the right money mindset, not only for your business, but yourself as well. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with Justin Buonomo of Journey to Financial Freedom about how to form those mindsets and be successful! In this episode you will learn:...
Oct 25, 2024•40 min•Ep. 211
A big part of achieving financial freedom is having the right mindset about money. If you don't think about money in a way that aligns with your financial goals, you will find it difficult to succeed. That's why on this episode of the podcast I talk with financial advisor Amy Cook about what she calls your money narrative and how the right one can help you achieve your financial goals and, ultimately, financial freedom. In this episode you will learn: What a money narrative is How it influences ...
Oct 11, 2024•36 min•Ep. 210
Social Security is still an important part of any retirement plan. It acts as a good supplement to a pension or other income from IRAs or 401Ks. But how it fits in to your particular plan and when is also important. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with financial planner and Social Security guru Devin Carroll about how to make the right choices when you are a few years out and when you are ready to walk out the door and go home for good. In this episode you will learn: How to dec...
Sep 27, 2024•41 min•Ep. 209
You may have heard about stock options in financial news articles, especially in the context of tech companies and startups. They act as a form of compensation or a benefit for employees. But what are they? How do they work, and if your employer offers them, how can you use them to your best advantage in your financial plan? To answer these questions, I talk with Landon Loveall of KB Financial Advisors on how stock options can help you with your short and long term financial plans. In this episo...
Sep 13, 2024•45 min•Ep. 208
Most people wait until they reach age 65 or older to retire. One of the reasons is that you can maximize your social security benefit. This makes retirement something that is far into the future. But what if you don't want to wait that long? What if you want to have more time to enjoy it? That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk to engineer, real estate professional and CEO of Dirty Boots Capital Tony Lopes on how it can be done. In this episode you will learn: - How to solve the job exp...
Aug 23, 2024•50 min•Ep. 207
The word "wealthy" means different things to different people. It's more than the numbers in people's bank accounts or necessarily being a millionaire. It's more about financial independence and having a healthy relationship with money. That's why on this episode of the podcast I talk with Rob Souza about what wealth is, how you can reimagine it, and how you can achieve what he calls Uthentic Wealth. In this episode you will learn: - Why money mindfulness is foundational to financial freedom - W...
Aug 09, 2024•46 min•Ep. 206
Life insurance is an important part of any financial plan. Your death can bring about financial hardship to those you leave behind without it. Term life provides a nice benefit for a lower premium (although it goes up as you get older), while whole or universal life provides coverage for a higher premium, but it grows in cash value over time to provide an asset. But apparently that whole life policy is worth more than its cash surrender value! You can actually sell it! To tell you more about thi...
Jul 26, 2024•45 min•Ep. 205
Millennials are somewhat the "middle child" generation when it comes to saving for retirement. Although, on average, they began saving 10 years earlier than Baby Boomers, Gen Z started at the age of 19, which is 16 years earlier than the average baby boomer, and 6 years earlier than millennials. As such, they do have an edge over Boomers, they do have to play catch-up vis a vis the Gen Zers. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with retired attorney and investment guy Dan Solin on wh...
Jul 12, 2024•45 min•Ep. 204
Although student loans continue to be a hot topic in personal finance news, there are many interesting articles and tips out there that can help you on your path to financial freedom. These include Gen Z investment strategies that seem to be working, the cooling of the housing market competition, whether you should leverage the equity in your home, and how to maximize your vacation time. Thant's why in this episode of the podcast I wanted to talk about these various news items, in hopes that the...
Jun 28, 2024•21 min•Ep. 203
One of the things that many couples and individuals think about, know they need, and fully intend to get one day, is an estate plan. But what is it? Is it just a will? What can happen if you put it off too long? That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with estate planning attorney Adam Zuckerman to get a good idea of what an estate plan is, why you need one, and why you shouldn't wait to get one. In this episode you will learn: - What an Estate Plan Is - How It Differs from a Will - Abo...
Jun 14, 2024•49 min•Ep. 202
One of the more mystifying subjects in personal finance is cryptocurrency (what most people identify as Bitcoin). The concepts behind digital currency are not obvious and can lead to people being hesitant to get involved in it. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk to former truck driver and cryptocurrency enthusiast Bitcoin Ben to tell us about what it is, how you can get some, and why you should consider doing so. In this episode you will learn: - What Cryptocurrency Is - About the ...
May 24, 2024•51 min•Ep. 201
For my 100th episode, I did a look back on 9 of those guests and highlighted some of the great information they had for listeners. Now that I have reached the milestone of 200 episodes I wanted to do that again with guests from Episodes 101 forward. I will leave links in the show notes to the full episodes if you haven’t already listened to them and want to hear more. In addition, due to the length of this episode, I will also be leaving chapter markings (so you can skip ahead if you wish) and t...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 200
Eliminating debt is one of the first steps on the path to financial freedom. Controlling your living expenses and spending within your means allows you to work towards short and longterm savings goals. But that's not always easy while raising a family. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with Brad Nelson, the Debt-Free Dad, to talk about how it can be done! In this episode you will learn: - Budgeting Tips for Beginners - How to Improve Your Financial Habits - How to Reduce Impulsive...
Apr 26, 2024•47 min•Ep. 199
As a bankruptcy attorney, I help lots of people to save their homes from foreclosure by filing a chapter 13 bankruptcy to make catch-up payments on their mortgage. But there are other ways to do it. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk to DJ Olojo about how he helps people to save their homes without filing bankruptcy. In this episode you will learn: - Telling Foreclosure Myth from Fact - About the Mortgage Bank's Foreclosure Playbook - Foreclosure Prevention Tactics - The 12 Step Pr...
Apr 12, 2024•40 min•Ep. 198
