In this episode, Paul explores the real cost and true value of retiring in paradise. We begin by examining a widely cited article claiming retirees need $2.2 million to live comfortably in Hawaii, and uncover how media “information laundering” can make financial advice seem more official than it is. Then, Paul sits down with Aaron Goddard, CEO of Allstate Health Benefits, who moved his family to Hawaii over a decade ago. Aaron shares candid insights about cost of living, quality of life, communi...
Aug 25, 2025•19 min•Ep. 339
In this episode, Cory asks a powerful question every real estate investor should consider: Should I sell my rental? It’s easy to assume that if a property is cash-flowing, it’s worth keeping. But when you dig deeper, the numbers often tell a different story. Cory breaks down the difference between Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Equity (ROE), and why ROE becomes more important as your property appreciates. You’ll learn how mortgage paydown, rising expenses, and hidden opportunity costs ...
Aug 18, 2025•8 min•Ep. 338
In this episode of More Than Commas, Cory breaks down the sweeping new legislation shaking up the personal finance world: the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), signed into law on July 4th, 2025. From Trump Accounts for newborns to a $40K SALT deduction cap, the OBBB changes how Americans save, spend, and plan. Whether you're a parent, student, retiree, or working professional, this bill could significantly impact your bottom line. Key topics covered: New 529 plan expansions Enhanced ABLE accounts T...
Aug 11, 2025•8 min•Ep. 337
In the last installment of our d’Anconia series, Paul dives into the deeper meaning behind Francisco d’Anconia’s “money speech” and what it reveals about your financial life. This isn’t just about income, it’s about what you’re doing with it. Are you saving what you earn? Protecting it? Preparing to pass it on with wisdom? If not, you may be unintentionally building a legacy you never intended. Paul explores why money isn’t evil, it’s earned, and how it reflects your integrity, your priorities, ...
Aug 08, 2025•7 min•Ep. 336
In this powerful second installment of our d’Anconia Series, Paul reads Francisco d’Anconia’s legendary “money speech” from Atlas Shrugged, completely unabridged. More than a literary moment, this episode invites deep reflection on what money truly is: a symbol of virtue, value, and voluntary exchange. Whether you agree or disagree with every word, listen closely for the timeless insights on production, character, and the moral foundations of wealth. This is not just about economics, it’s about ...
Aug 06, 2025•19 min•Ep. 335
In this episode, Paul introduces a speech from Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, exploring the philosophy behind it. He encourages critical thinking about the speech's meaning, regardless of whether you've read the novel or not. Tune in to Part 1 of this 3-part series and expand your mindset and dive into literature. -- This Material is Intended for General Public Use. By providing this material, we are not undertaking to provide investment advice for any specific individual or situation or to otherwis...
Aug 06, 2025•9 min•Ep. 334
In this episode, Paul challenges the common belief that more money automatically equals a better life, diving into the deeper aspects of personal finance. He explores how money matters can be amplified, not solved, by a simple raise, and encourages viewers to seek true financial wellness. Discover why mindfulness in spending and saving is crucial for lasting financial freedom and overall self improvement. -- This Material is Intended for General Public Use. By providing this material, we are not...
Aug 06, 2025•8 min•Ep. 333
What if your bank statement said more about you than your words ever could? In this episode, Cory explores how your financial habits reveal your true values, hidden beliefs, and emotional patterns. Discover how money can act as a mirror, reflecting your priorities, anxieties, and future direction, and learn how to align your financial life with who you really are. Perfect for those seeking more than just budgeting tips: this is about clarity, alignment, and transformation. -- This Material is In...
Jul 21, 2025•6 min•Ep. 332
In this episode, Paul discusses what every entrepreneur should know before considering a business exit. He covers critical aspects of business sales exit strategies, particularly when to sell your business. Whether you’re fielding offers now or planning for a liquidity event in the future, this episode is crucial. — This Material is Intended for General Public Use. By providing this material, we are not undertaking to provide investment advice for any specific individual or situation or to other...
Jul 14, 2025•9 min•Ep. 331
In this episode, Cory discusses how incorporating strategic rest into your routine can boost productivity and overall wellness tips. He argues that mindfulness and intentional breaks are integral to building a fulfilling life and meaningful wealth. Listen to discover how to achieve more by doing less. — This Material is Intended for General Public Use. By providing this material, we are not undertaking to provide investment advice for any specific individual or situation or to otherwise act in a...
Jul 07, 2025•9 min•Ep. 330
In this episode of More Than Commas, Elijah explains the philosophy behind evidence based investing and how it is foundational to Sound Financial Group. He highlights Dimensional Fund Advisors and discusses why their approach to investing matters. Learn how evidence based investment can help build confidence in your financial strategy. — This Material is Intended for General Public Use. By providing this material, we are not undertaking to provide investment advice for any specific individual or...
Jun 30, 2025•5 min•Ep. 329
In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul discusses the evolving role of a financial planner in an age dominated by robo advisors and artificial intelligence. He questions whether technology renders financial planning obsolete or makes it even more essential. The episode explores how the role of the financial advisor is changing. — This Material is Intended for General Public Use. By providing this material, we are not undertaking to provide investment advice for any specific individual or situa...
Jun 23, 2025•6 min•Ep. 328
In this episode of More Than Commas , Cory breaks down the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement—its philosophy, its pitfalls, and its powerful potential to reshape your relationship with money. Learn how FIRE isn’t just about quitting your job early, but about reclaiming your time, aligning your finances with your values, and designing a life you don’t want to retire from. We explore key insights on how to pursue financial independence without sacrificing meaning, flexibility, or...
Jun 16, 2025•7 min•Ep. 327
Why do we keep making the same financial mistakes—even when we know better? In this episode of More Than Commas, Elijah uncovers the hidden forces driving your money decisions through the lens of behavioral finance. Learn how cognitive biases like loss aversion, anchoring, and confirmation bias sabotage even the smartest investors and discover how structured systems and a great advisor can help you stay on track. Whether you’ve sold in a panic or chased the next big thing, this episode will show...
Jun 09, 2025•5 min•Ep. 326
In Episode 325 of More Than Commas, Paul explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of financial planning, and what that means for your financial future. Discover the real strengths and limitations of AI in personal finance, why technology can’t replace human wisdom, and how the right blend of AI tools and expert advice can lead to better long-term outcomes. Learn how to use AI to support—rather than direct—your financial decisions, and why behavior, values, and purpose m...
Jun 02, 2025•8 min•Ep. 325
In this episode of More Than Commas, we dive deep into the Scriptures to explore what the Bible actually teaches about debt. From Proverbs to Paul, we examine the verses often quoted by Christian financial voices like Dave Ramsey—and contrast them with a broader biblical framework of stewardship, responsibility, and generosity. Is borrowing a sin? Or is the real issue the intent and ability to repay? Tune in as we challenge popular zero-debt theology, uncover surprising insights from the Parable...
May 26, 2025•19 min•Ep. 324
In this episode of More Than Commas, Cory Sheppard breaks down the risks of going all-in on the S&P 500, especially after its recent high-performing years. He explores how the index has become increasingly tech-heavy and dependent on the “Magnificent Seven,” making it more volatile than it seems. By examining historical data from different time periods—including the 2000s “lost decade” and early 20th-century downturns—Cory shows why diversification across asset classes, rather than chasing s...
May 20, 2025•15 min•Ep. 323
In this episode, Paul steps out to the shop to talk emergency preparedness — not for the zombie apocalypse, but for real-life power outages and unexpected events. He covers the essential items every household should have on hand to stay safe, warm, and fed for at least 72 hours. From practical water storage solutions to backpacking gear that doubles as emergency supplies, Paul walks through a smart, approachable way to be ready without letting prepping take over your life. Whether you're new to ...
May 12, 2025•14 min•Ep. 322
In Episode 321 of More Than Commas, Paul Adams unpacks the core ideas of Bill Perkins' book Die With Zero, which challenges the conventional wisdom of hoarding wealth for retirement. Instead, Perkins urges us to align our money, time, and energy with meaningful experiences during the prime years of our lives. Paul explores concepts like the “Fulfillment Curve,” “Memory Dividends,” and “Time Bucketing,” showing how intentional spending can create lasting impact and relational ROI. This episode en...
May 05, 2025•8 min•Ep. 321
In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul and Cory dive deep into what it really takes to build sustainable, guaranteed income for life. They challenge the traditional advice to go "more conservative" in retirement, exposing why longevity risk—not market volatility—is the greatest threat to your financial future. Using a real-world $10 million retirement example, they walk through how combining lifetime income annuities with smart equity investing can actually create more freedom, flexibility, a...
Apr 28, 2025•24 min•Ep. 320
In this episode of More Than Commas, Paul and Cory dive into a popular article's alarming claims about bonds, dissecting the idea of a 36-year bond bear market and the so-called "crushing" losses investors faced. Using powerful tools from Dimensional Fund Advisors like the Matrix Book and ReturnsWeb, they fact-check historical data from 1945 to 1981 and the Great Depression to reveal what really happened. Spoiler alert: the reality is far less dire than the headlines suggest. We also break down ...
Apr 21, 2025•32 min•Ep. 319
In this final installment of our four-part deep dive, we conclude our review of White Coat Investor’s critique of the Ernst & Young whitepaper on insurance products. If you’ve stuck with us from Episode 315 through now, you know this has been a winding journey through annuities, whole life policies, investment assumptions—and plenty of eyebrow-raising takes. Today, we wrap it all up with our closing thoughts on the White Coat Investor review. We also zoom out to look at the big picture: What...
Apr 14, 2025•24 min•Ep. 318
In Part 3 of our deep dive into White Coat Investor Disagrees with Ernst & Young, we tackle some of the strangest assumptions in the analysis. We break down how whole life policies are managed (or mismanaged), questionable projections of policy performance, and bizarre reinvestment strategies for annuity proceeds. Plus, we explore the odd decision to replace fixed-income investments solely with insurance products, the implications of paying back a whole life policy, and a 70-year time horizo...
Apr 07, 2025•21 min•Ep. 317
In Episode 316 of More Than Commas, we continue our deep dive into White Coat Investor’s critique of the Ernst & Young Insurance Study. This time, we break down seven more questionable assumptions, from high advisory fees to mysterious “black box” insurance products. Are these valid criticisms, or is there more to the story? Tune in as we separate sound financial analysis from misleading narratives. -- This Material is Intended for General Public Use. By providing this material, we are not u...
Mar 31, 2025•22 min•Ep. 316
In Episode 315 of More Than Commas, we take a deep dive into White Coat Investor's critique of the Ernst & Young Insurance Products in Retirement Study. While WCI raises some valid concerns, we challenge whether their approach to financial products is always as objective as they claim. Are whole life insurance and annuities really as bad as they suggest? Or is there room for nuance? Tune in as we break down the arguments, separate fact from opinion, and help you think critically about financ...
Mar 24, 2025•22 min•Ep. 315
In this episode of More than Commas, we take a deep dive into Ernst & Young’s latest white paper on integrating life insurance and annuities into a financial plan. With a projected $240 trillion retirement savings gap by 2030, EY’s research highlights how strategies beyond traditional investments—such as permanent life insurance and deferred income annuities—can enhance income stability and legacy value. We break down the key takeaways from their analysis and what it means for your retiremen...
Mar 17, 2025•7 min•Ep. 314
In this episode of More Than Commas, we tackle the Annuity Puzzle—why retirees often ignore one of the most recommended financial tools: lifetime income annuities. Cory discusses expert insights from economists like Moshe Milevsky, William Sharpe, and Olivia Mitchell, uncovering the behavioral biases, marketing flaws, and misconceptions that keep people from embracing annuities. We explore their benefits, including guaranteed income and longevity protection, while addressing concerns about fees,...
Mar 10, 2025•7 min•Ep. 313
Active asset managers promise market-beating returns, but the data tells a different story. In this episode of More than Commas , Cory explores why 90% of actively managed funds underperform over time and how patience, simplicity, and low-cost investing outperform stock-picking strategies. Through stories of legendary investors like Warren Buffett and everyday savers like Ronald Read, we uncover the power of long-term investing. Plus, we dive into the harsh realities of day trading and why even ...
Mar 03, 2025•8 min•Ep. 312
In episode 311, Paul explains that disciplined investing is the key to long-term financial success. He warns against comparing your diversified portfolio to hot asset classes, emphasizing that diversification and systematic rebalancing—selling high and buying low—are essential for managing market volatility and avoiding impulsive decisions. Paul debunks the myth of perfect market timing and stresses the importance of sticking to a steady, long-term strategy, all while offering actionable insight...
Feb 24, 2025•8 min•Ep. 311
Struggling to build wealth? In this episode of More Than Commas, Elijah Fowler breaks down the common trap of chasing high investment returns and reveals a more reliable path to financial success—boosting your savings rate. Using a real-world example, he demonstrates how a simple shift in mindset can grow your portfolio by hundreds of thousands without the stress of market timing. Tune in to learn why controlling your savings habits can have a bigger impact than chasing unpredictable returns, an...
Feb 18, 2025•4 min•Ep. 310
