Capitalize Your Fridays!

Follow Capitalize Your Fridays!
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Every other Friday Michael Williams & Taylor McGowen will share financial insight as two CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ with different generational perspectives. Maybe we'll even bring in a guest speaker too! Provided to you by ALTIUS Financial Inc.

ALTIUS Financial Inc's Taylor McGowen CFP® & Michael Williams CFP®


    • May 9, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 35m AVG DURATION
    • 101 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Capitalize Your Fridays! with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Capitalize Your Fridays!

    Proxies Talk: Who's Vote Is It?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 35:59


    In this episode, Mike and Taylor discuss corporate governance and the role of proxy voting between advisors and investors.

    Good Energy Book Review: Cost of Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 38:25


    Book Review of Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means. Mike and Taylor discuss the cost of health, its impact on your finances, and their review of Good Energy.

    Evolution of Banking: The Digital Era and Death of Local Banking?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 50:20


    An exploration of how banking has evolved across generations, focusing on the rise of digital banking and what it means for the future. Mike and Taylor unpack the challenges facing small, local banks—and whether they might be on the decline. 

    What's FAANG 2.0?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 29:54


    Mike & Taylor dive into an exciting evolution in the investing world: FAANG 2.0. Unlike the tech giants that dominated the original FAANG group, FAANG 2.0 shifts the focus to other market sectors that are possibly shaping our future—fuel, aerospace & defense, agriculture, renewable energy, and precious metals. These industries drive innovation differently and might be crucial for resilience in today's economy. So, what exactly is FAANG 2.0, and how does it fit into the broader investment landscape?

    Tariff Trade Offs

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 44:03


    Mike and Taylor introduce the concept of tariffs then dive into recent political policy changes. To understand how this impacts the everyday consumer at the micro-level, one must understand the strategy and impacts on the world at the macro level. They discuss the potential impact of tariffs on the economy, financial markets, consumer spending, and more.

    Estate Planning with Ryan McGuffey

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 57:44


    Estate Attorney Ryan McGuffey (Long Reimer Winegar) joins Mike for a special Capitalize Your Fridays episode on estate planning. They cover common questions about estate planning, such as why it is important, how to start, how to navigate family dynamics, and what digital assets to consider when estate planning.

    Economics Simplified: Lesson 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 43:46


    Mike and Taylor start Capitalize Your Fridays' new 4-part series - Economics Simplified. In this first episode, they discussed the books to look at when trying to dive into economic principles and the concepts behind those principles. The literary works discussed are Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt and I, Pencil an essay by Leonard Read. Key takeaways are the importance and consideration of long-term effects, avoiding policies with hidden costs, and focusing on coordinating resources to create wealth. Tune in to hear more!

    Bill Johnson on Property & Casual Insurance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 51:02


    In this episode, Mike interviews guest Bill Johnson, VP of Mountain States at Evertree Insurance. They cover the core principles of Property and Casualty insurance, as well as the real-world applications and benefits of P&C Insurance, including what to look for in a policy and how to avoid common pitfalls.

    Timeshares: Dream Vacation or Financial Nightmare?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 31:22


    Timeshares are a common vacation option, but are they worth it? Mike and Taylor discuss the appeal & downsides of timeshares, as well as what to do when you want to get out of one and other vacation alternatives.

    ALTIUS' 2024 Wrapped

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 22:21


    2024 has been a remarkable year for ALTIUS Financial. From welcoming new life to celebrating our legacy, from personal retreats to team-building events, we've achieved so much together. Thank you for being part of our journey, and here's to even more growth and success in the coming year!

    Securing Social Security

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 54:46


    When it comes to tailoring Social Security (SS) strategies, many factors play a part including individual circumstances, age, and financial status. But more importantly, it's best to focus on personalized financial planning, reducing independence on SS, and staying educated around potential SS reforms. We've had many clients ask us about the state of Social Security and tips/strategies in making claims, so in this episode we discuss how ALTIUS navigates today's realities and future uncertainties around social security for its clients.

    Maximizing Your 529 Plan

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2024 40:34


    In this episode, Mike and Taylor provide an introduction to 529 saving strategies as well as consider the new 529 to Roth Conversion Rule. 529 accounts are a savings plan used primarily for college savings, but have been expanded to be used for K-12 tuition, apprenticeships, and even career based education programs These new changes have the potential to be beneficial to clients and listeners when navigating the best strategy for education savings and what to do with remaining 529 savings after children or grandchildren graduate.

    The Ins & Outs of Tax Loss Harvesting

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2024 31:52


    As we approach the end of the year, it is crucial to review tax trading strategies including the practice of tax loss harvesting. Tax loss harvesting is the selling of securities at a loss to offset capital gains taxes. Tune in to hear more about the process of tax loss harvesting and why it's a it's a valuable tool that ALTIUS Financial uses to not only reduces tax liabilities, but also allow clients to rebalance their portfolios.

    Welcome Back to Capitalize Your Fridays!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 15:37


    After a hiatus over the summer and while Taylor was on maternity leave, ALTIUS Financial's podcast Capitalize Your Fridays is back! We missed our listeners, so we're back in the studio excited to release new episodes coming soon. Catch up with Mike and Taylor and take a sneak peek at what's to come on Capitalize Your Fridays.

    Tick Tock, Tik Tok?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 29:06


    Let's talk Tik Tok. Is Tik Tok going to get banned? And does even apply to me if I'm not a current user? Mike and Taylor dive into the Tik Tok news and what this could mean for different areas of the US economy.

    The Tipping Point

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2024 17:25


    We want to look after our service professionals, but has Tipping gotten out of hand? Mike and Taylor cover what's the big issue with tipping? What's typical for tip protocol? And more.

    Relationships & Retirement

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2024 35:06


    In this episode, Mike and Taylor cover the top 3 relationship risks when transitioning into retirement. Retirement vision and timeline for that vision Financial harmony Health and longevity

    RMDs... What Are These?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2024 23:49


    What's an RMD and why do I have to pull money from my account each year? Or do I? In this episode, Mike and Taylor dive into these common questions about required minimum distributions (RMDs), how they're calculated, and the history of them.

    ABCs of Business Entities

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024 28:44


    ABC's it's easy as… wait, no, what business Entity is best for me? In this episode, Mike and Taylor review what a business entity is and the different types of business entities.

    Are You Behind On Your Finances?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 39:54


    Where do you fall on the financial readiness scale? This episode answers questions many of our listeners may have regarding their current financial security relative to social norms.

    Santa Swing in the Stock Market

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2023 21:00


    Santa is coming to town and as he takes off on his sleigh, he may bring the stock market up with him this year. Let's dive into the concept of the Santa Stock Market Swing.

    Lessons from Taylor's First Home Purchase

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 49:53


    Tune in to hear about Taylor's first home buying experience and learn more about the home buying process.

    Intro to Financial Statements

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023 23:45


    What do my statements even mean and why do I need them? In this episode, we demystify common financial statements and dive into how to understand them.

    Financially Ghosted

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 35:15


    It's spooky season! To help prevent being financially ghosted or financially ghosting, Mike and Taylor review the basics of estate planning. If you're interested in this topic or have any questions, sign up here to attend our upcoming workshop on Estate Planning with guest speaker Ryan McGuffey.

    EVs and the Oil Industry with Malcolm Theobald

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 49:37


    In this episode, Malcolm Theobald joins the ALTIUS team to discuss the rise in electric vehicle demand and the current global energy crisis. Malcolm has 30 years of industry experience in energy along with the recent experience in purchasing an electric vehicle.

    10x is Easier Than 2x Book Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023 55:10


    Over the summer, the ALTIUS team read the book "10x is Easier Than 2x" by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. We thought it was a unique idea and that the book was so good that we had to share it with our listeners. So, in this episode, Mike and Taylor review the basic concepts and why 10x really does seem easier than 2x.

    How to Maximize Your Rental Property Tax Strategy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 27:48


    In this episode, Mike and Taylor dive into 1031 exchanges - what it is, how you can utilize it when buying and selling rental real estate, and Mike's own experiences with these.

    What to know about HSAs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 22:10


    Earlier this year, ALTIUS had a virtual workshop with Gerry Hollis, who presented on Health Savings Accounts (HSA). If you missed that workshop or need a refresher on HSAs, then this is the episode for you! Mike and Taylor dive into how to utilize HSAs for investing and tax benefits.

    TD Ameritrade to Schwab - What you need to know

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 46:25


    It's been a long time since the official purchase of TD Ameritrade by Schwab, but the full transition date is coming up this Labor Day (September 4, 2023). At ALTIUS, we've been preparing for this transition and staying on top of the updates from TD and Schwab in the last couple years. So, in this episode, we answer the questions many of our listeners may have regarding the transition from TD to Schwab.

    A Dying Dollar? Can the Dollar Lose Reserve Currency Status?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 39:23


    Given the recent debt ceiling debate and worldwide economic uncertainty, many of our clients have asked us about the issue of reserve currency status...will the US dollar continue to function as the currency that the world uses?

    Alternatives to Alternative Investments

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2023 37:32


    The most common types of alternative investments include real estate, collectibles, commodities, private equity, and derivatives. But in this episode, Mike and Taylor cover a couple new unique alternative investments in the wine and art industries. They discuss the potential risk and benefits of these newer investments.

    Travel Credit Card - Tips & Tricks

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2023 38:12


    With summer travel coming up, Mike and Taylor review the process of travel credit cards, and how to maximize credit card points. In this overview on credit card points and benefits, Taylor goes over some tips & tricks and things to look out for when considering a credit card.

    Secure Act 2.0

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2023 31:10


    The Secure Act 2.0 will likely have an impact on ALTIUS' clients, so in this episode Mike and Taylor give an overview of the Secure Act 2.0 and outline how they're thinking about it in the long-term. At the end of the episode, they also discuss the process of stock buybacks and how they affect shareholders.

    AI Chat Bots: the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2023 56:54


    What is this Chat GPT I hear people talking about? Listen along as Mike and Taylor introduce you to and implement the world's fastest growing new tech - Chat GPT. We cover the new artificial intelligence (AI) language processing chat bot technology that is currently at the forefront of bringing AI to the masses and how it relates to investing.

    What to know about SVB & Banking

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2023 59:54


    In this episode, Mike and Taylor discuss the current banking situation (SVB, Credit Suisse, etc) and explain the recent and historic events that led to this predicament.

    Layoff Chaos

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2023 29:32


    In this episode we discuss some of the recent layoff turmoil and how this has spread beyond just the tech industries. We share our outlook on causes of these layoffs, our perspective on how this may or may not present investment opportunities, and our suggestions to any listener who may be directly experiencing this difficult time.

    Mortgage Lending with Kim Crea

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2023 59:23


    Our guest this week is Kim Crea, Senior Vice President of Residential Lending at Draper & Kramer Mortgage. Kim has a wealth of knowledge about mortgage lending and has been helping people with their home financing needs since 2003. She loves working with first-time homebuyers, repeat purchasers, or those looking to refinance, and her goal is to make the loan process as easy and smooth as possible. In this episode, Kim walks Mike through the process of “locking in” interest rates, the typical closing timing in the current market, and answers questions about the current housing market and whether now is a good time to buy a home.

    Why is Big Tech Losing Trillions?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2023 18:27


    ALTIUS recently had a client ask about investing in tech and what is going on with many of the large companies losing trillions based on their share price. So, in this episode, we discuss the chaos around big tech's layoffs and loss of capital, and what that means for ALTIUS' outlook on current market volatility.

    Market Cap Confusion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2023 31:01


    Let's dive into what Market Capitalization is and how it helps investors make allocation decisions.

    New Year, New Client

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2022 23:37


    In this episode, Mike and Taylor discuss what it means to become a new client. Such as, what questions to ask a new advisor, what it means to become a client with a financial advisor, and what the ALTIUS Financial client experience looks like.

    Debunking the 60/40 Rule

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2022 32:01


    Mike and Taylor discuss the 2022 market conditions and the failure of using the 60/40 Rule to protect one's nest egg. What happened and should you throw out the old asset allocation rules?

    FTX, What the Heck?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2022 38:20


    The recent FTX drama has everyone wondering what's in store for the future of crypto currency. Tune in to hear our thoughts on what has happened so far and our future outlook for decentralized finance.

    CYF 59: Where's the (Debt) Ceiling?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2022 38:27


    Recently, we've had many clients ask about the Debt ceiling and with the government continuing to increase spending and assistance policies the current “debt ceiling” seems more of an open sunroof than an actual ceiling. So in this episode, Taylor questions Mike about his thoughts on government debt and how it may impact our client portfolios.

    CYF 58: Employee Healthcare Elections

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2022 23:30


    Let's clarify the employee healthcare policy election process by breaking down terminology and policy types to help you make the right selection. In this episode we cover coinsurance, copays, different types of health insurance plans, and most importantly how an HSA account can benefit your overall financial situation in the long-term.

    CYF Ep 57: Furry Family Finances

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2022 28:54


    Pets may be our furry family members, but we often overlook how their expenses quickly add up. Today we discuss the finances around adopting and supporting our favorite fluffy family members.

    CYF 56: There's More to Life Than Retirement

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2022 35:04


    One of the main financial topics we discuss with clients is preparing for retirement, but here at ALTIUS we think being ready for retirement is not only about how much you've saved. So, in this episode, we discuss what it really takes to be retirement ready and how enjoying the journey shows that there's so much more to life than retirement.

    CYF 55: Supply Chain Issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2022 25:55


    With COVID on the downturn why are we still seeing challenges in our local and global supply chain? Mike and Taylor discuss their research on where these supply chain shortages are at and why - tune in to hear!

    CYF Ep 54: Why Do Millennials Hate Dave Ramsey?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2022 31:49


    It's a bit harsh to say that a whole generation hates an individual, but it is interesting to point out that much of the millennial generation doesn't agree with Dave Ramsey's financial philosophy. Listen to this episode to find out why.

    CYF Ep 53: Is it Always (or Ever) Cheaper to Buy Direct?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2022 43:36


    In this episode, Taylor tells Mike about some of her recent experiences of buying direct, which sparked the question "Is it always or ever cheaper to buy direct?" Listen to hear Taylor and Mike's thoughts on what is worth getting a deal for and what isn't. Also, at the beginning of this episode we give a brief update on President Biden's Student Loan Announcement and Updates.

    CYF Ep 52: Biden's Inflation Reduction Act

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2022 33:31


    Politicians have a knack for naming legislation to make it seem more palatable, especially in election years. This bill is no different since most people really are experiencing the effects of inflation with much higher prices on everyday items. Mike and Taylor discuss President Biden's most recent bill and its potential impact on the economy, markets and client portfolios.

    CYF Ep 51: The Psychology of Money

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2022 32:38


    In this episode, Taylor and Mike do a book review of The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan Housel. They discuss different principles of the book and the application of them in life and mindset. A book for anyone interested in how to think about money and how to let that mindset drive your monetary behaviors.

    Claim Capitalize Your Fridays!

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel