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Welcome to the Power Up Wealth podcast where we provide impactful insight and expert opinions on timeless financial principles and timely investment topics--preparing you to make smarter decisions with your money. Reach out to us at smedleyfinancial.com f

Smedley Financial


    • Jun 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 15m AVG DURATION
    • 92 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Power Up Wealth

    Savings Accounts Don't Make Cents

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 16:01 Transcription Available


    Yields on many savings accounts are up, but if you have a significant amount of money sitting in your checking account, you may need to make a change. I'm James Derrick, and today we will explore how much “cents” there is in savings with Jordan Hadfield.

    The Tide is Changing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 13:28 Transcription Available


    It seems the new administration is making good on its promise for big changes. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial. And today my guest, James Derrick, will share his perspective on how some of the changes will impact investors.

    Anchoring Investment Goals

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 8:45 Transcription Available


    Breaking news with alarming headlines can easily divert us from our long-term ambitions. It has never been more important to anchor yourself to a set of values and goals.

    The Power of a 7th Generation Mentality

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 14:53 Transcription Available


    Adopting a 7th-generation mentality benefits generations to come. Welcome, I'm James Derrick, and today, I will be joined by Mikal Aune to discuss the power of a 7th-generation mentality.

    Understanding Identity Theft: Prevent and Protect

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 22:30 Transcription Available


    Preventing identity theft is essential for your financial security. Today, we're going to talk about how to protect and prevent identity theft, and we'll even discuss what to do if the worst should happen. I'm James Derrick, and Shane Thomas will join me today.

    How a Positive Outlook Can Add to Your Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 9:48 Transcription Available


    Finally, there is a way to add years to your life. I'm James Derrick from Smedley Financial, and today, we will explore how an optimistic outlook can add to your life. We'll be speaking with our expert and guest, Sharla Jessop.

    Navigating Life's Unexpected Transitions Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 15:06 Transcription Available


    Ready or not, life's events happen when we least expect them. I'm James Derrick. Today, we will explore navigating life's unexpected transitions with our expert and guest, Parker Thompson.

    Changing World? Focus on Unchanging Truths

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 12:12 Transcription Available


    The world around us is ever-changing. How can anyone keep up? I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial, and today, my friend and colleague, James Derrick, will shed some light on where we should focus.

    7 Habits of Highly Effective Investors

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 17:54 Transcription Available


    Do your investment habits match the seven habits of highly effective investors? I'm James Derrick, and today we will explore a list, and it's not your typical list of what it takes to be a successful investor with our expert and guest, Jordan Hadfield.

    6 Steps to Being Secure Online

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 21:15 Transcription Available


    Each week brings news of another data breach of our personal information. I'm James Derrick, Chief Investment Strategist at Smedley Financial Services. Shane Thomas will join me today to discuss everything you can do to protect your data and privacy.

    Where Should You Put Your Cash?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 11:38 Transcription Available


    We've often heard if you watch out for your pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial. My guest today, Parker Thompson, will share ideas on how to make those pennies count. 

    Is the Housing Market on the Nice or Naughty List?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2024 10:34 Transcription Available


    There has been a lot of uncertainty in the housing market. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial. Today my guest and colleague, Brandi Romero, will tell us whether the housing market is on the nice or naughty list this year. 

    4 Healthy Money Habits for Couples

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 16:21 Transcription Available


    Good or bad, money habits have an impact on marital bliss. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial Services. Today, my guest and colleague, Parker Thompson, will share four healthy money habits for couples. 

    Estate Planning Mistakes

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 40:47 Transcription Available


    What is an estate plan, and what are the top five mistakes people make with them? I'm Mikal Aune, and today, we will discuss estate plans with our expert and guest, Nathan Croxford.

    Something Very Bad is Coming

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 14:05 Transcription Available


    Living in the information age means we are often receiving negative information from several sources.I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial Services. Today, my guest and colleague, Jordan Hadfield, will explain how this negative information can affect our investment outlook.

    Investing Through Elections

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 16:03 Transcription Available


    Investing during election years can be stressful. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial. Today, my guest and colleague James Derrick will shed some light on election years. 

    By The Numbers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2024 15:56 Transcription Available


    Recession or no recession, the numbers tell the story of how economic factors are impacting American households. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial Services. Today, my guest and colleague, Parker Thompson will give us an update on the numbers affecting us now. 

    Triple Tax Benefit

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024 9:58 Transcription Available


    Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, can have a significant impact on tax savings while you work and in retirement. I'm James Derrick and today I'll be talking with expert and guest Sharla Jessop about how to get the triple tax benefit of HSAs.

    Knowledge is a Powerful Defense

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 15:33 Transcription Available


    Scams are not new to society, they have been going on for many, many years. There are always bad actors (crooks) trying to separate you from your money. I'm Sharla Jessop, today my guest, Shane Thomas, will explain why knowledge is a powerful defense against bad actors.

    How Should Wealth be Defined?

    Play Episode Play 47 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 12:56 Transcription Available


    When talking about wealth, it is common for us to think of those who have an unimaginable amount of money. But wealth includes more than just money. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial. Today, my guest, Mikal Aune, will explain what true wealth is.

    Living in the Vibecession

    Play Episode Play 50 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 5, 2024 15:00 Transcription Available


    Economic reports tell us the economy is doing well. So why do so many of us feel like we are living in a separate world? I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial. Today, James Derrick will shed some light on the differences between economic reports and the household finances of the average American.

    The Final Countdown

    Play Episode Play 49 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 12:23 Transcription Available


    The clock is ticking down, and some tax rates are likely to increase. I'm James Derrick, Chief Investment Strategist at Smedley Financial. Today I'll be joined by Sharla Jessop. We'll be talking about some of the tax cuts of recent years that are likely to expire.

    Investors Like Election Years

    Play Episode Play 47 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 10:04 Transcription Available


    It's an election year, and everyone wants to know how this will impact the market and their nest egg. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial Services. Today, my guest and colleague, James Derrick, will share a new perspective on the topic.

    A Golden Investment

    Play Episode Play 47 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 13:01 Transcription Available


    How should we view a commodity that can be purchased at the local box store along with your vegetables and meat? Yes, I'm talking about gold bars. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial Services. Today, my guest and colleague, Jordan Hadfield, will share his perspectives.

    Is 6% Dead?

    Play Episode Play 45 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 10:19 Transcription Available


    There's been a shakeup in the real estate market. What could this mean for you? I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial Services. Today, my guest and colleague, Parker Thompson, will share some insights on the changes in real estate transactions. 

    Importance of Family Meetings

    Play Episode Play 44 sec Highlight Listen Later May 28, 2024 20:45 Transcription Available


    Passing money to the next generation can be complex. Today, my guest and colleague Mikal Aune will share the challenges and opportunities of addressing wealth with your family. 

    34 Trillion in Debt!

    Play Episode Play 47 sec Highlight Listen Later May 13, 2024 17:07 Transcription Available


    It is safe to say that everyone has heard the U.S. government is carrying a $34 trillion debt. That sounds alarming! Today, my guest and colleague, Jordan Hadfield, will explain why that might not be as concerning as you may initially think. 

    Watching Inflation

    Play Episode Play 47 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 30, 2024 13:26 Transcription Available


    When looking at the U.S. economy and inflation, you may wonder if we are moving at a regular pace or are we moving at a faster clip? Today, James Derrick will talk about inflation and how it could be compared to people movers at that airport.

    7 Money Resolutions

    Play Episode Play 44 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 14:49 Transcription Available


    New Year's resolutions can be hard to follow and all too often fizzle by March. Today, my guest and colleague, Parker Thompson, will share 7 ideas to help you set meaningful financial goals. 

    Happy New Year 2024

    Play Episode Play 51 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 13:07 Transcription Available


    I'm James Derrick. Today, I will be interviewing Sharla Jessop. She and I will take a step back from all the financial minutia to discuss setting and celebrating our personal goals and achievements. By the end of the podcast, I hope to have Sharla in the hot seat—sharing some personal goals—with all of us.

    The Shortsighted Investor

    Play Episode Play 52 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 17:07 Transcription Available


    There seems to be no shortage of information or opinions regarding money, how to save, how to spend, and how to invest. How does it impact our long-term focus?  I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial. Today, my guest and colleague, Jordan Hadfield, will share the attributes and consequences of shortsighted investing.

    The Paradox of Wealth

    Play Episode Play 47 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 8, 2024 15:49 Transcription Available


    We often think of family wealth as something that has been passed down from generation to generation. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial. Today, my guest and wealth management colleague, Mikal Aune, will explain why that might not be the case.

    How Do You Measure Financial Success?

    Play Episode Play 49 sec Highlight Listen Later Feb 26, 2024 12:27 Transcription Available


    Financial success is often viewed by how much money someone makes or their possessions. But are these good measurements?I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial. Today, my guest and colleague, James Derrick, will share a different perspective on measuring wealth.

    Stepping Off the Edge Into Retirement

    Play Episode Play 51 sec Highlight Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 12:34 Transcription Available


    Stepping into retirement can feel like you are stepping off the ledge. How do you know if you are ready? I'm James Derrick. Today, my guest and colleague, Sharla Jessop, will share how to be ready for the three stages of retirement.

    Guessing Your Way Through Retirement

    Play Episode Play 49 sec Highlight Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 13:47 Transcription Available


    Retirement is a goal we all work towards. So why are so many people guessing their way through retirement? I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial Services. Today, my guest and colleague Mikal Aune will share some insights on why we might fall short.

    5 Acts of the Economic Play

    Play Episode Play 47 sec Highlight Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 17:32 Transcription Available


    Just like the acts of a play, the economic cycle has a structure. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial. Today, my guest and colleague, James Derrick, will tell us who the actors are, and which Act we are watching now.

    Setting Up Children for Financial Success

    Play Episode Play 50 sec Highlight Listen Later Jan 4, 2024 10:17 Transcription Available


    Money influences everyone, not just adults. I'm James Derrick, the Chief Investment Strategist at Smedley Financial Services, and today, I'll be joined by Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial, to talk about how parents can prepare their children for financial success.

    Economic Cycles Can Teach Us A Lot About the Future

    Play Episode Play 47 sec Highlight Listen Later Dec 4, 2023 14:55 Transcription Available


    The global economy is everchanging. How can we prepare for the future, and what can we learn from the past? I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial. Today, my friend and colleague, James Derrick, will share his insights on lessons learned. 

    Global Reserve Currency Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 27:42 Transcription Available


    Welcome back to the SFS Power Up Wealth Podcast. I'm James Derrick. Today, we dive back into our 3rd and final discussion on the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency.

    Am I going to be okay? Part 2

    Play Episode Play 49 sec Highlight Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 14:12 Transcription Available


    If you are getting ready to retire, you may wonder, “Am I going to be okay – will my money last?” I'm Sharla Jessop, and today my guest and colleague, Parker Thompson, will discuss some of the concerns facing today's retirees.

    Am I going to be okay? Part 1

    Play Episode Play 48 sec Highlight Listen Later Oct 20, 2023 12:39 Transcription Available


    If you are getting ready to retire, you may wonder, “Am I going to be okay – will my money last?” I'm Sharla Jessop, and today, my guest and colleague, Parker Thompson, will discuss some of the concerns facing today's retirees. 

    Is Your Retirement Account a Tax Bomb?

    Play Episode Play 48 sec Highlight Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 18:15 Transcription Available


    Have you unexpectedly created a tax time bomb? If you have a large balance in your 401k or IRA, you may be doing just that. I'm Sharla Jessop, and today my guest and colleague, Mikal Aune, will share ways to defuse a tax time bomb.

    Global Reserve Currency Part 2

    Play Episode Play 54 sec Highlight Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 17:09 Transcription Available


    The U.S. dollar dominates global trade and brings Americans all kinds of benefits. How did we get here, and are there any lessons in the past from those who lost it? I am James Derrick, Chief Investment Strategist at Smedley Financial Services. Today, my guest, Jordan Hadfield, will help us understand what it means to have the U.S. dollar as the world currency, how we got here, and why it is at risk.

    Global Reserve Currency Part 1

    Play Episode Play 57 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 17:22 Transcription Available


    The U.S. dollar dominates global trade and brings Americans all kinds of benefits. When will we lose this financial advantage? I am James Derrick, Chief Investment Strategist at Smedley Financial Services. Today, my guest, Jordan Hadfield, will help us understand what it means to have the U.S. dollar as the world currency, how we got here, and why it is at risk.

    A Brief History of the US Dollar

    Play Episode Play 47 sec Highlight Listen Later Aug 2, 2023 11:34 Transcription Available


    History shows confidence in the U.S. Dollar has waxed and waned over the years. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial Services. Today, James Derrick will share what history has revealed about the relevance of the dollar. 

    Managing a Mountain of Risk

    Play Episode Play 51 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 17, 2023 13:45 Transcription Available


    Risk is different for those saving for retirement versus for those in retirement. I'm James Derrick, the Chief Investment Strategist at Smedley Financial Services, and today I'll be joined by Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial, to talk about the risks and volatility and how it impacts workers and retirees differently.

    Is the Bank the Safest Place?

    Play Episode Play 47 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 21:15 Transcription Available


    Fraudsters and bad players have become very adept at getting trusting people to turn over the keys to the bank. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial Services. Today my guests and colleagues, Mikal Aune and Shane Thomas, will explain just how easily and quickly this can happen.

    Personal Savings Bubble

    Play Episode Play 46 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 13, 2023 13:49 Transcription Available


    What is happening to the savings habits in the U.S.? I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial, today my guest Parker Thompson will talk about the concerning trend in household savings.

    Savers Are Finally Being Rewarded

    Play Episode Play 47 sec Highlight Listen Later May 25, 2023 20:19 Transcription Available


    Interest rates have been significantly increasing over the last six months. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial Services and today my guest and colleague, Mikal Aune, will tell us how savers are finally being rewarded.

    Lessons From Past Bear Markets

    Play Episode Play 46 sec Highlight Listen Later May 11, 2023 15:51 Transcription Available


    In a world of change, some themes can mirror the past. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial. Today my guest and colleague, James Derrick, will share some lessons from past bear markets.

    To Buy a CD or Not to Buy a CD

    Play Episode Play 50 sec Highlight Listen Later Apr 27, 2023 19:58 Transcription Available


    Interest rates for Certificate Accounts have been increasing. Which has many people wonder if this is a good time to lock in the rates. I'm Sharla Jessop, President of Smedley Financial and today we will discuss when to buy or not to buy a CD with my guest and colleague, Jordan Hadfield.

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