Real Personal Finance

Does your anxiety spike every time tax season rolls around? The possibility of receiving an unexpected tax bill can bring a sense of dread to the entire month of April. We all have to pay taxes, but we don't have to stress about them. Scott Frank, founder of Stone Steps Financial, is joined by Meg Bartelt, founder of Flow Financial Planning, LLC, to simplify conversations around money and tax planning. Conquer your tax season anxiety and avoid the shock of unexpected tax bills through Scott and Meg's insight and tips. Accurate reporting, strategic planning, and increasing your withholding rates are all steps to place you in a proactive financial mindset. The conversation explores optimizing your retirement contributions and the ins and outs of estimated tax payments, particularly after life-changing financial events. Don't worry—you don't have to take on next tax season alone. Scott and Meg share the importance of adding a tax professional to your team. Join the conversation as we turn the stress of taxes into a streamlined process. Ready to learn more? Scott Frank on LinkedIn Meg Bartelt on LinkedIn Stone Steps Financial Money can be confusing—but it doesn't have to be. When you're able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Are you ready to align your money with your ideal life? Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial. 

Scott and James thank all of the fans for years of support for listening to the podcast and review where you can find them if you're looking for customized advice when it comes to maximizing your finances. LET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube | Website | PodcastScottFacebook | Twitter | Website

Scott and James discuss how to balance a home purchase with saving for retirement.Listener Question:We want to stay in manhattan and want to be home owners but can't make the math work. Our current rental 2 bed 2 bath just went up to $4400/mo. A comparable condo would sell around $1.3-$1.5m. That would put the mortgage at around $7,000 with another $2,000-$3,000 in maintainable and taxes a month. Rent does keep increasing and I don't want to keep getting squeezed but does buying in Manhattan just not make sense? Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - Priorities5:25 - Various Goals 8:12 - Life & Math Don't Always Match11:15 - Investment Concerns12:30 - How Much Home Can You Afford?16:05 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter Website

Scott and James discuss what to do if you make too much to contribute to a Roth IRA.Listener Question:I am currently 33 years old, single, and am nearing a $129,000 annual salary. I have been investing in a Roth IRA and realize the phaseout limits for single taxpayers are from $129k - $144k. My question is, how do I lower my income, besides contributing to my traditional 401k, so I can keep contributing the max $6000/year into my Roth IRA as my income rises over the years?Planning Points Discussed:Utilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - Introduction6:17 - Phaseouts8:13 - Roth IRAs11:05 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteSubmit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss whether or not an MBA is worth it.Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - Listener Quesiton5:30 - Why MBA?7:46 - Pros/Cons of MBAs8:30 - Debt v. Investing16:05 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteSubmit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss the tax implications of withdrawing income from various accounts in retirement.Listener Question:Can you talk about how some of the main retirement accounts are taxed upon withdrawal? Example topic: Are withdrawals just subject to Federal taxes, or FICA taxes as well? And how / if withdrawing from retirement accounts affects eligibility / taxes you have to pay on social security? Can you talk about how after tax brokerage accounts are taxed both while investing and when you start to withdraw? And what withdrawals from that look like when you are retired (whether or not you are at ‘retirement age' or not).Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - Introduction6:17 - Accounts Aren't Equal11:15 - Tax Overview14:46 - Maximizing Your Finances16:05 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss how to reduce costs inside of your company's 401(k).Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:What is a good expense ratio for a retirement account? Is this something you can control with an employer sponsored plan? I want to make sure my money is working for me and I am maximizing my returnsPlanning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!6:17 - Expense Overview11:15 - Planning Options14:46 - Individual Choices16:55 - Business Size21:05 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss how real estate should factor into your retirement plan.Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:Me and my wife enjoy doing live and flip rentals and are planning on the cash flow to be part of our retirement funds. We are planning to move in a year and would like to pick up a third house to add to our portfolio when we do. How would you run the numbers to see if this is a safe investment for us. Ensure we are not taking on too much risk to expand.Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!6:17 - Rental Overview11:15 - Understanding Real Estate14:46 - Income Understanding16:46 - Customization is Key19:00 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss how to best diversify a concentrated stock holding.Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:How do I exit a concentrated stock position?I'm an employee at a large tech company and I've vested RSUs over the last 4 years. Some of my stock has appreciated 4x since I was granted it. My non-company stock brokerage account value is around $700k, and on top of that my vested company stock (APPL) is worth $250k at the moment. I expect to continue to accumulate more company stock through ESPP and RSU grants over time. My current gross income is around $325k ($200k salary + $125k annual RSU stock grants). I would like to take action to diversify this position into other equities (equity index funds). The reason I would like to diversify is to reduce my portfolio risk. Having just seen some other companies like Meta take a 70% stock hit, it feels like a responsible action to take. As I've heard in your podcast, I should not have too much of my net worth in one stock, and the only free lunch is diversification. I can sell all $250,000 vested shares tomorrow, but then I believe I would get hit with a large tax bill for all of the gains, which seems like it could be a burden. I am thinking I could start by selling the shares that I've held for over a year to make sure to get the long-term gains tax rate instead of the short term tax rate. And then next year, I could sell the stock I got this year, etc. I am thinking of starting a DAF in the next couple years and gifting $10k of appreciated stock to charity (apple does 2:1 promotions where they match up to $10k, meaning I could initiate the DAF with $30k), but the rest I would like to re-invest in a more diverse way to meet my short and long-term financial goals. Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!5:58 - Tax Consequences9:16 - Stock Vesting13:45 - Minimize Your Taxes16:56 - Best Stocks25:30 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss how 5 things to start the new year right with your finances.Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!6:17 - Financial Goals11:15 - Priorities in Money24:46 - Individual Choices30:46 - Customization is Key33:00 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss how you should choose your survivor benefits options for your pension. Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:I'm not sure if this can be a whole show but I was wondering if you guys can go over how to think about choosing between the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and whole or term insurance. I'm in the military and will be retiring soon. I work with a lot of members that are retiring and this choice seems like a coin flip or they simple go off of what someone else did. I know this decision is different for everyone so I was hoping you guys could go over a framework of how to compare the two. I would love to be able to point people to a podcast that walks them through the process of comparing the two.Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!6:17 - Pension Overview11:15 - Understanding Your Options14:46 - Individual Choices16:46 - Customization is Key19:00 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss misleading financial rules to avoid.Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:How do you both think about the common wisdom that you should have a certain multiple of your income saved by a specific age (e.g. save at least 1x your salary by 30, 3x by 40, 6x by 50, 8x by 60, and 10x by 67)?I am in a situation where my income has tripled between ages 30 and 35. As an example, let's say I had 100K saved at age 30 (1x my salary), but I'm 35 and my salary is now 300K. I don't have 900K saved in retirement, in fact, it's about half that. Am I in trouble?Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!6:17 - How Much Do I Need To Save?8:52 - How Much Money Do I Need?12:54 - Portfolio Changes14:45 - Income Diversification18:21 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss annuities and announce Real Personal Finance NATION!Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:I've met with multiple financial advisors and all of them have 2 things in common.1. They all say they are Fiduciary.2. They all try and pitch me on various types of annuities to supplement or augment my portfolio.Can you please address annuities on a show? Everything I have read online says to stay away from annuities (all types), and I am losing trust for the financial advisor industry. Are there cases where an annuity is a good move?P.S. I asked the last guy your recommended set of questions from a previous show. He was impressed with the question I asked, "How else are you paid?" And did say insurance commissions, but also said nobody asked him that.Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!6:17 - Annuity Overview14:15 - Exchanging Annuities23:46 - Financial Advisors29:15 - Advisor Resources35:10 - Real Personal Finance NATION!39:30 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss the best way to enter the financial planning industry as a career changer.Wilson Liu Financial ResourcesWe're on YouTube here!Listener Question:I really enjoy your podcast. I've had a 10-year career in nonprofit development, but I've had a passion for investing and personal finance since I was a little kid. I'm trying to pivot into wealth management. I know in a recent episode you addressed the path into the industry for someone coming out of college. I'd love to hear if you have any insight for someone making a pivot mid-career. Maybe the pathway is the same, but it would be great to hear what you think.Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!6:17 - Financial Resources10:15 - Understanding Your Options12:46 - Career Change Sample15:55 - Characteristics Scott/James Look For23:00 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss how you can know when you're financially free.NEW: We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:If you think we can step away from work when I hit "my number" whether it be at age 49 or 54 - knowing that I would only pull approx 3% from my brokerage until I reach 59.5. My goal would be to leave FT work at age 50, and have my wife and I only work PT or consulting to cover expenses and carry healthcare - w/o withdrawing from the portfolio until we hit our number (BTW we think total number is about 3.5M). We're both 40We have about 900,000 in liquid assets (not including our home equity). Of that total amount, about 500k in roth, 250k in traditional ira, 130k brokerage and 20k hsa. 90/10 portfolio of just a few diversified vanguard ETFscombined income of 300kspend about 85k todayafter tax, we save/invest about 60% and if you add employer match in total it's about 115k a year towards investmentsmortgage will be paid off by 50 and kids will be in collegewe'd like to forecast spending about 90-95k in todays dollars in retirementSo, in about 10 years, will we reach enough to execute our plan of having options? And how large should our brokerage account be to cover our plan of spending our 50s doing some PT work to cover expenses and then withdrawing in our mid-50s?Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!6:17 - Listener Question10:30 - Truth of Investing13:16 - Financial Freedom18:20 - Tax Planning20:53 - Risk Management23:00 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss the most how individual stocks compare to investing in funds.NEW: We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:I listen to your podcast and it has inspired me to invest however, I have invested into individual stocks and it has lost around 50% of its value so I invested money into VOO because I thought it was safer and I continue to invest $55 every two weeks im 18 and this is what I can comfortably afford how do I build my wealth for the long term should I continue to invest in the S and P or is there another thing you recommend?Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!6:17 - Individual Stocks10:30 - Truth of Money13:16 - Funds Overview18:20 - Financial Planning20:53 - Stock Investing26:49 - Growth Mindset33:00 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss the most effective way to incorporate giving into your financial plan.NEW: We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:Am I on track to retire at 52? Am I over-investing in retirement at the expense of more freedom now? How would you recommend incorporating pension plans into overall retirement planning (ideal year:pension percentage break-even point?)? Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!6:17 - Redefining Giving10:30 - Truth of Money13:16 - 503(c) organizations18:20 - Tax Planning20:53 - Life Insurance22:49 - Business Assets26:00 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss if you should ever purchase your home fully in cash.NEW: We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:I'm 27 and my goal is to have a paid for house by the time I'm 45. In the next 18 years, if I save and invest aggressively will I have potentially have enough to pay in cash or is it better to get the mortgage when I'm able to and pay the interest because house prices will go up more than what I could earn in interest in the stock market? To me, it seems that any appreciation the house might gain will be lost in the interest I'm paying to the bank for the mortgage. I don't want to pay interest and since I can't even get a loan for enough to buy a house in my area I'm wondering if it's not a better idea to save in an investment account and once the account reaches the right number, use that money to buy the house without a mortgage. Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!5:02 - Assumptions10:30 - Understanding Interest14:14 - Personal Finance is Personal18:20 - Subjective & Objective Personal Finance23:00 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss how a pension fits into your overall retirement plan.NEW: We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:Am I on track to retire at 52? Am I over-investing in retirement at the expense of more freedom now? How would you recommend incorporating pension plans into overall retirement planning (ideal year:pension percentage break-even point?)? Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!5:02 - Assumptions10:30 - Retirement Planning14:14 - Pension Considerations18:20 - Subjective & Objective Personal Finance20:53 - Life Insurance22:11 - Optimizing Finances23:00 - Aligning Your Financial GoalsLET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube LinkedIn WebsiteScottFacebook Twitter WebsiteENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.Submit Your Question For The Show Here!

Scott and James discuss the 5 employee benefits to get right during annual enrollment! NEW: We're on YouTube here! Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 4:25 - Retirement Contributions 10:59 - Credit Card Interest Rates 16:26 - Healthcare Considerations 23:05 - Life Insurance Coverage 29:12 - Savings Rates 33:39 - Deferred Compensation 36:00 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.

Scott and James discuss if Roth or Traditional is better for FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: I'm wondering if I should change my 401k strategy from traditional to roth?  I'm a 35 year old high earner making around $175k a year plus bonus.  I'm currently maxing my traditional 401k plus a 5% match from my employer.  I need to work another 7 year to hit my FI number ($2.5M) and I have $160k in my traditional 401k right now.  When I run the numbers on compounding interest, I show that I'll have somewhere between and $1.2M - $2M in traditional when I hit 59 1/2 if I just continue getting my match (no more personal contributions).  I feel like if I continue to contribute to traditional 401k, I will have a huge tax bill when I hit 59 1/2 and I'm worried about RMDs.  What should I do?  Do I continue to take the tax deduction now since I'm a high earner or transition to roth to create more tax diversification?  On a side note, I'm already performing a roth ira conversion each year ($6k), maxing my HSA ($7.3k), and contributing to a brokerage account monthly ($1.5k). Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 4:35 - Listener Question Summary 8:37 - Tax Basics 13:47 - 401(k) Maximum 18:20 - Optimize Income & Savings 21:57 - Savings Rates 24:22 - Personal Capital 26:00 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.

Scott and James discuss if you should dip into your retirement accounts to purchase a home. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: Should I max out all of our retirement accounts and consider taking a loan against my 457b or take out contributions from my Roth IRA in order to make a sizeable down payment for this second home in the future? Or should I allocate a portion of that savings money into a brokerage account instead for 10 years to save for this down payment? I am leaning toward taking a loan/Roth contribution instead of brokerage due to 1) tax benefits 2) simplicity and 3) because I view it as essentially "diversifying" my retirement by putting that money toward a lakehouse. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 4:15 - Listener Summary 6:35 - Insurance Needs 10:32 - Different Goals & Priorities 14:30 - When To Make a Purchase 17:19 - Property Growth 20:35 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.

Scott and James discuss what to do when you receive a significant bump in income.  NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: I would like to do the more in-depth analysis you mentioned on today's podcast if you are willing. We hope to retire in the next 5 years, at age 55/56. I am eligible to begin receiving a pension after this year, but plan to "double-dip" for the next 4-5. I have questions about 403(b) and 457 accounts, rollovers, and distributions. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 4:15 - Income Basics 10:02 - Income Raises & Planning Changes 17:38 - How Much To Save For Different Goals 20:32 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.

Scott and James discuss if you should save your money for the future or spend it today. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: I am 40 years old and want to know how I am doing. I have been through a divorce and a major job change and have been saving as much as possible, but it seems like I may have gotten to a place where I may be able to save less aggressively. I would really love to be able to retire comfortably at 60 but also live my best life now without over-saving and missing out on today. I have an old 401k, current 401k, Roth IRA, HSA and brokerage account. I know my numbers very well: budget/spending, savings/savings rate, net worth, etc. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 4:15 - Summary of Goals 10:02 - Comprehensive Financial Planning 17:38 - How Much To Save/Spend Today? 22:32 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.

Scott and James discuss where to invest excess income. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 4:19 - Anonymous Example 10:02 - Cash Flow 17:38 - Roth Contributions 22:41 - Risk Tolerance & Income Needs 25:37 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss if your investments are too concentrated. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 5:03 - Individual Context 7:32 - Budgeting 13:45 - Importance of Tracking Efficiently 19:32 - Index Fund Advantages 25:11 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to understand the stock market. NEW: We're on YouTube here! Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE! 6:31 - What is the "market"? 10:28 - Investing in the "winners" 18:09 - What % Are The Major Companies? 23:11 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss what insurances you need (and don't need). Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - Insurance 7:01 - Proper Protection 10:41 - What Insurances To Avoid? 17:36 - Long-Term Care Needs 16:57 - Debt & Real Estate 25:31 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how this market impacts how we pull funds from 529 plans. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 5:49 - Stocks & Bonds Correlation 9:58 - Cash Flow & Risk Level 14:49 - What Is A Good Rate? 18:50 - Additional Expenses 16:57 - Debt & Real Estate 21:27 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James YouTube LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to invest in stocks for beginners. Listener Question Sometimes I can tend to pull the trigger on things before doing enough due diligence. If I make a stock purchase and later am not sure it was the best decision, how long should I wait before selling the shares and moving on from that company.I'm not talking about buying a company and then a week later the stock price dips a little bit and that being reason to dump shares but more fundamentally if I no longer believe that a company is worth the investment how long after that point should I wait before selling the shares? Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 3:00 - Not Longer Just "It Depends" 6:26 - Fundamentals 7:48 - Appreciation v. Dividend 14:34 - Types of Investments 20:12 - JP Morgan Study 26:35 - When To Sell/Buy 27:10 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to understand your cash flow. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 4:16 - Income  6:26 - Fundamentals 10:46 - Spending Isn't Negative 14:27 - Rules of Thumb 16:57 - Debt & Real Estate 21:12 - Tax Rates 25:45 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss the pros and cons of using dividend investing to create passive income. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Listener Question: What is your stance on dividend investing, with the goal of reaching a point where one can live off of "passive" income from dividend ETFs? I have been reading a lot on the dividend subreddit where people are sharing their spreadsheets and screenshots of investments, and it seems like a very compelling strategy. What are the pros and cons of investing heavily in dividend ETFs with the hope of building a passive income stream? Timestamps: 4:16 - Dividend Yield 7:27 - The Feeling Behind Dividends 10:19 - Dividends During Recessions 14:27 - Don't Just Focus On Dividends 18:52 - Total Return 21:12 - Dividend v. Capital Appreciation LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to understand your balance sheet. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 6:17 - Having Multiple Accounts For Organization 10:08 - Goal-Based Investing Accounts 15:33 - Debt 20:25 - Net Worth Allocation 24:29 - Restrucutre Debt 26:48 - Aligning Your Financial Goals With Your Life LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to invest during a bear market. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 3:27 - What To Do As Investors Now 6:52 - Prices Are Reflected Today 11:03 - Averages Are In Your Favor 14:27 - Recovery Statistics 17:06 - Relatively "Normal" 17:44 - Aligning Your Financial Goals With Your Life LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to retire early. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:05 - FIRE Movement 5:05 - Non-Traditional Retirement 7:25 - Social Security 10:09 - Additional Considerations 11:25 - Military Considerations 13:40 - Gap Fund 15:50 - What Will You Really Enjoy? 17:44 - Aligning Your Financial Goals With Your Life LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how much company stock ownership is too much. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Listener Question: I'm a manager at a blue chip company and they offer up to 20% of their stock in your 401K. Right now I have 8% of my 401K invested in company stock with the rest in target date funds. I'm wondering your thoughts on if 8% is too much or too little. I have another IRA with good mutual funds and a personal brokerage account where I pick my own stocks. Just wanted to add that in so you didn't think that this 401K is my only savings for retirement. Timestamps: 4:28 - Rules of Thumb 9:32 - Casting A Wide Net 13:47 - Risk v. Return 17:12 - Company Stock Summary 18:44 - Aligning Your Financial Goals With Your Life LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss where to invest cash earmarked for a down payment. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Listener Question: Timestamps: LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to best mitigate risk in your investment strategy. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Listener Question: I'm really enjoying your podcast and generally agree with your advice. I'm 37 and a personal investor who is focused on long term investments for retirement. I have generally leveraged a higher risk strategy based on my age with index funds. My question is about the make up of the S&P 500 and specifically I'm concerned that the majority of the top stocks a large tech firms. It seems possible that we have seen the peek of these firms similar to the dot com bubble, so I'm rethinking continuing to invest due to this risk of collapse. Can you help me understand how to manage that risk? Timestamps: 3:27 - What Is An Index? 7:05 - Why We Invest 11:22- Importance of Diversification 14:15 - How Do You Enjoy Investing? 16:59 - Market Capitalization 19:25 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss the benefits of Health Savings Accounts and how to maximize their impact. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Listener Question: My question is around HSA's. Am I really missing out by not investing in this? I understand the power of tax advantage accounts, but to me having all that money that can only be used for specific things feels very limiting. Plus all the extra work of needing to track these expenses, etc. Is that trade off really worth it, or am I fine if I'm maxing out IRA's (no 401k atm) and adding to taxable accounts. Timestamps: 2:26- HSA Overview 5:16 - Tax Benefits 9:36 - HSA or FSA 12:54 - Expense Tracking 15:54- Required Distributions 18:30 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss if you should use an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM)? Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 1:10 - Mortgage Rate Options 4:17 - Mortgage Risk 6:38 - Payment Differences 10:27 - Additional Options 11:23 - Don't Push Debt Forward 13:45 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how you can reduce taxes on side hustle income. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 1:10 - Listener Question 3:25 - Taxes 5:50 - Retirement Contributions 7:43 - Retirement Contribution Maximums 9:14 - Solo 401(k) v. SEP IRA 11:35 - Can My Spouse Contribute? 14:27 - Target Income & Timeframe 16:11 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss what planning points to consider during a recession. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 1:10 - What Can We Control 3:25 - Cash Flow 8:12 - Unemployment 10:13 - How To Withdraw in Retirement 14:42 - Roth Conversion 16:51 - Loss Carryover 19:33 - Aligning Your Financial Goals LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to invest in down markets.   Listener Question With the markets increased volatiltiy in the past few weeks, we wanted to address how you can be investing amidst current market conditions. Thank you for submitting your questions and please continue to do so and we'll look to answer them in a future episode. Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - Inflation 6:10 - Headlines 11:42 - The Best Days 15:05 - Having a Plan 18:20 - Rebalancing 20:31 - Aligning Your Financial Goals  LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to account for matching contributions in retirement savings rates. Listener Question Wanted to find what both of yours opinions are on savings rate as it relates to employer match. I am currently saving 25% of my gross income between maxing out 401k, IRA and the rest to a brokerage, I bonds and ESPP. My employer matches 15% NEC on 100% income. I have a mandatory retirement age from this career (commercial aviation) If I fall short on my 25% personal savings rate in a given year, when is it appropriate to count the 15% from the company? Or is it always counted and I'm saving 40% between the two? Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 2:30 - Employer Matching 4:55 - Dollars Are Dollars 7:21 - Overfunding 9:12 - Lifestyle Goals 10:47 - Healthy Savings 11:47 - Aligning Your Financial Goals  LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to give more effectively using Donor-Advised Funds. Listener Question Hello! I love the show. I think I've had a chance listened to over 100 episodes. Have y'all considered an episode on giving? I recently started use using a donor advised fund, giving away some highly appreciated assets instead of cash. Are there any more strategies that I can use to be generous? Anything out of the box? Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 3:34 - Charitable Giving 5:38- Deductions 8:09 - Effective Giving 15:38 - Utilize Tax Benefits 20:35 - Aligning Your Financial Goals  LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to find a financial professional that's right for you. Listener Question My husband and I are both high earners. He owns his own business and I am employed full time in the health tech sector. We are in a great position where we are debt free, own our home and a rental property and have close to a million in investments. We manage our finances and taxes on our own today but are getting to the point where we'd like some advice around how to make the most of our assets, particularly from a tax perspective, as we continue to earn. We're 35 and 40 years old and have one child. We've been burned by tax accountants in the past who charge a ton but provide very little that we didn't already know. We find there are lots of resources for those starting out and many for those in the 5+ million range, but very little out there for where we are. Do you have any advice on how to find a professional who would be able to help us for a reasonable fee? I'd love to find someone we can create a relationship with who will grow with us. Thanks! Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 3:54 - Retirement Goals 9:05 - Do You Need An Accountant? 11:46 - Importance of Your Situation 15:07 - Quality of Life 18:33 - Who's the Best Fit? 20:35 - Aligning Your Financial Goals  LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss which pension option they should select, annuity or lump sum? Listener Question Hey guys! Thank you so much for the amazing podcast! I have a pension question. I am a teacher, and I am eligible to retire and begin taking my pension payments in July 2023. I have heard some people say to take the lump sum distribution, and create your own pension/annuity, but the math doesn't seem to work out right for me. I will be 51 at that point, and likely moving to a different profession with an income to add to the pension payouts. The amount that I would receive as a lump sum would be approximately $210,000. That represents all of my contributions over the 28 years I have been teaching plus 4% interest per year. It does not include the contributions from my employer, as I am not entitled to take them if I elect for the lump sum. The pension option that I would choose is the reduced amount that would continue for my wife after my death. It is $3408 monthly, which comes to nearly $41,000 per year. There is no way that I could expect to earn that much on the lump sum of $210,000 to make that a logical choice, is there? Am I doing something wrong on the math? Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 3:54 - Pension Overview 6:37 - How to Determine the Best Choice 9:35 - Inflation Protection 11:46 - Importance of Your Situation 13:51 - Aligning Your Financial Goals  LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to best track investment returns. Listener Question Does it make sense to track my investments in my 401K and Roth IRA purely off of the projected rate of return that people suggest (typically between 7-10%) or should I track my investments based on the inflation-adjusted return rate? I am asking this as a 23 year old, who sees a million dollars as a very attainable goal with a Roth and/or 401K but when you factor in inflation each year at say 3% that million dollars seems more challenging to accomplish. Should I track my portfolio values off of this “standard” 7-10% growth rate or should I take a more conservative approach and track them off of a (4-7%) growth rate so that I can have a better understanding of what I am on track for? Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 3:54 - Nominal v. Real Returns 6:37 - Investment Growth Example 9:35 - Inflation Protection 11:46 - Importance of Real Return 13:51 - Aligning Your Financial Goals  LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss how to forecast and save for college. Listener Question My wife and I are 33 and have two children, ages 1 and 3. We'd like to save enough to pay for their college costs but we're not sure how to forecast what the cost of their college will actually be. College costs can vary widely, and have historically grown at different rates at different times. We're also not sure what type of college they will choose, or how much scholarship they might receive. Ideally we would save as tax-efficiently as possible (such as through a 529), but we're concerned about saving too much in a 529 in case they choose a less-expensive school, or get significant scholarship, etc. We're currently saving some in a 529 (to get our state tax deduction) and some in a regular taxable brokerage, which could either cover college costs or be used for other purposes down the road. But we're not sure how much in total to save since we're unsure what college will actually cost in 20 or so years. Can you help us with how to best plan for our children's college expenses? Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 3:54 - College Planning Overview 6:49 - Public College Planning 9:16 - How To Be On Track To Fund College 12:20 - Tax Benefits (state specific) 15:20 - Growth Example 18:31 - Funding Options 23:21 - Aligning Your Financial Goals  LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss if you should borrow money to invest. Listener Question Currently have a 401k company match up to 7%. They also allow us to borrow against our 401k up to $50,000. Also have a Roth IRA but not able to make the max contribution. 401k loan is a 5% note on a 60 month term (only option) but maxes out at $50k and can have multiple loans against the 401k (only pay off early option is to pay note in full).  Knowing the risks of losing the job or leaving, we have a HELOC to bail us out in a pinch. Realizing we lose the compounding interest on the loan amount but taking that loan and putting it towards to Roth would offset that lost gain and help with my tax advantages when the withdrawal party starts all the while my interest payments are going back into the 401k.  My thoughts are to take out a loan each year to apply towards the Roth until I either max out the loan amount or I can make the full contribution amount again. Am I crazy to think this is a good idea? Planning Points Discussed Retirement Planning Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 3:54 - Cash Flow 6:49 - HELOC Example 9:16 - RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) 11:47 - Gross Income v. Net Income 14:18 - Retirement Savings 16:35 - Tax Optimization 19:05 - Aligning Your Financial Goals  LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here

Scott and James discuss the pros & cons of different savings accounts. Listener Question I'm hoping you could walk through the pros and cons of different higher-yield savings vehicles: high-yield savings accounts, money markets, and CDs. Especially how the planned federal interest rates raises may affect those. Planning Points Discussed Retirement Planning Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.) Timestamps: 3:57 - Bank Lending 7:23 - Bank Differences 10:33 - Savings Rates 13:30 - How Banks Make Money 15:18 - Interest Rates 17:29 - High Yield Savings Accounts LET'S CONNECT! James Facebook LinkedIn Website Scott Facebook Twitter Website ENJOY THE SHOW? Don't miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play. Leave us a review on iTunes. Have a money question you want us to answer? Submit one here