Podcasts about hsas

Dr. Karen Litzy sits down with Jennifer Burnham Grubbs, founder of Ionava, to unpack why traditional health insurance often penalizes healthy people instead of rewarding them. Jennifer draws on 21 years in the insurance industry to explain what she saw, why she built a new financial category, and how Ionava is designed to reward health-conscious behavior with greater flexibility and less friction. We discuss why healthy people often get poor value from insurance, how Ionava differs from HSAs, FSAs, and health sharing ministries, and how its wallet-based model is meant to make health financial preparedness more practical.   Key topics   Jennifer explains why she built Ionava after two decades as an insurance broker and consultant, including seeing denied coverage, surprise billing, and confusing utilization patterns firsthand. The episode explores the idea that healthy people often subsidize the system without getting a meaningful return, even when they follow preventive care recommendations. Karen and Jennifer compare traditional insurance with a "good driver discount" model, highlighting how insurance rarely rewards healthier behavior. Jennifer explains why Ionava is not health insurance or an HSA, but a new financial category built around health, financial preparedness, and wellness spending. The conversation covers how Ionava's wallet works, including how users can spend on qualifying health and wellness expenses, from gym memberships to supplements and cosmetic wellness categories. Jennifer contrasts Ionava with HSAs and FSAs, emphasizing that Ionava is funded through the subscription and is designed to roll over rather than expire. They also discuss health sharing ministries and why Ionava was built to be secular and broadly accessible rather than tied to religious attestation. Jennifer explains the health score quiz, how it helps price vaults, and why Ionava currently starts with the healthiest applicants to maintain actuarial discipline. The episode dives into pre-existing conditions, how current health status affects eligibility, and why some people may be asked to wait as the pool expands. Karen and Jennifer unpack how Ionava avoids the network and contracted-rate limitations that shape traditional insurance, including why cash-based purchasing offers more flexibility across states and even internationally.   Timestamps   00:00 - Why healthy people feel punished by the insurance system 01:13 - Jennifer's 21 years inside insurance and what she saw 02:40 - Denials, surprise bills, and the pain points that shaped Ionava 03:30 - Why there is no "good driver discount" for health 05:01 - Why most people never get their money's worth from insurance 06:18 - Preventive care that still triggers hidden costs 07:16 - The problem with opaque medical pricing 08:38 - Why innovation often falls outside traditional coverage 09:27 - Why Jennifer first tried to fix insurance from the inside 11:43 - The limits of claims help and out-of-network gaps 13:42 - Why the private sector had to build a new answer 14:15 - What "health financial preparedness" means 15:39 - Health as physical, mental, and financial readiness 16:41 - Why people still buy insurance even when they hate it 17:12 - Ionava as an alternative or layered financial strategy 18:28 - How Ionava differs from HSAs 20:20 - Why Ionava is more like a funded debit wallet 21:46 - What counts as a qualified spend 22:10 - Why FSAs can feel like a use-it-or-lose-it trap 23:34 - Why Ionava rolls over and rewards healthy behavior 24:17 - How Ionava differs from health sharing ministries 26:36 - Why the health score exists 27:34 - How vault pricing works and why rates are locked for life 29:01 - Optional biometrics and earning more on your wallet balance 30:29 - How Ionava thinks about pre-existing conditions 31:57 - Why some applicants may be asked to come back later 33:11 - Beauty, fitness, and wellness spending inside the wallet 34:37 - The support system for new users 36:15 - Why Ionava is different from reimbursement-based models 37:37 - How insurance networks and contracted rates really work 41:04 - Why Ionava uses cash pricing worldwide 42:39 - Jennifer's weekly wellness spend: supplements 43:18 - The biggest myth healthy people believe about insurance 43:47 - Why she wants HSAs to fund Ionava vaults 44:18 - Books that shaped her thinking: The Go Giver and Give and Take 46:10 - Gardening, herbs, and staying grounded while building a company 47:18 - Where to learn more about Ionava and reserve a vault   More About Jennifer:   Jennifer (Azar) Burnham-Grubbs, is the Founder and CEO of Quantum Insurance Services and the Founder of ionava. She's spent 21 years inside the insurance industry as a fiduciary broker, managing over $100 million in insurance products for clients ranging from professional athletes and C-suite executives to everyday families. She's also the co-founder of Womxn of Wealth, a nonprofit dedicated to building women's financial acumen. After more than two decades inside the system, she launched ionava — a new financial category built for the healthy consumers the insurance system overcharges and underserves. She's a Princeton grad, based in Los Angeles   Resources from this Episode: Ionava Website Jennifer on LinkedIn The Go Giver (book)   Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Front Desk @ Jane Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month   Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify Stitcher iHeart Radio

Part two of Tax Hacks That Save You Thousands, and this is where it gets e-commerce specific. Carlos is joined again by Rachel Phillips, entrepreneur, founder of Fully Accountable, and Senior VP of Financial Solutions at Belay, for the back half of the list. These are the three hacks aimed squarely at sellers who carry inventory, buy equipment, and pay vendors all year long. You can start here without hearing part one. Go back for it afterward, because the business structure conversation is what makes everything downstream actually work. WHAT'S COVERED Hack 4: Section 179 bonus depreciation. Equipment, vehicles, computers and office furniture written off immediately instead of phased out over three to five years. Rachel walks the math on financing a 100,000 dollar machine and taking the full deduction this year, and why the 2026 ceiling matters most to anyone whose cash is tied up in inventory. Hack 5: Prepaid expenses. How to look at next year's costs in October and November, go negotiate with your vendors and software providers, prepay in December, and walk away with a better rate and a lower taxable income off the same dollars. Carlos gets honest about why he has never done this well, and what it actually feels like to send a CFO after relationships he built himself. Hack 6: The old faithfuls. The small ones that only work when you stack them: HSAs, including the distribution rule almost nobody knows about 529 plans, even for a child who has not been born yet Employing your kids without putting them in your Facebook ads The home office The 6,000 pound vehicle rule Keeping a clean chart of accounts so you are not reconstructing a year of expenses in April Plus where AI genuinely helps with your books, and the exact place it falls down for sellers juggling eight different kinds of Amazon transactions. Rachel's book pick: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. CONNECT WITH RACHEL Find her on LinkedIn, or reach her by email at Belay. CONNECT WITH BELAY Text WIZARDS to 55123 for resources and a direct line to their team. Belay is a proud sponsor of the Wizards of Ecom community.

1044. Are rising healthcare costs ruining your budget? Laura answers a listener's question about how to maximize every tax advantage available for healthcare costs. You'll learn the rules for deducting them on your tax return or paying them with tax-advantaged savings accounts like HSAs and FSAs. We'll cover which expenses are tax-free and simple strategies to optimize your healthcare spending.Key Takeaways:You can only claim the medical tax deduction if you itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of claiming the standard deduction on your tax return.You can only deduct unreimbursed healthcare expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI), making the medical deduction best for years with high medical bills.Tax-advantaged medical savings accounts are powerful because they allow you to save 20% to 35% on qualified costs without claiming a medical deduction.Health savings account (HSA) balances roll over forever, can be invested for tax-free growth, and can be withdrawn penalty-free for non-medical expenses after age 65 (subject to ordinary income tax).Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) are employer-sponsored perks for cutting healthcare costs.You cannot claim an itemized medical deduction on Schedule A for any healthcare expense paid for or reimbursed using pre-tax funds from an HSA, FSA, or HRA.Lawmakers have expanded HSA, FSA, and HRA qualified expenses to cover various over-the-counter (OTC) medications and products.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're on an income-driven repayment plan, you might be paying a marginal tax rate that rivals (or exceeds) those in high-tax countries. We walk through exactly how that number gets built, showing how many borrowers effectively lose close to half of every additional dollar earned. We get practical about how this impacts your investment strategy, spending habits, and even decisions like working less. I also break down why pre-tax savings accounts (and careful house/car choices) can buy you back weeks of life — and sanity.Key moments:(00:00) Why an income-driven borrower's tax rate rivals Sweden's(04:44) How a $150K salary hits a 47.55% marginal tax rate(08:51) Using dependent care FSAs and HSAs to effectively get “50% off”(16:22) How driving a modest car or working less can radically impact your life after taxesResource mentioned: Afford Anything podcast by Paula PantLike the show? There are several ways you can help!Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!Mentioned in this episode:Want more? Check out our other podcastStarting to think beyond your student loans? Check out our other show, Financially Free Era. It's about what comes next, investing, building wealth, and designing a life you actually want. Find "Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth" in your podcast app.Tips I Can't Share PubliclyGetting our free newsletter? Upgrade your experience and discover student loan loopholes so good, they might get repealed if I talk about them publicly. Find out my very best thought leadership that I really just can't be open about anymore, unfortunately. If you want to get our very best tips, not just the ones that I can share for free. Go to studentloanplanner.com/insider to get a special discount for your year membership.

Medicare for All is gaining steam again, but what actually happens when "free healthcare" meets government reality? Nate and Charlie break down five reasons they believe a single-payer system would make America's healthcare problems even worse. JD Vance says Republicans won't stop socialism with free-market slogans. Joe Rogan and Shane Gillis argue that universal healthcare shouldn't be confused with communism. Bernie Sanders says healthcare should be guaranteed as a human right. So what should the libertarian answer actually be? Nate and Charlie dig into the Medicare for All debate, including taxes replacing insurance premiums, projected government savings, hospital reimbursement rates, healthcare shortages, increased demand, political rationing, drug development, inflation, deficits, and the massive bureaucracy a national single-payer system could create. Then they turn to the alternative: certificate-of-need reform, direct primary care, cash-pay healthcare, expanded HSAs, separating insurance from employment, and loosening licensing restrictions. If government helped create the healthcare mess, should Americans really hand government even more control? Follow Good Morning Liberty, share the show, leave a rating or review, and if your podcast app supports it, leave us a comment. Join GML: joingml.com All GML Links: gml.bio.link Watch All Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi78svKlBr_8o0dDOX8DxO_Wwxu6WYhhA Watch Host Favorites: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi78svKlBr__Zu40RL7mWxCuOOe54zgy2 Join the Fed Haters Club: https://www.goodmorningliberty.us/fedhatersclub Martens Minute: https://martensminute.podbean.com/   00:00 Good Morning Liberty   02:00 JD Vance's Warning About Socialism   08:45 Was Obamacare Designed to Lead to Single Payer?   11:30 Joe Rogan and Shane Gillis on Medicare for All   22:15 Bernie Sanders Makes the Medicare for All Case   27:15 Five Reasons Medicare for All Is a Terrible Idea   28:15 #1: Free Healthcare Isn't Free   33:15 #2: The Projected Savings Won't Happen   41:45 #3: Healthcare Demand Would Surge   43:00 #4: Rationing Moves to Washington   46:00 #5: What Happens to New Drugs?   53:00 The Free Market Alternative to Medicare for All    

Direct Primary Care no longer disqualifies patients from HSA eligibility. As of January 1, 2026, DPC membership fees are a qualified HSA expense at or below $150 per month for one person and $300 for a family. Above $150 you are not in violation. You are in the same gray zone DPC lived in for a decade, and the tax position belongs to the patient and their accountant, not to you.Dr. Phil Eskew (DO, JD, MBA) of DPC Frontier joins Dr. Maryal Concepcion to break down what changed and what it means for your practice, then walks through the Medicare opt-out calendar most physicians discover too late.KEY NUMBERS AND DATES $150/month per person, $300 family. Effective January 1, 2026. Opt-outs take effect only on January 1, April 1, July 1, October 1. Affidavit must be filed at least 30 days before the effective date. File by roughly December 1, 2026 to be opted out January 1, 2027. 90-day reversal window, but you must refund every membership dollar collected.QUESTIONS ANSWEREDCan patients use an HSA to pay for direct primary care? Yes, as of January 2026. Both old IRS objections were fixed: whether the fee is a medical expense, and whether membership disqualifies HSA contributions.Should I put "HSA eligible" on my website? No. Write "We accept HSA cards." Promising eligibility in your marketing or agreement takes on a tax position on your patient's behalf.How do I get under $150 without losing revenue? Enrollment fees are not compensation for care. Blood draws, injections, EKGs, and dispensed medications can price separately.What does the rule exclude? Prescription drugs other than vaccines, and lab services not typically done in an ambulatory primary care setting.If I opt out, can I still order labs and referrals? Yes. Opting out is not disenrollment. You stay credentialed and Medicare pays for labs, imaging, referrals, DME, and prescriptions you order.Where can I still work while opted out? VA, Indian Health Service, corrections, and hospice administrative work. Precepting usually requires participation. TRICARE requires Medicare participation. Medicaid uses ORP/OPR status, prohibited in Kentucky and Colorado.Does opt-out apply to Medicare Advantage? Yes. Opt-out applies to all Medicare programs nationwide. You cannot opt out selectively.MENTIONED DPC Frontier · McCarran-Ferguson Act (1945) · ACA primary care carve-out · bronze and catastrophic plans as HSA-compatible · capacity vs. competency · durable power of attorney · prior authorization escalation strategyHAVE A QUESTION? WE ANSWER THEM ON AIR. Leave a voicemail at mydpcstory.com/contact with your name, state, and question.NEXT EPISODE: ILLINOIS, timed to the Illinois DPC Summit, October 2 and 3, NIU Naperville. Subscribe to the My DPC Story newsletter at mydpcstory.com to know when it drops.Educational only. Not legal or tax advice. Dr. Eskew is not your attorney.Stand With Dr. Nyasha Spears and the Future of Patient-Centered Healthcare. Get the MEDICARE & MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OPEN ENROLLMENT SURVIVAL GUIDE at mydpcstory.com/shop! Get your copy of the Physician Owner's Planner today at mydpcstory.com/library Start using the done-for-you patient emails, scripts etc. in our 2027 Edition of the MEDICARE & MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OPEN ENROLLMENT SURVIVAL GUIDE at mydpcstory.com/shop!Support the showGET your FREE MONTHLY BUSINESS TOOL DOWNLOADBecome A My DPC Story PATREON MEMBER! SPONSOR THE PODMy DPC Story VOICEMAIL! DPC SWAG!FACEBOOK * INSTAGRAM * LinkedIn * TWITTER * TIKTOK * YouTube

On episode 235 of Ask The Compound, Ben Carlson, Duncan Hill, and Bill Sweet discuss where housing is most expensive, which investments to sell first, AI's impact on homebuying, owning volatile investments, when HSAs may not make sense, how Roth 401(k)s work, and more! This episode is sponsored by Betterment Advisor Solutions. Learn more at https://betterment.com/advisors Compound Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://idontshop.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Submit your Ask The Compound questions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠askthecompoundshow@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠! Subscribe to The Compound Newsletter for all the latest Compound content, live event announcements, find out who the next TCAF guest is, get updates on the latest merch drops, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thecompoundnews.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Is a Health Savings Account Right for You? Episode 395 – A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is one of very few financial vehicles considered “triple tax advantaged.” You can get a deduction going in, the money grows tax-free, and the money also comes out tax-free. But they're not for everybody as there are some major caveats. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 395 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual's SML Planning Minute. In today's episode: is a Health Savings Account right for you? What would you say if someone told you about an investment vehicle where you get a tax deduction going in, the money in the account grows tax-free, and the withdrawals are tax-free when they come out? Such a product exists, but it's not quite that simple. An Individual Retirement Account or IRA doesn't work that way. You get a deduction going in, but you pay income tax when you take the money out. A Roth IRA lets you take the money out tax-free (with certain qualifications), but you don't get a deduction when you put the money in. A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is one of very few financial vehicles considered “triple tax advantaged.”[1] You can get a deduction on monies going in, the money grows tax-free, and the money also comes out tax-free. But there are some major caveats to understand. HSAs don't work for everyone. Only certain people can contribute, and when you take the money out, there are some conditions that need to be met if you want to take full advantage of the tax incentives. Here's how an HSA works. To contribute, you need to be part of what the Internal Revenue Service or IRS calls a “High-Deductible Health Plan.” The IRS defines a high-deductible health plan as one that requires an annual deductible. A deductible is the amount one must pay out-of-pocket for healthcare before health insurance coverage will share in the costs. In 2026, the minimum deductibles for a high deductible HSA health plan are set at $1,700 for coverage on yourself only, and $3,400 if the coverage includes your family.[2] Also, the out-of-pocket maximum cannot be higher than $8,500 for self-only coverage and $17,000 for family coverage. There are more rules. To contribute to an HSA, you can't be enrolled in another plan that is not considered HSA-eligible, nor can you be someone claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. If you're not sure whether your plan qualifies, you will need to ask either the benefits administrator where you work or the plan provider. And for the record, Medicare does not count as a high-deductible medical plan. So, you can't participate in an HSA if you're covered by Medicare. As with almost any tax-advantaged investment vehicle, there are contribution limits. For 2026, you can contribute up to $4,400 for yourself, or $8,750 if your high-deductible plan covers your family.[3] And much like a 401(k), your employer can match your HSA contribution. In fact, in 2024 approximately 84 percent of employees covered by a qualified HSA health plan also received a contribution from their employers.[4] Note that the limits above are overall limits that include both the employee and, if applicable, employer contributions. Then there's the issue of distributions from the account. Distributions can be tax-free, but with some significant restrictions. To be tax-free, the distributions must be used for what the IRS calls “qualified medical expenses.” And what are qualified medical expenses? These might include hospital care, ambulance services, hearing aids, lab fees, dental and vision care, and other things. You can even use an HSA for health-care-related travel, massage therapy and substance abuse treatment.[5] [6] An HSA can be used for expenses both big and small. If your distribution doesn't meet the qualifications, any withdrawals after age 65 are considered fully taxable, like a traditional IRA or 401(k). Before age 65 there is also a 20 percent early withdrawal penalty. This means that, if necessary, you could treat an HSA as a secondary retirement plan. But of course, if you have qualified medical expenses that need to be paid, the taxation incentive would make them a better option. When it comes time to withdraw money as needed, you can either pay the provider directly from the HSA account (many providers offer the use of a debit card tied to the account) or pay the provider yourself and get reimbursed from the account.[7] Note that an HSA is different from a Flexible Spending Account or FSA. An FSA is another, albeit generally less popular, type of account designed to help with medical expenses. The employer generally owns an FSA, whereas the employee owns an HSA. But an FSA is also, in most cases, a “use it or lose it” type of account. At the end of the year (plus an optional grace period), you lose any money that's left over in your FSA.[8] Also note that in most circumstances, you can have a general-purpose FSA or HSA, but not both.[9] An HSA has no such restriction when it comes to how long it takes to use it. If you don't spend the money, it rolls over within the account. It belongs to you forever, even if you switch jobs. Of course, these sums, invested over several decades, can amount to a significant amount of money by the time you use them. Compounding plays a role here just like most other investment vehicles, only this time it may all be potentially tax-free. One final thought about HSAs. As we've mentioned before, the cost of health care for seniors can be staggering. According to Fidelity, a 65-year-old individual may need an after-tax total of $172,500 to cover the cost of health care expenses in retirement.[10] In the right circumstances, an HSA can be a tax-efficient way to fund some of those costs. [1] Fidelity Learn. “What is an HSA, and how does it work?” Fidelity.com. https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/what-is-an-hsa (accessed July 23, 2026). [2] Fidelity Learn. “HSA contribution limits and eligibility rules for 2026 and 2027.” Fidelity.com. https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/hsa-contribution-limits (accessed July 23, 2026). [3] Id. [4] Fidelity Learn. “What is an HSA, and how does it work?” Fidelity.com. https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/what-is-an-hsa (accessed July 23, 2026). [5] MetLife. “What Can I Use My HSA for in 2026?” MetLife.com. https://www.metlife.com/stories/benefits/hsa-qualified-expenses/ (accessed July 23, 2026). [6] Miller, Kathryn. “What clients miss about HSAs — and how advisors can help.” Financial-Planning.com. https://www.financial-planning.com/news/what-clients-miss-about-hsas-and-how-advisors-can-help (accessed July 23, 2026). [7] Fidelity Learn. “Spending with your HSA.” Fidelity.com. https://www.fidelity.com/go/hsa/how-to-spend (accessed July 23, 2026). [8] Healthcare.gov. “Using a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).” Healthcare.gov. https://www.healthcare.gov/have-job-based-coverage/flexible-spending-accounts/ (accessed July 23, 2026). [9] Fidelity Learn. “HSA contribution limits and eligibility rules for 2026 and 2027.” Fidelity.com. https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/hsa-contribution-limits (accessed July 23, 2026). [10] Fidelity Learn. “What is an HSA, and how does it work?” Fidelity.com. https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/what-is-an-hsa (accessed July 23, 2026). More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes This podcast is brought to you by Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, The Company That Cares®. The content provided is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Information is provided in good faith. However, the Company makes no representation or warranty of any kind regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information. The information presented is designed to provide general information regarding the subject matter covered. It is not to serve as legal, tax or other financial advice related to individual situations, because each individual's legal, tax and financial situation is different. Specific advice needs to be tailored to your situation. Therefore, please consult with your own attorney, tax professional and/or other advisors regarding your specific situation. To help reach your goals, you need a skilled professional by your side. Contact your local Security Mutual life insurance advisor today. As part of the planning process, he or she will coordinate with your other advisors as needed to help you achieve your financial goals and objectives. For more information, visit us at SMLNY.com/SMLPodcast. If you've enjoyed this podcast, tell your friends about it. And be sure to give us a five-star review. And check us out on LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter. Thanks for listening, and we'll talk to you next time. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. The information presented is based on current interpretation of the laws. Neither Security Mutual nor its agents are permitted to provide tax or legal advice. The applicability of any strategy discussed is dependent upon the particular facts and circumstances. Results may vary, and products and services discussed may not be appropriate for all situations. Each person's needs, objectives and financial circumstances are different, and must be reviewed and analyzed independently. We encourage individuals to seek personalized advice from a qualified Security Mutual life insurance advisor regarding their personal needs, objectives, and financial circumstances. Insurance products are issued by Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, Binghamton, New York. Product availability and features may vary by state.​ SubscribeApple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidPandoraby EmailTuneInDeezerRSSMore Subscribe Options

On this brand new Ask KT & Suze Anything, Suze answers your questions about retirement accounts, HSAs, caring for your spouse and more. Learn more about the Ultimate Scam Protection here: SuzeOrman.com Watch Suze’s YouTube Channel Jumpstart financial wellness for your employees: https://bit.ly/SecureSave Protect your financial future with the Must Have Docs: https://bit.ly/3Vq1V3G Help with the Must Have Docs: Email:support@musthavedocuments.zendesk.com Phone: 888-510-0510 Get your savings going with Alliant Credit Union: https://bit.ly/3rg0Yio Get Suze’s special offers for podcast listeners at suzeorman.com/offer Join Suze’s Women & Money Community for FREE and ASK SUZE your questions which may just end up on the podcast. Download the app by following one of these links: CLICK HERE FOR APPLE: https://apple.co/2KcAHbH CLICK HERE FOR GOOGLE PLAY: https://bit.ly/3curfMISee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Healthcare could be one of your biggest expenses in retirement, but are you actually planning for it? In this episode of Wise Money, we break down how much you should budget for Medicare and healthcare costs, including what to consider if you retire before age 65. We also discuss IRMAA, HSAs, long-term care, and how rising healthcare costs could impact your overall retirement plan. Season 11, Episode 51 Download our FREE 5-Factor Retirement guide: https://wisemoneyguides.com/    Schedule a meeting with one of our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™: https://www.korhorn.com/schedule-a-call/  or call 574-247-5898.   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PN9_n9auveY  Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/WiseMoneyShow Listen on podcast: https://pod.link/1040619718   Submit a question for the show: https://www.korhorn.com/ask-a-question/   Read the Wise Money Blog: https://www.korhorn.com/wise-money-blog/    Connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WiseMoneyShow  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wisemoneyshow/    Kevin Korhorn, CFP® offers securities through Silver Oak Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Kevin offers advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group and Silver Oak Securities, Inc. are not affiliated. Mike Bernard, CFP® and Joshua Gregory, CFP® offer advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. This information is for general financial education and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations. All investing and investment strategies involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Asset allocation & diversification do not ensure a profit or prevent a loss in a declining market. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. This video may discuss estate planning concepts but does not constitute legal advice. Please consult an attorney for advice specific to your situation. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Welcome to Episode 186 of the #ExpatChat podcast with Atlas Wealth Managing Director (APAC), James Ridley. Due to popular demand, James shares Atlas's recent webinar, US Exit Tax: Coming Home from the United States, as a special two-part series. In Part 1, he's joined by Atlas' Financial Planner, Martin Jack to unpack the strategy and wealth side of repatriating to Australia from the United States. Martin covers why your move timeline is the single most valuable lever you control, from locking in cost bases and aligning two mismatched tax years, to coordinating your US exit and timing RSUs, bonuses and FX conversions around it. He then continues to the pre-residency planning window, covering what to do with US shares, property, HSAs, 529s, retirement accounts and US trusts before your Australian residency clock starts. That is, before reviewing what changes on day one as an Australian tax resident, including deemed acquisition, Medicare timing, and admin essentials like super, wills and banking. This episode lays the groundwork for Part 2, which turns to the US Exit Tax specifically. Relevant Links:
 • Expat Chat Part 2: US Exit Tax - Coming Home from the United States -https://soundcloud.com/atlaswealthmgmt/expat-chat-episode-187-part-2/s-K4UGcRIjlu0?si=bfbc04f8f35544bf9c549e64467a7a7b&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing • Webinar recording: US Exit Tax - https://youtu.be/DkkflnBUxgk?si=HCdpzuf2H2WrvHjo • Upcoming events and webinars - atlaswealth.com/events/
 • Facebook Group – Join the Australian Expat Financial Forum: facebook.com/groups/AustralianExpatFinancialForum
 • Expat Mortgage Podcast – atlaswealth.com/news-media/austra…-mortgage-podcast
 • Weekly Recap Podcast – atlaswealth.com/news-media/atlas-…kly-recap-podcast If you enjoy the content, let us know by giving the episode a thumbs up and subscribing. Feel free to share your feedback or questions in the comments below. About Atlas Wealth Group:
 Atlas Wealth Group was established to meet the growing demand from Australian expats for professional financial guidance. We specialise in providing tax, financial planning, wealth management, and mortgage services to Australian expats around the world. Whether you're based in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, or the Americas, our team has the expertise to help you manage your global financial journey. To learn more, visit www.atlaswealth.com Connect with us:
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In this episode, Miguel Gonzalez discusses seven important financial accounts that deserve an annual review—from checking and savings accounts to retirement plans, investment accounts, insurance policies, HSAs, FSAs, and beneficiary designations. A simple yearly review can help you stay organized, identify potential issues, and keep your financial plan aligned with your long-term goals.Miguel Gonzalez is a Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC) with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and families design retirement income strategies and long-term financial plans. He is the Managing Partner of Cortburg Retirement Advisors, a boutique firm focused on retirement planning, investment management, and financial clarity.#FinancialPlanning #PersonalFinance #FinancialAccounts #CortburgSpeaksRetirement #MiguelXGonzalez #FinancialWellness #MoneyManagement #RetirementPlanning #InvestmentAccounts #401k #FinancialChecklist #WealthManagement #MoneyHabits #FinancialOrganization #FinancialHealth #SmartMoneyMoves #Beneficiaries #InsurancePlanning #FinancialEducation #AnnualFinancialReviewWelcome to Cortburg Speaks Retirement Podcast with Miguel Gonzalez, MBA, AIF®, CPFA®, CRC® CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MIGUEL'S LATEST PODCAST FOLLOW US ON: YouTube->https://m.youtube.com/c/CORTBURGRETIREMENTADVISORSFacebook-> https://m.facebook.com/CortburgIncTwitter-> https://twitter.com/CortburgIncLinkedIn->https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguelxgonzalez/Website: www.CortburgRetirement.comEmail:     Miguel@CortburgRetirement.com

From your 20s to your 60s, the priorities change—but the basic job doesn't. Don and Tom walk through emergency savings, Roth IRAs, 401(k) matches, rebalancing, retirement planning, Social Security, Medicare, and estate planning, decade by decade.Then Mary calls with a smart Roth-conversion puzzle. They weigh whose IRA to convert, how much to move without wasting a low tax bracket, the age-59½ penalty, and why a household's accounts should be managed as one portfolio—even when the spouses have very different tolerances for risk.Finally: whether retirees still need emergency cash, how much umbrella insurance is enough, when a family office begins to make sense, and three near-identical retirement portfolios from a listener in Wagner, South Dakota—whose hometown briefly steals the show.00:25 Tom's brassy choice01:36 Financial priorities, decade by decade02:58 Start early with a Roth IRA04:02 Your 30s: emergency cash and the 401(k) match06:02 Your 40s: fixed obligations and retirement planning09:13 Your 50s: risk, HSAs, and getting on track10:45 Your 60s: Social Security, Medicare, and estate planning14:48 Roth conversions and household asset allocation24:12 Emergency funds in retirement27:01 Umbrella coverage and family offices30:16 Three retirement portfolios from WagnerQuestions? Comments? Click!

Health Savings Accounts can be one of the most tax-advantaged tools available for retirement, but they can also create an unexpected tax burden when passed to the next generation. In this episode, Nick and Eric break down how health-focused accounts fit into retirement income, legacy planning, and smart tax strategy in plain English. Don't miss these simple shifts that can turn a hidden tax trap into a long-term advantage. Here's what we discuss in this episode:

Bill and Andy Bush open with the one regret they've never heard from a retiree: "I saved too much." Drawing on conversations with plan participants, they explore the regrets people do voice — wishing they'd started earlier, stayed invested, or captured more of the company match — and why those missed opportunities can't be recovered once a contribution year lapses. The brothers make the case for balance, weighing Bill Perkins' "Die with Zero" philosophy of enjoying the here-and-now against the risk of shortchanging your future self. Along the way they dig into maximizing the match, the underused 50-plus and 60-to-63 "super" catch-up contributions, the new Roth catch-up rule for high earners, and the triple-tax-advantaged power of the HSA. They close with a mid-year nudge to review your savings rate and a reminder that money should buy choices, not guilt. ⏱ Episode Timeline & Key Topics 00:03 – Welcome & The Regrets We Hear Bill and Andy open the show with the common regrets they hear from plan participants: "I wish I'd saved more," "I wish I'd stayed in the market," "I wish I'd started earlier," and "I wish I'd taken the match longer." 00:53 – The One Regret Nobody Voices Nobody ever says they saved too much. Andy reframes the goal as balance — saving for later without abandoning a reasonable lifestyle now, or vice versa. 01:34 – Why Retirement Feels Too Far Away Bill notes how "retirement feels far away" leads people to defer saving, even though early dollars have the most time to compound. Life gets expensive as competing priorities — marriage, kids, college, car and house payments — crowd out saving. 02:08 – "Die with Zero" and Valuing What Feels Endless Andy shares Bill Perkins' insight from "Die with Zero": when something feels abundant or endless, we don't fully value it — which is exactly the trap with retirement saving that still feels far off. 02:53 – Missed Opportunities, Not Saved Dollars People nearing retirement rarely regret the money they saved; the regret is around opportunities missed. Each year's contribution limit lapses and can't be refilled later. 03:34 – Deathbed Regrets and Living with Balance Andy recalls that the biggest end-of-life regrets are rarely about working harder — they're about relationships, taking risks, and speaking up. The takeaway: plan forward for a long life while keeping balance today. 04:41 – Know How Your Company Match Works Bill urges participants to understand and maximize the match — an instant return, whether dollar-for-dollar or 50 cents on the dollar — and to capture that opportunity every year. 05:06 – When "Just the Match" Isn't Enough Andy raises the flip side: maxing the match may still fall short. The key questions are whether a match exists, what it is, and whether hitting it will actually be enough for your situation. 05:50 – Catch-Up and Super Catch-Up Contributions Bill covers catch-up contributions starting at age 50 and the SECURE 2.0 "super" catch-up for ages 60 to 63. Despite peak earning years, usage is low — roughly 5% of eligible 50-plus savers per the Public Retirement Research Lab, and low teens in Vanguard's How America Saves. 06:49 – Freeing Up Dollars in Your 50s As kids leave home and certain expenses fall away, your 50s can be a window to put more toward retirement — after assessing where you stand on your savings track. 07:39 – The New Roth Catch-Up Rule for High Earners Bill explains the rule rolled out this year: high earners (making $150,000 or more with an employer the prior year) who are 50-plus must make catch-up contributions as Roth. Some savers are balking — even skipping catch-ups entirely — rather than going Roth. 08:19 – Roth vs. Taxable: Why the Rule May Be a Gift Andy points out that money saved outside the plan gets taxed on dividends and gains along the way, while Roth is taxed up front and then grows and distributes tax-free. Bill notes high earners often can't deduct a traditional IRA anyway. 09:16 – The Value of Tax-Advantaged Space and the HSA The brothers highlight the range of tax-advantaged vehicles — 401(k), IRA, and the HSA, the triple-tax-advantaged account tied to a high-deductible health plan that blends the best of Roth and pre-tax. 09:49 – HSAs, Healthcare Costs, and Reimbursing Yourself Later Andy explains why the HSA may be the best retirement vehicle: healthcare becomes a bigger expense with age, and saving receipts now lets you reimburse yourself tax-free years later for big-ticket costs. 11:09 – An HSA Catch-Up Strategy for Couples Bill shares a lesser-known tip: when both spouses are 55-plus, the family contribution plus two catch-ups is allowed — but the second catch-up must go in a separate HSA. IRAs and HSAs can be funded up to the April tax deadline. 11:59 – Planning for Taxes Down the Road Andy notes most people focus only on today's taxes and overlook RMDs and legacy planning. Structuring your accounts thoughtfully can improve your future tax picture without costing much now. 12:35 – Can You Actually Save Too Much? Back to the opening question: yes, it's possible — high earners who live well within their means, or those who live so frugally the balance tips too far toward later at the expense of enjoying now. 14:01 – Money Should Buy Choices, Not Guilt Bill frames it as the balance of financial security and financial sacrifice. Savings should give you more choices in retirement — not maximize an account balance for its own sake. 15:08 – Confidence Scores and the Science of a Plan Andy describes the individual financial planning process: taking inventory of assets, income sources, and expenses to produce a confidence score across retirement ages, factoring in Social Security timing, Roth conversions, RMDs, and guaranteed income. 17:04 – Mid-Year Savings-Rate Checkup At the midpoint of 2026, Bill encourages listeners to review what they've saved in the first six months and adjust for the second half, aiming for a household savings rate near the often-cited 15% (including any match). 18:10 – "My Spouse Handles That" Andy addresses participants who leave saving entirely to a spouse — trust is great, but both partners should know whether the plan will be enough down the road. 18:39 – Wrap-Up: Better to Have Extra Than Be Short Bill contrasts arriving at retirement with $200,000 extra versus $200,000 short. Savings rates matter and long-term thinking gets you there. The brothers close with contact info — brothers, but not twins. ✅ Key Takeaways Quick Reference •             Nobody regrets saving — they regret missed opportunities — each year's contribution limit lapses and can't be refilled later, so capture it while you can •             Aim for balance, not extremes — don't sacrifice today's life entirely for the future, or the future entirely for today •             Start early to let time do the work — early dollars have the most time to compound, even when retirement feels far away •             Understand and maximize your match — a dollar-for-dollar or even 50-cents-on-the-dollar match is an instant return you should capture every year •             Maxing the match may not be enough — check whether hitting the match actually funds the retirement you want •             Use catch-up and super catch-up contributions — available at 50, with an enhanced amount for ages 60 to 63, yet only about 5% of eligible savers use them •             The Roth catch-up rule can work in your favor — high earners ($150K+) doing catch-ups must go Roth, which grows and distributes tax-free rather than getting nibbled by taxes in a taxable account •             The HSA may be your best retirement vehicle — triple-tax-advantaged, and you can save receipts now to reimburse yourself tax-free later •             Plan for future taxes, not just today's — think about RMDs, Roth conversions, and legacy before they arrive •             Money should buy choices, not guilt — the goal is confidence and options in retirement, not the biggest possible balance •             Do a mid-year savings-rate check — review the first six months and adjust; a common benchmark is around 15%, including any match

Send us Fan MailInvesting in Your Health Is One of the Greatest Forms of WealthSo how does this relate to living a rich life?In this episode of The Mindfully Rich Podcast, I'm opening up about a personal journey I've been on since March, prioritizing my health, navigating my weight loss journey, and learning that true wealth isn't just measured by the money in your bank account, but by the condition of your mind and body.From early morning workouts and learning the importance of sleep to unexpected medical bills, an emergency room visit for dangerously high blood pressure, and iron infusions that challenged me to rethink my nutrition, I'm sharing the lessons that have completely shifted my perspective on what it means to invest in myself.We'll also discuss how preventative care, understanding your health insurance, and using tools like HSAs and FSAs can protect both your health and your finances.Because at the end of the day, one of the most expensive investments you can make is ignoring your health.In this episode, we'll discuss:Why health is one of the greatest forms of wealthMy personal weight loss and wellness journeyThe role sleep plays in your overall healthHow preventative care can save you money and stressMy experience with an unexpected mammogram billThe importance of understanding your health insuranceWhat HSAs and FSAs are—and how they can help you save moneyMy emergency room visit for high blood pressure and what it taught meLessons from receiving iron infusions and becoming more intentional about nutritionThe simple habits I'm building through meal tracking, strength training, protein goals, and consistencyPractical ways you can begin investing in your health todayIf this episode encouraged you, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to redefine what it means to live a rich life.Connect with me:Instagram: @mindfullyrichpodcastSupport the show

Want to build wealth but don't know where to start? Brian and Bo walk through the complete personal finance roadmap—from budgeting, emergency funds, employer matches, Roth IRAs, HSAs, investing, debt payoff, and retirement planning to the Financial Order of Operations (The FOO!). Whether you're just starting your financial journey or trying to optimize your money decisions, this step-by-step guide shows you what to do with every dollar so you can build long-term wealth with confidence. Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reach your goals faster with our products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the relationship to the next level: become a client⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us on social media for more content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bring confidence to your wealth building with simplified strategies from The Money Guy. Learn how to apply financial tactics that go beyond common sense and help you reach your money goals faster. Make your assets do the heavy lifting so you can quit worrying and start living a more fulfilled life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Alex and Wade clarify important aspects of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), particularly focusing on the rules surrounding beneficiaries. They address common misconceptions about what non-spousal beneficiaries can do with HSA receipts after the account holder's death and emphasize the importance of utilizing HSA funds during one's lifetime. The discussion also touches on the implications for charitable giving when it comes to HSAs. Listen to the full episode here.

Can you really overhaul 50 years of money habits — and are the drivers paying the highest prices per gallon actually the ones hurting most from rising gas prices? Host Sean Pyles, CFP© and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by senior news writer Anna Helhoski and joined by data studies Nerd, Kurt Woock, to unpack why the price on the sign at the gas station doesn't tell the whole story about how gas prices hit your budget. They break down why states like Wyoming, Oklahoma, Montana and Utah saw the biggest jumps in weekly gas spending this year — even though they don't have the highest prices at the pump — and why total spending, not the price per gallon, is what really matters when you're budgeting. Then, Sean and Elizabeth answer a question from a 50-year-old listener named David, who's trying to reset a lifetime of impulse spending and build a real retirement plan on a later timeline. They walk through catch-up contributions for IRAs, 401(k)s and HSAs, why automated savings buckets and an emergency fund matter more than ever at this stage, and how to think through the tradeoffs of claiming Social Security early versus waiting. Gas Costs (Not Just Pump Prices) Hit Some States Harder: https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/studies/2026-gas-prices-costs Catch-Up Contributions: How They Work and 2026 Limits: https://www.nerdwallet.com/retirement/learn/catch-up-contributions Average Retirement Savings by Age: https://www.nerdwallet.com/retirement/learn/the-average-retirement-savings-by-age-and-why-you-need-more Retirement Calculator: https://www.nerdwallet.com/investing/calculators/retirement-calculator How to Invest With Your HSA — And Why You Should: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/how-to-invest-hsa NerdWallet Wealth Partners, fee-only financial advisors: https://nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/smart Smart Money's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@nerdwalletsmartmoney Subscribe to our podcast's free email newsletter for bonus content and more from our hosts at https://smartmoney-nerdwallet.beehiiv.com/ Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. *The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Debt, Deficits, and Your Financial FutureIn this episode of One for the Money, Jonny zooms out: yes, we're living in the most prosperous era in human history—but America's debt and spending habits are a growing reason for concern.In this episode:How Washington turned the U.S. into a “transfer society” and why interest on the debt now rivals defense spendingWhat trillion‑dollar deficits really mean (using a simple time analogy)Practical ways to protect yourself from future tax hikes: Roth strategies, HSAs, defined benefit plans, tax‑gain and tax‑loss harvestingWhy voter choices—and new technologies like AI—could still shift us toward a more abundant, fiscally responsible futureListen in to understand the stakes, then learn concrete steps you can take now to strengthen your own financial plan.

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau dive into tax planning strategies, focusing on Roth conversions, effective marginal tax rates, and withdrawal strategies for retirement. They discuss the implications of current tax rates, the importance of blending techniques in tax planning, and the necessity of tax diversification for a successful retirement. The conversation is driven by listener questions, providing practical insights for navigating complex tax scenarios in retirement. The conversation dives into various aspects of retirement planning, focusing on Roth IRAs, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and annuities. They discuss the rules surrounding Roth IRAs, particularly the five-year requirement for qualified distributions. The conversation shifts to HSAs, highlighting their tax benefits and strategies for spending versus saving. Finally, they explore the complexities of managing annuities in relation to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), emphasizing the importance of understanding contract values and the implications of delaying income streams from annuities. Listen to now to learn more!    Takeaways  Roth conversions can be beneficial for legacy planning. You need to work through the math of conversions. Tax rates are at a historical low right now. Blending techniques can optimize your tax strategy. You can't just solve it mathematically. It's complicated; we need better software. What's my tax rate today versus in the future? Forty percent might be reasonable for Roth conversions. You want to always be blending your distributions. Tax diversification is crucial for retirement planning. You need to have had a Roth IRA open for at least five years. Inheriting HSAs can lead to tax implications for beneficiaries. HSAs provide tax-free distributions for qualified medical expenses. It's important to keep receipts for HSA distributions. Using HSAs strategically can aid in tax planning during retirement. RMDs must be taken from both IRAs and annuities. Delaying income from annuities may not be the best strategy. Spending down annuity contract value can maximize benefits. Understanding contract value is crucial for annuity holders. RMDs from annuities can be complex and require careful planning. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and World Cup Banter 01:49 Tax Planning Questions Begin 02:29 Roth Conversions and Tax Brackets 07:18 Analyzing Effective Marginal Tax Rates 11:23 Historical Tax Rates and Future Predictions 13:39 Withdrawal Strategies for Retirement 15:08 Blending Techniques in Tax Planning 21:08 The Importance of Tax Diversification 21:54 Understanding Roth IRA Rules 23:20 Navigating Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) 27:14 Tax Benefits of HSAs Explained 29:52 Strategies for Managing Annuities and RMDs   Links

In this episode of ThimbleberryU, you'll hear why reducing chaos for the people you love is one of the most practical and caring financial steps you can take. It is not a topic most people want to face, but it is one almost every family eventually has to deal with. For healthcare professionals, financial life can get complicated quickly. You may have old retirement plans from different hospital systems, HSAs, deferred compensation, insurance portals, stock plans, passwords, apps, and accounts spread across many places. It is easy to assume your spouse or family member will know who to call, but that only works if they actually know where to start. You are not avoiding this because you are irresponsible. You may be avoiding it because life is busy and the topic feels emotionally heavy. But your loved ones should not have to become detectives during a crisis. They already have to deal with fear, grief, logistics, and decisions. The goal is not perfection. The goal is enough clarity so someone can take the next right step. This can be especially important for healthcare professionals because they handle complexity every day at work. That can make you more tolerant of complexity in your personal life. Over time, financial life becomes layered. One person in the household often becomes the default organizer, and that works until that person is unavailable. This is operational planning for your family today, not just estate planning for someday. A good starting point is simple: who to call, where things are, and what matters first. You do not need a giant binder with every detail of your life in it. Your family needs important contacts, major accounts, insurance information, legal document locations, and a basic explanation of how bills are paid. A one page summary sheet can make a huge difference. You'll also hear about password managers, emergency access, and the importance of testing access before there is an emergency. Email and phones often act as master keys to financial life, so you need to think carefully about both security and usability. If your system is so secure that no trusted person can get in during a crisis, it fails the people it was meant to protect. Amy also addresses households where one spouse handles most of the finances. The answer is not mastery. It is familiarity. Regular household CFO meetings can help both people understand income, accounts, insurance, contacts, and emergency processes. After a sudden death or medical crisis, families often freeze, move too fast, close accounts too early, miss deadlines, or let insurance lapse. Amy recommends slowing down, stabilizing first, and thinking in phases: 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, and the first year. The real message is that a simple system is far better than no system at all. You are not trying to predict a crisis. You are giving the people you love enough clarity to breathe, think, and take the next right step when they need it. (00:00) Intro (00:56) Why people put off emergency planning (01:45) Progress over perfection (02:21) Why healthcare professionals face added complexity (04:04) Where to start when there is no system (04:49) The three essentials: who to call, where things are, what matters first (05:47) Password managers and emergency access (08:53) Balancing security and accessibility (11:00) When one spouse handles the finances (14:50) Common mistakes after death or medical crisis (17:20) Thinking in 30, 60, and 90 day phases (18:20) Making life easier for the people you love (19:41) How to contact Thimbleberry Financial (20:03) Disclosures To get in touch with Amy and her team at Thimbleberry Financial, call 503-610-6510 or visit thimbleberryfinancial.com.The ThimbleberryU Podcast is produced by JAG Podcast Productions - https://jagpodcastproductions.com/

Andy and Tanya Nichols from Retire Agile share their thoughts on a handful of current events and "hot topics" relating to retirement planning. Specifically, they talk about:How we help clients get over the hurdle of actually spending their savings ( 10:27 )Their thoughts on having mortgages in retirement ( 22:27 )What they think is likely to happen to the Social Security system, and what changes might be made in advance of the trust fund depleting in a few years ( 34:56 )When people should start spending down their Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs ( 44:10 )Some state-specific tax planning considerations to keep in mind ( 53:07 )Their thoughts on living/revocable trusts, when they're needed, when they're not, etc. ( 1:03:12 )Alternatives to bond for people looking for investments that sit between the volatility and growth potential of stocks, and the stability and principal protection of cash and cash equivalents ( 1:16:39 )Links in this episode:Retire Agile website - https://www.retireagile.com/To send Andy questions to be addressed on future Q&A episodes, email andy@andypanko.comMy company newsletter - Retirement Planning InsightsYouTube channel - Retirement Planning Education (formerly Retirement Planning Demystified)Retirement Planning Education website - www.RetirementPlanningEducation.com

In this episode we answer emails from Ethan, Joe, and Jim.  We discuss a plan for young teachers to reach early financial independence with the right accounts and a little encouragement, the peculiar benefits of 457s and Roth contributions, a critical read of an academic article about an impractical TIPS ladder strategy, and the real-world problems with 30-year TIPS ladders, including complexity, tax issues, and longevity risk.  We also discuss catastrophe bonds as an asset class and and why the new ILS ETF looks expensive and underwhelming at the momentAnd we touch on our fund raising campaign for the Father McKenna Center. Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page (please mention Risk Parity Radio in the comment section with your donation):  Donate - Father McKenna CenterChooseFI Teacher Podcast:  The Unfair Financial Advantage of Teachers | Ep 13ARVA TIPS Ladder Article:  Full article: The Only Other Spending Rule Article You Will Ever NeedBreathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:A 457(b) can be the difference between “retire early” and “wait it out,” and we dig into why. We start by answering a detailed email from a young pair of teachers building wealth with a golden ratio portfolio while trying to bridge the years before age 59.5. We talk through tax buckets, account access, and what actually matters when you have Roth IRAs, taxable brokerage money, HSAs, employer plans, and the unique early-withdrawal rules of a 457(b) after you separate from service.Then we switch gears to retirement drawdown strategies and put a popular “spending rule” article under cross-examination. We walk through the assumptions behind ARVA and a 30-year TIPS ladder approach, why ultra-variable withdrawals may be unrealistic, and why complexity does not automatically equal safety. If you care about safe withdrawal rate research, inflation protection, and building a portfolio that can handle real life, you will hear exactly where the paper breaks down and what we would focus on instead.We wrap with a listener question on catastrophe bonds and the Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF (ILS). Cat bonds can look like the perfect uncorrelated alternative asset on paper, but fees and implementation details matter. If you're building a diversified risk parity style asset allocation, we explain where cat bonds might fit, why this ETF doesn't yet, and what we'd watch going forward. Subscribe, share this with a friend who's planning early retirement, and leave a review so more DIY investors can find the show.Support the show

Insurance may not feel exciting until it becomes the thing protecting everything you've built. In this episode, Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson sit down with Rod Zabriskie to unpack the coverage high-income professionals often overlook, from income protection and asset defense to long-term planning and liquidity. For pilots, physicians, business owners, and investors, this conversation offers a timely look at how the right insurance strategy can support wealth building, passive income goals, and family security before life forces the issue.Rod Zabriskie is the President and Co-Founder of Money Insights Group, a financial strategy firm that helps high-income earners think beyond conventional planning and build wealth with greater control and protection. Known for his education-first approach, Rod helps clients connect insurance, alternative assets, tax strategy, and legacy planning into one cohesive financial system. He brings a practical lens to insurance, helping clients understand the coverages that can protect their income, family, assets, and future opportunities.Show notes:(0:00) Backcountry flying and insurance(3:58) Ten insurance categories(5:05) Health insurance essentials(10:25) FSA Vs. HSA(12:07) Homeowners and renters insurance(17:18) Protecting personal assets(24:31) Disability insurance basics(29:07) Loss of medical coverage(36:00) Long-term care insurance(41:02) Term and whole life insurance(50:27) OutroConnect with Rod Zabriskie:Website: https://www.moneyinsightsgroup.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodzabriskie/ Related Episode: #82 - From LLCs and HSAs to Roth IRAs: Mastering Wealth Protection with Mark Kohler#67 - Protecting Your Wings: What Pilots Need to Know with Dr. Dan Monlux#47 - Innovative Wealth Strategies: From Life Insurance to Alternative Investing with Christian Allen and Rod ZabriskieIf you're interested in participating, the latest institutional-quality self-storage portfolio is available for investment now at: https://turbinecap.investnext.com/portal/offerings/8449/houston-storage/ — You've found the number one resource for financial education for aviators! Please consider leaving a rating and sharing this podcast with your colleagues in the aviation community, as it can serve as a valuable resource for all those involved in the industry.Remember to subscribe for more insights at PassiveIncomePilots.com! https://passiveincomepilots.com/ Join our growing community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/passivepilotsCheck us out on Instagram @PassiveIncomePilots: https://www.instagram.com/passiveincomepilots/Follow us on X @IncomePilots: https://twitter.com/IncomePilotsGet our updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/passive-income-pilots/Do you have questions or want to discuss this episode? Contact us at ask@passiveincomepilots.com See you at the next one!*Legal Disclaimer*The content of this podcast is provided solely for educational and informational purposes. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts, Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson, and do not reflect those of any organization they are associated with, including Turbine Capital or Spartan Investment Group. The opinions of our guests are their own and should not be construed as financial advice. This podcast does not offer tax, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are advised to consult with their own legal or financial counsel and to conduct their own due diligence before making any financial decisions.

Welcome to another Waffle Week, where we ditch the agenda and just see where the financial conversation takes us. We cover the entire spending spectrum, from spending to saving and from pedicures to standing desks. Grab your favorite protein waffle and join us as we go on an n agenda-less adventure. Get the full show notes, show references, and more information here: https://www.insideoutmoney.org/170-waffle-week-on-walking-pads-dupes-telehealth-whole-foods-hsas-sleepy-ties-and-more/

Brian Wiley is joined by business coach and author Allison Dunn for a conversation about why critical thinking is one of the most valuable financial skills an investor, business owner, or retiree can develop. They discuss how better decision-making applies to retirement planning, leadership, investing, and navigating life's biggest financial choices. The show also answers listener questions on retirement planning, including how to coordinate 401(k)s, Traditional IRAs, HSAs, and Roth conversion strategies to improve tax efficiency. Brian explains why retirement accounts should be viewed both individually and as part of one comprehensive financial plan, while also discussing health insurance planning before Medicare eligibility. Later, the conversation turns to long-term care planning, estate planning, trusts, and the pros and cons of self-funding versus insurance-based solutions. They also explore fiduciary advice, family communication around money, Micron stock and concentrated positions, investor psychology, and why having a thoughtful process often leads to better financial outcomes than simply reacting to markets or emotions.   Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask! https://www.therealmoneypros.com Guest: Allison Dunn, Author and Business Coach https://deliberatedirections.com/think-first-allison-dunn/ ————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ —————————————————————

Kaaren Hall reveals how self-directed IRAs can help investors use retirement funds more creatively, avoid costly mistakes, and build long-term wealth through education, discipline, and smarter planning for the future.See article: https://www.unitedstatesrealestateinvestor.com/build-wealth-inside-your-unsuspecting-retirement-account-with-kaaren-hall/(00:00) - Introduction to Kaaren Hall and Self-Directed IRA Investing(05:00) - Buying Property With an IRA and Understanding Leverage(10:00) - Prohibited Transactions, IRS Rules, and Tax Professional Guidance(15:00) - Roth IRAs, HSAs, and Becoming the Bank With Retirement Funds(20:00) - Due Diligence, Deal Review, and Avoiding Costly Mistakes(25:00) - Passive Income Myths, Notes, and IRA-Owned Property Rules(30:00) - Golden Nuggets, Favorite Books, and Mindset Shifts(34:56) - Final Thoughts, Retirement Planning, and Episode DisclaimerContact Kaaren Hallhttps://udirectira.com/https://www.facebook.com/KaarenatuDirect/https://www.instagram.com/kaarenhall/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaarenhall/Kaaren Hall's message is a powerful reminder that the future does not reward people who stay uninformed. It rewards the investors who ask better questions, learn the rules, protect their accounts, and make decisions today that serve the person they are becoming tomorrow. To learn more, visit https://reiagent.comIs success destroying your peace? Most pros grind until they break. Download The Investor's Life Balance Sheet: A Holistic Wealth Audit to see if you are building a legacy or heading for burnout. Presented by The REI Agent Podcast & United States Real Estate Investor® https://sendfox.com/lp/m4jrl

Are you unsure where your money should go after payday? This episode breaks down the essential accounts every household needs, busts common myths about credit cards and savings, and offers real-life strategies for stress-free finances. Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking to optimize your money management, this conversation is your toolkit for financial clarity and confidence.Key Moments & TakeawaysWhy Multiple Accounts Matter: Discussion about the logic behind account diversification 02:09.Credit Cards Are NOT Emergency Funds: A firm warning against using credit cards as savings and why it's a risky move 02:44.Checking & Savings Fundamentals: The foundational role of checking accounts (even with peer-to-peer apps) and the importance of a nearby savings account 03:37.High-Yield Savings: Why it's smart to keep part of your emergency fund in a high-yield account and what to watch for with access and interest rates 06:26.How Much to Save for Emergencies: Recommendations for emergency funds from 3–12 months of expenses and how strategies change based on life phase 09:00.The “Non-Monthly” Account: A game-changing strategy for handling annual or irregular expenses like insurance, car registrations, and taxes 11:16.Retirement Roadmap: Employer-sponsored plans (401k/403b/SEP), maximizing matches, and the difference between pre-tax and Roth accounts 18:02, 20:05.Traditional IRA “Dump Fund”: Why rolling over old 401k balances into a traditional IRA gives greater control and investment options 26:55.Health Savings Account (HSA): Unique benefits, tax savings, and using HSAs as a retirement tool 30:58.Brokerage Accounts & Early Retirement: How taxable accounts add flexibility for big goals or bridging the gap before retirement 34:15.Why You Should ListenThis episode is packed with actionable advice, real examples, and honest conversations about the why behind smart money moves. You'll leave knowing exactly which accounts deserve your attention and how to reduce financial stress while preparing for life's curveballs. If you want to feel more in control of your finances, this discussion is a must-listen.Who This Episode Is For:Young professionals setting up their first accountsCouples looking to improve household money managementAnyone feeling overwhelmed by financial account optionsIndividuals planning for debt payoff, emergency savings, or retirementListeners seeking practical, step-by-step guidance to building wealth This Podcast is sponsored by American Heritage Credit Union. To learn more and open an account go to: www.AHCU.co/ForBetterandWorthOur website: www.forbetterandworth.comGet Ericka's book, Naked and Unashamed: 10 Money Conversations Every Couple Must Have Check out our local TV spotlightConnect with us:Instagram: @forbetterandworthYouTube: @forbetterandworthEricka: @erickayoungofficialChris: @1cbyoung

Starting early may not feel urgent when you're juggling rent, student loans, a first job, and all the costs that come with adult life. But small financial habits built early can create serious momentum over time. In this episode of Women and Wealth, Regina talks through why young adults should begin saving and investing as soon as they can, even if the amount feels small at first. She explains how compounding works, why automation makes saving easier, how to think about raises and bonuses, and why employer benefits like retirement plans, Roth contributions, HSAs, and stock purchase programs can play a major role in building long-term wealth. Regina also reminds listeners that financial confidence does not happen overnight. It comes from learning, starting small, making progress, and giving "future you" a stronger foundation.   Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Introduction 2:03 - The power of time, consistency, and small steps 3:22 - How compounding helps your money grow 5:04 - Starting at 25 vs. starting at 35 6:22 - Making saving automatic 9:15 - Using raises and bonuses wisely 11:06 - Taking advantage of employer retirement benefits 13:58 - Traditional vs. Roth retirement contributions 14:51 - HSAs, stock purchase plans, and other workplace benefits 15:56 - Building financial knowledge and confidence 17:54 - Progress, not perfection 18:42 - A simple action item to get started    ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.   This material was prepared by Hartford funds.   For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. Hartford Funds is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial, Private Advisor Group, or Forge Wealth Management  

Health Savings Accounts are often praised as one of the most powerful tax-advantaged savings tools available, but accumulating assets is only half the equation. The “Henssler Money Talks” hosts explore how retirees can strategically use HSA balances, when it makes sense to pay medical expenses from other accounts, and why these accounts can create unexpected tax consequences for heirs. Because with HSAs, sometimes the challenge isn't building the balance — it's developing a plan to use it effectively.Original Air Date: June 20, 2026Read the Article: https://www.henssler.com/how-an-hsa-can-become-a-source-of-tax-free-retirement-funds  

Major events, market narratives, and retirement planning may seem like completely different topics, but they all share a common theme: understanding the forces that shape financial outcomes before they show up in your portfolio.The FIFA World Cup is bringing the world's attention to the United States, but some of the biggest winners may never step onto the field. From hotels and restaurants to transportation providers and local businesses, we'll examine how major sporting events generate economic activity, who benefits most from the influx of visitors, and whether the long-term economic impact lives up to the promises often made by host cities.We'll also look at several stories dominating the headlines — from SpaceX's first week of trading, developments in the Iran conflict, and Kevin Warsh's first Federal Reserve meeting — and discuss why markets increasingly respond to sentiment, geopolitics, and cultural events alongside traditional economic data. Finally, Health Savings Accounts are often praised as one of the most powerful tax-advantaged savings tools available, but accumulating assets is only half the equation. We'll explore how retirees can strategically use HSA balances, when it makes sense to pay medical expenses from other accounts, and why these accounts can create unexpected tax consequences for heirs. Because with HSAs, the real challenge isn't building the balance — it's developing a plan to use it effectively.Join hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, and Kelly-Lynne Scalice, a seasoned communicator and host, on Henssler Money Talks as they explore key financial strategies to help investors navigate market uncertainty. Henssler Money Talks — June 20, 2026  |  Season 40, Episode 25Timestamps and Chapters6:25: The World Cup Effect: Winners Beyond the Pitch25:19: SpaceX, Spectacles, and Sentiment43:21: When Should You Spend Your HSA?Follow Henssler:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HensslerFinancial/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/HensslerFinancial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/henssler-financial/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hensslerfinancial/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hensslerfinancial?lang=en X: https://www.x.com/hensslergroup “Henssler Money Talks” is brought to you by Henssler Financial. Sign up for the Money Talks Newsletter: https://www.henssler.com/newsletters/ Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.See important disclosures at Henssler.com

Thanks to Surfshark for sponsoring the show. Go to https://surfshark.com/stackingb or use code STACKINGB at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!Isaac Newton was one of the smartest humans who ever lived. He also bought into the South Sea Bubble, sold for a profit, watched it keep climbing, bought back in out of pure FOMO, and rode it all the way down to an 80% loss that haunted him until he died. Ben Carlson, co-host of the Animal Spirits podcast and one of the sharpest minds at Ritholtz Wealth Management, joins Joe and Anna to walk through centuries of market history -- bubbles, crashes, and the psychology that makes smart people do dumb things with money. Anna also helps a Stacker named Louie untangle his 401(k) sources and figure out whether it's finally time to bring in a professional.What You'll Walk Away WithWhy Isaac Newton's South Sea Bubble loss still ranks among history's most instructive investing failures -- and why it had nothing to do with intelligenceBen's framework for why risk means something completely different depending on where you are in your life cycle -- and why a market crash genuinely doesn't matter the same way to a 25-year-old and a 55-year-oldThe wrong lesson an entire generation learned from 2008 -- and why everyone preparing for the last crisis missed the next seventeen years of bull marketWhy Japan's three-decade stock market bubble is the best real-world case for diversification -- and why it doesn't translate as cleanly to the US as people assumeThe behavioral reason complex investment strategies are easy to sell and nearly impossible to hold through a downturn -- while simple strategies survive the painWhy Ben's firm discovered that the hardest financial transition isn't saving for retirement -- it's actually learning to spend the money once you get thereThe Beanie Babies divorce court story that perfectly captures what every bubble looks like from the outsideAnna and OG's take on Louie's four-source 401(k): why it's simpler to manage than it looks, and why "move everything to Roth" is the wrong instinct for most DIY investorsThe Roth conversion icing-on-the-cake strategy: how to use pre-tax and Roth buckets together to manage your tax bracket year by year in retirementWhy one financial pro has a surprisingly negative take on HSAs at death -- and the timing problem that makes spending one down in retirement genuinely trickyWhy This Matters NowEvery market cycle feels unprecedented while you're living through it. Understanding the actual constant -- human psychology, not headlines -- is the difference between riding out volatility and becoming a cautionary tale, smart as you might be.From the BasementBen Carlson joins Joe and Anna to walk through centuries of bubbles, crashes, and the psychological wiring that makes both geniuses and ordinary investors do the same dumb things. Doug arrives with Statue of Liberty trivia tied to America's upcoming 250th anniversary. A Stacker calling himself Louie -- and getting Anna instead of OG, much to his surprise -- asks for help simplifying his 401(k) and figuring out his Roth conversion strategy, and gets a reminder that he's already doing better than he thinks.Resources MentionedRisk and Reward: How to Handle Market Volatility and Build Long-Term Wealth by Ben Carlson -- available wherever books are soldAnimal Spirits podcast -- Ben Carlson and Michael Batnick; available wherever you listen to podcastsRitholtz Wealth Management -- referenced for prior guests Barry Ritholtz, Josh Brown, and Nick MaggiulliWhere Are the Customers' Yachts? by Fred Schwed -- referenced for the famous quote on the emotional experience of losing moneyPaul Merriman's research on asset allocation -- paulmerriman.comStacking Benjamins Vault -- stackingbenjamins.com/vaultStacking Benjamins Newsletter (The 201) -- stackingbenjamins.com/201Stacking Benjamins voicemail line -- stackingbenjamins.com/yelldownstairsStacking Benjamins Community -- stackingbenjamins.com/basementSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if saving money didn't require giving up the things you enjoy—but simply changing how you manage what you already earn? The truth is, small, intentional habits can quietly build significant wealth over time. By putting the right systems in place, you can make saving feel effortless instead of overwhelming.  Links: Track your savings goals with Goal Builder Explore some other saving challenges to make saving fun Check out TCU University for financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   Saving money doesn't have to feel restrictive. With the right strategies you can steadily build financial security without drastically changing your lifestyle. Whether you're just getting started or looking to improve your current habits, these 5 practical approaches can help you save more efficiently and consistently.  Number 1: Automate savings with direct deposit.  One of the simplest and most effective ways to save money is to remove the need for decision-making altogether. Automating your savings ensures that a portion of your income is set aside before you have the chance to spend it.  Many employers allow you to split your direct deposit into multiple accounts. By directing a percentage of each paycheck into a dedicated savings account, you create a "pay yourself first" system. This method builds savings effortlessly and reduces the temptation to spend.  Even small automated contributions of 5-10% or $25-$50 a paycheck can add up significantly over time, especially when paired with interest-earning accounts.   Number 2: Set up a savings goal tracker.  Having a clear savings goal gives your efforts purpose and direction. Whether you're saving for an emergency fund, a vacation, or a large purchase, tracking your progress helps you stay motivated.  A savings tracker can be as simple as a spreadsheet, mobile app, or visual chart. For more sophisticated tracking try an online banking tool like Triangle's Goal Builder tool within online and mobile banking. Seeing your progress grow over time reinforces positive financial behavior and keeps you accountable.  To make tracking more fun, break your larger goals into smaller milestones. For example, instead of focusing on saving $10,000, focus on and celebrate reaching every $1,000 mark. These smaller wins make the process feel achievable and rewarding.  Number 3: Try a savings challenge.  Savings challenges are a fun and structured way to build momentum. They turn saving into a game, making it more engaging and less of a chore.  Popular challenges include:  The 52-week challenge, where you gradually increase your savings each week or save a certain amount of money each week for a whole year The no-spend challenge, where you limit discretionary purchases for a set period The round-up method, where purchases are rounded up and the difference is saved The 100-envelope challenge, where you save a specified dollar amount in every envelope until they're all filled  These challenges not only boost your savings but also increase awareness of your spending habits. Over time, they can help you develop long-term discipline and smarter financial choices.  For more ideas on additional savings challenges visit triangleuniversity.org or follow the link in the show notes.   Number 4: Seek out high-yield savings accounts.  Not all savings accounts are created equal. Traditional accounts often offer minimal interest, while high-yield savings accounts provide significantly better returns.  By keeping your money in a high-yield account, you allow your savings to grow passively through compound interest. Even modest interest rates can make a noticeable difference over time, especially with consistent contributions.  When comparing accounts, consider:  Interest rates (APY) Fees Minimum balance requirements to open the account or earn interest Ease of access  Choosing the right high-yield savings account ensures your money is working as hard as you do.  Number 5: Make use of employer benefits like FSAs and HSAs.  Employer-sponsored benefits such as Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can be powerful tools for saving money, particularly on healthcare expenses.  These accounts allow you to set aside pre-tax income, effectively reducing your taxable income and increasing your take-home value. HSAs, in particular, offer long-term advantages since unused funds can roll over year after year and even be invested.  By planning for expected medical costs using these accounts, you can avoid dipping into your regular savings and maximize your financial efficiency.  Saving money effectively isn't about making drastic sacrifices—it's about building smart, sustainable habits. By automating your savings, tracking goals, engaging in challenges, maximizing interest, and leveraging available benefits, you can steadily grow your financial security.  Start small, stay consistent, and remember: every dollar saved is a step closer to your financial goals.  If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Also, remember to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts. Finally, remember to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on Facebook and LinkedIn.           Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast. 

In this episode: IRS call strategies – A tip for getting through when the IRS won't accept calls • Tax identity theft – How fraudsters file returns using stolen Social Security numbers • Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) – A little-known tax exclusion that could eliminate gains for eligible investors • IRS First-Time Abatement – An automated penalty relief process coming soon for late filers • Investment fee deductibility – Why individuals can no longer deduct these fees, but businesses still can • IRS interest rate increases – Higher rates on underpayments and overpayments starting Q3 2026 • 2026 W-2 changes – New codes to identify deductible tips and overtime pay • SALT cap – The $40,000 state and local tax deduction limit reaffirmed through 2029 • 2027 HSA limits – Contribution limits going up, with a reminder of the long-term savings benefits

Small tax mistakes can cost you thousands, even when you think you're doing everything right.From missing a filing deadline to misunderstanding how a deduction works, small errors can quickly turn into penalties, lost deductions, and a higher tax bill.In this episode, Mike answers real tax questions from small business owners covering gambling losses, BOI reporting, moving an S corporation to another state, the Augusta Rule, HSAs, late 1099s, estimated tax penalties, startup expenses, vehicle write-offs, and more. He breaks down the rules, explains the available options, and shares practical steps to help you stay compliant and avoid costly tax mistakes.

Nicole is joined by journalist and podcast host Nayeema Raza, host of Smart Girl Dumb Questions, for a crossover episode! This is a shame-free conversation about the money questions we're all holding in, starting with perhaps the most loaded one of all: should you buy a home? Nicole breaks down the 5% rule for renting vs. buying, why she personally chose not to buy, and how to strip the emotion out of a decision that's usually anything but. She also answers common questions about debt, HSAs, growing generational wealth and more. Plus, Nayeema and Nicole talk about which expenses are worth going into debt for, and what Mark Cuban told Nayeema about how money can make you feel poorer the wealthier you become. Listen to Nayeema's podcast Smart Girl, Dumb Questions Check out Nicole's financial literacy course The Money School Find a Financial Advisor or Financial Coach from Nicole's company Private Wealth Collective Watch video clips from the pod on Money Rehab's Instagram and Nicole Lapin's Instagram Here's what Nicole covers with Nayeema:  00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab?  01:17 Nicole's Controversial Take on Homeownership  04:44 The 5% Rule: Rent vs. Buy Math  08:37 Why Nicole Chose to Rent (And Invest the Difference)  12:30 How the LA Fires Changed Nicole's Relationship to Home  17:00 Not All Debt Is Created Equal: Good Debt vs. Bad Debt  20:02 What Rich People Know About Leverage  24:03 How Nicole Got Into (and Out of) Credit Card Debt  25:51 Avalanche vs. Snowball: Which Debt Payoff Method Wins?  28:09 The Shame Cycle Keeping People Stuck in Debt  29:18 The Debt Game: What's Worth It?  34:35 Investing in Your 20s: Nicole's Biggest Regret  36:27 Nicole's Daughter's Investment Portfolio  37:15 HSAs, 401(k)s, and Where to Put Your Money First  38:39 How Do You Know If You're Rich?  41:26 Mark Cuban on How Money Can Make You Feel Poorer  42:34 Nicole's "Dumb" Question  All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments.

Most investors lose to the market because they're trying to pick winners in a game where only 4% of stocks have created 100% of market wealth over the past century. The math isn't in your favor—but there's a simpler path that is. Key Topics Discussed Introduction to FI 201 (00:00:00) Jonathan introduces the concept of Financial Independence 201, explaining how it builds on FI 101 to help individuals progress from control to optimization and independence on their FI journey. The Genesis of FI 201 (00:05:30) Allen and Kristen explain how they identified the need for a 201-level presentation based on questions emerging from their St. Louis FI 101 sessions, particularly around investing concepts. Asset Allocation Fundamentals (00:15:00) Allen breaks down asset allocation as 'your money pie,' discussing how to balance growth, safety, and emergency funds while considering time horizons and diversification strategies. Risk Tolerance vs Risk Capacity (00:22:00) The team explores the critical difference between emotional risk tolerance and actual risk capacity, using examples from 2008 and 2020 market crashes to illustrate real-world application. Tax-Advantaged Account Strategies (00:35:00) Allen and Brad discuss the various tax treatments of investment accounts including 401(k)s, 457(b)s, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and taxable brokerage accounts, emphasizing lifetime tax optimization. Individual Stocks vs Index Funds (00:48:00) The hosts examine the data on individual stock picking, revealing that only 4% of stocks have contributed to 100% of market wealth over the past century, making a strong case for index investing. Dividends and Tax Control (00:55:00) Brad and Allen discuss why the FI community often prefers capital gains over dividend income, focusing on the importance of maintaining control over when and how you realize taxable events. Notable Quotes "You can't save your way to FI, you have to invest." — Allen Hansen "When there's a dip, you essentially get to buy the market on sale. If you love a bargain, this is it." — Brad Barrett "Why in the world do we not think that way when it comes to the market? Our brain completely flips. We're like, ah, we're scared." — Kristen Knapp "It's not what's my tax this year. It is what is going to be my tax burden over my lifetime." — Brad Barrett "The best investing lesson: stand there and do nothing. If you're invested, just don't do anything and you're going to be rewarded." — Allen Hansen Key Takeaways Assess your own risk tolerance and risk capacity honestly by considering how you would react to a 30% portfolio drop Review your current asset allocation across all accounts and determine if it aligns with your time horizon and financial goals Calculate the difference between your marginal and effective tax rates to understand your true tax burden Identify which tax-advantaged accounts you have access to (401k, 457b, 403b, HSA, IRA) and ensure you're maximizing employer matches Track every dollar of taxable income if you're on ACA subsidies or approaching any subsidy cliffs to avoid losing benefits Consider whether you have the right balance between taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts for maximum flexibility in retirement Join or start a local FI group to benefit from community wisdom and learn from others at different stages of the journey Review your portfolio for dividend-heavy investments and consider whether you'd prefer more control over when you realize taxable events Resources & Links FI Friends Travel The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins Tax Planning to and Through Early Retirement by Sean Mullaney and Cody Garrett ChooseFI Community App St. Louis FI Group BlackBerry Documentary (Netflix) Arizona State University Stock Market Wealth Study Brian Feroldi (individual stock investing advocate) Investopedia

Don records through a booming Florida thunderstorm while tackling five listener questions. He discusses a thoughtful strategy for using a UTMA account to teach investing and potentially fund a future Roth IRA, then provides a detailed overview of what goes into a true financial plan, including cash flow analysis, insurance, estate planning, tax strategy, retirement projections, and investment management. Another listener asks about investing for a long life, prompting Don to explain why maintaining a diversified portfolio and spending less than portfolio growth are the keys to retirement sustainability. He also addresses when retirees might safely move from a 4% withdrawal rate toward 5%, emphasizing flexibility over rigid rules. The episode concludes with a discussion of HSAs, explaining why they are often better spent during retirement rather than left to non-spousal heirs, who may face less favorable tax treatment.0:04 Florida thunderstorm opening and update on the new podcast website and question system2:35 Using a UTMA account as a teaching tool, harvesting gains for a child, and eventually funding a Roth IRA4:47 What a comprehensive financial plan actually includes beyond investments6:14 Gathering financial data, setting goals, cash flow analysis, and risk management7:42 Asset allocation, diversification, Monte Carlo simulations, and behavioral coaching8:28 Retirement planning, Social Security timing, Roth conversions, RMDs, and tax strategies10:23 Listener crediting the show for retirement confidence and asking about investing for longevity12:37 Why spending less than portfolio growth is the key to long-term retirement success14:15 Whether a 4% withdrawal rule can become 5% later in retirement15:45 Fixed versus flexible withdrawal strategies and how age affects sustainable spending17:49 HSA withdrawal decisions in retirement and inheritance considerations19:31 Why HSAs generally should be spent rather than preserved for non-spousal heirs20:52 Meet-an-Advisor invitation and how portfolio reviews can uncover hidden risksQuestions? Comments? Click!

What if real estate investing didn't have to mean owning the property, managing tenants, or taking repair calls? That's where this conversation starts. Dr. Felecia Froe sits down with Fred Moskowitz, educator, bestselling author, fund manager, and industry veteran in note investing. Fred explains how he first learned the power of income-producing assets from an unlikely mentor, why relying on a paycheck alone can be risky, and how mortgage notes allow investors to step into the role of the lender. They talk about what note investing actually is, how it differs from owning rental properties, and why it can be a powerful way to build cash flow without being as hands-on as traditional real estate. Dr. Felecia also asks the practical questions many listeners may be wondering: What is a note? What is a lien? Can individual investors buy notes? How do note funds work? And how can retirement accounts or health savings accounts be used to invest in this asset class? This conversation is a reminder that the more you understand, the better questions you can ask before putting your money anywhere. 00:04 – Fred's Money Story and the Entrepreneurial Bug 07:20 – Why a "Stable Job" Wasn't Really Stable 10:10 – The Mentor Who Changed How Fred Saw Wealth 13:20 – Learning From the Right Rooms 15:45 – Why Fred Shifted From Rental Properties to Notes 18:05 – What Is a Mortgage Note? 21:22 – Understanding Liens and Clear Title 26:16 – Can Individual Investors Buy Notes? 30:41 – How Investors Can Participate in Note Investing 34:27 – How Note Funds Pay Investors 36:36 – Using Retirement Accounts and HSAs for Note Investing 40:10 – Fred's Book " The Little Green Book of Note Investing"   Ready to take the next step?   Connect with us today: Website: moneywithmission.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moneywithmission/   Connect with Fred Moskowitz! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefredmoskowitz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefredmoskowitz/ Book: The Little Green Book of Note Investing Gift:  giftfromfred.com   Key Quotes: "Relying on the paycheck from my job as my only source of income, I was taking on this huge risk." - Fred Moskowitz   "The work you do from your job, it kinda supports your life, but when you get involved in investing, investing in assets that generate income for you and appreciate over time, that's what really generates wealth." - Fred Moskowitz

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on Social Security spousal benefits, portfolio withdrawal strategy for early retirement, HSA and Medicare premiums, the 4% rule, Roth self-employed 401(k)s, Roth conversions, and retirement trusts. (10:45) A listener asks whether her husband claiming Social Security on his own record before she files at 70, including as early as 62, would reduce his eventual spousal benefit, and in what circumstances an earlier filing might make sense for them. (20:45) She also asks how to structure her portfolio to cover a seven-year income gap before Social Security begins and fund a potential home purchase at retirement. (46:15) George and Georgette want to know which Medicare-related costs – IRMAA surcharges, Part D, and supplemental insurance – qualify for HSA reimbursement, and whether they can apply HSA funds retroactively to prior-year premiums. (54:30) The guys address the idea that money reimbursed from an HSA isn’t restricted to medical use, so saving receipts over the years can turn an HSA into a source of tax-free cash for virtually any expense. (1:01:15) A listener compares the 4% rule to Newton’s laws of motion – foundational but not the final word – and describing how he’s combining that framework with their retirement income approach for his own long-range planning. (1:08:30) Jim and Chris share a listener’s PSA that Fidelity began offering a Roth self-employed 401(k) in 2025, in response to a question from a recent episode. (1:11:30) One listener pushes back on the idea that Roth conversions only make sense at a lower tax bracket, walking through a math example to show that tax-free compounding can make converting at the same — or even a higher — bracket financially worthwhile. (1:17:45) George has structured his IRA with a testamentary trust for a financially irresponsible adult child and asks whether a “retirement trust”, could allow the trust to receive IRA assets without the compressed tax rates that typically apply to trusts. The post Social Security, Withdrawal Strategy, HSAs, 4% Rule, Roths, Retirement Trust: Q&A #2621 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Taxes are not just something you deal with once a year when it is time to file. For high earners, business owners, and investors, taxes are part of the bigger wealth-building strategy. In this episode, Shari Rash talks with CPA and tax strategist Catrina M. Craft about how to stop playing defense with the IRS and start thinking more proactively about tax strategy. Catrina explains why the tax code often creates more opportunities for business owners and investors, why high-earning W-2 employees may feel limited but are not completely out of options, and how Roth accounts, HSAs, real estate, business structure, and proactive planning can all play a role in a smarter tax picture. They also talk about the difference between an accountant, a bookkeeper, a CPA, and a tax strategist, why waiting until March or April is usually too late for meaningful tax planning, and why deductions are not free money. You'll hear: Why tax filing and tax strategy are not the same thing Why high earners need to stop treating taxes like a once-a-year event What W-2 employees can still consider when they feel stuck How Roth 401(k)s, backdoor Roth strategies, and HSAs may fit into long-term planning Why business owners need to understand entity structure, deductions, documentation, and ordinary and necessary expenses Why spending money just for a tax deduction can backfire How to think about tax planning as part of your larger financial strategy This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not individualized financial, investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Before making tax, investment, retirement, business, or entity-structure decisions, consult with qualified professionals who understand your specific situation. If you want help building a financial plan that connects your income, investing, taxes, cash flow, and long-term goals, learn more about working with Shari Rash and ⁠GWA Wealth⁠ by visiting gwawealth.com. Follow Everyone's Talkin' Money on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode, and keep the conversation going on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney⁠ Talkin' Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here.  Be sure to like and follow the show on your favorite podcast app! Shari Rash is a financial planner and Investment Adviser Representative of GWA Wealth, a Registered Investment Adviser. The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an advisory relationship with Shari Rash or GWA Wealth. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any references to specific investments, strategies, or securities are for illustrative purposes only and are not recommendations. You should consult your own financial advisor, tax professional, or attorney regarding your individual situation before making any financial decisions. The views expressed by guests are their own and don't necessarily reflect the views of GWA Wealth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most Americans wildly overestimate what the people around them earn, and that gap in perception can lead to some costly financial mistakes. Financial Advisors, Brian Preston and Bo Hanson, break down real median income data by age, debunk the $500K myth, and show you exactly how discipline and savings rate can matter more than income when it comes to building lasting wealth. Then it's your turn! We answer live questions on HSAs, term insurance, car loan limits, and more (while having some fun out in the wings).⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reach your goals faster with our products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the relationship to the next level: become a client⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us on social media for more content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bring confidence to your wealth building with simplified strategies from The Money Guy. Learn how to apply financial tactics that go beyond common sense and help you reach your money goals faster. Make your assets do the heavy lifting so you can quit worrying and start living a more fulfilled life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every family knows the feeling. You spend $1,000 to get everyone to the happiest place on Earth, and by 1:30 someone's crying, someone's sunburned, and somebody just paid $18 for a hotdog. Robert Niles from Theme Park Insider (the site that Robert jokes AI is pulling all its theme park data from) comes back to the basement to help you avoid that fate. This year he's also got strong opinions on which park is winning summer 2026, and it's not the one you'd expect.What You'll Walk Away WithWhy the biggest theme park mistake families make has nothing to do with the park -- and everything to do with who's in the crew going with youWhich park Robert says is winning summer 2026 -- including a brand-new attraction that combines rollercoaster, dark ride, and water ride into one experienceThe quick game: lightning lane passes, VIP tours, park hoppers, character breakfasts, fireworks packages, meal plans -- worth it, skip it, or depends?Why Tokyo DisneySea is boss-level theme parking -- and the specific 10-minute window that determines whether you get on the top rides or wait four hoursThe sleeper parks most families overlook -- including one with a water park included in the ticket price and another that Herschend hasn't bought yetHow to use the Theme Park Insider community to find the actual strategy for any park before you arrive -- written by real visitors, not AIWhy sit-down air-conditioned lunch in the middle of a hot park day might be the best $40 you spend all summerThe over-planning trap -- and why having a plan matters less than being willing to abandon itWhat a Netflix show taught CNBC about health insurance deductibles -- and why one in four Gen Z adults still doesn't know what a deductible actually isThe HSA trap hiding inside high-deductible health plans -- and why choosing the cheaper plan can end up costing you far moreWhy This Matters NowSummer is when families spend real money on experiences that either become great memories or expensive regrets. A little planning separates the two more than most people think -- and the same principle applies to health insurance. Both conversations in this episode are about making sure the money you spend on your family actually delivers what you paid for.From the BasementRobert Niles from Theme Park Insider joins Joe and OG to kick off summer 2026 -- and Joe finally confesses that going to Dollywood last year changed his life. The headline segment tackles a CNBC piece inspired by the Netflix show Beef, which turns into a genuinely useful conversation about deductibles, HSAs, max-out-of-pocket numbers, and when the high-deductible plan is actually the wrong choice. Doug arrives with Formula Rossa trivia and a strongly worded editorial about what counts as a complete meal. The back porch features perhaps the best parenting post the basement has ever produced.Resources MentionedTheme Park Insider -- themeparkinsider.com; reviews, trip planning guides, and community discussion boardsBeef on Netflix -- referenced for the deductible explainer segmentCNBC health insurance article by Annie Nova -- linked at stackingbenjamins.comStacking Benjamins Newsletter (The 201) -- stackingbenjamins.com/201Stacking Benjamins Vault -- stackingbenjamins.com/vaultStacking Benjamins Community -- stackingbenjamins.com/basementSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“What if the biggest untapped source of capital for real estate syndications is already sitting inside retirement accounts?” Discover how Carl Fischer and Matt Moore break down how they've helped over 1,500+ capital raisers unlock self-directed IRA and qualified retirement capital for alternative investments. They explain why many successful sponsors raise 50–60% of their capital from retirement accounts, how “sticky” IRA capital creates stronger long-term investor relationships, and why most investors still don't realize they can legally use IRAs, 401(k)s, HSAs, and other tax-advantaged accounts to invest in real estate syndications. The conversation dives deep into the misconceptions surrounding self-directed IRAs, the importance of simplifying investor education, and how sponsors can use webinars, Q&A sessions, CRM systems, and strategic communication to attract and retain retirement capital. Carl and Matt also share practical insights on investor psychology, market trends, due diligence, risk management, AI-driven research, and why consistent communication—not flashy returns—is what ultimately builds trust and keeps investors coming back. For sponsors, capital raisers, and investors looking to scale smarter in today's market, this episode delivers a tactical roadmap for leveraging one of the largest pools of capital in the world. 5 Key Takeaways on this episode:Retirement capital can become a major funding source Many successful sponsors raise 50–60% of their capital from self-directed retirement accounts. Most investors still don't know they can use IRAs for syndications Education and simple conversations can unlock entirely new capital sources. Communication and trust matter more than flashy returns Investors stay loyal to sponsors who consistently communicate and remain transparent during challenges. Sponsors don't need to become IRA experts Leveraging third-party administrators like CamaPlan simplifies the process and increases investor confidence. AI and due diligence groups are changing investor behavior Investors are becoming more sophisticated, collaborative, and research-driven in evaluating deals and operators. About Tim MaiTim Mai is a real estate investor, fund manager, mentor, and founder of HERO Mastermind for REI coaches.He has helped many real estate investors and coaches become millionaires. Tim continues to help busy professionals earn income and build wealth through passive investing.He is also a creative marketer and promoter with incredible knowledge and experience, which he freely shares. He has lifted himself from the aftermath of war, achieving technical expertise in computers, followed by investment success in real estate, management skills, and a lofty position among real estate educators and internet marketers.Tim is an industry leader who has acquired and exited well over $50 million worth of real estate and is currently an investor in over 2700 units of multifamily apartments.Connect with TimWebsite: Capital Raising PartyFacebook: Tim Mai | Capital Raising Nation Instagram: @timmaicomTwitter: @timmaiLinkedIn: Tim MaiYouTube: Tim Mai

Clark Howard joins Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase for a fun, fast-moving Retire Sooner Podcast episode packed with conversations about retirement planning, Roth conversions, HSAs, taxes, investing, and the lifestyle choices that may help to shape financial life. From boats and horse racing to tax strategies and retirement income planning, this episode blends practical financial conversations with the relatable chemistry listeners love. • Compare **Roth vs. traditional **401(k) contribution approaches as Clark Howard and Wes Moss sort through taxes, future flexibility, and retirement income planning considerations. • Consider how state income taxes, Roth conversions, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and Medicare IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) surcharges may influence retirement cash flow over time. • Explore HSA strategies, backdoor Roth IRAs, and mega backdoor Roth opportunities while reviewing contribution rules and planning considerations for higher earners. • Weigh whether buying a boat aligns with lifestyle goals and retirement spending priorities by comparing personal value and real-world price-per-use scenarios. • Enjoy Christa DiBiase's stories about horse racing, sports fandom, and finding balance between financial goals and enjoying life along the way. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast to hear Clark Howard, Wes Moss, and Christa DiBiase bring retirement planning and investing conversations to life with humor, perspective, and approachable discussions about financial independence, retirement income, and long-term planning strategies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear money lessons from NerdWallet moms and learn how to budget for healthcare on a high-deductible plan. What does motherhood teach you about money? In honor of Mother's Day, hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola gather money lessons from NerdWallet moms — including Erin El Issa, Amanda Barroso, Kate Ashford, and Pamela de la Fuente — as well as from Sean's mom, Jeanne. They explore the pressure to keep up with influencers and other parents, the costly belief that core childhood memories can be bought, the role allowances play in helping kids feel the weight of their own money, and what becoming a parent reveals about long-term saving. How do you budget for healthcare when your employer switches you to a high-deductible plan and bills are coming in faster than you can build up your HSA? Sean and Elizabeth are joined by personal finance writer Kate Ashford to answer a question from a listener whose routine doctor visit ballooned from a $30 quote to nearly $500 out of pocket. They dig into the triple tax advantages of HSAs, the math behind comparing high-deductible and traditional coverage, why the first year on an HDHP can feel especially brutal, and what to do when medical expenses outpace your savings. Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom takes a Wall Street Journal retirement-account quiz while Don gleefully plays game show host, leading to a surprisingly useful (and occasionally chaotic) discussion of HSAs, Roth IRAs, Trump accounts, 529 plans, contribution limits, and retirement withdrawal rules. The episode then pivots into listener questions about ACAT transfer anxiety during market volatility and a blistering takedown of indexed annuities, including misleading “bonuses,” surrender charges, and the illusion of “market returns without risk.” The show wraps with a spirited rebuttal to a listener defending annuities and a reminder that insurance companies aren't charities—they're math machines built to profit from your longevity assumptions.0:05 Wall Street Journal retirement-account quiz begins1:06 Admitting financial advisors don't know everything1:50 AI voices, digital immortality, and cloned Don4:01 HSAs and the “triple tax advantage”5:20 Roth vs. traditional IRA tax treatment6:34 Employer matches and “Trump accounts”7:46 529 contribution-limit confusion8:47 IRA contribution eligibility and earned income11:17 Rule of 55 for penalty-free 401(k) withdrawals12:37 Trump accounts requiring U.S. stock index funds14:25 Expanded 529 eligible expenses under new law16:06 Listener question about ACAT transfer anxiety during volatility18:24 Why missing a few market days usually doesn't matter20:57 Indexed annuity “bonus” pitch dismantled23:17 Why Don despises most insurance investment products24:27 Listener challenges the show's annuity criticism26:12 Why annuities and bonds are not equivalent28:09 Long-term market assumptions vs. fear-based selling29:22 Appella's free portfolio-review philosophy29:51 Immediate annuity math and the “you're getting your own money back” argument31:23 Why insurance companies usually win the longevity bet32:15 Mattress-money analogy for annuity payouts32:59 Closing thoughts and growing podcast downloadsQuestions? Comments? Click!

HSAs sound like a no-brainer, but for many business owners, they can actually backfire. In this episode, we break down when an HSA is a bad move and why the “triple tax advantage” doesn't always work in your favor. You'll learn how high deductibles impact your cash flow, why inconsistent contributions weaken tax savings, and how using your HSA too often kills long-term growth. We also cover hidden rules, penalties, and why this strategy doesn't fit every business owner. This is real finance advice focused on smarter money decisions, tax strategies, and protecting your business finance. If you want better savings strategies and a stronger financial mindset, this episode will challenge what you think you know. Listen now before you lock into the wrong strategy.   Next Steps: ➡️ Overpaying your CPA and the IRS? Learn how to stop it in this free training: https://go.phillipsbusinessgroup.com/registration

We've got the first whiff of price growth as a result of President Donald Trump's war in the Middle East: A services sector purchasing index registered its highest reading since October 2022. Experts expect federal data out later this week to show a similar uptick in prices from February to March. And even if the war ends soon, that inflation could stick around. Also in this episode: The U.S. isn't likely to institute an oil price cap, HSAs remain an imperfect savings tool, and more shoppers opt for secondhand clothing.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.