Paladin Financial Talk

In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Host and Investment Advisor Representative Nikki Foley is joined by Featured Guest Jack Ekholm, CFP®, to break down how Social Security benefits are taxed and what that means for retirement planning. Together, they explore how other sources of income can impact Social Security taxation, why earning an additional dollar can sometimes trigger unexpected tax...

Most people think of Social Security as a retirement benefit, but what happens if an unexpected illness or injury prevents you from working? Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can provide important financial protection, but qualifying for benefits isn't always straightforward. In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Nikki Foley and Matt Bryant explain how SSDI works, who qualifies...

In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Host and Investment Advisor Representative Nikki Foley is joined by fellow Investment Advisor Representative Jeff Quick to explore Social Security survivor and dependent benefits. Many families don't realize that Social Security can provide financial support to spouses and children following the death of a loved one—or that children may qualify for b...

In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Host and Investment Advisor Representative Nikki Foley is joined by Paladin Financial Owner Jeff Foley, CFP®, CTS, to break down Social Security worker retirement benefits—including how your benefit is calculated, when to claim, and what happens if you continue working. They also explore the Earnings Test, options for changing course after claiming, and h...

In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Investment Advisor Representative Ellie Robison hosts Jack Ekholm, CFP® to kick off a six-part series on Social Security. They break down the basics—from eligibility and the different types of benefits available to how benefits are calculated, funded, and what the future of Social Security could look like—giving you a foundation to make more informed deci...

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) can be one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—retirement planning tools. In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Host and Investment Advisor Representative Nikki Foley is joined by Featured Advisor Jack Ekholm CFP® to explore HSAs from a financial-planning perspective. HSAs are often introduced as a way to pay for current healthcare expenses—but their potent...

In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Host and Investment Advisor Representative Nikki Foley welcomes Kinsey Diment, Owner and Head Coach of Fit After 40, to explore how healthy choices don't just benefit your body—they can also benefit your finances. From daily movement and strength training to nutrition and other preventive health habits, we discuss practical steps you can take today t...

In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Host and Investment Advisor Representative Nikki Foley invites healthcare and Medicare industry professional Brian Eck to help make sense of a system that can often feel unnecessarily complicated. Brian breaks down the language of health insurance—from premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance to provider networks and out-of-pocket maximums—and expla...

What if one of the biggest risks to your financial future isn’t the market, taxes, or your investments—but your health? In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Host Nikki Foley switches chairs with Investment Advisor Representative Ellie Robison to explain why healthcare planning is a key component of financial planning. Whether you’re approaching retirement, navigating Medicare, or simply plan...

You have just 150 days to finish the year stronger than you started it. In the final episode of this series, you’ll be challenged to tackle one of the most important—and most commonly postponed—financial goals: protecting the people you love. Paladin Financial Talk Host Nikki Foley is joined by Paladin Financial Owner and Featured Advisor Jeff Foley, CFP, CTS, to discuss the essential legacy, esta...

Many of the best tax and retirement planning opportunities disappear once the calendar changes. In this episode of Paladin Financial Talks, Host Nikki Foley and Featured Advisor Matt Bryant share why waiting until December can limit your options and what actions should be considered before year-end. In this four-part series, the advisors at Paladin Financial share practical strategies to help you...

Improving your financial picture doesn’t always require earning more income. Join Host Nikki Foley and Featured Advisor Ellie Robison for this episode of Paladin Financial Talk where they explore practical ways to improve cash flow, eliminate waste, and redirect money toward the goals that matter most. In this four-part series, the advisors at Paladin Financial share practical strategies to help y...

What if you had just 150 days to make meaningful progress toward your financial future? Whether your goal is saving more, reducing debt, lowering taxes, or protecting your family, the decisions you make before year-end can have a lasting impact. In this four-part series, the advisors at Paladin Financial share practical strategies to help you finish the year stronger than you started. Each episode...

In this episode, Host and Investment Advisor Nikki Foley sits down with Featured Investment Advisor Representative Matt Bryant to bring the investment strategy and withdrawal strategy series full circle by exploring Paladin's approach to the Bucket Strategy for retirement income. Together, they explain how retirees create a reliable income stream while reducing the pressure to react emotional...

In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Nikki Foley sits down with Featured Guest and Financial Advisor Ellie Robison to explain investment strategies. Together, they explore Paladin Financial perspective on organizing assets by time horizon and how it may help create more sustainable retirement income.

Transitioning from saving money to spending it is one of the most challenging mindset shifts in retirement planning. This episode breaks down the most effective distribution strategies to help you systematically convert your hard-earned nest egg into a reliable, monthly paycheck. Tune in to learn how to minimize your tax burden, avoid costly IRS penalties, and ensure your money lasts as long as yo...

In this episode, Jeff and I kick off a four-part series on investment and withdrawal strategies by exploring the foundational concepts that drive long-term financial success. While this series is more technical than most, this episode starts with the basic concepts of setting meaningful goals, understanding cash flow, measuring net worth, and creating a plan for accumulating assets all work togeth...

In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Host and Investment Advisor Representative Nikki Foley sits down with Featured Guest William Nusser—Enrolled Agent and Owner of Simmons & Simmons Public Accountants—to discuss the tax rules, planning opportunities, and long-term financial consequences behind scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and student loans. Together, they break down common...

In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Host and Investment Advisor Representative Nikki Foley sits down with parent and former college athlete Nicole Giefer to discuss the realities of youth sports, extracurricular activities, and the financial decisions families face along the way. Together, they explore the trade-offs between investing in children's opportunities and maintaining long-te...

In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Host and Investment Advisor Representative Nikki Foley sits down with Featured Guest Megan Stone—Leadership Director at Gentry Academy, author, and founder of Stone Foundations of Learning—to discuss the traits that truly prepare students for life beyond the classroom and the important role parents, grandparents, coaches, teachers, and other mentoring adu...

In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, Host and Investment Advisor Representative Nikki Foley sits down with Creighton University’s graduating senior Isabelle Adams to discuss the student perspective on college costs, financial support, and personal responsibility.

Housing affects far more than just where we live—it impacts financial stability, retirement planning, workforce growth, and the overall health of our communities. In this episode of Paladin Financial Talk, host Nikki Foley sits down with Featured Guest Mark Foster, Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs at Housing First Minnesota. Nikki and Mark discuss what legislative conversations...

For many retirees, deciding whether to downsize, relocate, or stay put is deeply emotional, making it easy to overlook the financial realities. In this episode, guest Ben Bina breaks down how to separate your feelings from your finances when managing your housing wealth. Learn how to transform sentimental real estate choices into a clear, stress-free strategy that protects your retirement roadmap.

In this episode, mortgage expert Jay Dacey joins us to break down the complex forces currently shaping the housing market, from persistent inflation data to the volatility of the 10-year Treasury yield. We dive deep into why mortgage rates remain in the mid-6% range and what the latest inventory shifts mean for both hopeful buyers and current homeowners. Finally, Jay shares his professional outloo...

Navigate the complex Twin Cities real estate market with Realtor Justin Brama of Edina Realty as he reveals which factors buyers can actually influence and which are just distractions. This episode cuts through the noise of fluctuating interest rates to focus on high-impact strategies for securing your home in Minnesota's unique landscape. Learn how to prioritize what truly matters so you can...