Power Up Wealth

This episode of the Power Power Up Wealth podcast features Parker Thompson, a certified financial planning expert, with host James Derrick discussing the immense $54 trillion financial transfer expected over the next decade to surviving spouses. The conversation highlights the importance of planning ahead to ease financial transitions when a spouse passes away, covering key topics like tax implica...

In this episode of the Power Up Wealth Podcast with James Derrick and Amy Hansen, the discussion revolves around the increasing influence of women in financial markets. Women now control over 35% of wealth in America, and their investment strategies often outperform men's. Despite feeling less confident, women exhibit better investment outcomes by focusing on companies they believe in and tak...

James Derrick and Mikal Aune delve into the growing popularity of direct indexing in this podcast episode that outlines its benefits for investors with sizable non-retirement portfolios. The discussion centers on using direct indexing to harvest losses intentionally, offsetting gains with a method previously exclusive to the affluent. The importance of technology and reduced trading costs is under...

This podcast episode explores the current state of the housing market, highlighting a 9% decline in home sales and the resulting pressure on policymakers. James Derrick, President of Smedley Financial and a financial strategist, discusses potential solutions, including increasing housing supply, allowing 401k funds to be used for home purchases, and federal involvement in mortgage-backed securitie...

Join James Derrick and Parker Thompson as they unravel the complexities of debt in this informative podcast episode. The duo breaks down various types of debt, concentrating on actionable advice for managing personal debt effectively. They outline what constitutes good debt, such as housing and education investments with potential long-term value, versus bad debt from quickly depreciating items. L...

This podcast episode features James Derrick and financial expert Amy Hansen discussing financial strategies tailored to each decade of life, from your 20s to your 60s and beyond. The conversation stresses the importance of establishing healthy financial habits early and adjusting them as you grow older. Key topics include avoiding excessive debt, deciding whether to buy or rent a home, and the imp...

In this insightful podcast episode, James Derrick and Mikal Aune discuss the challenges families face in maintaining their wealth over generations. Unfortunately, 90% of family wealth is lost by the third generation. They highlight the need to redefine wealth as not merely financial capital but also human and intellectual capital. By shifting focus from simple inheritance to stewardship, families...

In this lively podcast episode, skydiving enthusiast and Vice President at Smedley Financial, Jordan Hadfield, shares insightful parallels between skydiving and financial planning. Host James Derrick explores the importance of knowing your 'number' in both skydiving and retirement, highlighting the significance of thorough pre-planning to ensure safety and success. Jordan discusses the e...

In a discussion on the SFS Power Up Wealth podcast, James Derrick and Jordan Hadfield explore the phenomenon of market bubbles, with a specific focus on the emerging AI bubble. The episode delves into how bubbles, although often risky and unstable, can drive rapid innovation and progress. Both James and Jordan provide historical examples, like the tulip mania and the Internet bubble, to explain th...

In this episode of the SFS PowerUp Wealth podcast, James Derrick, Parker Thompson, and Jordan Hadfield dive into the growing influence of AI in financial management. The discussion explores whether AI poses a threat to jobs in finance, drawing parallels with previous technological disruptions like the internet. While AI can optimize data and offer general advice, the human element in financial adv...

In this episode of the SFS Power Up wealth podcast, James Derrick and Shane Thomas discuss the importance of a financial wellness checkup as we step into the new year. They emphasize the significance of assessing your financial health by looking at savings, debt management, and retirement planning. The dialogue underscores the value of goal setting and communication, urging listeners to make every...

In this episode of the SFS Power Up Wealth Podcast, James Derrick and Mikal Aune discuss the challenges of financial planning during times of global chaos and economic uncertainty. They explore how negative news and fear can paralyze decision-making and offer strategies for focusing on personal values and goals. Mikal, an optimist by nature, emphasizes the importance of staying invested and viewin...

In this episode of the SFS Power Up wealth podcast, host Mikal Aune explores the timeless wisdom of Warren Buffett, often referred to as the Oracle of Omaha. President of Smedley Financial Services, James Derrick, joins to discuss Buffett's disciplined investment strategies amidst market unpredictability. They highlight significant moments in Buffett's career, such as his prudent market...

We all put off financial tasks we know we should handle—but waiting can quietly increase risk. On this episode of the SFS Power Up Wealth Podcast , James Derrick and Jordan Hadfield break down three financial moves you should be making right now : • 📝 Estate Planning – Wills, powers of attorney, and trusts aren’t just for later in life. Some planning should start as early as age 18. • 💰 Retireme...

On this episode of the Power Up Wealth podcast, James Derrick sits down with Brandi Romero to share practical steps to protect your personal information and clean up your inbox. They discuss why it only takes one click to cause major damage, how decluttering your email helps you spot threats faster, and the biggest red flags to watch for—urgency, odd language, suspicious links, and sender addresse...

In this cautionary podcast episode, Parker Thompson, a private wealth manager, shares a distressing story of a client who fell victim to an elaborate online romance scam. After losing his wife, 'Bill' was targeted by 'Melinda,' who exploited his loneliness and financial security. Over months, she convinced him to invest in a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme, draining his saving...

The demise of the penny has hidden implications for your wallet. I’m Mikal Aune, Executive Vice President of Smedley Financial. Today, we will be talking with our President, James Derrick, about the demise of the penny and the hidden impact on your wallet.

In this episode of the SFS Power Up Wealth Podcast, James Derrick and Mikal Aune discuss the surprising financial strategy of giving away wealth to preserve and grow it. Mikal highlights the transformative power of giving, emphasizing that teaching heirs to donate money and time can instill a deeper understanding of money's potential for good. By shifting focus from personal gain to community...

In this podcast episode, James Derrick and Parker Thompson discuss how to prepare for unexpected life events such as death, disability, or divorce, which can significantly alter one's financial landscape. Parker emphasizes the importance of having essential documents like wills, trusts, and medical directives ready and accessible. They also highlight the often-overlooked area of digital asset...

In this episode of the Power Up Wealth Podcast, financial expert Jordan Hadfield shifts the conversation from typical monetary subjects to the invaluable nature of time. He explores how, at the age of 40, he's come to recognize the fleeting nature of time, particularly with aging parents and growing children. Jordan emphasizes the importance of prioritizing time with loved ones over work, val...

The 'One Big Beautiful Bill' passed on July 4, 2025, brings nuanced changes to tax policy. Major takeaways include the indefinite continuation of tax cuts from 2017 and slight increases to the standard deduction, now indexed to inflation. Among the bill's varied effects, the SALT deduction cap rises to $40,000, mainly benefiting itemizers. Social Security taxes remain unchanged, but...

The threat of cyber-attacks, scams, and just simply being taken advantage of continues to be a major concern.  Welcome, I’m James Derrick, and today, I will be joined by Mikal Aune to discuss allowing your financial advisor to be your financial bodyguard.

Expect the unexpected. I’m James Derrick. Today, we will explore specific actions you can take with our expert, Parker Thompson, to prepare for any unexpected transitions coming in your life.

Thank you for joining me today. I’m James Derrick, President of Smedley Financial Services. Joining me today will be Sharla Jessop. After helping so many of you prepare and transition into retirement, we have the honor of celebrating Sharla’s career with one final interview.

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