The Aaron Katsman Show

Could your financial advice actually hurt the people you love? Many people are quick to tell family and friends how they should invest their money. The problem is that good advice for one person can be completely wrong for someone else. Today I’m discussing a recent conversation with a couple in their 90s, why context matters more than investment returns, and the dangers of giving financial advice...

Should you use extra money to pay off your mortgage or invest it instead? Some financial experts argue that low mortgage rates make investing the better choice. Others believe there’s real value in becoming debt-free before retirement. I’m discussing the case for investing versus paying down your mortgage, why peace of mind matters just as much as the math, and the two-track strategy I believe can...

What would happen if your parents suddenly couldn’t manage their finances? Many families avoid conversations about money, aging, and future care until a crisis forces the issue. By then, important information may be difficult to find and critical decisions may need to be made quickly. I’m discussing how to start conversations with aging parents, why access to financial accounts and legal documents...

Should your investment strategy change as retirement gets closer? For decades, many investors focus on growth. But as retirement moves from a distant goal to a reality on the horizon, the questions become more complicated. I’m discussing when it may make sense to shift from maximizing growth to preserving wealth, how late starters should approach retirement investing, and why two retirees with sim...

How do you know when it’s time to sell a stock? Most investors spend a lot of time thinking about what to buy, but far less time deciding when to sell. That can lead to missed opportunities, holding on too long, or selling for the wrong reasons. I’m discussing why knowing when to take profits is so difficult, why even professional investors struggle with it, and how having a clear strategy can hel...

How much risk should you really be taking? Many investors build portfolios based on what they think they should do rather than what they can actually live with when markets get rough. I’m discussing the relationship between risk, emotions, and investing, along with a simple stress test that can help you determine whether your portfolio is right for you. To learn how to evaluate your true tolerance...

Do you actually need to understand advanced investing theory to be successful? A lot of people think investing requires complicated math, constant research, and trying to outsmart the market. I disagree. I’m breaking down what actually matters when it comes to investing success, why most people overcomplicate the process, and the one trait that really separates successful investors from everyone e...

Buying a home is exciting. Overbuying is not. I’m breaking down the financial and emotional dangers of buying a house you can’t really afford, why banks often approve people for far more than they should borrow, and how becoming “house poor” can create years of stress and financial pressure. To learn how to avoid one of the biggest financial mistakes people make, tune in. SOCIAL LINKS: Facebook: A...

Aging parents living on their own creates all kinds of financial and logistical challenges, especially when family lives far away. Today we're discussing the growing role of daily money managers, what they actually do, how they help elderly individuals stay independent longer, and why trust is such a critical part of the process. To learn whether a daily money manager may be the right solution for...

You received an inheritance. Now what? For a lot of people, the instinct is to act quickly, hold onto what was given to them, or assume the portfolio they inherited is exactly what they should keep. That’s usually a mistake. I’m breaking down why inherited portfolios often don’t fit your situation, why moving too quickly can cost you, and how to think about these decisions more clearly before you...

Can you really retire early just because the numbers look good? A lot of people assume that once they hit a certain savings goal, they’re set. But early retirement is not just about how much you have, it’s about how your money is structured, how accessible it is, and whether your plan actually works in real life. To learn what most people miss when planning early retirement, tune in. _____________...

Are you actually financially independent? With Israel celebrating Independence Day in the middle of everything going on, it’s a good time to think about what independence really means on a personal level. I’m breaking down what financial independence actually looks like, why you don’t need millions to get there, and the simple steps that can put you on the right path. To learn how to define your n...

Are you saving too much… or not enough? With everything going on right now, it’s easy to start rethinking your money, whether that means holding on tighter or finally deciding to spend more. I’m breaking down why both extremes can backfire, why “die with zero” isn’t as smart as it sounds, and how to think about spending and saving in a more balanced way. To learn how to make smarter money decision...

What does resistance training have to do with building wealth? More than you think. New research analyzing over 30,000 participants found that the biggest gains don’t come from complicated programs, they come from consistency and simply getting started. That same principle applies directly to your financial life. In this week's episode, I break down why most people struggle financially, not becaus...

Should you be worried about your investments during war? With headlines warning about global conflict, oil price spikes, and worst-case scenarios, many investors are asking the same question: Is it time to panic? In this episode, I break down what history actually tells us about how markets perform after major geopolitical events, and why reacting emotionally to the news can be one of the biggest...

What does Passover cleaning have to do with your financial life? As we prepare for Pesach, we spend time scrubbing, organizing, and clearing out what we don’t need. But for many people, their financial lives could use the exact same process. In this episode, I talk about why most financial struggles aren’t about intelligence or lack of information. They’re about life getting in the way, expenses c...

Is social media giving you a completely unrealistic picture of retirement? From luxury travel to “living your best life,” Instagram and other platforms are filled with images of what retirement is supposed to look like. But for many people, trying to keep up with that version of retirement can lead to serious financial mistakes. In this episode, I break down what I call the “Instagram retirement t...

Can war and scary headlines derail your investment strategy? With markets reacting to global conflict and nonstop predictions of financial disaster, many investors start wondering if it’s time to sell and get out. History suggests otherwise. In this episode, I walk through why market panic is nothing new, why predictions about crashes are usually wrong, and why investors with a long-term plan shou...

Can fear-based frugality actually hurt your financial health? I'm exploring the fascinating psychology behind why some people struggle to spend even when they're financially secure, from childhood scarcity wiring the brain to see spending as danger to the woman worth millions who couldn't afford a cup of coffee. Spoiler: there's a middle ground between financial anarchy and panic over your checkin...

Should you actually be spending more money as you get older? Many retirement plans assume spending stays flat, but real life doesn’t work that way. I break down why spending often peaks earlier, why health matters more than account balances, and how to think about enjoying your money without risking your future or your family. To learn how to spend thoughtfully without losing financial security, t...

Is buying an investment property in Israel still a smart financial move? Prices have risen dramatically, but low rental yields, higher interest rates, taxes, and concentration risk tell a more nuanced story. I walk through what the data actually says about Israeli real estate, who it may work for, and when other investment options might be a better fit. To learn how to evaluate Israeli property as...

How do you build an investment portfolio that isn’t at the mercy of a single stock or sector? Diversification is one of the most fundamental principles of long-term investing, helping spread risk across different asset classes and reduce the impact of any one investment losing value. I break down what diversification really means, why simply owning a few “great stocks” isn’t a strategy, and how ba...

How can you protect your aging parents from becoming victims of financial fraud and scams? With Americans over 70 controlling $53 trillion in wealth, seniors are prime targets for sophisticated scammers and the average loss is a staggering $83,000. I'm breaking down the warning signs to watch for, from unusual spending patterns to early signs of cognitive decline, and sharing practical strategies...

Is your home equity making you wealthier, or are you just trapped in an expensive house? I'm breaking down why the "experts" who claim home equity isn't real wealth are missing the bigger picture. From renting strategies to assisted living options, there are legitimate ways to tap into that value. To learn more about how home equity fits into your retirement plan, tune in. ________________________...

Think goal-based investing is just financial advisor jargon that doesn't really matter? Think again. I'm sharing real conversations I'm having with clients right now about affording assisted living in Israel and why decades of disciplined, goal-focused investing makes all the difference when life happens. This isn't about beating the market, it's about actually being able to pay for the care you n...