Financial Freedom Podcast

Most of us have spent our working years putting money into a traditional IRA or 401(k) and enjoying the tax break along the way. But that bill eventually comes due. A Roth conversion lets you pay the tax now so your money can grow and come out tax-free later. It sounds simple, but is it the right move for you, and when could it actually be a mistake? That's why in this episode of the podcast I tal...

A lot has happened in the world of personal finance over the past few weeks, and much of it could affect your wallet sooner than you think. Health insurance prices are going up again, Congress is changing the way Social Security talks about your retirement, and there's new help for student loan borrowers and retirement savers. That's why in this episode of the podcast I'm doing a personal finance...

Most of us are told the same thing about investing: stay the course, ride out the dips, and trust the long term. But what happens when you no longer have decades to wait out a bad market because you're retired, or about to be? That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with Theodore Hicks about what it really takes to protect a nest egg once the paychecks stop coming. In this episode you wil...

People approaching retirement in 3 to 5 years have to start thinking differently about their money and what they are going to do once the paychecks stop. They have to have a plan, a playbook to follow on what that income is going to look like. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk Ron Deutsch at Magnus Financial Group about how to write that playbook and have financial freedom in retire...

The loss of a spouse is devastating in many ways. The person you've been spending your life with is now gone. There are also the many financial issues you have to deal with, and one of them can be devastating to those over 65 and retirees. It's called the "Widow's Trap" and most people aren't prepared for it. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk to repeat guest and Certified Financial...

Many people trying to maintain financial independence and freedom find themselves cash poor, but asset rich. They need more money in the bank, but have loads of equity in their home. Problem is, they don't want to sell the home to liquidate the equity; they want to continue living it. As my guest in this episode would say: "Reverse mortgage to the rescue!" To bust the misconceptions about them, an...

A lot of financial advice assumes you're building wealth to pass on to your kids. But what if that's not your path? About 25% of Americans are childless by choice or circumstance, and the financial system largely wasn't built for them. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with Certified Financial Planner Bri Conn about what the financial landscape actually looks like for childless coup...

One place inflation has really hit hard in the last two years or so is food. Going to the grocery store has become very expensive, and feeding the family has become quite a struggle. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talked with Andy Ellwood, who has brought technology to bear to help people find the best deals on food through his AI platform. In this episode you will learn: How AI tools...

A lot of people who could benefit from working with a financial advisor never do — and often it's because of myths and misconceptions about who financial advisors are, what they do, and who they're really for. That's why in this episode of the podcast, I spoke with Farrel Liger, a man who's spent his career on both sides of that relationship, and can dispel those myths, so you can get the help you...

People turning 65 have a lot of important decisions to make. Do they apply for Social Security, or do they wait until they're older? When do they apply for Medicare, what are the differences between A, B, C, and D, and which ones are right for them? To answer these questions, I talked with Retirement Management Advisor Marcia Mantell to provide some guidance to those having to make those decisions...

For many people, saving for retirement and living in retirement means hoping that the money lasts. Their goal is not to outlive their money. But for others, building a legacy to pass on is what's important. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with Certified Financial Planner Chad Taylor on how to create a family wealth legacy to pass on to the next generation. In this episode you will...

One key to retirement savings and living in retirement that is not addressed by most people is tax planning. You want not only to minimize taxes in your retirement income, but in the savings you put aside during your working life. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talked with Alan Porter, a Certified Financial Fiduciary and Certified Tax & Business Advisor, to give you the answers you ne...

Most people know that there is some risk to investing and retirement planning. In fact, "Risk Tolerance" for the investor is a key factor in deciding where to put your money. But most people don't know that there are non-financial risks as well. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with Chris Maduri about what those risks are and how you can avoid them to ensure a comfortable retiremen...

Diversity in your investments and savings for retirement (and your efforts to achieve long term financial freedom) is very important. It's key to minimizing risk and maximizing return. Lately, precious metals, as an investment, has become a topic of discussion. To find out whether you should do it, and if so, how to go about it, I talked with Kristen Nagle about how she helps folks to get started...

Each generation has a different approach to money, saving, retirement, and what it means to be financially free and secure. So strategies for starting on that journey can vary quite a bit, and Gen Z is no exception. That's why on this episode of the podcast I talked with Jack Campbell, an investor and venture capitalist who helps Gen Zers to discuss how they can map out and navigate their path to...

Achieving financial freedom is something people aspire to, but not everyone thinks it is possible. Even those that do think it will take them way too long. For some it means getting out from under debt first; for others it means being able to invest enough each year to make it happen in a reasonable amount of time. But sometimes it can be done quicker. That's why on this episode of the podcast I t...

With the engagement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, there's been a lot of talk on social media about prenuptual agreements. But what many people don't know is that these agreements (as well as their lesser-known cousins, post-nuptual agreements) are not just for the very rich. Others can benefit from them as well. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talked with New Jersey certified famil...

Most people are focused on the savings part of their retirement planning. They contribute to their 401k, put something into a Roth IRA, and have an emergency fund. But what they often don't think about is the transition from saving to spending that will happen when they actually retire. That's why on this episode of the podcast I talk with Laura Rehbein of Impavid Wealth Advisors on how to go abou...

Having your first child is a wondrous event for a married couple as they start a family. There's lots of celebration surrounding it. But the cost of raising that child after its born is something that involves lots of advanced planning to avoid serious stress to your finances (and financial freedom) going forward.  So how much does it cost to raise a child these days? To answer that question I tal...

We've all heard the saying: "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer." But why do the rich get richer? Is it just the mindset that "it takes money to make money" or do they know something else that we don't? Lots of financial planners talk about mutual funds, annuities, IRAs and 401(k)s, but do the rich do the same or is there more? To answer that question, I talked with Ben Mohr about how eve...

Everyone these days knows that a college education doesn't come cheap. It's a major investment for families and, if not handled properly, can lead to financial hardship after graduation. But can you get a good education without paying full price? To answer that question and to discover ways that parents and students can find the perfect college fit academically, socially, and financially, I talked...

As a bankruptcy attorney, I know that getting that discharge and fresh start in your financial life can be liberating. No longer having the stress of carrying debt is great, but the next question is: where do you go from there? To answer that question, I talk to fellow bankruptcy attorney Barry Levine about the steps you can take to rebuild your financial life. In this episode you will learn: What...

Many people experience financial difficulties due to deep seated emotional feelings about money. These feelings often drive bad money decisions that keep them from achieving financial freedom.  To identify these emotional money beliefs and help people to get past them I talked with Certified Financial Planner Shannon Ryan to discuss solutions to this problem. In this episode you will learn: - The...

Even if you are on track with your savings and have a clear idea of what you want to do in retirement, there is one component that most people miss: their health. If you want to have a long retirement, your health is key. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talked with Dr. Aleksandra Gajer about how you can optimize your most important asset: your body. In this episode you will learn: Abou...

People struggling with debt deal with stress every day. Worrying about how they are going to deal with it can have a significant impact on their mental health, their lives, and their relationships. That's why in this episode of the podcast I talk with Dr. Erika Rasure, a financial therapist with a doctorate in personal financial planning on how to deal with this stress in a positive way. In this e...