Money Sense

The third quarter delivered no shortage of market-moving headlines. Rising energy prices, geopolitical uncertainty, persistent inflation concerns, evolving Federal Reserve policy, and continued enthusiasm around artificial intelligence all influenced investor sentiment and market performance. This week on Money Sense , Nik Kibardin, Wealth Services Advisor and Development Leader at Ellenbecker Inv...

Most people have an idea of when they'd like to retire, but life doesn't always follow the timeline we have in mind. Health concerns, job loss, workplace changes, burnout, or family caregiving responsibilities can all lead to retirement happening earlier than expected, making preparation for the unexpected an important part of retirement planning. This week on Money Sense, Nik Kibardin, CFP®, and...

Financial information can be valuable, but understanding how it fits into your bigger financial picture is what makes it meaningful. In this installment of the Money Sense series, Behind the Scenes at EIG, Brett Engelking, Director of Systems, Operations and Investments at Ellenbecker Investment Group, is joined by Christina Schnuckel, Director of Client Experience. Together, they explore how EIG...

Financial planning is about more than choosing investments. A thoughtful financial plan considers where you are today, where you want to go, and the many pieces of your financial life that need to work together to help you get there. In the first installment of a new Money Sense series, Behind the Scenes at EIG , Brett Engelking, Director of Systems, Operations and Investments at Ellenbecker Inves...

Saving for retirement is one thing. Making the most of your workplace retirement plan is another. This week on Money Sense , Jamie Williams, CFP®, Wealth Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, is joined by Jean Range, Senior Wealth Advisor at EIG, for an in-depth discussion on how to maximize the value of a 401(k). From employer matching contributions and investment selection to Roth versus pre-...

In today’s digital world, shopping has never been easier. With targeted advertising, social media influencers, one-click purchasing, and endless sales promotions, it's easy to make purchases before we've had time to consider whether we truly need them. While these conveniences can save time and introduce us to useful products, they can also lead to overspending, clutter, financial stress, and unin...

Building a successful business takes more than passion and determination. Long-term growth requires financial clarity, strategic decision-making, and the ability to balance profitability with sustainability. For entrepreneurs, understanding key financial metrics, building the right support team, and protecting their own well-being are all essential components of lasting success. This week on Money...

Travel is often one of the most rewarding goals people build into their financial plans. Whether it's exploring a bucket-list destination, creating lasting memories with children and grandchildren, or immersing yourself in a new culture, travel has the power to enrich life in ways few other experiences can. But today's travel landscape requires thoughtful planning, flexibility, and expert guidance...

Retirement is one of life's biggest transitions, and while financial preparation is essential, the emotional, social, and practical realities of retirement are just as important. From finding purpose and maintaining relationships to navigating health care costs and changing travel plans, retirement often looks different than people expect. This week on Money Sense, Jean Range, Senior Wealth Adviso...

Helping grandchildren financially is about much more than simply giving money. Thoughtful planning can create opportunities for education, encourage healthy financial habits, and establish a lasting family legacy that benefits future generations. This week on Money Sense , Nick Kibardin, MBA, CFP®, welcomes Sandy Miller, Wealth Advisor Associate at Ellenbecker Investment Group , for a conversation...

Markets are constantly balancing optimism and uncertainty. While headlines often focus on volatility, long-term success comes from understanding the forces driving investment decisions and maintaining a disciplined strategy aligned with your goals. This week on Money Sense, Jamie Williams welcomes Dick Schiller, CFA and Senior Wealth Advisor at Pavlic Investment Advisors, for a discussion on the c...

Retirement is one of the biggest life transitions we face, yet most retirement conversations focus solely on the financial side. In this episode of Money Sense, Senior Wealth Advisor Jean Range sits down with Dr. Jessica Fischer, Brown Deer Campus Director of Clinical Services at Rogers Behavioral Health, to discuss the emotional and psychological realities of retirement. Jean and Dr. Fischer disc...

Taxes are often something people think about once a year. Gather the documents, file the return, and move on. But what if that approach is causing you to miss valuable opportunities? In this episode of Money Sense, Wealth Services Advisor Nik Kibardin sits down with Richard Wolosek, CPA and Tax Planning Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, to break down the critical difference between tax prep...

Pets are family, but they also come with financial responsibilities that many owners don't fully anticipate. In this episode of Money Sense, Wealth Services Advisor Courtney Witthuhn is joined by Ellenbecker Investment Group Director of Marketing Sara McGuire to discuss the true cost of pet ownership, how to financially prepare for a pet, and the community resources available to help families keep...

Markets rarely move in straight lines and Q2 2026 was a powerful reminder of that. In this week’s episode of Money Sense, Karen Ellenbecker is joined by long-time market voice Mike Roth and Wealth Services Advisor Nik Kibardin to unpack a volatile yet resilient quarter. From geopolitical tensions and oil shocks to a remarkable market rebound, this conversation breaks down what really drove perform...

Insurance is something many people have, but not always something they revisit or fully understand. In this week’s episode of Money Sense, Amy Bremmer, Wealth Services Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, sits down with Jody Leonhardt, Accounts Manager and Agent at American Advantage Insurance, to walk through the basics of property and casualty insurance in a clear and practical way. Together...

College athletics is evolving fast. What used to center on scholarships and school pride now includes contracts, branding deals, and real income before athletes even step on campus. In this episode of Money Sense, Heather Deaton sits down with Chellee Siewert, Founder and President of Capture Sports Entertainment, to unpack what the pay-for-play (NIL) era means for athletes, families, and the futu...

“EIG Behind the Scenes” is a new Money Sense series designed to highlight the people and perspectives behind Ellenbecker Investment Group. In this first episode, Karen Ellenbecker sits down with Brett Engelking, Director of Operations and Systems, to explore what it really takes to build and sustain a boutique firm. Karen reflects on her more than 40 years in the industry and the intentional decis...

What if the hardest part of investing is not finding the right strategy but sticking with it? In this episode of Money Sense , Kristina Schnuckel sits down with fellow Wealth Advisor Nik Kibardin to explore how behavioral finance shapes the way we save, spend, and invest. From the classic marshmallow experiment to real world market cycles, they break down why delaying gratification can be one of t...

Making thoughtful financial decisions during divorce starts with understanding your options. In this episode of Money Sense, Julie Ellenbecker sits down with Susan Hansen, collaborative attorney and mediator at Hansen & Hildebrand , to walk through how to approach divorce thoughtfully from the very first steps through long-term financial impact. They emphasize the importance of education and c...

What if just $1 a day could set your child up for long-term wealth? In this episode of Money Sense , Amy Bremmer, Wealth Services Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, is joined by Faith Reiter from the EIG Marketing Team, who is expecting her first child, to break down a simple but powerful strategy built on the time value of money. Together, they explore how small, consistent contributions, w...

What does it mean to show up as a leader, especially in times of crisis, uncertainty, and burnout? In this special #AuthorSpotlight episode of Money Sense , we’re joined by Jen Marr, founder and CEO of Showing Up and author of Lifting Up. Through the “showing up” framework, Jen breaks supportive leadership down into clear, actionable behaviors leaders can apply in real time to reduce burnout, stre...

How can portfolios pursue growth while managing volatility and generating reliable income? In this episode of Money Sense, wealth advisor Jamie Williams sits down with Mary Brown, president and portfolio manager at Campbell Newman Asset Management, to explore why dividend growth investing continues to play a critical role in long‑term portfolio construction. Mary shares the history behind Campbell...

With Americans carrying over $1.27 trillion in credit card debt, understanding how credit actually works and how it impacts homeownership is more important than ever. In this episode of Money Sense, Kristina Schnuckel, wealth advisor and director of client experience at Ellenbecker Investment Group, is joined by Ben Revak, senior loan advisor at ProVisor Inc. , for a practical conversation about c...

How can generosity fit seamlessly into your financial plan and maximize tax efficiency? In this episode of Money Sense , wealth advisors Jamie Williams and Heather Deaton explore how charitable giving can fit into a well‑rounded financial plan. They discuss how generosity can be both personal and strategic, while still supporting long‑term family and financial goals. The conversation is grounded i...