CAPitalize Your Finances

Today I'm going to break down nine retirement numbers you actually need to know for 2026. No fluff, and no IRS jargon. The tax code changes every year, but not all changes matter to you, so I’m focusing on the ones that can directly impact how much you’re saving, how much you’re allowed to contribute, and how smart your retirement strategy really is. I’ll cover updated contribution limits, cat...

Today I’m kicking off 2026 the right way: by helping you map out financial goals that you’ll actually stick to. Before we charge ahead, I’m going to walk you through a quick look back at 2025 – what worked, what didn’t, and what you learned along the way. Then we get into the fun stuff: dialing in clear goals for savings, debt, income, investing, spending, and credit, all in a way that feels doabl...

On today's show I break down one of the most confusing areas in personal finance: what to do with your company stock and stock options. These plans can be incredibly valuable, but only if you understand how they work – and how the tax rules hit you. I walk through the most common types of stock compensation, explain the differences in plain English, and I’ll show you where people often leave m...

On today's episode I share what I learned after reading every single Warren Buffett annual shareholder letter from Berkshire Hathaway – a project that took me months to complete. What started as a study in investing turned into a masterclass on business, ethics, and patience. I break down Buffett’s lessons on focus, discipline, and the difference between planning and investing, and I’ll give y...

On today’s show I dig into a fascinating question: how are you really doing compared to the average American in your age group? I break down the latest data on debt, savings, 401(k) balances, and net worth, and reveal some eye-opening gaps that show where most people are falling short. You’ll learn what these numbers actually mean, why averages can be misleading, and what steps you can take right...

On today's episode I tackle one of the most common questions I get: what to do if you have debt. I'll take you through the process of how to get a clear picture of what you owe, decide which balances to pay off first, and then build a plan that actually works. You'll also learn about creating a realistic budget, negotiating with lenders, and how boosting your income or consolidating lo...

On today’s show I break down 11 unwritten rules that keep people wealthy – AND I’ll tell you why they work. I’ll discuss things like avoiding unnecessary risk and minimizing taxes, and I'll explain what separates lasting wealth from temporary success. I’ll pass along some stories about smart stewardship, teaching kids financial responsibility, choosing value over price, and even how something...

It's finally here! On today’s show, I finally unveil the long-awaited Net Worth Calculator my team and I have been developing for months. This isn’t another clunky online spreadsheet – it's an interactive tool that lets you track, project, and compare your financial progress in real time. I’ll take you step-by-step through the demo with my Director of Marketing, Chris Olstad, and I'll ...

In this special Halloween week episode of  CAPitalize Your Finances , I react in real time to 13 “scary” retirement stats, separating real risks from overhyped fears. I start off with Buffett’s reminder to be fearful when others are greedy, then I’ll dig into things like paycheck-to-paycheck living, inflation in retirement, and the big one: people expecting to outlive their savings. Want some prac...

Today I want to share some practical tips to help you spend and save smarter during the holiday season. These are some really simple ways to stay in control: setting a clear budget and sticking to it, shopping early, avoiding last-minute splurges, and using cash or debit instead of credit, to give you just a few. I’ll also talk about creative, low-cost gift ideas, like Secret Santa, shared experie...

In this episode I explore a challenge that many people face: struggling to save money.  Want some practical ways to turn things around? You go it! I’ll start by explaining how to diagnose the problem, from tracking every dollar to separating needs from wants. I'll also get into cutting unnecessary expenses like subscriptions and dining out, and even big changes like housing or transportation a...

Today I’m going to take you through the ten essential steps to buying a home the right way. I'll talk about preparing your finances and getting approved before you buy, as well as how to find the right agent and make a smart offer – ALL in clear, practical terms. I’ll cover how to avoid pitfalls like PMI, why having an emergency and maintenance fund matters, and what to expect during inspectio...

On today's episode I lay out a straightforward roadmap to making your first million dollars. Here's a preview – it's not about chasing flashy trends or trying to outsmart the system. Rather, it's about focusing on the basics and sticking with them. With that in mind, I’m going to give you eight key steps that apply whether you’re a business owner, a commission-based professional, o...

On today’s episode I break down the 8 biggest wealth killers to avoid in your 20s and 30s. There are SO many of them out there: lifestyle creep, high-interest debt, overspending on cars or housing, ignoring investing early, skipping insurance, chasing get-rich-quick schemes, and neglecting your own earning power, just to name a few. These can quietly sabotage your financial future if you’re not ca...

On today's episode I’m taking it “back to basics” with a comprehensive beginner’s guide to investing. I’ll cover what investing really is, the major types of investments available (from cash and bonds to ETFs, mutual funds, and alternatives) and how to decide what’s right for you based on your goals and comfort level. How can tax-conscious planning make a bigger difference than you realize? Ho...

On today's episode I lay out a step-by-step plan to help you fix your finances in just six months. We start with the basics: tracking expenses, calculating net worth, and cutting unnecessary spending. Then we start building momentum with an emergency fund and attacking high-interest debt using the “avalanche” method. From there, I show you how to increase income, optimize your budget, and keep...

This week I’m going to tackle one of the biggest questions you’ll ever face: am I saving enough for retirement – or maybe even saving too much? I’ll break it down into three clear sections: first, how to calculate what you’ll actually need in retirement (and why the 4% “rule” still matters); second, how to measure what you’re on track to have by analyzing your net worth, debts, and current saving...

Money stress is real, but it doesn’t have to rule your life. That's why I’m focusing today’s episode on my top seven strategies to reduce financial anxiety and take back control of your wealth. I'm talking about things like hiring the right fiduciary team and simplifying your accounts, as well as creating purpose with your wealth, setting boundaries, and preparing for uncertainty. I’ll als...

I don't care how old or young you are, there’s always something new to learn about money. On today's episode I break down the biggest financial challenges and opportunities facing people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s – and I’ll give you my top three pieces of advice for each decade. From building an emergency fund and crushing high-interest debt in your 20s all the way up to tax planning, ret...

It’s a fact of life that accidents sometimes happen. And if you're entitled to settlement money, you'd better know what to do with it. So today I break down how to handle a financial windfall from a personal injury settlement. Whether it’s whiplash or life-altering injuries, I walk you through the critical first steps (spoiler alert: call a personal injury attorney!) and then give you a fi...

Paycheck bonuses can either be a blessing or a missed opportunity. In this episode of CAPitalize Your Finances, I walk you through exactly what to do with your bonus, no matter how big or small. I make it really easy for you by breaking it down into five tiers and giving you a step-by-step roadmap to potentially maximize your windfall. I talk about everything from paying off high-interest debt to...

Taxes may not be fun but navigating them smartly can save you serious money – and in this episode, I break it all down for you. I’ll take you through how our tax system actually works (by the way – it's not as straightforward as you might think), the difference between marginal and effective tax rates, and why understanding capital gains matters more than ever. I’ll also cover deductions, cred...

Ever wonder how your net worth stacks up against others your age? Today I break down what  net worth by age  really looks like, using both the  average  and the  median,  and why one of those numbers matters WAY more than the other. I'll also give you some simple, practical strategies to potentially grow your net worth, avoid common pitfalls, and take advantage of compounding. We’ll cover debt...

Today’s episode involves a topic that’s incredibly close to home: what to consider when one parent decides to stay home instead of working. I break down the real numbers and emotional impacts of shifting to a single-income household, including assessing the financial tradeoffs, managing health insurance, emergency funds, and long-term retirement planning. I'll also talk about the non-financial...

I’ve said it before: I’m not against side hustles, but I am against bad planning. In this episode, I’m giving you the blueprint for turning your side gig into a sustainable, full-time business. I’m talking about evaluating market demand and pricing your services, along with budgeting for startup costs and building your all-star support team. VERY important information! You’ll also learn when (and...