CAPitalize Your Finances

Let’s be honest here: your 401(k) is probably your best shot at financial freedom. Unfortunately, most people have no clue how to use it properly. Today, I’m going to walk through what you need to know about investing **in your 401(k), including the truth about target date funds (preview: I think they’re garbage), why employer matches are  free  money, and how fees and overdiversification can mess...

What does “retiring early” actually mean? Is it really as great as it sounds? In this episode, I challenge the conventional wisdom around early retirement, breaking down the FIRE movement, redefining what retirement can look like today, and exploring the often-overlooked emotional and financial tradeoffs. You’ll get insights from my own practice, and I’ll discuss how to structure your investments,...

In today’s episode, I sat down with one of the top minds in the world of alternative investments: Tony Davidow, author of Private Markets. We talked about the evolving role of alternatives, like private equity, credit, real estate, and infrastructure, and how they can be used more thoughtfully within a financial plan. I challenged Tony on the disconnect between institutional frameworks and the nee...

In today’s episode of CAPitalize Your Finances, I interviewed a long-time fitness influencer, Marc Lobliner—who is an entrepreneur, pro bodybuilder, and all-around force in the supplement industry. We talked business strategy, fatherhood, stress, and staying sharp, both mentally and physically. Marc gets real about the grind behind the scenes, how he stays disciplined while traveling the world, an...

Emergency funds are not the flashiest part of financial planning, but one thing's for sure: they’re arguably the most important pieces of personal finance. In this episode, I’m revisiting why. Today, I will talk about how to determine the right amount of cash reserves based on your income, expenses, and career situation, and why your emergency fund should evolve as your net worth grows. From f...

Summer’s almost here, but that doesn’t mean you should take your foot off the financial gas pedal. In this episode, I talk about credit card debt – how it happens, how to handle it, and how to keep it from coming back. I’ll discuss the psychology behind overspending, the role of behavior in financial planning, and why compounding interest can work for you or against you. I also explain the two mos...

On today’s episode, I break down the cash flow milestones that matter most to you. Whether you’re struggling to make ends meet or building even greater wealth, understanding how to track and optimize your cash flow is essential. I’ll cover the key stages that signal real progress toward financial independence, including climbing out of debt and eventually covering fixed expenses with investment in...

In this episode I tackle one of the most common challenges that entrepreneurs, commission-based professionals, and business owners face – how to manage variable income. From flexible budgeting and prioritizing fixed expenses to building an emotional buffer through smart cash management, I’ll walk you through how I coach clients (and live it myself) to bring more predictability and a greater sense...

I’ve been looking forward to this one... “Professor” Rick Plum has been a mentor, friend, and sounding board for more than a decade, and in this episode, he joins me in studio for a conversation about one of the most misunderstood topics in finance: Social Security. Will Social Security Run out? How is it funded? What are the best strategies to be aware of with tax proposals coming to possible fru...

We all hear about the  dream  of homeownership—but what about the downsides? In this episode, I take a look at the often-overlooked “dark” sides of owning a home: things like hidden maintenance costs, rising property taxes, liquidity traps and zoning nightmares. I’ll explain why your home may not be the great investment you may think it is, why being “house rich and cash poor” can wreck your finan...

What should you do with extra monthly cash? Today I’m going to walk you through a clear strategy to help you prioritize and CAPitalize. You'll find out about boosting your emergency fund and paying down high-interest debt, and how to make smart retirement contributions and planning for major life goals like a home or travel. I also dive into the overlooked power of HSAs, donor-advised funds, a...

In this special bonus episode, I dive into the strange—but very real—new partnership between DoorDash and Klarna that allows users to  finance their fast food . Yes, you read that right. I break down what this “buy now, pay later” option really means, how it works, and what the implications are for consumers. I’ll give you the potential pros (like flexible payments for those in a cash crunch) to t...

This week I sat down with banking veteran and author Kevin Howard for a conversation that pulled absolutely no punches. We dug into everything from tariffs, globalization, and income inequality to the historical forces that shaped today’s financial system. Kevin’s background—working with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and through the Great Financial Crisis—gives him a front-row view of how the system wa...

I’ve been getting so many awesome questions from you, my loyal listeners, and today I’m going to answer more of them! I’ll start off with a tip about reverse-engineering your major financial decisions—especially big ones like buying a home—by projecting out the next decade and weighing the trade-offs. Then I dive into your submitted questions, including the things that most people overlook in pers...

Back again with another round of fan questions! Today I’ll be tackling three key financial topics that many of you have been asking about. First up: when to cash out of the market for a down payment on a home—especially in an election year. Find out why timing isn’t everything and what you really need to focus on before making a move. Then, we get into fixed costs vs. variable costs—what to do whe...

Interest rates are constantly changing, and knowing how to CAPitalize on them can make a huge difference in your financial future! Today I break down how to reassess your tax situation, identify refinancing opportunities, and leverage debt to your potential advantage. How about some strategies for handling high-interest debt, maximizing cash flow, and making smarter investment choices based on int...

401(k) mistakes are, unfortunately, all too common. So today I’m here to make sure you don’t fall into the same traps. What sort of mistakes am I talking about? Things like missing out on your employer’s match, overconcentrating in company stock, taking early withdrawals, or ignoring the fees. I’ll not only break down the biggest missteps I see time and time again—I’ll also show you how to avoid t...

Hitting the $1 million mark is a huge achievement—but what happens next? Today I’m going to break down key wealth management strategies to keep you on track once you’ve reached this financial milestone.   Right now is a great time to reassess your financial goals and manage lifestyle inflation.  It may also be a good idea to optimize certain tax strategies like Roth conversions and tax-loss harves...

Today I’m going to debunk some of the biggest financial lies that people fall for—and trust me, there are plenty. You may have heard some of them: “You need to be rich to start investing,” “Carrying a credit card balance improves your credit score,” or “Renting is just throwing money away.” I’m here to set the record straight. I also break down misconceptions about retirement, including the false...

Fear of investing is more common than you think – and it’s holding many people back from potentially building real wealth. So today I’m going to break down the root causes of that fear, from emotional biases to misconceptions about risk. I’ll show you how to conquer your anxieties by starting small, understanding key investment principles, and focusing on long-term growth. There's so much to cover...

On this episode of Capitalize Your Finances, I’m jumping into a topic that's very personal to me: how to financially prepare for a baby. As a new parent myself, I've learned firsthand about the unexpected costs and the importance of proper planning. I’ll start with the basics of budgeting, covering everything from hospital bills and baby gear to long-term expenses like childcare and education. I'l...

Have you ever thought about going solo and starting your own business? Then you MUST listen to today’s episode! I break down the financial realities of self-employment—everything from budgeting and managing irregular income to building the right emergency fund and setting up retirement plans. I’ll also give you insights on tax strategies, the importance of separating business and personal finances...

In today's episode, I’m going to dive into eight transformative books that every aspiring investor, entrepreneur, and lifelong learner should read. From important investment strategies to mastering the art of marketing, I‘ll give you valuable insights from sources like  Benjamin Graham and the Power of Growth Stocks ,  Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits , and  The Joys of Compounding . I’ll al...

It's time to answer more of your pressing financial questions! Want some strategies for financing a new car, or deciding between contributing to a 401(k) or a company stock option plan? I've got the answers for you. I'll also break down the best options for setting up investment accounts for your children, including 529 plans, Roth IRAs, and even permanent life insurance. My goal is to...

Today I’m switching things up a little bit and answering the questions you’ve sent to me! I've gotten some wonderful questions and comments from listeners covering a wide range of topics, including the age-old debate: stocks vs. mutual funds—where should you put your money? We’ll cover the pros and cons of each, the importance of understanding your financial temperament, and how tax implications c...