Ditch The Suits: Financial Planning Insights Without The Sales Pitch

We’re diving deep into the world of trust (or lack thereof) in the financial services industry! This episode is all about how trust in your financial advisor should be more than just a warm fuzzy feeling; it needs to be backed by proactive planning and accountability. We'll break down two compelling cases: one involving a major investment firm hit with a $17.5 million civil penalty for allegedly m...

In this special episode of Ditch the Suits , Travis and Steve break down the results of a recent survey that asked 1,000 investors working with financial advisors: What matters more—trust or performance? Should it be just one thing or a combination? Don’t you deserve to work with someone who you can both trust not to rip you off and expect performance from? Join us as we challenge the status quo a...

Jess Blake, Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor and Senior Wealth Manager at S.E.E.D. Planning Group returns for the last episode in this series to help clarify the common misconception that estate planning is only necessary for the wealthy or elderly. We engage in a lively debate, dispelling these myths and emphasizing that anyone over 18 with any form of asset should consider an estate plan. T...

Estate planning is one of those things that we often put off until it’s too late. This episode of Ditch the Suits is here to change that mindset! We’ve got Jess Blake, Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor and Senior Wealth Manager at S.E.E.D. Planning Group back with us, and she’s about to drop some bombs about how to avoid those critical estate planning blunders that could haunt your family long...

In this episode, we dive into estate planning with Jessica Blake, a Senior Wealth Manager and Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) at S.E.E.D. Planning Group. Jessica shares real-life insights from working with clients every day, shedding light on the critical mistakes people make that can jeopardize their financial legacy. We explore why estate planning is often overlooked, how proper pla...

This episode of the Ditch the Suits focuses on the critical importance of estate planning and the common mistakes people make in this area. Travis and Steve welcome Jessica Blake, a Senior Wealth Manager and Certified Trust & Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) from S.E.E.D. Planning Group, with extensive experience in estate planning, to share her insights. They discuss what constitutes an adequate esta...

Understanding your personal finances means treating them like a business, and that's exactly what this episode of Ditch the Suits emphasizes. Travis and Steve dive into the importance of recognizing yourself as the boss of your financial situation, encouraging listeners to engage with financial advisors as if they were hiring employees. They discuss the pitfalls of over-reliance on financial profe...

In our last episode, we did a status check on the state of the financial advice industry. We discussed that the term financial advisor is meaningless and how you can get more information on any potential financial advisor or firm you may consider working with. This episode is an open conversation about some of our experiences helping people find real value via financial planning. This episode of D...

Have you ever thought “should I work with a financial advisor” or if you already do, “do I need a second opinion?” Or maybe, “aren’t all financial advisors the same?” In this episode you’ll get the answer to these questions and more as we dig into the state of the financial advisor industry. Should you hire a financial advisor? This question lies at the heart of the latest discussion on the Ditch...

The holiday season brings a unique blend of reflection and anticipation for us on the Ditch the Suits podcast. In this episode, we take a moment to appreciate our journey over the past year, celebrating a remarkable 34% growth in listenership. We’re excited to share updates to our content strategy, including guest interviews and deeper dives into key topics, to offer varied insights from active pr...

Join us as we dive into a comprehensive recap of the past year's highlights from our Ditch the Suits podcast. This episode reflects on the critical financial insights we've shared, focusing on the importance of understanding your money in the context of life and personal fulfillment. From navigating estate planning to tackling the complexities of bonds, we explore how our discussions have aimed to...

This episode of the Ditch the Suits Podcast dives deep into the emotional and financial complexities that arise after losing a loved one.. Co-hosts Travis Maus and Steve Campbell emphasize the importance of taking time to grieve and not rushing into decisions, advocating for a thoughtful gap analysis to assess financial needs and future goals. They explore the potential emotional burdens tied to p...

This episode of the Ditch the Suits Podcast explores the profound challenges of rebuilding life after the loss of a loved one. It focuses on both the emotional and practical decisions that arise in the wake of such a life-altering event. A show follower asked Travis and Steve about their experience managing a family farm after losing a partner while also navigating the responsibility of caring for...

This episode of Ditch the Suits Podcast delves into the intricate world of financial planning, particularly as the year draws to a close. Hosts Steve Campbell and Travis Maus discuss practical actions that individuals can take before the end of the year, emphasizing the importance of understanding capital gains and the potential benefits of tax loss harvesting. The discussion highlights the distin...

This episode of the Ditch the Suits podcast gives practical financial insights that can significantly impact your money management strategies. Steve Campbell and Travis Maus emphasize the importance of completing a personal tax assessment, which acts as a mock tax return to identify potential opportunities and gaps in your financial planning. They also discuss the critical need to revisit your 401...

This episode focuses on practical financial strategies for preparing for the end of the year and setting yourself up for success in the coming year. Travis and Steve discuss the importance of revisiting your budget, emphasizing that it should be a flexible tool rather than a rigid constraint. They introduce the concept of an income-sourcing plan for those approaching retirement, highlighting how t...

In this episode of Ditch the Suits, Steve Campbell and Travis Maus discuss the hidden costs of a high salary. They emphasize that financial freedom is more than just money and that stress and anxiety can lead to an unfulfilled life. The conversation explores whether a high salary equates to job satisfaction and personal happiness, the importance of considering the benefits package, and the possibi...

In this episode of Ditch the Suits, Steve Campbell and Travis Maus discuss the mistakes people make when selling a house or a business. They highlight the concept of anchoring bias, where individuals become fixated on a specific number and are unwilling to consider other options. They provide examples of how this bias can lead to financial losses and missed opportunities. The conversation covers t...

Part 2 of the Proposed Tax Policy Grab Bag delves into the potential repercussions of proposed tax legislation that could significantly impact wealth creation and financial mobility, particularly for middle-class individuals and small business owners. We discuss how changes to capital gains taxes, eliminating the step-up basis at death, and increased taxes on stock buybacks could lead to double ta...

This episode delves into the potential impact of proposed tax policy changes that could significantly affect Americans, particularly those making over $400,000, and the broader implications for everyday citizens. We discuss how these tax changes, including increases on capital gains and the introduction of new taxes, may not only target high earners but could also trickle down to the average perso...

This episode into the controversial proposal of taxing unrealized capital gains, a measure that could have far-reaching consequences for individuals and the economy at large. Hosts Steve Campbell and Travis Maus break down the implications of such a tax, emphasizing that it not only targets the ultra-wealthy but could also negatively impact everyday Americans. They discuss how taxing assets that h...

We continue our series by taking a critical look at the proposed taxation of unrealized capital gains, a topic that has stirred considerable debate among financial experts and policymakers. We initiate the conversation by defining unrealized gains—the increase in value of an asset that has not yet been sold—and how the proposed tax would apply primarily to individuals with substantial wealth, spec...

**We are pausing our current series to bring you five timely episodes surrounding suggested new tax policies** In this new series, we delve into the complexities of corporate taxation and its implications for individual investors. We argue that while raising taxes on corporations may seem like an attractive solution for increasing government revenue, the actual burden often trickles down to shareh...

In this episode of the Ditch the Suits podcast, Steve Campbell and Travis Maus discuss why net worth is the wrong number to track for financial freedom. They emphasize that financial freedom is not just about money, but also about living a fulfilling life free from stress and anxiety. They explore why people stress about the volatility of their net worth and the value of their future estate. Travi...

In this episode of the Ditch the Suits podcast, Steve Campbell and Travis Maus discuss the question of whether you really need a million dollars to retire. They explore the concept of financial freedom and how it is not just about money but also about living a fulfilling life. They challenge the idea of setting arbitrary financial goals and emphasize the importance of understanding one's own uniqu...