Ditch The Suits: Financial Planning Insights Without The Sales Pitch

In this episode, Steve and Travis discuss the impact of the media on our perception of current events and how it can influence our financial decisions. They highlight the framing techniques used by the media to shape our understanding of issues and the biases that can be present. They also provide examples of how the media has portrayed presidential candidates in the past and the negative tone oft...

In this episode, Steve and Travis discuss the impact of inflation and the importance of understanding compound interest. They emphasize that inflation is a real concern and can erode the value of money over time. They explain how compound interest works and how it can help grow wealth. They also highlight the dangers of being too conservative and not taking enough risk to combat inflation. The epi...

In this episode, Steve and Travis discuss the concept of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and its impact on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing. They explain that DEI is a relatively new hot topic and how it has become a part of the socially responsible investing space. They highlight the importance of understanding the definitions of ESG and SRI (Socially Responsible Inves...

In this episode, Steve Campbell and Travis Maus discuss the concept of irreparable harm to your investment portfolio and how to avoid it.  They emphasize the importance of understanding the difference between price and value when making investment decisions. They also highlight the significance of diversification and the correlation coefficient in managing risk and maximizing returns.  T...

In this episode, Steve Campbell and Travis Maus discuss the topic of mutual funds and why investors may receive a tax bill even when they lose money. They emphasize the importance of understanding net earnings and how much money actually ends up in your pocket after taxes and fees.  They explain that mutual funds are required to make regular capital gains distributions to shareholders, which...

In this episode, Steve Campbell and Travis Maus continue their series on improving net earnings. They discuss the importance of understanding and evaluating investment fees.  They explain the different types of investment fees, including sales commissions, product fees, management fees, transaction fees, and advice fees. They emphasize the need to be aware of the fees you are paying and to de...

In this episode, Steve and Travis discuss the importance of understanding tax codes and the types of investment accounts. They emphasize the need to educate oneself about the tools available and how to use them to increase net earnings. They categorize accounts into retirement tax-advantaged accounts, annuities, and regular investment accounts. They also highlight the significance of considering f...

In this episode, Travis and Steve discuss when to fund a Roth IRA and when not to.  They emphasize the importance of understanding net earnings and the framework of financial projections. They explain the difference between a Roth IRA and a traditional IRA, highlighting the tax benefits and implications of each.  They also discuss asset location and how it can optimize tax efficiency.&nb...

Want to get in touch? Send us a text! In this episode, Steve and Travis discuss three ideas to supercharge your charitable donations and save on taxes.  The first idea is to use a donor-advised fund (DAF) to group your charitable donations together and take a larger deduction.  The second idea is to donate highly appreciated stocks instead of cash, which allows you to avoid capital gains...

Want to get in touch? Send us a text! In this episode, we discuss how to make money by leveraging debt. We explain the concept of spreads, which is the difference between the interest rate you borrow money at and the rate of return you can make by investing that money.  We emphasize the importance of understanding income taxes and how they impact spreads. They also discuss the mindset shift f...

Want to get in touch? Send us a text! In this episode, we discuss the concept of running your personal finances like a business. We emphasize the importance of understanding your cash flow, liabilities, and assets, and using debt strategically to improve your balance sheet. We also highlight the need to focus on both current and future cash flow and to consider the long-term impact of financial de...

Want to get in touch? Send us a text! In this episode, we discuss the idea of debt and challenge the notion that all debt is bad.  We emphasize the importance of understanding the purpose and value of debt, as well as the interest rate and how it compares to other cash usage opportunities. We also caution against insecurity masking as pride and making decisions based on societal expectations....

Want to get in touch? Send us a text! How do you navigate the tricky waters of talking money with your family? Today, we promise you'll gain insight into normalizing these vital conversations, making them less daunting and more productive. We explore why financial discussions with children and family members can be so challenging and the harmful effects of avoiding these conversations. Throug...

Want to get in touch? Send us a text! Are you unknowingly increasing your financial risk in retirement by trying to avoid it? Today's episode will transform your understanding of financial safety and risk management in retirement. We'll unravel the paradox of relying solely on fixed-income investments and explore the nuanced risks, such as interest rate and inflation risk, that might be...

Want to get in touch? Send us a text! What if your retirement strategy is setting you up for financial instability? Discover why leaning too heavily on fixed-income sources like pensions and Social Security may be a costly mistake. In this episode, we discuss the pitfalls of being overly conservative with your retirement investments and the crucial need to balance risk for long-term financial succ...

Can financial advice ever be truly impartial if someone is being paid to sell you something? In this episode of Ditch the Suits , we break down one of the most common misconceptions in the financial industry, the idea that commission-based advisors can provide completely unbiased advice. Because how someone gets paid matters more than most people realize. What You’ll Learn: • What “impartial advic...

Are Roth IRAs really the best option for everyone? In this episode of Ditch the Suits , we challenge one of the most common pieces of advice in personal finance and explain why the “just do a Roth” mindset can lead to missed opportunities. Because the right strategy depends on more than just tax-free growth. What We Cover: What a Roth IRA Actually Is How it differs from a traditional IRA Why tax t...

Do you really need three to six months of expenses saved in an emergency fund? In this episode of Ditch the Suits , we challenge one of the most common rules in personal finance and explain why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for everyone. Because your financial safety net should reflect your life, not a generic guideline. What We Cover: The “3–6 Month Rule” Where it comes from and why i...

Are you actually investing or just reacting like you’re at a casino? In this episode of Ditch the Suits , we break down one of the biggest misconceptions in finance: that investing is just another form of gambling. Because the difference between the two comes down to how you think, not what you buy. What We Cover: Investing vs Gambling Why they’re often confused What actually separates the two Pri...

Do election results actually impact your investments or is that just noise? In this episode of Ditch the Suits , we break down one of the most common fears investors have during election years and look at what the data actually shows. Because headlines and reality don’t always match. What We Cover: The Election Fear Cycle Why investors get nervous every election year What History Actually Shows Ma...

Do election results actually impact your investments or is that just noise? In this episode of Ditch the Suits , we break down one of the most common fears investors have during election years and look at what the data actually shows. Because headlines and reality don’t always match. What We Cover: The Election Fear Cycle Why investors get nervous every election year What History Actually Shows Ma...

How do you buy a home without putting yourself in a bad financial position? In this final episode of our home buying series, we break down how to avoid becoming house poor and why the smartest move isn’t always the most impressive one. Because buying a home should support your life, not limit it. What We Cover: What “House Poor” Really Means Why stretching your budget can backfire The Pressure to...

Why does buying a home feel like a battle right now? In this episode of Ditch the Suits , we break down what’s really driving competition in today’s housing market and why many buyers feel like they’re falling behind before they even start. Because it’s not just about saving more or getting a better rate. What We Cover: The Rise of Cash Buyers How Baby Boomers and generational wealth are reshaping...

Why do housing prices keep rising, even when interest rates change? In this episode of Ditch the Suits , we break down what’s actually driving today’s housing market and why the answer is more complex than most people think. Because it’s not just about supply and demand. What We Cover: Why Prices Keep Climbing The real forces behind rising home values The Interest Rate Myth Why lower rates alone w...

Can you actually afford to buy a home right now or does it just feel that way? In this first episode of our 4-part home buying series, we break down what’s really driving affordability in today’s housing market and why it’s not just about interest rates. Because the real story is a combination of forces most people aren’t fully considering. What We Cover: Why Buying Feels So Expensive The emotiona...