Dollars and Sense

Are you financially prepared for nature’s curveballs? Nicole Romito sits down with Courtney Eber, Vice President of Alliant Private Client, and Tyler Banks, Executive Vice President of Alliant Client Insurance, to break down the challenges and strategies surrounding personal risk management in the face of climate change. They delve into how extreme weather patterns are changing the landscape of in...

How did the markets dance through 2024, and what’s on the horizon for 2025?  Nicole Romito and Jeremy Bell, Chief Investment Officer at Conway Investment Research, reflect on the financial landscape of 2024. They discuss the performance of U.S. equity markets, the volatility in fixed income, and the outlook for 2025. They emphasize the importance of a strategic investment plan, diversificatio...

Are you navigating the maze of financial security but unsure of what’s next when you reach your goals? Nicole Romito, alongside Jeff Toner, CHFC®, RICP®, Partner at Private Vista, dives into the less-discussed side of financial planning—how to find purpose and meaning after achieving financial independence. Listen as they explore the big questions clients face once their financial goals are met, a...

Stress can help you thrive (to a certain degree). Join Nicole Romito as she chats with professional development coach Brendan Cournane to uncover the surprising truths about stress. Through relatable insights and personal stories, they explore practical strategies for managing stress, especially during high-pressure times like the holiday season and year-end. Key takeaways from this episode includ...

How do you manage concentrated stock portfolios? With the tech industry thriving, many investors are discovering that their portfolios are heavily reliant on a few major tech stocks, making it a challenging landscape to navigate. Nicole Romito converses with her colleague Randy Porzel, CFP®, and RICP® from Private Vista. Together, they explore the intricacies of concentrated stock positions and th...

Assembling a smart financial team could be the key to your long-term financial success.  Financial planning isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about orchestrating a professional team that grows with you, helping further secure your financial future and peace of mind. Nicole Romito sits down with Greg Bogdan, Senior Advisor at Private Vista, to discuss why having a well-rounded finan...

As the U.S. elections approach, many investors find themselves questioning whether to adjust their portfolios in anticipation of potential market changes. Nicole Romito is joined by Jeremy Bell, Chief Investment Officer for Conway Investment Research, to discuss the impact of US elections on financial markets and how to navigate the resulting volatility. With elections just weeks away, the convers...

Did you know medical professionals typically face over $200,000 in student loan debt upon completing their education?  This significant financial burden, paired with a delayed start in their earning potential, makes financial planning uniquely challenging. In this second part of Nicole Romito and Stephanie Nanney’s conversation about financial planning for medical professionals, they dive dee...

Contrary to popular belief, earning a salary as a medical professional can sometimes cap your financial growth.  Exploring different compensation models could open doors to greater control and profitability. Join Nicole Romito as she sits down with her partner at Private Vista, Stephanie Nanney to peel back the layers of financial planning for medical professionals, providing insights into co...

Navigating the complexities of estate planning can feel overwhelming, and many of us are uncertain about how to initiate this crucial conversation with our families But don’t let your fears of the unknown stop you from planning this important piece of your legacy. Join guest Lindsey Markus, Asset Protection Attorney and Shareholder Principal at Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. as she shares tips for navi...

Have you heard of the 529 plan? It could be your new key to unlocking a brighter future for your kids while being financially efficient.  Join Nicole Romito as she and her colleague, Colleen Dwyer share the essentials of 529 plans, the tax advantages they offer, and how they can be an integral part of securing the educational futures of your children or grandchildren. Follow along to learn wh...

Are you going through a divorce and need some financial wisdom? Recently Nicole Romito was a guest on The Divorce and Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie. Today’s episode features a replay of an insightful conversation that delves into complex financial issues during and after divorce. Gain insights on matters that arise during divorce – including whether or not to keep the house, how to find hidden...

Jumping into managing your finances can be overwhelming, especially straight out of college. But don’t worry, this week on Dollar$ and $ense we are replaying a popular episode that includes an insightful conversation about how young adults can build healthy financial habits. Join Nicole Romito as she chats with Carrie Shoener (nee Mangan) about the importance of saving and investing, tips for maxi...

Reflecting on the loss of a loved one is an agonizing journey nobody willingly embarks on. Yet, those who take proactive steps to brace themselves for such an inevitable occurrence are often spared the crippling weight of financial burden and the relentless onslaught of emotional upheaval in the aftermath. Join Nicole Romito as she welcomes her esteemed colleague, Carrie Shoener, to discuss the cr...

Despite the certainty of life’s endpoint, many individuals find themselves unprepared for the emotional and financial implications when a loved one suddenly passes away. Do you have the right people and processes in place? Join Nicole Romito and guest Delaney Orozco for an insightful dive into the complexities surrounding the sudden death of a loved one, providing knowledge and compassion for thos...

Ever wondered how your credit score affects your life beyond loans and credit cards?  Join Nicole Romito alongside relationship banker at Wintrust Bank, Kenneth Ashford for a deep dive into the far-reaching effects of credit. From the basics of starting your credit journey to advanced strategies for maximizing your score, Kenneth sheds light on the critical role credit plays in financial heal...

In this final installment of this two-part series, host Nicole Romito and guest Matt Parenti delve into executive compensation, providing valuable insights for navigating this complex realm. They discuss essential strategies for maximizing compensation plans, minimizing risk, addressing tax implications, and integrating these elements into long-term financial planning to achieve personal goals. Ni...

Are you a corporate executive navigating the complexities of executive compensation?  Follow along in this installment as Nicole Romito is joined by Matt Parenti a fellow partner at Private Vista. Learn the ABCs of executive compensation and how to maximize your compensation plans for financial success and security in today’s ever-evolving market landscape. Nicole & Matt discuss:  Di...

When thinking about your financial plan, are you focusing on the serious aspects and how adult the conversation is? Or are you adding in some humor to create a more fulfilling retirement plan? In this episode, Nicole Romito speaks with Julie Liss, Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director at Hal Riney, on the importance of incorporating humor into financial strategies and focusing on prese...

Are you grappling with the complexities of selling your business, unsure of where to start or how to navigate the process? In this enlightening episode, Nicole is joined by seasoned professionals, Matthew Hammer and Dawn Mase from Wintrust Commercial Banking, to shed light on the intricacies of selling a business. Through their experiences and insights, they demystify the process and provide valua...

Whether you’re at the onset of selling your business or simply exploring your options, knowing what to look out for can help you make informed decisions. In this episode, Nicole is joined by Deanna Salo Managing Principal with Cray Kaiser, and Eric Vanderploeg of Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella’s Litigation to share their wealth of knowledge and practical tips to guide you through the proce...

There is a big part of the investing world that doesn’t get as much news as equity markets. But it should. In this installment of Dollar$ and $ense, Nicole is joined by Matt Bernardi from Bernardi Securities. Together, they demystify the municipal bond market, a key component in funding local infrastructure projects that are vital to our communities. Matt and Nicole expand on how today’s market ha...

So you’re ready to sell your business or have been thinking about selling for a while, now what? In this two-part episode, Nicole speaks with George Karavattuveetil, President of Psyched, LLC, about how to prepare yourself to sell your business. George shares his 3-step process to help business owners get ready to sell. Nicole and George draw attention to the lack of understanding and preparation...

The Secure Act 2.0 is ever-evolving and has brought up some important questions recently, so let’s go over them! Laurie Kaplan, CPA, partner at Michael Silver, joins Nicole for her second time on the show to continue their discussion about the Secure Act 2.0. Laurie goes over what has been finalized in the act for 2023 and looks ahead to 2024 and 2025. She clears up confusion around various topics...

Divorce is an emotional time for both spouses, but it’s important not to let emotions control the process. How can you build the best team for your divorce? In this episode, Nicole Romito speaks with Susan Guthrie, a family law attorney, about the intricacies of divorce. They emphasize the value of a collaborative approach over litigation and the importance of assembling a professional team, inclu...