Dollars&Sense Nelson Financial Planning

Is Social Security really running out? And if changes are coming, what should you be doing now to prepare for retirement?  In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Rob Field and Chet Cowart of Nelson Financial Planning break down the latest Social Security Trustees Report and explain what it may mean for future retirees. They discuss why Social Security is not expected to disappear entirely, what c...

In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Joel Garris of Nelson Financial Planning covers a packed lineup of financial topics—from market volatility and index changes to summer travel planning and a potentially significant tax refund opportunity. First, Joel discusses the recent uptick in market volatility, including how AI-related spending, semiconductor stocks, and market concentration are affecti...

As parents, it’s natural to want to help your children—especially when they’re facing financial challenges. But when that support becomes open-ended, it can create serious risks for your retirement, your emergency fund, your credit, and even your family relationships. In this episode of Dollars and Sense, Joel and Zach discuss five ways helping adult children can unintentionally hurt your retireme...

In this episode, we look at three forces that can shape—or sabotage—an investor’s long-term success: exciting investment stories, nonstop financial headlines, and everyday money habits.  From the hype around companies like SpaceX to the emotional pull of market news, we discuss why compelling stories and breaking headlines don’t always translate into smart portfolio decisions. We also explore the...

Are today’s market highs a sign of strength—or a reason for caution? In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Joel Garris breaks down what investors should pay attention to as stocks sit near record levels, inflation remains sticky, and interest rate uncertainty continues to shape the financial landscape. Joel also tackles one of the biggest quiet risks in personal finance right now: holding too mu...

In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Kristin Kalley and Christina Lamb tackle two important financial topics that can have a big impact on your family’s future. First, they break down which accounts parents should prioritize when they have a baby, including 529 plans, custodial accounts, and newer savings opportunities that could help build long-term, tax-advantaged wealth for children. Then, t...

What investment habits can quietly hurt your retirement plan? In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Chet and Rob break down 7 common investor behaviors that can create unnecessary risk for retirees—from holding too much cash and trying to time the market to ignoring taxes, chasing yield, skipping rebalancing, overreacting to headlines, and failing to adjust your strategy over time.    If you are...

Tax season may be over, but tax scams are not. In this episode, Joel Garris and Christina Lamb break down the IRS’s annual “Dirty Dozen” list of the most common tax scams targeting taxpayers right now—from phishing texts and AI-powered phone scams to fake charities, ghost preparers, identity theft, and misleading social media tax advice. They also unpack the IRS’s ongoing digital shift and explain...

Join Joel Garris on this insightful episode of Dollars & Sense, where he explores the top questions you should ask your financial advisor, planner, or wealth manager.   Discover why it’s crucial to understand how your advisor is compensated, the importance of the fiduciary standard, and how to evaluate investment philosophy, communication practices, continuity planning, portfolio details, risk...

Actionable Advice for New Grads and Their Families  Ready to celebrate graduation season with a dose of real-world financial wisdom? 🎉 Join Certified Financial Fiduciaries™ Chet Cowart and Zach Keister for a lively, informative episode as they step in for Joel—who’s off attending his son’s college graduation in Boston. Whether you’re a proud parent or a fresh grad, this show is packed with practi...

In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Joel Garris tackles two of the most misunderstood—and most impactful—areas of financial and estate planning. First, Joel breaks down a common myth: your will does not control where most of your money goes. Instead, beneficiary designations quietly determine who inherits retirement accounts, life insurance, annuities, and many investment and bank accounts. Wi...

April 15 is in the rearview mirror—but what did we actually learn from this tax season? In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Joel Garris and CPA/CFP® Kristin Castello break down the biggest takeaways we saw on real tax returns, plus what the latest IRS/Treasury stats may be signaling for households heading into the rest of the year. 🧾💡    We also connect the dots to the markets: a reminder of...

This episode covers three topics that can have a big impact on your financial future: how to avoid a surprise tax bill next year, why a Health Savings Account (HSA) may be one of the most underutilized retirement assets, and how retirement planning has changed (it’s not your parents’ retirement anymore).  In this episode:  Why the IRS is a “pay-as-you-go” system—and what to change if you owed this...

Join Joel Garris and Rob Field for a lively Easter edition of Dollars & Sense! In this episode, we kick things off celebrating Easter and exploring its unique mix of Christian tradition and modern-day commercialization (think chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts). Then, with the tax deadline just days away, Joel and Rob share practical tips to avoid common IRS mistakes that could cost you ti...

In this episode of Dollars & Sense with Joel Garris, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® at Nelson Financial Planning, we tackle some of the hottest financial topics of the week:  IRS Interest & Penalties: Did you pay extra on your tax bill? Discover why IRS penalties are on the rise, how interest rates affect what you owe, and actionable steps you can take to avoid unnecessary costs.  Market Cor...

Join Joel Garris and Chet Cowart on this week’s episode of Dollars & Sense as they take you courtside for a lively discussion that fuses the excitement of March Madness with the intensity of today's financial headlines. This episode dives into the "private credit squeeze"—how hot new investment products can quickly go from hype to headache, and why liquidity and transparency matter more than e...

Unlock Savings, Outsmart Scammers, and Take Control of Your Taxes  Ready to make your taxes work for you—and not just for Uncle Sam? Join us for a deep dive into the tax credits millions of Americans overlook every year, costing them real money. We break down what credits matter most, how simple life changes—like saving for retirement, child care, and home improvements—can put cash back in your po...

This week’s episode of Dollars & Sense dives into the headlines shaking up the financial world—from the U.S. and Israel’s military action in Iran and rising oil prices to the launch of new “Trump accounts” for minors and the dreaded IRMAA Medicare adjustments. Joel Garris and Rob Field break down the immediate market reactions, share personal stories (including a real-life gas price dilemma),...

Ready to safeguard your finances and make confident life transitions? In this must-listen episode of Dollars & Sense with Joel Garris, Joel dives into two of today’s most important money topics: protecting yourself from modern scams and preparing for a move to a retirement care community.  🔒Outsmarting Scammers & Protecting Your Data  Have you ever received official-looking letters, texts...

Understanding the Human Side of Financial Decisions  Join Certified Financial Fiduciaries™ Zach Keister and Christina Lamb for an eye-opening episode of Dollars & Sense that dives deep into the psychology of money. This isn't about spreadsheets—it's about the emotions, habits, and mindsets that shape your financial life.  Discover why even smart people make puzzling money choices, and learn ho...

With gold and silver surging to eye-catching highs, Joel unpacks whether now is really the right time to jump in. Get the unvarnished truth about the risks and realities of investing in gold and silver, including their historical track record, the costs that often go overlooked, and why they’re not always the golden ticket to wealth the headlines might suggest. Discover how herd mentality, FOMO, a...

In this episode, Rob Field and Chet Cowart explore the parallels between training for a marathon and investing for the future, emphasizing how each investor's personal goals and circumstances shape their approach. They begin by discussing recent market trends and how growth over the past few years has affected different age groups.  The hosts highlight the importance of investment goal-setting, co...

Join hosts Joel Garris and Zach Keister on this action-packed episode of Dollars & Sense as they break down the fast-paced start to 2026. Discover why the stock market’s leadership is changing, what the “Mag 7” becoming the “Fab 4” means for your investments, and how early signs of broad market participation could reshape your portfolio. The duo tackles interest rates, the latest moves from th...

In this compelling episode of Dollars & Sense with Joel Garris, the show dives deep into two urgent financial realities that could reshape your future: the explosion of ultra-long car loans and a retirement crisis few see coming—not about money, but about meaning.  First, Joel tackles the “100-month car loan” phenomenon, revealing how soaring auto prices and sky-high average payments (now topp...

Curious how the latest tax law updates and retirement plan changes will impact your wallet in 2026? This week on Dollars & Sense, Joel Garris and Christina Lamb cut through the confusion and deliver essential information every American family and high-income earner needs to know—no jargon, just actionable insights and clear examples.  First, Christina revisits the Top 10 Tax Changes for 2026—a...