Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner

Recently, a massive breach at Ticketmaster potentially affected over 500 million people.   While this is not an isolated incident, data breaches are becoming increasingly common.   So what can you do? In this episode, I'll be sharing practical steps you can take to safeguard your personal information, including investing in a credit monitoring service, using a password manager, and possibly freezi...

  Do you believe the U.S. government is going bankrupt? It's becoming more of a common question as our national debt levels have ballooned to epic proportions.   It might even conjure up emotions of fear if you listen to mainstream media sources. However, if we go beyond the headlines, we will find that the U.S. is not going bankrupt, and we should likely be thankful for the wealth we have created...

Have you ever wondered if standardized tests like the SAT or ACT are still relevant, especially when colleges offer test-optional admissions? The debate around standardized testing has become more nuanced than ever.   With the rise of test-optional college admissions, many students and parents grapple with the question: Is taking the SAT or ACT still necessary? I wanted to speak with Dr. Shaan Pat...

Welcome to a special "Emotional Balance Sheet" graduation episode where we're diving into real-world advice for all the fresh graduates.   Congratulations on this incredible milestone in your life!   Now, let's talk about what comes next. While the world often echoes Steve Jobs' famous 2005 Stanford speech urging graduates to follow their passion, today, we will shake things up and challenge that...

Have you ever taken the time to think about who you are?   We all have multiple identities, but how do the different people we represent come together to form who we are? Christina Gossayn, a behavioral scientist and Ph. D. in Organizational Behavior candidate, has focused her research on how identities evolve over time, especially under the mantle of responsibility that comes with age.   Our self...

I am the product of a tight-knit, small-town community.  While searching for a job during college, I was fortunate to cross paths with Darrell and Melodee Hoff, who became my first career mentors. Darrell recently passed, and I wanted to share not only the practical skills I learned from him but also the profound influence of his mentor in shaping my personal and professional outlook to this day....

Did you know that the path to choosing the "right-fit" college for your child could also lead to life lessons in self-advocacy? I welcome back Holly Markiecki-Bennetts, a high school guidance counselor and college advisor who is also a mom to one + twins!   Holly is a testament to thoughtful and intentional educational decision-making.   While many high school seniors embark on the nerve-wracking...

ubscribe to the show on Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify At retirement, your whole financial life essentially collapses down to one binary question: will your money outlive you, or will you outlive your money? Volatility in the market is often seen as a risk, but it's important to differentiate between the two. The real risk lies in not having a plan that can sustain your fi...

What does the mainstream media get wrong in their economy and stock market coverage?   How much does the economy influence the stock market and vice versa?   Neil Dutta, a noted business economist from Renaissance Macro Research and father of 1 plus twins, takes us on a journey into investment advice's economics and shattering stereotypes mainstream media dishes out. Neil will debunk the myth of t...

Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify In the midst of disappointment, our emotions can run hot.  Whether it's parenting, finances, or life in general, understanding the impact of emotions on our choices is crucial.   Making decisions in the heat of the moment rarely leads to positive outcomes. Instead, creating space to step back, breathe, and gain clarit...

Most couples think they end up in a therapist's office to talk about sex and money .  But it's really deeper underlying issues couples are looking to hash out.   Dr. Joy Lere , a licensed clinical psychologist and co-founder of Shaping Wealth, is a leading voice in the psychology of money and applied behavioral finance.   In her practice, Joy has observed that individuals find it easier to disclos...

Do you give an honest answer when someone asks, "How are you doing?" Or do you give the typical generic response about how "busy" you are?  Paul Graham is an investor who has worked with thousands of startup companies and is also a prolific writer.  I imagine that Paul has some valuable insights into what it means to be busy.  The central thesis behind our discussion is Paul's essay "How to lose t...

Trust that today's conversation holds valuable guidance for those grappling with the emotional hurdles of a career change or fine-tuning work-life balance, especially busy parents. We welcome back our resident career expert, Carrie Schochet of Purple Squirrel Advisors, to discuss everything from the delicate balance of flexibility in the workplace to maintaining privacy during a job search. Here a...

The Gap and The Gain   Do you see the horizon, but it's not moving?   Our purpose is a lot like the horizon; it is helpful to figure out your direction and to plan your journey, but you can't reach your purpose any more than you can arrive at the horizon.   A few years ago, I came across a book by Dan Sullivan titled The Gap and The Gain .  It was somewhat life-changing at the time and continues t...

Christina Gravert, a behavioral scientist and a new mother, has something to say about motivation and habits.   Ten months after welcoming a baby into her life, Christina confronts a reality familiar to many: the struggle of balancing personal objectives, like returning to the gym, with the demands of parenthood.   Her experiences have led her to probe deeper into the nature of motivation and its...

Do you know what the difference between tax planning and preparation is?   Were you even aware that this is a difference between the two? Today, we delve into the often-misunderstood differences between tax preparation and tax planning. With tax season upon us, it's crucial for everyone to grasp the objectives and intricacies of both. We discuss practical examples of tax planning, from retirement...

oday, we're diving into the second part of our insightful series with college planning expert Heidi King.   If you thought college planning was just about selecting the right campus vibes for your kids, prepare to think again. We continue unraveling the complexities of the modern financial aid landscape, a terrain changed by replacing the expected family contribution with the new student aid index...

Are you feeling overwhelmed with college planning?   If you're a high school senior or a parent navigating the college search process, it's understandable if you're feeling anxious. To help guide you through this process, our host Paul Fenner shared a comprehensive list of questions to ask during your college search in the latest episode of Emotional Balance Sheet. Paul outlines key questions to a...

When is the right time to talk with your kids about planning for college?   Why is finding the "right fit" school so critical, and what criteria do you use to choose it? Heidi King has a front-row seat in helping parents guide their kids through the college planning process, especially regarding the tough emotional side.   Heidi entered college advising after a mid-career change driven largely by...

Today I reflect on the milestone of my triplets turning 13 years old and the anniversary of starting his firm, Tama Capital. I share the significance of the name "Tama" and how it represents families helping families. Through personal anecdotes and engaging conversations with others, I delves into the concept of time, emphasizing the importance of cherishing moments and being present in both paren...

Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcast  | Amazon Music | Spotify UCLA Professor and author Cassie Holmes helps us unravel the intricacies of time management and emotional investment, offering valuable insights that can reshape the way you approach your daily life. We delve into the challenges of balancing a busy life, the inspiration behind "Happier Hour," and strategies to maximize productivity a...

In this episode of Emotional Balance Sheet, I dive into the topic of predictions and why it's crucial to steer clear of them, especially when it comes to the stock market and the economy. Join me as I share insights on the impact of predictions and why having a flexible approach is key to successful portfolio management. This episode is brought to you by Tamma Capital . Key Takeaways: - The stock...

Allison Schrager is an economist and writer who has taken on the complex subject of risk in her illuminating works.   With astute perception and a flair for engaging storytelling, Allison seeks to debunk commonly held myths about risk—challenging the widely accepted mantra of 'no risk, no reward.' Allison's work probes into the subtleties of risk management, emphasizing that while society often ch...

Eight years ago, I was introduced to someone who helped change the direction of my life.   I am quite positive that I am not the only person whose life has been impacted by this one person.   The funny thing, this is the first time that I have been able to speak with and thank Scott Hanselman. Scott Hanselman is a programmer, teacher, and speaker. Although Scott maintains a full-time role for the...

We all know the importance of taking a breather, stepping away from our daily grind and responsibilities to recharge and rejuvenate.   But how many days of vacation do we truly need to achieve that state of zen, that perfect balance between work and life? In the whirlwind of life, we often find ourselves caught up in the vortex of work, family, and societal obligations.   It's like a never-ending...