Financial Pathway

This is an excerpt of a longer conversation I had with Luke Clayton on his podcast Church Media HQ. Luke runs Must Increase Media and provides a variety of media solutions to churches. We talked about of variety of topics including church, politics, finance, faith, and more. Most of our conversation deals with expectations of a Biden presidency and how it may affect churches and church leaders. Yo...

Gold has been a valuable commodity for thousands of years. Even when markets have collapsed and monetary systems have failed, gold has retained its value.  With gold prices rising ~24% in 2020, maybe you've heard commercials or been advised by someone you know to invest in gold. Is now a good time to buy gold? When does it make sense and when does it not? In this episode, we'll talk about the...

What changes can you expect to your finances under a Biden Presidency? Should you expect to pay more in taxes next year? Is now the time to make changes to your investments?  In this episode we break down some of Biden's major campaign proposals regarding tax rates, healthcare, students loans, and more.  We'll talk about the likelihood of these proposals becoming law and what changes (if...

With open enrollment season in full swing, it's a good time to talk about employee benefits. Every year there are employees that miss out on hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of dollars by not simply signing up for the benefits available to them.  In this episode, we'll share some tips on how to understand and navigate common employee benefits like health insurance, 401Ks, life insurance, HS...

In this episode, we discuss the vital role that insurance plays in our financial lives. Appropriate insurance coverage (whether it's auto, home, life, health, or more) is an essential foundation for building wealth.  Our guest, John Gall, is a commercial insurance broker for Security First based in the Denver, CO, area. He shares some helpful tips on how to get proper auto and home insurance...

We're getting back to the "fund"amentals. You've probably heard of mutual funds and index funds, but what are exchange traded funds (ETFs)? And why are many investors and advisors opting to use ETFs instead of mutual funds?  Investing your money in funds can be a great way to diversify and reduce risk, but not all funds are created equal.  In this episode, we'll break down 3 common types...

On this episode, we take some time to answer some more questions sent in by listeners.  How do I choose the right funds inside my 401k (1:40)  With the election coming up, should I be looking at making changes to my investments (7:12) Is it better to invest my money all at once or spread it out over time (11:52) When's should you refinance your home (14:00) Roth vs Traditional IRA (16:34...

At some point, almost everyone will have to decide whether they want to buy a house or rent. If you rent are you just "throwing money away" each month? Is buying a home a "good investment"? How many years do you need to live in a house before it' s better than renting? We'll answer these common questions and more on this week's episode on buying vs. renting.  Plus, we'll give you 4 crucial qu...

In this multi-part series, we'll teach you how to become a better investor by learning to avoid these common mistakes. Part 5: Getting Bad Advice - Not every piece of financial advice is helpful, and not every piece of financial advice applies to your situation. Unfortunately, there are a lot of voices in financial media and financial industry that are not worth listening to. And sometimes, bad ad...

In this multi-part series, we'll teach you how to become a better investor by learning to avoid these common mistakes. Part 4: Confronting Biases - A bias is a way of thinking that causes you to be wrong. Learn to recognize your limitations and blindspots as an investor. Sometimes our biggest challenge is trying not to get in our own way. In this episode we talk about five specific biases that eve...

In this multi-part series, we'll teach you how to become a better investor by learning to avoid these common mistakes. Part 3: What to Expect When You're Investing - any time you step into a new experience with unrealistic expectations you are bound to end up frustrated and disappointed. Sometimes, investors have unrealistic expectations of the market's behavior, their investments' returns, or eve...

In this multi-part series, we'll teach you how to become a better investor by learning to avoid these common mistakes. Part 2: Market Timing - No one knows where the market is headed in the short term, no one. But many investors think they know what will happen in the next week/month/year and make short-term investment decisions accordingly. The research shows that the vast majority of these marke...

In this multi-part series, we'll teach you how to become a better investor by learning to avoid these common mistakes. Part 1: Fear and Greed - We explain about how our emotions often betray us in the arena of investing. These two emotions drive most of our investment decisions and often propel us to do the opposite of what we should. Email: info@nateskelly.com Website: http://nateskelly.com Faceb...

HSA's are one of the best kept secrets in the finance world. They have some exceptional upsides including a "triple tax benefit" but the majority of Americans aren't using them. In this episode, we'll discuss how to contribute to an HSA, how HSA's have more robust tax benefits than your 401k or IRA, and how you can even use an HSA as an additional retirement savings account! Email: info@nateskelly...

Before you enlist help from a financial advisor, it's imperative that you understand how they are paid and the value they are bringing to your situation.  Many investors are unsure what fees they are paying or are unaware that they are paying fees at all! In this episode, we explore the 5 most common compensation methods for financial advisors and discuss the benefits and limitations of each....

On this episode, I sit down with Ben Schettler of The Center for Truth in Love to discuss the American church and a Christian worldview on finances. We talked through a variety of questions related money and the Bible including: why is money a difficult topic to discuss in the church? Is it wrong for a Christian to pursue wealth? Is "retirement" a biblical idea? Why is giving on the decline in Ame...

On this episode, we take some time to answer questions sent in by listeners. We cover a wide variety of topics including life insurance, mutual funds, annuities, credit cards, retirement accounts, and more. If you've got more questions, send them in and we may answer them in a future part 2 episode! Should I get rid of my credit cards or keep them and pay them off every month? (1:48) Should I inve...

Will Social Security be out of money in 2034? Do you need $1 million to retire? Are good grades the key to a successful career? A continuation of Ep. 06, Debunking Money Myths (Part 1). In this episode, we tackle 7 new money myths and why you shouldn't fall for them.  Email: info@nateskelly.com Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finanancialpathwayllc

What's the difference between a health sharing plan and health insurance? Are there any downsides that I should know about before choosing a health sharing plan? Your health care coverage is an important decision. So make sure you understand all your options. In this episode, we break down where most Americans get their health care coverage and the important features you should understand about yo...

This simple four-word phrase has cost investors billions of dollars over the years. Though it's often misunderstood, it is a vital lesson for the long-term investor. Given the recent events in our world, this episode is a timely reminder of what separates the average investor from the successful one. Email: info@nateskelly.com Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finan...

Our guest, Anthony Weatherbee, is the assistant pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Gulf Breeze, Florida. He is also the owner and founder of Cherith Home Inspections. In this episode, we discuss how Anthony turned a side hustle of inspecting homes into a full-time business. We discuss the unique challenges of starting a business from scratch and lessons that he's learned along the way. We also...

"The book you don't read won't help" - Jim Rohn If you want to take control of your finances, you need to spend time educating and improving yourself. Reading great books on finance is a great place to start. In this episode, we recommend five finance books that can help you regardless of your life stage or financial status.  Email: info@nateskelly.com Website: http://nateskelly.com Facebook:...

Did you know that sugar doesn't make kids hyper, that Napoleon was not short (he was average height for his time), and that the Great Wall of China can't be seen from space? Chances are that you've heard at least one of these "myths" before. You may have even believed it. But remember, just because something is widely believed does not make it true. In this episode, we'll explore 7 "money myths" a...

On this episode, I sit down with my friend, Korey Rademacher, to discuss real estate investing. Korey is a full-time realtor in Pensacola, Florida, as well as an active real estate investor. We talk about his journey from a full-time accountant at the largest credit union in the U.S. to a full-time realtor averaging one closing a week while also managing multiple investment properties. Korey share...

How is my score calculated? What's the best way to improve my score? Why do I get different credit scores from different credit bureaus? In this episode, we explain the 5 factors that affect your FICO Score and debunk a few myths about what does not affect your score. Taking the right steps to improve your score could allow you to save  thousands of dollars in interest over time.  Free y...