Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth

Why are colleges telling students to borrow less… while writing nine-figure checks for football coaches? In this episode, Travis Hornsby, CEO of SLP Wealth, joins me to pull back the curtain on the business of higher education through the lens of college football. We talk NIL money, massive TV contracts, coaching buyouts, and what all of this says about how universities actually operate. We also c...

What you don't do with your money matters just as much as what you do. In this episode, I break down what's officially out in personal finance for 2026 — from late fees and unnecessary taxes to money shame and silent stress — and what we're intentionally replacing it with. We're focusing on habits, systems, and decisions that make money feel easier, calmer, and more aligned with real life. If you...

Credit card points can feel confusing, risky, or downright gimmicky. Listen in as I sit down with credit card rewards consultant Colin Stroud to break down what "points hacking" really is (and what it isn't). We talk about simple, realistic ways to use travel rewards without opening a dozen cards, wrecking your credit, or turning it into a part-time job. You'll learn how to think strategically abo...

Ever hear a money rule that sounds empowering… but makes you feel like you're failing when you can't stick to it? Learn why one-size-fits-all financial advice hits so hard on social media — and why it can backfire in real life. We'll walk through common "always/never" money rules (debt, credit cards, investing, homebuying, saving 20%) and I'll show you how to turn those rules into a real plan that...

Most people hear "disability insurance" and instantly want to tap out. But this might be the most important episode you listen to all year. We sit down with Dennis Hornsby, Director of Insurance Operations at SLP Insurance, to break down what disability coverage actually does, why it matters so much in your 20s–40s, and how a few simple decisions can protect your income, your family, and your futu...

Running your business on vibes and Venmo? Find out the five most common money mistakes I see small business owners, practice owners, and 1099 contractors make — and exactly how to fix them. You'll learn how to separate business and personal spending, pay yourself a steady paycheck, plan for taxes year-round, and build simple financial systems so your business supports your life instead of constant...

Headlines have been wild this year, but what actually matters for your money? We'll run through nine quick "newsworthy nuggets," from mortgage rates and inflation to student loan forgiveness, insurance gaps, and the job market. You'll hear what's noise, what's worth paying attention to, and how these headlines show up inside real financial plans. By the end, you'll feel a little more informed, and...

We're pulling back the curtain today. SLP Wealth CEO Travis Hornsby, CFA®, CFP®, joins us as we walk through the biggest lessons we've learned building SLP Wealth — what worked, what didn't, and why we're making some thoughtful changes to serve you better in 2026 and beyond. You'll hear how we're creating a planning process that's smoother, clearer, and more supportive year-round, plus what these...

We're talking about cars — not from a "never buy anything nice" angle, but from the perspective of how much they can quietly drain from your long-term wealth. Jake Courtney, CFP®, CSLP®, joins us to break down what an $80,000 SUV really does to your savings rate. We also look at the pressure to "upgrade" when life changes (new baby, new job, new neighborhood) and how to separate what you actually...

Think you've got your investments under control? You might be surprised. Two SLP Wealth partners — Travis Hornsby, CFA®, CFP®, and Conor Mahlmann, CFP®,CSLP® — break down seven costly mistakes even the most hands-on investors make, from subtle market timing to tax traps that quietly eat away at returns. Discover what most people miss when managing their own portfolios and learn how to spot (and fi...

We're sharing our real-life financial horror stories, from haunted tax bills and ghostly subscriptions to lifestyle creep and the curse of bad investments. You'll hear about surprise tax collections, credit card vampires, and toddler fraud (yep, it's a thing). We talk about how to escape debt traps, protect yourself from money monsters, and keep lifestyle creep from haunting your future. Key momen...

We all lie to ourselves with numbers — even when we don't mean to. Our brains (and marketing messages) bend math in ways that can make questionable money choices feel justified. From how we frame percentages and comparisons to the mental gymnastics we do to justify spending, we explore why our perception of "good" or "bad" financial decisions can be so skewed. When we start to recognize how we "li...

Debt can make you feel like you're always behind. But there's a path forward — and it's not as complicated as it seems. Learn what debt looks like for different professions and the best ways to finally pay it off. We walk through real numbers from SLP Wealth clients, from dentists to veterinarians, and break down strategies like the avalanche and snowball methods, balance transfers, debt consolida...

Student loans are complicated — and with all the recent rule changes, it's easy to make missteps that cost you time, money, or progress toward forgiveness. We're digging into the most common signs that your repayment strategy might be off track and what to do about it. Whether you're working toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), income-driven forgiveness, or paying your loans off complete...

Think your Roth IRA is set up perfectly? You might want to think again. There's a good chance you're making at least one mistake without realizing it. Roth IRAs are powerful retirement tools, but they come with a bunch of IRS rules that can trip you up. Learn the most common Roth mistakes people make — including backdoor Roth mishaps and the dreaded "pro rata" problem. We'll help you figure out if...

Ever wonder what financial planners really think about their clients when the meeting's over? We're cracking open those candid conversations that happen behind closed doors. Inspired by a blog post that one of our readers sent to us: "Are you a DIYer, Validator, or Delegator when it comes to your finances," we're sharing some controversial hot takes that might be a little shocking to some of our l...

Childcare expenses have completely outpaced normal inflation, and it's one of the biggest financial shocks new families face. We're talking real numbers and honest conversations about costs that can make you sweat. It's not just expensive daycare. We're sharing creative strategies and money-saving hacks that actually work, plus exploring how to weave these massive expenses into your overall financ...

We're diving into the latest money stories making headlines, like the drama unfolding at Kroger, changes in airline travel costs, and the impacts of spiking healthcare premiums in California. We swap personal stories, from travel mishaps to a power-washing scam, and unpack how corporate scandals might hit your day-to-day expenses. Plus, we break down what Disney and Hulu's upcoming merger could me...

What can reality TV teach us about money? Turns out… a lot. We're using Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as a jumping-off point to talk about how influencers get paid, why 1099 income is so unpredictable, and what it takes to manage money when your paychecks don't look the same every month. If you're a high-income professional with fluctuating bonuses, freelancing on the side, or just curious how peop...

Ever feel like money advice is either painfully boring or way too complicated? We get it. That's why we decided to have a little fun and roast some of the worst financial moves people keep falling for. If you've ever signed up for a gym membership you barely used, bought furniture on a "0% APR" deal, or took out a seven-year car loan that outlasted your actual love for the car — this one's for you...

With the end of 2025 fast approaching, now's the time to brush up on what the "Big Beautiful Bill" means for your charitable giving and education planning. If you've ever wondered how to squeeze the most out of your donations or whether that Goodwill slip really counts, you'll want to tune in. We walk through the new rules on charitable deductions, why high earners need to pay extra attention, and...

Most of us live in blissful denial about natural disasters — until the unthinkable happens. But here's what separates those who recover quickly from those who struggle for years: having a solid financial strategy in place before catastrophe strikes. Financial planner Scotty McDonald, CFP®, CSLP®, joins us to go beyond basic emergency funds to explore in-depth wealth protection strategies. We discu...

Getting a letter from the IRS is enough to make anyone's stomach drop. But before you panic, take a breath. Chief tax officer Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, joins us to break down what those notices mean, why they're often less scary than they look, and the exact steps to take if one shows up in your mailbox. You'll learn the most common IRS notices (and the ones that actually need urgent attention...

Ever feel like you're stuck between wanting to enjoy life now and knowing you should be saving for the future? It's a tug-of-war that doesn't magically disappear when you start making more money. Financial planner Jake Courtney, CFP®, CSLP®, joins us today to talk about how to find that sweet spot between spending today and saving for tomorrow, whether you earn $100k or $1M a year. You'll learn wh...

The One Big Beautiful Bill is an 887-page piece of legislation, and it's got something for everyone. We're unpacking what's actually inside this massive piece of legislation that was signed on July 4th. We'll walk through what's changing now, what could change later, and what it all means for your money, healthcare, and future plans. Plus, we break down what still needs to be clarified (because th...