Financially Intentional

Send us Fan Mail In today's classic episode, I sit down with Zach Whelchel to talk about why budgeting can feel so hard and how to make it way simpler. Zach shares how a zero based budget works, why giving every dollar a job can lower your stress, and how to build a plan that still includes fun, goals, and real life surprises. We also talk about what it’s like to get help from a budget coach,...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I talk with Dr. Aleksandra Gajer about why so many of us feel tired, stressed, and “off,” even when we’re trying to do all the right things. We break down what’s really happening with hormones, metabolism, and aging in a simple way, including why perimenopause can sneak up on you and why your doctor might not always connect the dots. We also share practica...

Send us Fan Mail In this classic episode, I’m walking you through a simple “just in case” money checklist that most of us avoid until it’s too late—and it’s perfect for a little financial spring cleaning right after the New Year. We talk about wills and trusts, updating your beneficiaries on things like life insurance and retirement accounts, and why you should keep a clear list of your bills, ban...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that it was possible to tap into your permanent life insurance policy to buy real estate? Our Life Insurance Expert Acquania Escarne breaks down how she has been able to leverage her life insurance policies to purchase rental properties, syndications and even hotels! She shares how you can too and for far less money than you think. About our expert: Acquania is a fina...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I’m joined by tax expert Hannah Cole from Sunlight Tax to make self employed taxes feel way less scary and way more doable, so you can stop missing write offs and stop overpaying. We walk through simple end of year moves like tax credits that are expiring soon, plus how an HSA can be a powerful savings tool and how SEP IRA vs solo 401k rules work as your b...

Send us Fan Mail Our Expert CFP Dr. Jay and I revisit the long term care planning conversation and what I discovered from my conversation with my parents. To say that I feel underprepared is an understatement. Dr. Jay provides resources and things to consider when taking on the responsibility of caring for aging loved ones. Have you created a plan for when you eventually need assistance with every...

Send us Fan Mail Have you created a plan for when you eventually need assistance with everyday activities and are unable to care for yourself for a long period of time?  It's best to start considering long term care insurance when you're relatively young and healthy, as this will help you secure a lower premium rate. Generally, the younger and healthier you are, the more cost-effective a...

Send us Fan Mail Portia Wood, Esq our Estate Planning expert joins us to discuss why estate planning is important for every adult. Learn the three aspects of estate plans that are a must. Understand the difference in using AI generated estate plans versus working with an estate planning attorney.  Estate planning is an important step in making sure that your wishes for the future are clearly put i...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode I sit down with coach and author Amina AlTai to talk about what she calls the Ambition Trap and how it can push us toward stress and burnout instead of a life we actually enjoy. We share our own stories of chasing “perfect” success in work and money, getting sick and tired, and then slowly learning to listen to our bodies, heal old hurts, and make choices t...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I talk with Angel Mathis about how she paid off a big debt, saved a lot, and made work optional as a nurse. We share simple steps you can copy, like tracking your money, using your benefits, and investing a little each month. Angel also tells the real story of burnout and how clear boundaries and a plan helped her heal. We talk about buying a home with cas...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode I sit down with Terry Kirk to talk about money lessons from the 1929 market crash and the Great Depression. Terry tells real stories from his book Pitfall and from life on the Chicago trading floors. We break big ideas into simple steps you can use today like how to stay calm when markets drop how to protect your savings and how to keep a long term plan. We...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I sit down with Jack Howard to talk about money in a real and simple way. We share our first money memories, why feelings shape how we spend, and how to make a plan that fits your life. Jack explains Money Roots from Ally and how it can turn worry into calm. We talk about values based budgeting, easy money dates you can do with a partner, and why more peop...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I sit down with Jeremy Cordon to talk about simple money ideas you can use today. We chat about why prices keep going up, what gold has meant in the past, and how Goldbacks work like small, spendable pieces of gold. I ask the questions you would ask, and Jeremy gives clear answers in plain words. You will learn easy steps to start saving, spending, and gif...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode I talk with Mike Dwyer about simple steps to find work and grow your career right now. We share an easy plan you can do in five hours or five days or five weeks to build momentum and take more shots on goal. We show how to make a small personal board of three or four people who will give you honest feedback and help you try new things. We also talk about du...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I sit down with Gino Barbaro, an investor and certified money coach, to talk about money, family, and simple steps to take control of your future. We dig into money stories from childhood, how they shape our habits, and how to heal them so we can find peace with our spouse and teach our kids with confidence. We break down how banks make money and what it m...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I talk with Tim Smith, a Certified Financial Planner, about how to make money simple for families. We share easy ways to teach kids about saving, spending, and giving. We also talk about the real cost of college and how to plan before loans pile up. Tim explains why small habits like using cash envelopes, checking your bank app, and setting clear goals can...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I sit down with Paul Compeau, a friendly CFP who helps families pay less for college. We talk about simple steps you can take right now, like filling out FAFSA the right way, building a smart college list, and knowing the real price before you say yes. Paul shares easy tips to find money you don’t have to pay back, how to ask schools for a better offer, an...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I sit down with Jason Brown to talk about money, mistakes, and second chances. Jason shares how he once lost a lot of money in the stock market, then learned simple rules to trade smarter and win back his confidence. We talk about living below your means, making a short “sacrifice season,” and building habits that help your family for the long run. Jason e...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode I sit down with John Dinsmore, a marketing professor and author of The Marketing of Debt, to talk about why money choices can be so tricky. We share how even people who study finance still make mistakes, and how companies use smart tricks to get us to spend more than we should. We break down how credit cards, loans, and status symbols are sold to us, and wh...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I sit down with Abbe F. Large to talk about caring for aging parents while raising our own kids. We keep it real and simple. We cover the three phases of money and the three buckets to save and spend from. We talk about long term care, life and disability insurance, and how to build steady income in retirement. You will learn when a reverse mortgage or HEL...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I sit down with Barry Levine, a bankruptcy lawyer with more than 40 years of experience, to talk about what really happens when people file for bankruptcy. We break down the fear and confusion around money problems and explain how bankruptcy can be a tool to get a fresh start. I also share my own story of going through bankruptcy in my 20s and what I learn...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode I talk with Doug Lynam, who shares his amazing journey from being a monk to becoming a money expert. Doug opens up about how he went from giving up everything to learning the true value of money and how it can be used to help others. We chat about the struggles he faced, the lessons he learned, and how he now teaches people to live with purpose while also b...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I talk with Maya Elious about how to reinvent your life and career so you can grow into the person you’re meant to be. Maya shares how she went from making MySpace pages to building a business that helps experts create clear messages and strong brands. We discuss why it’s important to keep things simple, let go of what no longer works, and have the courage...

Send us Fan Mail Money can be really hard to talk about, especially with the person you love. In today's episode, I sit down with my friend and money coach Hanna Morrell to talk about how couples can stop fighting about money and start having better conversations. Hanna shares simple tools that help people feel safe, seen, and understood when talking about their finances. We talk about why ar...

Send us Fan Mail In today's classic episode, I talk about something really important that most people don’t think about—what happens if you get sick or hurt and can’t work. I share my own story and explain what disability insurance is and why it’s so helpful. We also talk about the difference between short-term and long-term coverage, and why the insurance your job gives you might not be enou...