Money, Taxes & Freedom

What if the most valuable financial advice your kids ever receive… comes from you? In this episode, Bryan and Shane Hopkins explore the important money conversations every parent should be having with their children. From introducing basic concepts like earning and budgeting to teaching delayed gratification and real-world decision-making, they share practical ways to build financial habits...

Are the “gold standard” rules of retirement planning quietly becoming outdated? In this episode of Money, Taxes, and Freedom , Bryan and Shane Hopkins revisit the traditional 60/40 portfolio and 4% withdrawal rule to see if they still hold up in today’s market. They explore why changing conditions, like lower bond yields and market volatility, have challenged long-standing assump...

What if the biggest threat to your retirement isn’t the market, but a single convincing scam? In this episode of Money, Taxes, and Freedom , Bryan and Shane Hopkins break down how modern fraud schemes are evolving and why retirees are frequent targets. They explore how scammers use urgency, emotion, and increasingly sophisticated tactics, including fake calls, emails, and AI-driven impersona...

The American Dream now carries a shocking price tag—over $5 million—and many families are wondering how that changes retirement planning. In this episode of Money, Taxes & Freedom , Bryan and Shane Hopkins unpack what that number really means and why it looks different for every household. They explore the impact of inflation, healthcare costs, lifestyle expectations, and the growi...

Claiming Social Security without a plan can lead to costly surprises you never saw coming. In this episode of Money, Taxes & Freedom , Bryan and Shane Hopkins break down six critical things to understand before filing for Social Security. From knowing your benefit amount and coordinating healthcare costs to budgeting, emergency funds, debt decisions, and overlooked spousal benefits, the conver...

You can plan for markets and inflation—but how do you plan for not knowing how long you’ll live? This episode tackles longevity risk: the unpredictable variable that quietly shapes every retirement plan. The conversation explores why “average” assumptions can fall short, how longer lifespans magnify risks like inflation, healthcare, and memory care costs, and why running ou...

If someone offered you a way to do a Roth conversion without paying any taxes, would your alarm bells go off? This episode takes a closer look at claims that sound too good to be true and uses a real MarketWatch scenario to unpack how Roth conversions actually work. Bryan and Shane Hopkins explain why timing, tax brackets, and life transitions matter, especially in the years between retirement and...

Most women will spend decades managing their finances alone—but few are prepared for it. In this episode of Money, Taxes, and Freedom , Bryan and Shane Hopkins unpack the financial realities women face in retirement, from longevity and Social Security gaps to widowhood and long‑term care planning. The conversation explores why financial involvement can’t be optional, how portfolios and...

That dream move for retirement might cost more than you think. In this episode of Money, Taxes, and Freedom , Bryan and Shane Hopkins break down the real financial impact of relocating in retirement—from taxes and housing to insurance, healthcare access, and unexpected moving costs. They explore why “no income tax” doesn’t always mean lower expenses, how migration trends ar...

Thinking about your child's or grandchild’s financial future? This episode breaks down the newly announced Trump Kid Accounts – what they are, who qualifies, and how they may fit into a family’s long‑term planning. Bryan and Shane Hopkins unpack the early details, including eligibility windows, tax‑deferred growth, potential employer contributions, and how these accounts differ f...

Most investors don’t realize there’s an entire universe of opportunities beyond stocks and bonds -- and the Hopkins team is ready to pull back the curtain. In this episode, Bryan and Shane Hopkins welcome Colby Taylor, Director of Alternative Investments at Independent Financial Group, to explore the world of private investments: what they are, why they’ve become more accessible,...

What if one account could help you save on taxes, invest for the future, and cover health care costs? In this episode of Money, Taxes, and Freedom, hosts Bryan and Shane Hopkins reveal why health savings accounts (HSAs) are a powerful yet underused tool in financial planning. Learn how to maximize contributions, invest your HSA funds, and avoid common pitfalls. Discover who benefits most from HSAs...

Nearly 70% of Americans set financial resolutions for the new year, but most fall short without a clear plan. In this episode of Money, Taxes, and Freedom, hosts Bryan and Shane Hopkins of Hopkins Wealth Management Group share practical strategies for making 2026 your most financially confident year yet. Discover why writing down goals, reviewing them often, and rewarding progress matters. Learn h...

What do Venus Williams and everyday retirees have in common? Even tennis legends worry about insurance. In this episode, Bryan and Shane Hopkins reveal how healthcare costs and long-term care can upend retirement plans—no matter your net worth. Discover why medical expenses are the biggest wild card, how to avoid staying in a job just for insurance, and the crucial questions to ask about lon...

What happens when a cherished family home becomes an inheritance—and a potential financial headache? This episode dives into the emotional and financial realities facing baby boomers and their millennial heirs as legacy homes pass from one generation to the next. Hosts Bryan and Shane Hopkins unpack common estate planning misconceptions, hidden costs, and the family dynamics that can turn we...

Can love and money really work together? In this episode, CPA Bryan Hopkins, his son Shane, and celebrity matchmaker Rachel London explore how financial freedom and relationship compatibility go hand in hand. From the case for marriage to the importance of shared values, they discuss why trust, open communication, and growth matter in both finances and partnerships. Hear real stories about couples...

Finding the right financial advisor is a lot like finding the right relationship—compatibility, trust, and shared values matter. In this episode, CPA Bryan Hopkins, his son Shane, and celebrity matchmaker Rachel London explore how love and money intersect, why honesty is essential, and how compromise shapes both financial plans and partnerships. Hear real stories about navigating differences...

Ten million businesses are about to change hands—are their owners ready for what comes next? In this episode of Money, Taxes, and Freedom , Certified Exit Planning Advisor Bryan Hopkins and his son, Shane Hopkins unpack the emotional and financial realities of selling a business. From navigating the “Silver Tsunami” to avoiding seven-figure tax surprises, they explore strategies...

What happens when your legacy is shaped not just by your wealth, but by how you choose to share it? In this episode, father-son financial advisors Bryan and Shane Hopkins explore the emotional and strategic layers of family financial planning. From gifting inheritance while alive to navigating conflicting retirement dreams between spouses, they unpack real-life stories that reveal how values drive...

Bryan and Shane Hopkins of Hopkins Wealth Management Group talk about the unpredictability of interest rates but also how they have changed so much in recent years. They share how financial plans should not be geared for the near future but also for the long game. They also discuss different retirement tools, such as annuities that are benefiting from the current interest rates and how people shou...

Bryan and Shane Hopkins of Hopkins Wealth Management Group define what Roth IRAs are and how both Roth conversions and backdoor Roth conversions work. They explain how each has limits, the tax benefits and implications, and how these tools are not right for every situation. Bryan also shares about his day trip to California to visit a client and how he and Shane give special attention to each of t...

Bryan and Shane Hopkins of Hopkins Wealth Management group share the stories about why they became financial advisors. Bryan reveals some hardships he had at an early age and his gift with numbers. Shane discussed how he saw his dad helping people and noticed he was good with numbers himself. They also laugh about Braxton (Bryan’s grandson and Shane’s nephew) having a portfolio at less...

Bryan and Shane Hopkins of Hopkins Wealth Management Group talk about the steps needed to save for a mega retirement vacation and how it is attainable with planning. Bryan dishes on his big Bora Bora anniversary/wife’s birthday trip and Shane shares what his perfect vacation is and compares that to what a survey of American travelers say. Bryan and Shane also share how vacation planning is o...

Bryan and Shane Hopkins discuss tariffs, market volatility, and people’s stomaching risk. Bryan and Shane break down how age, goals, timelines, assets, and health all determine how much market-exposure people should assume. They also share how advisors can lead these discussions and the big risk involved in not investing in the market. They also talk about their appearances at some local Boi...

Bryan and Shane Hopkins talk about tax-deductible retirement plans and the pros and cons of each. Shane talks about different types of IRAs and 401(k)s, while Bryan handles employer plans for profit-sharing and cash balance plans. They each discuss the tax implications of the plans and how best to make that tax money efficient. They also talk about the pitfalls of not using advisors on these compl...