One For The Money

One for the Money — Episode 113 The Case for Optimism (5th Annual) Each July, the One for the Money podcast makes the case for optimism — and this year's edition may be the most compelling yet. Despite an unsettling headlines landscape that includes the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Iran and persistent political dysfunction, the data tells a different and far more hopeful story. This episode is your...

Episode 112: Family Matters & Money - For Better or For Worse Money can’t buy love or happiness—but it can absolutely impact both. In this episode of One for the Money Podcast , I share how money can either strengthen or damage the relationships that matter most in our lives. Research consistently shows that strong relationships are one of the greatest predictors of happiness, health, and long...

In this episode, I break down one of the newest and most talked-about financial policies introduced in 2025: Trump Accounts . Created as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” these tax-advantaged investment accounts are designed to give American children a financial head start from birth. I cover how these accounts work, who qualifies, the role of government and private funding, and whether they m...

Episode 110: The Hidden Power of 529 Plans (and How to Use Them Like a Pro) Welcome back to the One for the Money podcast! In this episode, we dive into one of the most powerful—and often misunderstood—tools for college planning: 529 plans. With graduation season in full swing, this topic hits especially close to home as families prepare for the next big (and expensive) chapter. 🎓 What’s Inside T...

Episode Summary With Mother’s Day right around the corner, this episode highlights an important—and often overlooked—reality in financial planning: too many women are still taking a back seat when it comes to managing their financial future. Drawing from real client experiences, this episode explores why financial planning works best when both partners are actively involved, and why it’s especiall...

It’s Tax Day — the one day of the year when millions of Americans collectively ask the same question: Did I pay too much… or too little? But another question quickly follows: Is everyone else paying their fair share? In this episode, we explore one of the most debated topics in economics and politics — the fairness of the U.S. tax system . We examine how income and wealth are taxed differently, lo...

Episode 107 Show Notes Pay Taxes Now or Later? 7 Strategic Reasons to Consider Roth Conversions This episode airs on April 1st — just two weeks before the April 15th tax filing deadline — which makes it the perfect time to talk about proactive tax planning. While everyone has to pay taxes, no one should ever leave a tip. In this episode, we discuss why paying taxes strategically now — through Roth...

Retirement isn’t just the closing of one chapter — it’s the opening of another. In this episode, I explore how shifting your mindset from retirement to ReFirement can dramatically improve both your financial outcomes and your overall fulfillment. Rather than viewing retirement as a period of rest and withdrawal, I discuss how intentional planning can turn it into a season of renewed purpose, contr...

Episode 105: The Real State of Retirement in America Retirement is supposed to be the reward after decades of hard work—but for many Americans, it’s filled with uncertainty, stress, and fear. In this episode of the One for the Money Podcast , we take an honest look at what retirement really looks like in America today, based on recent survey data from current retirees. The findings are eye-opening...

Episode 104: Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early? Is owning a home really the American Dream… or is owning it free and clear the real goal? In Episode 104 of One for the Money , we tackle one of the most common—and emotionally charged—financial questions homeowners ask: Should you pay off your mortgage early? The answer isn’t just about math. It’s about psychology, peace of mind, and how your m...

There aren’t enough homes. Homes are too expensive. And mortgage rates are too high. In Episode 103 of One for the Money , I break down how the U.S. housing crisis was created, why it persists, and what realistic solutions could actually improve affordability. This episode goes beyond headlines and politics to diagnose the root causes of the crisis—using plain economics, real-world examples, and h...

The stock market can feel like a rollercoaster—especially when the drops are steep. Declines of 20% or more are known as bear markets , and while they can be frightening, they’re also a normal part of investing. In this episode, I explain why bear markets shouldn’t be feared , how often they really occur, and—most importantly— what actions investors should (and shouldn’t) take when they happen . D...

Happy New Year, and welcome to episode 101 of the One for the Money podcast! This episode airs on January 1st—a perfect moment for financial resolutions and fresh starts. If getting back on track with your money is one of your goals for the new year, this episode will help you make one of the most important decisions in your financial life: whether to hire a financial advisor, and how to choose th...

Episode 100 — A License to Spend: How to Use Your Money to Create Compounding Memories Overview Welcome to the 100th episode of the  One for the Money  podcast! In this milestone episode, we explore the driving force behind our work with clients: giving them permission—a  license —to spend intentionally so they can create a richer, more meaningful life. While compound interest is po...

🎧  Episode 99: I Got 99 Problems, But a “B” (as in Budget) Shouldn’t Be One 📝  Episode Summary In this episode of  One for the Money , we tackle one of the most important — and misunderstood — topics in personal finance:  budgeting . Whether you call it a “budget” or a “spending plan,” having a strategy for where your money goes is the difference between drifting financially...

🎧  Episode 98 — What's Your Plan For After You Are Gone? 📝  Episode Summary Benjamin Franklin once said,  “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.”  In this episode of  One for the Money , we’re tackling one of those certainties:  death —and more specifically, what happens to your assets and loved ones after you pass. While we can't answer the big question of&nbs...

Episode Summary In this episode of  One for the Money , we explore a common misconception that holds too many people back from reaching their full financial potential: believing that having accounts equals having a financial plan. I share my personal financial journey — including real-life challenges, eye-opening lessons, and hard-won insights — to demonstrate why a collection of IR...

Episode 96 — Debunking Social Security Myths (Part 2) Episode Summary In this second installment of our two-part Social Security series, we continue busting the most common — and costly — myths surrounding Social Security. From the misconception that Social Security alone can fund a comfortable retirement, to the idea that everyone automatically qualifies for benefits, these misunderstandings can...

Episode 95: Myth Busters – Social Security Edition (Part 1) Episode Overview In this episode of One for the Money, we take on one of the most misunderstood areas of retirement planning: Social Security. Despite being around for 90 years, myths and misinformation still lead people to make costly mistakes—sometimes losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in lifetime benefits. This is Part 1 of our S...

🎧  Episode 94: How to Protect Yourself in the Retirement Danger Zone 🎙   One for the Money Podcast 💡  Episode Summary You’ve worked, saved, and sacrificed for decades—and now retirement is finally within reach. But what happens if the market crashes just as you’re ready to cash in on all that hard work? In this critical episode, we explore  how to protect your retirement duri...

Episode 93: Why Your First Year of Retirement Matters Most In this episode of the  One for the Money  podcast, we explore why your  first 12 months of retirement  are critical in shaping your long-term financial, emotional, and lifestyle success. ✅  What you’ll learn: Why the first year sets the tone for your entire retirement The six key ingredients for a fulfilling reti...

Episode 92: The Swiss Army Knife of Investment Accounts 💡  Episode Summary: When it comes to financial freedom — especially for early retirees — there’s one unsung hero in the investment world: the non-retirement brokerage account. In this episode, we explore why this versatile, often overlooked account deserves a permanent place in your financial toolkit. Using the metaphor of a childhood f...

🎧  Episode 91: The 5 Domains of Better Financial Planning 🔍  Episode Overview In this episode of  One for the Money , we explore the  Five Domains of Better Financial Planning —a framework that, when fully addressed, helps individuals and families live with greater financial confidence, clarity, and purpose. Drawing parallels from real-life stories and even lessons from a cla...

🎙️  Episode 90 — The Case for Concern: Understanding and Responding to the U.S. Debt Crisis Welcome to episode 90 of the  One for the Money  podcast! In this important installment, we flip the script from optimism to realism. While there’s much to be hopeful about, it’s equally vital to acknowledge the financial risks facing our country—particularly the growing national debt and its...

🎙️ Episode 89 – The Case for Optimism 2025 Welcome to the 4th annual "Case for Optimism" episode! In the midst of global challenges—from ongoing wars to economic uncertainty—this episode highlights why we still have so many reasons to be hopeful. Each year, I dedicate one episode to stepping back, taking a broader perspective, and focusing on the positive trajectory of human progress. From unprece...