Real Life Planning Podcast

In Episode 60 of the Real Life Planning Podcast,  host Vekevia Tillman-Jones, CFP®, MBA, helps aspiring real estate investors decide: Should I save or pay off debt first? If you're balancing credit cards, student loans, and the dream of buying your first rental property, this episode offers clear guidance on how to prioritize your finances while building toward your goals. This week on Real L...

In Episode 61 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, talks with Kristen Ambrose, CPA, and founder of Ambrose Bookkeepers, about the often overlooked but vital role of bookkeeping in a real estate investing business. Kristen shares her journey from corporate accounting to entrepreneurship and how her passion for real estate inspired her to serve investors exclusively....

In Episode 62 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, host Vekevia Tillman-Jones, CFP®, MBA, shares how to determine exactly how much you should be saving each month. Whether you're planning for a down payment, building your emergency fund, or aiming for financial freedom, this episode offers a practical, step-by-step approach to setting savings goals that align with your income and priorities. Th...

In Episode 63 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, Cynthia Meyer, CFP®, CFA®, ChFC® explores how homeowners can turn their backyard into a source of income by building an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). From financing strategies to tax planning, she walks through everything you need to know before breaking ground on your ADU project. This week on Real Life Planning Podcast: 💡What qualifies as an acc...

In Episode 64 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, host Vekevia Tillman-Jones, CFP®, MBA, shares practical, low-cost (and no-cost) ideas to keep your kids entertained and well-fed all summer long—without blowing your budget. From $1 movies and free beach parking to DIY lunches, this episode is packed with tips that blend fun, frugality, and family time. This week on Real Life Planning Podcast: 💡 Wh...

In Episode 65 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, Cynthia Meyer, CFP®, CFA®, ChFC®  shares how to build a real estate contingency plan to protect your rental business—and your loved ones—in case of an emergency. Whether you’re managing one property or many, this episode is a must-listen for any landlord who wants to avoid chaos and ensure smooth operations when life throws the unexpected your way....

In Episode 66 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, host Vekevia Tillman-Jones, MBA, CFP® helps you decide: Should you install a pool - or buy a house that already has one? This episode walks through the costs, potential returns, and the lifestyle factors to consider before making a splashy investment in an in-ground pool. This week on Real Life Planning Podcast: 💡 How much value can a pool actually...

In Episode 67 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, talks to  Bill Hampton of Hampton Tax and Financial Services about tax planning with the short-term rental “loophole.” Tune in for an educational overview on property criteria, material participation, cost segregation studies, bonus depreciation, and how to avoid common mistakes when treating your short term rental...

In Episode 68 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, Vekevia Tillman-Jones, CFP®, MBA, shares candid, practical advice on how to get your wedding plans back on budget—without sacrificing your vision. Whether you're newly engaged or halfway down the aisle, this episode is packed with smart strategies for staying on track financially while still creating a memorable event. This week on Real Life Pl...

In Episode 69 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, Cynthia Meyer, CFP®, CFA®, ChFC®  explores the powerful connection between your thoughts and your financial outcomes. Inspired by a client conversation and her training at The Life Coach School, she shares a tool she learned called “The Model”— a self-coaching tool designed to help clients identify limiting beliefs, shift their mindset, and take int...

In Episode 55 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, provides a practical roadmap to help rental property investors prepare for the next economic downturn. While no one can predict exactly when a recession will hit, Cynthia shares how to proactively anticipate what you’ll do if a tenant pays late (or not at all), strengthen your financial foundation, and position your...

In Episode 56 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, sits down with Becky Noss, financial planner and founder of Healthy Wealth, to explore the unique tax advantages available to military homeowners. Becky breaks down how military families can use Section 121 of the tax code—the capital gains exclusion for the sale of a primary residence—even if they haven’t lived in...

In Episode 57 of the Real Life Planning Podcast, Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, and co-host Vekevia Tillman-Jones, CFP®, MBA, go deep into what happens when an investor sells a rental property that previously had a cost segregation study performed. They explain the tax concepts, how depreciation recapture works, and the questions every real estate investor should ask before considering a sale....

In Episode 54 of the Real Life Planning Podcast , Vekevia Tillman-Jones, CFP®,MBA, walks rental real estate investors through the second part of our deep dive into IRS Schedule E—focusing on understanding expense categories and depreciation. Whether you’re preparing your real estate numbers to share with your tax preparer or want to understand how your rental properties are really performing, this...

In Episode 53 of the Real Life Planning Podcast , Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, takes a break from real estate investing topics to address a common concern - stock market volatility. Whether you’re saving for retirement, planning a major purchase, or simply want to make smarter investment decisions, this episode will help you navigate market uncertainty with a clear strategy. "Volatility...

In Episode 52 of the Real Life Planning Podcast , Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, talks with Phillip Hulme, CFP®, MBA, founder of Stars and Stripes Financial Advisors, about how military service members can use real estate as a powerful wealth-building tool. Whether you’re in the military or a veteran looking to grow your real estate portfolio, this episode is packed with insights to help you ta...

In this episode, Vekevia Tillman-Jones dives into one of the most important tax forms for real estate investors—Schedule E. If you own rental properties, understanding how rental income is classified and reported can help you maximize tax efficiency and avoid costly mistakes when working with your tax preparer. She breaks down when to use Schedule E vs. Schedule C, how different business structure...

The ReaL Life Planning Podcast  is for educational purposes only. None of the information discussed is intended as investment, tax, accounting, or legal advice, nor as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, real property, or other securities or non-securities offering.   Real Life Planning, LLC is an Investment Advisor registered w...

In this episode, Vekevia Tillman-Jones jumps into one of the biggest financial concerns for parents—how to afford the rising cost of college. She breaks down how 529 plans work, the tax benefits, and what to do if your child doesn’t end up using the funds for higher education. This week on Real Life Planning Podcast: 💡 How much does college really cost today, and how fast are prices rising? [00:0...

In Episode 40, Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®,  shares insights on financial planning for a 1031 exchange, explaining what it is, its strategic benefits, and key considerations for real estate investors. Learn how to optimize your real estate portfolio by understanding like-kind properties, strict time limits, and the importance of pre-planning. "...this is a powerful strategic planning too...

In Episode 41, Vekevia Tillman-Jones discusses the transformative benefits of working with a business coach. Vekevia shares her insights as a seasoned business coach, highlighting how coaching empowers entrepreneurs to align their goals, overcome challenges, and achieve sustainable growth. "There’s no shame in asking for help or in needing guidance to take your business to the next level.&quo...

In Episode 42 of the Real Life Planning Podcast , Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, breaks down the key considerations for real estate investors exploring hard money loans, including when to use them, typical terms, and risks. She also shares essential tips for asking the lender questions and understanding the pros and cons of private loans. " …if you've got a private money lender that w...

In Episode 43, Vekevia Tillman-Jones tackles how to decide if it’s the right time to buy a home, emphasizing the importance of financial readiness over trying to time the market. She shares practical tips for budgeting, exploring creative strategies like house hacking, and preparing for a sound long-term investment. " It's a lot less about trying to time the market and it's a lot mo...

In Episode 44 of the Real Life Planning Podcast , Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, offers coaching questions that accredited investors can ask when considering real estate syndications. She also translates jargon, explains typical roles, and gives a general overview of benefits and risks associated with these complex investments. This podcast is for educational purposes only. " The more you...

In Episode 46 of the Real Life Planning Podcast , Cynthia Meyer, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, interviews Michael Law, CPA, specialist in tax compliance and consulting with small business, real estate, and stock compensation. Michael Law has Masters in Taxation and 25 years experience, and prioritizes researching and finding solutions for clients. Michael shares the tax strategies every real estate investor...