Something Personal

Buying a home is a major financial goal for many people. But, especially for first-time homebuyers, the process can seem daunting. In this episode, Eric Meermann, CFP®, CVA, EA, demystifies the financial dimensions of homeownership. He and host Amy Laburda walk through the mortgage application process, but they don’t stop there. Eric also dives into the tax benefits of homeownership; what to know...

For many Americans, a car is a necessity — but it isn’t cheap. Whether new or pre-owned, bought or leased, a new car can carry expenses both obvious and less so. But evaluating your lifestyle, preferences and finances can help you get the car you’re proud to drive without putting a strain on your overall budget. Kasey Radney, a senior client service associate at Palisades Hudson, sits down with ho...

Building a savings cushion and paying down debt are two of the most common personal finance goals. But that doesn’t mean either one is always easy. Thomas Walsh, CFP®, returns to the podcast to talk about the balancing act many people have to master in order to save for big goals like retirement or education while also staying on top of their debts. In a wide-ranging conversation with host Amy Lab...

Rebecca Pavese, CPA, knows that some people think budgets and credit are the small potatoes of financial planning. But she argues that mastering these basics will set you up for success as you pursue bigger and more complex goals. Rebecca sits down with host Amy Laburda to chat about the nuts and bolts of building a budget, whether you’re a first-time budgeter or looking to overhaul your existing...

Palisades Hudson client service associates Brianna Aviles and Mamie Odom are financial professionals — but they’re also young adults who have recently started navigating the world of renting their first apartments, refining their budgets to reflect their goals, paying off student loans and more. Between their financial training and their own experiences, they provide a window into how to start you...

Sewbo is a company working to bring automation to the clothing industry. Founder Jonathan Zornow joins host Amy Laburda and Certified Financial Planner™ Melinda Kibler to discuss what the first decade of a tech startup is really like, from sharing a New York City apartment with a robot to flying around the world, and all the highs and lows in between. Melinda, who has helped Jon and a variety of o...

“Wealth,” “success” and “achievement” are all concepts that may seem simple. But let a financial planner scratch the surface, and you may be surprised what you find. Larry Elkin — CPA, CFP®, and founder of Palisades Hudson Financial Group — returns to “Something Personal” to weigh in on the ways he’s seen clients measure success (accurately and otherwise) during his decades as a financial adviser....

Gabe Fleisher is the creator and writer of “Wake Up To Politics,” an email newsletter that reaches more than 45,000 readers every weekday. He is also a recent graduate of Georgetown University who turned his newsletter from a part-time endeavor into his full-time job. Gabe joins host Amy Laburda and Palisades Hudson president (and former journalist) Larry Elkin to discuss the state of journalism i...

Something Personal returns in fall 2024. Host Amy Laburda will be talking to the authors of Palisades Hudson Financial Group's book for younger adults, The High Achiever's Guide to Wealth, as well as a few high achievers like those the book was written to help. Episodes will cover how to rent your first apartment, how to balance building your savings with paying off your debt, how to decid...

U.S. citizens have many reasons to move abroad, but retirement is an especially common time to consider broadening your horizons. Moving to another country can represent a great adventure or the fulfillment of a longstanding dream. Unfortunately, the financial planning associated with a long-term or permanent move can be complex. In the season one finale of “Something Personal,” Certified Financia...

In 43 states, residents must navigate state income taxes in addition to their federal tax obligations. This is not to mention state gift and estate taxes, inheritance taxes, and additional tax from a city or municipality. It can be a lot to keep track of — and that's before you start factoring in extensive travel or working across state lines. How should you incorporate all this into your fina...

Whether tax season scares you or just makes you groan, it likely is not your favorite time of year. But tax planning doesn’t have to be painful, and it shouldn’t be restricted to a few weeks in the spring. Getting a grip on your taxes means integrating tax planning into your overall financial plan — and, as a bonus, it means taking the pain out of Tax Day. Benjamin C. Sullivan, CFP®, CVA, EA retur...

Whether you are nearing the age where Social Security and Medicare are available to you or you’re simply trying to determine how much, if at all, you should factor these programs into your long-term financial planning, uncertainty about these programs’ future may unsettle you. While the need for political action is real, making the most of Social Security and Medicare as they are now is still a sm...

We all want to have a comfortable and secure retirement, but getting there can sometimes seem daunting. How much should you be saving? Do you need an IRA? Is your 401(k) enough? How can you balance saving for retirement with other goals like paying for your kids’ college education? Retirement planning can be complicated, but the best way forward is make sure you understand the basics and get start...

With education expenses outpacing inflation for years, most Americans know that paying for college (or private K-12 schooling, or graduate school) isn’t always simple. Between 529s, FAFSAs, private student loans and more, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But just like pursuing any other financial goal, the keys to effective education saving are careful planning and fully understanding your options....

Roughly 70% of Americans who reach the age of 65 will need some sort of long-term care, and nearly one in five of them will need care for five years or longer. Given the odds you will need care one day, and given the rising cost of that care, it is essential to include this possibility in your financial plan. But should you consider long-term care insurance? What sorts of strategies can help you e...

This episode compares investing to many things, from roller coasters to maintaining a healthy diet. But what do you really need to know to make wise investment choices? And why do even financial professionals sometimes struggle to make prudent choices with their own money? Benjamin C. Sullivan, CFP®, CVA, EA, breaks down the fundamentals of investing in this wide-ranging conversation. Ben and host...

Many people think of life insurance as a way to protect people, like your children, who depend on you financially. This assumption has basis in reality, but life insurance has other uses too. What type you need and how much can vary depending on your goals. Whether you’re considering your first policy or looking to review your approach, this episode is for you. Shomari Hearn, CFP®, EA, returns to...

Grandkids are a joyful part of life. They also can, and should, be part of your overall financial plan. Anthony Criscuolo, a Certified Financial Planner™ and IRS Enrolled Agent, walks listeners through the practical side of offering financial support to your grandchildren in the most effective ways possible. He and host Amy Laburda cover how to make gifts in a tax-efficient way; how to financially...

Vice president David Walters dispels the myth that estate planning is only for the very wealthy or very old. In this episode, David explains why sooner is better for financial planning around what happens after you die, and where someone should begin when preparing wills and other estate planning documents. He and host Amy Laburda also dive into the basics of the federal estate tax, along with the...

Shomari Hearn is Palisades Hudson’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. He’s also a dad with an adult child of his own. In the firm’s book Looking Ahead: Wealth, Family, Wealth and Business After 55 , Shomari wrote a chapter focused on how to have conversations with adult children — and other family members — about your financial plans. This episode covers that advice, as well as...

Senior client service manager Rebecca Pavese has a frank but sensitive conversation with host Amy Laburda about how to plan for times when you can't make your own decisions. Whether your incapacity is temporary or permanent, you may not be able to express your wishes for health care, handle your own financial obligations or decide who will take care of your children. While such scenarios are m...

In the first episode of our first season, Palisades Hudson founder and president Larry Elkin discusses how he went from a journalist with the Associated Press to running a business that recently marked its 30th anniversary. In an in-depth conversation, host Amy Laburda asks Larry about how the founder of a family business can avoid ending up like Succession 's Logan Roy; the ups and downs of w...

Vice president Eric Meermann stops by the podcast to talk about his chapter in Looking Ahead: Life, Family, Wealth and Business After 55 on philanthropy. Eric talks with host Amy Laburda about how he advises clients to approach their goals when it comes to charitable giving. While not everyone has access to philanthropy on the scale of MacKenzie Scott or Bill Gates, taking the time to think throug...

Palisades Hudson managing vice president Paul Jacobs wrote “A Second Act: Starting A New Venture” in the firm’s book Looking Ahead: Wealth, Family, Wealth and Business After 55 . In a chat with host Amy Laburda, Paul discusses why some retirees may want to start their own business. He also offers advice to entrepreneurs of any age considering taking the plunge and starting their own enterprise. Li...