The Aaron Katsman Show

Can you really retire early just because the numbers look good? A lot of people assume that once they hit a certain savings goal, they’re set. But early retirement is not just about how much you have, it’s about how your money is structured, how accessible it is, and whether your plan actually works in real life. To learn what most people miss when planning early retirement, tune in. _____________...

Are you actually financially independent? With Israel celebrating Independence Day in the middle of everything going on, it’s a good time to think about what independence really means on a personal level. I’m breaking down what financial independence actually looks like, why you don’t need millions to get there, and the simple steps that can put you on the right path. To learn how to define your n...

Are you saving too much… or not enough? With everything going on right now, it’s easy to start rethinking your money, whether that means holding on tighter or finally deciding to spend more. I’m breaking down why both extremes can backfire, why “die with zero” isn’t as smart as it sounds, and how to think about spending and saving in a more balanced way. To learn how to make smarter money decision...

What does resistance training have to do with building wealth? More than you think. New research analyzing over 30,000 participants found that the biggest gains don’t come from complicated programs, they come from consistency and simply getting started. That same principle applies directly to your financial life. In this week's episode, I break down why most people struggle financially, not becaus...

Should you be worried about your investments during war? With headlines warning about global conflict, oil price spikes, and worst-case scenarios, many investors are asking the same question: Is it time to panic? In this episode, I break down what history actually tells us about how markets perform after major geopolitical events, and why reacting emotionally to the news can be one of the biggest...

What does Passover cleaning have to do with your financial life? As we prepare for Pesach, we spend time scrubbing, organizing, and clearing out what we don’t need. But for many people, their financial lives could use the exact same process. In this episode, I talk about why most financial struggles aren’t about intelligence or lack of information. They’re about life getting in the way, expenses c...

Is social media giving you a completely unrealistic picture of retirement? From luxury travel to “living your best life,” Instagram and other platforms are filled with images of what retirement is supposed to look like. But for many people, trying to keep up with that version of retirement can lead to serious financial mistakes. In this episode, I break down what I call the “Instagram retirement t...

Can war and scary headlines derail your investment strategy? With markets reacting to global conflict and nonstop predictions of financial disaster, many investors start wondering if it’s time to sell and get out. History suggests otherwise. In this episode, I walk through why market panic is nothing new, why predictions about crashes are usually wrong, and why investors with a long-term plan shou...

Can fear-based frugality actually hurt your financial health? I'm exploring the fascinating psychology behind why some people struggle to spend even when they're financially secure, from childhood scarcity wiring the brain to see spending as danger to the woman worth millions who couldn't afford a cup of coffee. Spoiler: there's a middle ground between financial anarchy and panic over your checkin...

Should you actually be spending more money as you get older? Many retirement plans assume spending stays flat, but real life doesn’t work that way. I break down why spending often peaks earlier, why health matters more than account balances, and how to think about enjoying your money without risking your future or your family. To learn how to spend thoughtfully without losing financial security, t...

Is buying an investment property in Israel still a smart financial move? Prices have risen dramatically, but low rental yields, higher interest rates, taxes, and concentration risk tell a more nuanced story. I walk through what the data actually says about Israeli real estate, who it may work for, and when other investment options might be a better fit. To learn how to evaluate Israeli property as...

How do you build an investment portfolio that isn’t at the mercy of a single stock or sector? Diversification is one of the most fundamental principles of long-term investing, helping spread risk across different asset classes and reduce the impact of any one investment losing value. I break down what diversification really means, why simply owning a few “great stocks” isn’t a strategy, and how ba...

How can you protect your aging parents from becoming victims of financial fraud and scams? With Americans over 70 controlling $53 trillion in wealth, seniors are prime targets for sophisticated scammers and the average loss is a staggering $83,000. I'm breaking down the warning signs to watch for, from unusual spending patterns to early signs of cognitive decline, and sharing practical strategies...

Is your home equity making you wealthier, or are you just trapped in an expensive house? I'm breaking down why the "experts" who claim home equity isn't real wealth are missing the bigger picture. From renting strategies to assisted living options, there are legitimate ways to tap into that value. To learn more about how home equity fits into your retirement plan, tune in. ________________________...

Think goal-based investing is just financial advisor jargon that doesn't really matter? Think again. I'm sharing real conversations I'm having with clients right now about affording assisted living in Israel and why decades of disciplined, goal-focused investing makes all the difference when life happens. This isn't about beating the market, it's about actually being able to pay for the care you n...

Wondering which investments actually win over the long term? I'm diving into nearly a century of market data that reveals the truth about stocks, real estate, gold, and bonds. The results might challenge everything you thought you knew! From debunking the real estate myth to explaining why sector bets usually backfire, I'll show you the simple strategy that beats trading individual stocks every ti...

Worried about when the AI bubble will burst? Here's the reality: you almost certainly can't time it, and trying to will likely cost you more than the bubble itself. I'm breaking down why market timing rarely works and sharing the simple strategies that actually protect your portfolio. To learn more about investing without crystal balls or panic, tune in to this week's show. _______________________...

Wondering why your friend's hot stock tip might cost you serious money? I'm unpacking the data on investor overconfidence and why people who think they've "figured it out" consistently underperform simple buy-and-hold strategies. From rebalancing your portfolio to resisting the urge to pile into trendy investments, I'll walk you through the simple-but-effective principles that actually build long-...

Is retirement a marathon or a sprint? I'm challenging the conventional wisdom that says to pace yourself in retirement and exploring why your most vibrant years might actually be front-loaded. From the real dilemma of balancing bucket list dreams with longevity planning to practical tips on budgeting for both adventure-filled sixties and secure nineties, this is about living it up without leaving...

What if Hanukkah gelt is actually the antidote to a culture obsessed with instant gratification and spending money you don't have? I'm unpacking how this simple tradition can teach children about charity, saving, and the truth that more stuff doesn't equal more happiness, despite what Black Friday wants you to believe. To learn more about transforming the Festival of Lights into a powerful financi...

Nervous about your portfolio after the market's stellar run? I'm tackling the classic investor dilemma: why we panic when we make money and panic when we lose it. Learn how to use year-end strategically with tax-loss harvesting, donor-advised funds, and rebalancing techniques that keep you on track. To discover how to turn market anxiety into smart planning, tune in. ______________________________...

Worried that a market drop will ruin your retirement? You’re not alone. This week, I’m walking through how one couple created a simple system that protects them no matter what the markets do. From cash reserves to income ladders to avoiding massive tax bills, I explain why a solid process beats panic every time. To learn how to build a retirement plan that actually lets you sleep at night, tune in...

Did the Bank of Israel’s rate cut actually accomplish anything? I’m digging into the quarter-percent drop that has everyone talking and what this move could mean for your finances right now. We’ll look at the strange mix of oversupply, soaring rents, and stalled growth that’s reshaping the Israeli economy in real time. To learn more about what’s really happening beneath the headlines, tune in! ___...

Think outperforming the stock market is as simple as picking a few superstar stocks? The data tells a very different story. I’m unpacking why most investors fall short, why even pros struggle, and what you should focus on instead of chasing the next NVIDIA. To learn more about what actually works for long-term investing success, watch now. __________________________________________________________...

If you only had a year to live, would you still stress over every dollar you spend? This week, we're digging into the tension between enjoying your money today and making sure you don’t outlive it tomorrow. We talk about where oversavers get stuck, why undersavers regret it, and how to build a balanced approach that actually fits real life. To learn more about finding that middle path, tune in. __...