Money Sense

Latest Episodes:

Pet Care, Costs, Planning, and Community Resources Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Pets are family, but they also come with financial responsibilities that many owners don't fully anticipate.

In this episode of Money Sense, Wealth Services Advisor Courtney Witthuhn is joined by Ellenbecker Investment Group Director of Marketing Sara McGuire to discuss the true cost of pet ownership, how to financially prepare for a pet, and the community resources available to help families keep their beloved companions healthy and at home.

From pet insurance and emergency vet expenses to fostering, volunteering, and affordable care programs, this conversation offers practical guidance for current and future pet owners. Whether you're considering adding a pet to your family or looking for ways to better plan for your furry friend's future, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

00:00 Why Pet Planning Matters
01:57 The Real Cost of Pet Ownership
08:55 Preparing Financially for a Pet
15:00 Budgeting, Pet Insurance & Emergency Expenses
22:10 Alternatives to Ownership: Fostering & Volunteering
25:58 Community Resources & Estate Planning for Pet
New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations that connect financial education with real life decisions.
#MoneySense #PetCareCosts #PetInsurance #FinancialPlanning #PetOwnership #WisconsinHumaneSociety #AnimalRescue #VeterinaryCare #PetBudgeting #EstatePlanning #PersonalFinance #FinancialWellness
ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: ellenbecker.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

Q2 2026 Market Update Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Markets rarely move in straight lines and Q2 2026 was a powerful reminder of that.
In this week’s episode of Money Sense, Karen Ellenbecker is joined by long-time market voice Mike Roth and Wealth Services Advisor Nik Kibardin to unpack a volatile yet resilient quarter.
From geopolitical tensions and oil shocks to a remarkable market rebound, this conversation breaks down what really drove performance and what investors should pay attention to moving forward. The group explores the balance between strong economic fundamentals and headline-driven noise, and how both shaped investor sentiment.
They also discuss inflation trends, shifting Federal Reserve expectations, the growing influence of AI, and how everyday investors can interpret what is happening through the lens of gas prices, rates, and portfolio decisions.

01:28 Q2 Market Resilience Explained
03:00 Geopolitics, Oil Shock & Market Reaction
06:15 Why Markets Rebounded (AI, CapEx & Confidence)
15:40 Strong Economy & Consumer Spending Trends
28:24 Inflation, Fed Policy & Market Outlook
35:30 Elections, Market Cycles & What Comes Next
New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations that connect financial education with real life decisions.
#MoneySense #MarketUpdate #Q22026 #InvestingInsights #EconomicOutlook #InflationTrends #InterestRates #AIandInvesting #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #InvestorEducation #StockMarket #LongTermInvesting
ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: ellenbecker.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

Insurance Coverage Gaps, Liability Risks, and Recommendations Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Insurance is something many people have, but not always something they revisit or fully understand.
In this week’s episode of Money Sense, Amy Bremmer, Wealth Services Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, sits down with Jody Leonhardt, Accounts Manager and Agent at American Advantage Insurance, to walk through the basics of property and casualty insurance in a clear and practical way.
Together, they talk through how coverage works, how to think about protecting what you’ve built, and why regular check-ins matter as life evolves. From auto and homeowners insurance to umbrella policies, this conversation offers helpful perspective for making more informed decisions about your coverage.
00:00 Why Understanding Your Coverage Matters
02:05 Agent vs Broker and Finding the Right Fit
05:10 Auto Insurance Basics and Coverage Limits
09:15 Aligning Coverage with Your Assets
12:40 Homeowners Insurance and Shared Risk
17:55 Replacement Cost vs Actual Cash Value
22:30 Everyday Liability Risks at Home
27:40 Umbrella Insurance and How It Works
New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations that connect financial education with real life decisions.
#MoneySense #InsurancePlanning #FinancialEducation #WealthProtection #RiskManagement #PersonalFinance #HomeownersInsurance #AutoInsurance #UmbrellaPolicy #FinancialPlanning #LiabilityProtection
ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: ellenbecker.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

College Athletics in a Pay-for-Play Era Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

College athletics is evolving fast. What used to center on scholarships and school pride now includes contracts, branding deals, and real income before athletes even step on campus.

In this episode of Money Sense, Heather Deaton sits down with Chellee Siewert, Founder and President of Capture Sports Entertainment, to unpack what the pay-for-play (NIL) era means for athletes, families, and the future of college sports. From building a trusted team to navigating contracts, taxes, and personal branding, this conversation explores both the opportunities and the risks.

They also zoom out to examine how NIL is reshaping team dynamics, recruiting, and the long-term landscape of college athletics.

00:00 The Shift to Pay-for-Play in College Sports
02:12 What NIL Really Means for Athletes Today
04:05 Building the Right Team Around an Athlete
06:45 Early Deals, Contracts, and Hidden Risks
08:58 Schools Paying Athletes Directly Explained
11:30 Athletes as Brands: Identity Beyond the Game
15:00 Financial Planning and Managing Sudden Income
18:10 Team Dynamics, Transfers, and Recruiting Changes
22:05 What Comes Next: Rules, Risks, and the Future of NIL

New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations that connect financial education with real life decisions.

#MoneySense #CollegeAthletics #NIL #PayForPlay #StudentAthletes #FinancialEducation #WealthPlanning #SportsBusiness

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

EIG Behind The Scenes: Operations & Systems Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

“EIG Behind the Scenes” is a new Money Sense series designed to highlight the people and perspectives behind Ellenbecker Investment Group. In this first episode, Karen Ellenbecker sits down with Brett Engelking, Director of Operations and Systems, to explore what it really takes to build and sustain a boutique firm.
Karen reflects on her more than 40 years in the industry and the intentional decisions behind building a firm grounded in personalized service, long-term relationships, and thoughtful growth. Brett shares how operations and systems work behind the scenes to bring that vision to life while adapting to an increasingly complex, fast-moving environment.
They also discuss how technology supports, but never replaces, human connection, and explore what the rise of AI could mean for the future of the industry. 0:00 EIG Behind The Scenes Introduction

1:50 How the Industry has Evolved Over 40 Years
4:30 What Operations and Systems Actually Do
7:30 From Manual Processes to Modern Technology
11:30 What “Boutique” Really Means Today
15:30 Relationships, Trust, and Legacy Planning
21:30 Technology, AI, and Risk Awareness
29:30 The Future of Advice and The Firm
#MoneySensePodcast #EIGBehindTheScenes #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #ClientExperience #FinancialEducation #BoutiqueFirm #InvestingInsights #LegacyPlanning #AIinFinance #BehindTheScenes
ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: ellenbecker.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group

Why Delayed Gratification Matters for Investors Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

What if the hardest part of investing is not finding the right strategy but sticking with it?

In this episode of Money Sense, Kristina Schnuckel sits down with fellow Wealth Advisor Nik Kibardin to explore how behavioral finance shapes the way we save, spend, and invest. From the classic marshmallow experiment to real world market cycles, they break down why delaying gratification can be one of the most powerful decisions an investor makes.

They unpack market timing, the temptation to chase short term wins, and offer practical strategies to help investors stay grounded, disciplined, and focused on long term goals. You will also hear a compelling side by side example that shows how time in the market can matter more than timing the market.

00:00 Why Behavioral Finance Matters
02:15 The Marshmallow Test and What It Teaches Investors
05:10 FOMO, Market Highs, and the Risk of Chasing Returns
08:30 Why Market Downturns Feel So Much Worse
11:40 The Power of Compound Growth with a Real Example
16:20 Time Horizon, Risk, and Smarter Decision Making
21:45 Why You Cannot Time the Market
24:30 Building Habits, Diversification, and Staying Invested

New episodes of Money Sense drop every Tuesday. Subscribe for more conversations about aligning your money with what matters most.
#MoneySense #BehavioralFinance #DelayedGratification #InvestingWisely #FinancialPlanning #LongTermInvesting #WealthBuilding #FinancialEducation
ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: ellenbecker.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

Make Your Most Thoughtful Financial Decisions During Divorce May 26, 2026

Show notes

Making thoughtful financial decisions during divorce starts with understanding your options.

In this episode of Money Sense, Julie Ellenbecker sits down with Susan Hansen, collaborative attorney and mediator at Hansen & Hildebrand, to walk through how to approach divorce thoughtfully from the very first steps through long-term financial impact.

They emphasize the importance of education and choosing the right process for your situation. Susan outlines the different paths available including mediation, collaborative divorce, traditional litigation, and do-it-yourself approaches, along with the tradeoffs of each.

Susan also highlights a major update in Wisconsin law that allows couples to finalize a divorce without appearing in court, offering a more streamlined and lower-stress option for many families.

00:00 Divorce Planning and Financial Decisions
01:20 Preparing for Divorce and Getting Organized
04:30 Divorce Options
12:30 No-Court Divorce and New Wisconsin Law
19:45 Building Your Divorce Team
24:00 Financial Planning During Divorce
31:30 Divorce Mistakes to Avoid

New episodes of Money Sense drop every Tuesday. Subscribe for more conversations about aligning your money with what matters most.

#MoneySense #DivorcePlanning #DivorceAdvice #WisconsinDivorce #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #GrayDivorce #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #FinancialWellness

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: ellenbecker.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

How to Make Your Kid Rich on $1 a Day May 19, 2026

Show notes

What if just $1 a day could set your child up for long-term wealth?

In this episode of Money Sense, Amy Bremmer, Wealth Services Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, is joined by Faith Reiter from the EIG Marketing Team, who is expecting her first child, to break down a simple but powerful strategy built on the time value of money.

Together, they explore how small, consistent contributions, whether from parents, grandparents, or loved ones, can grow over a lifetime. From UTMA accounts to Roth IRAs, this episode walks through a step-by-step approach to turning early investing into generational wealth.

They also discuss the realities of modern parenting costs, how to prioritize investing amid competing financial goals, and why starting early, even with a small amount, can make all the difference.

00:00 Welcome & Why This Topic Matters
02:05 The Cost of Raising a Child Today
04:15 What $1 a Day Really Means
06:20 UTMA Accounts Explained
10:45 $365 vs. Lump Sum Strategy
16:30 The Roth IRA Strategy
19:50 From $1/Day to Millions

New episodes of Money Sense drop every Tuesday. Subscribe for more conversations about aligning your money with what matters most.

#MoneySense #FinancialPlanning #GenerationalWealth #InvestingForKids #RothIRA #ParentingFinance #WealthBuilding #TimeInTheMarket

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: https://www.ellenbecker.com/
This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

Author Spotlight: Jen Marr on "Lifting Up" May 12, 2026

Show notes

What does it mean to show up as a leader, especially in times of crisis, uncertainty, and burnout?
In this special #AuthorSpotlight episode of Money Sense, we’re joined by Jen Marr, founder and CEO of Showing Up and author of Lifting Up. Through the “showing up” framework, Jen breaks supportive leadership down into clear, actionable behaviors leaders can apply in real time to reduce burnout, strengthen trust, and improve team connection.
Jen shares her deeply personal journey, shaped by proximity to the Sandy Hook tragedy and the Boston Marathon bombing, and how those experiences sparked decades of research into human behavior, stress, and support. From the concept of the “awkward zone” to practical, repeatable micro-skills leaders can use right away, this conversation goes far beyond theory and into action.

00:00 Why Showing Up Matters
01:15 Jen Marr’s Story
05:40 Stress, Disruption & the “Awkward Zone”
10:40 The Showing Up Leadership Framework
15:50 Practical Tools Leaders Can Use Today
26:30 Steady Leadership, AI, & How to Connect with Jen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jen Marr is the founder and CEO of Showing Up and the author of “Lifting Up”. Through research, training, and real-world application, Jen helps leaders build supportive cultures that reduce burnout, increase trust, and strengthen human connection, especially during times of stress and uncertainty.
Book: "Lifting Up" is available on Amazon and major book retailers.
Website: showing-up.com
Personal Site: jenmarr.com
ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: ellenbecker.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

Why Dividend Growth Matters in Today’s Market May 05, 2026

Show notes

How can portfolios pursue growth while managing volatility and generating reliable income?

In this episode of Money Sense, wealth advisor Jamie Williams sits down with Mary Brown, president and portfolio manager at Campbell Newman Asset Management, to explore why dividend growth investing continues to play a critical role in long‑term portfolio construction.

Mary shares the history behind Campbell Newman and explains how dividend‑growing companies can signal financial strength, disciplined capital allocation, and management confidence, especially during volatile or uncertain markets. Together, they discuss how dividends contribute to total return, help dampen volatility, and fit into a broader active management strategy alongside diversification, quality, and risk control.

Listen to Money Sense wherever you get your podcasts.

#MoneySense #DividendGrowth #LongTermInvesting #ActiveManagement #PortfolioConstruction #MarketVolatility #WealthManagement #FinancialPlanning #StockMarketEducation

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