Work Your Wealth Podcast

How the Pandemic is Disproportionately Impacting Women Sep 15, 2021

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The issues women have been facing over the past 18 months
Examples of how women have been disproportionately impacted during the pandemic
Where women started in the labor force compared to where we are today
The impact of the 19th amendment on women in the workforce
The long-term impact of the gender wage gap
Comparing the changes men and women have faced as a result of COVID-19
The pressure that we perceived and now is being voiced by society due to the pandemic
The average cost for childcare and how it relates to other expenses
How the pandemic impacted accessibility and feasibility of childcare for many families
How women of color have faced even more challenges through the pandemic
Long-term financial impacts that these changes are going to have on women
Small steps you can take to make that financial progress
How Social Security is affected when women have to leave the workforce
Why the savings gap is exacerbated by women’s longevity
A few ideas on how to make progress for women
A few financial considerations as we move forward with the pandemic

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

LET’S CONNECT!

5 Lessons Learned Over the Past Four Years Feb 15, 2021

One of the best parts of launching this podcast is to talk to others about money topics and addressing concerns they’ve had or seen. Today is an important episode in the direction of the Work Your Wealth podcast and where you might continue to find financial resources. Today I'm talking about 5 important lessons I’ve learned over the past four years through my journey with this podcast and what the future will hold for me and Abacus Wealth Partners.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The timeline of the Work Your Wealth Podcast
The reason behind launching the podcast and writing the Work Your Wealth book
The 5 lessons I’ve learned in doing the Work Your Wealth podcast
The potential rewards that could come with putting yourself out there and taking risks
The importance of doing what you love
Why you have to recognize when it is time to evolve
The one person that will always look out for you most
Where you can continue to find the Work Your Wealth content and where you can continue to connect with Mary Beth

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

LET’S CONNECT!

The Relationship You Want with Your Financial Advisor with Dasarte Yarnway Jan 25, 2021

Dasarte Yarnway is the Founder & Managing Director of Berknell Financial Group, an innovative independent wealth management firm focused on helping millennials and seasoned investors design their best lives.

Since the firm's inception, Berknell Financial Group has become one of the most notable millennial-led financial services organizations. In an industry that focuses on revenue and dollars-invested, Dasarte realized that a firm's value is created through how they could invest in their clients. Through this, The Wealth Bridge™ , Private Client Groups and Berknell Athletes were created. With his passion for listening to his clients greatest concerns and applying realistic solutions, Dasarte has become the go-to partner for millennials, growing families and seasoned investors alike. Berknell encapsulates this approach in their motto: Advice With You In Mind.

Coined a “financial thought leader” and Guru by NerdWallet and Financial Planning Magazine, Dasarte believes in meeting you where you are. He offers advice and insight through his weekly podcast, The Young Money Podcast, three books (Dating Benji 2016, Young Money 2018, Pay Me In Equity 2019) and weekly blog. His prayer is that you may design your wealth on your terms.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The story of how Dasarte got into the financial world
The group Dasarte likes to empower around their finances
How he built an ecosystem of financial knowledge for a community of people
Why Dasarte embodies a mindset of servant leadership
Applying the R.I.I.T.E. planning process
The reason Dasarte has applied the lighthouse method in all that he did
What the bigger picture for Berknell Financial looks like
The changes Dasarte has made to build his business more efficiently
The responsibility Dasarte feels to improving the financial industry
The hardest business lesson learned by Dasarte
The niche that Berknell Financial is continuing to reach
The biggest thing many clients don’t understand
The unique challenges athletes face with financial decisions
Who the real hero is in the advisor-client relationship and why

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

GET SOCIAL WITH DASARTE AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE

Diversity and Inclusion in Financial Planning with John Eing Jan 11, 2021

John Eing is a partner and financial advisor at Abacus Wealth Partners. As a financial advisor, John is passionate about simplifying and demystifying finances for his clients, and creating sound financial strategies allowing them to do what they love most. He is also a member of the firm’s M&A team and investment committee. Prior to joining Abacus, John was the Controller of Wells Fargo's $30B asset-based lending group. He holds an Executive MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA, a BA in Economics from UC Berkeley, is a Certified Public Accountant, and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™.

In his free time, John and his wife, Andrea, enjoy spending time with their two children Nathan (8) and Mia (4). In his free, free time John is an avid fan of the Los Angeles Lakers.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Abacus Wealth Partners is focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion
Why you should do everything that makes you feel uncomfortable in business
The difference between diversity and inclusion
The path that led John to financial planning and Abacus Wealth Partners
How to provide a space to openly discuss diversity, equity and inclusion in the work environment
The benefits seen at Abacus with the cultural lunch and learns
Diversity gaps in the financial industry
How understanding your client’s cultural background can make you a better advisor
A hurdle for financial education across different nationalities
How to turn the diversity, equity and inclusion conversation into action
Why personal finance must be taught in schools
What progress might look like when expanding diversity in the financial industry

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Economic vs Financial Planning Education Survey
Save More Tomorrow by Shlomo Benartzi
The Digital Nervous System by Bill Gates

GET SOCIAL WITH JOHN AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE

Are You Better or Worse off Financially in 2020? Dec 14, 2020

Are You Better or Worse off Financially In 2020?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I’ll be taking time to address and answer questions I’ve come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I’m answering the above question.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Why the end of the year is my favorite time of year for clients
Questions I consistently receive as the year is closing out
A way to gauge if you are better or worse off financially this year
First step in measuring your financial progress
The measurement to use when evaluating your financial health
How to calculate your net worth
A good way to evaluate your debt situation for the year
The check you should be doing on your debt every January
Why you should review your spending throughout the year
How your savings goals play into your financial health
Different savings vehicles you can utilize to grow your net worth
A few things you should consider when talking about your retirement savings
The role a change in income can play in figuring out if you’re financially better off this year
How “lifestyle creep” could potentially hurt your financial health
Why employer benefits must be evaluated each year

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

LET’S CONNECT!

The 5 Big Financial Planning Concerns You're Forgetting as an Entrepreneur with Ariel Ward Nov 30, 2020

Ariel Ward, CFP® joined Workable Wealth in 2018 as a Financial Planner and in March of 2019, made the move to Abacus Wealth Partners with me as a Financial Planner. She and I work closely together on our clients. She has 11 years of experience in the field of personal financial services and in helping clients develop financial clarity. She is passionate about helping professionals understand their financial lives and make better decisions with their money. She enjoys working with clients in the aviation industry to make the most of their employee benefits and map out a plan for personal financial strength. She is a member of NAPFA, the XY Planning Network and the Financial Planners Association.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The most common financial concern seen with entrepreneurs
The retirement plan options available to small business owners
Items to be aware of if utilizing a SEP IRA
Some of the numbers associated with an individual 401(k)
The best plan to start with if you have employees
How much you should be saving into your retirement account
The type of insurance a small business owner should consider
How a disability policy works and why you need it
If you’re thinking group policy, here are some options as a small business owner
Why you should have life insurance and who you are protecting
The type of life insurance policy you should get
What a keyman insurance policy will do for your business
Reasons you should have a business continuity plan
The two big ticket items we see people and business owners drag their feet on
Why you should have professional liability insurance
The benefits of utilizing a financial planner through all these decisions

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

Freelancers Union
Workable Wealth Blog post

GET SOCIAL WITH ARIEL AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Living a Financially Intentional Life with Naseema McElroy Nov 16, 2020

Naseema is the founder of Financially Intentional, a platform about personal finance and living life intentionally. She discusses how taking control of her finances has enabled her to overcome bankruptcy, divorce, and break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. She shares her lessons along her path to help others benefit from the freedoms of financial independence.

Outside of encouraging people to get their financial act together, Naseema is a mother and Labor and Delivery Nurse. Though making six figures for years, she struggled with money. Finally realizing she couldn't out-earn her financial ignorance, she knew she had to make some changes. By shifting her mindset around money, being consistent and intentional, She has paid off $1 million in debt and grew a six-figure net worth in three years without living in deprivation.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Naseema made a move from nursing to a finance
The misconception many people have about finances
Where to start in order to move your finances in the right direction
Steps to set yourself up for financial success
How Nassema paid off $1,000,000 in debt
The asset she sold to push her back on track financially
Steps you can take to improve your financial life
The flexibility Naseema was able to create by getting her finances in order
How to keep yourself committed to your financial goals
What it looks like to anti-budget
How to keep your financial life in balance
The importance of building a good team around you to continue to drive your passion
How to make legacy building second nature in your life
The benefit of having a financial planner as an accountability partner

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Student Loan Planning Podcast Episode

GET SOCIAL WITH NASEEMA AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

What Do I Do After I Max Out my 401k with Ariel Ward Nov 02, 2020

Ariel Ward, CFP® joined Workable Wealth in 2018 as a Financial Planner and in March of 2019, made the move to Abacus Wealth Partners with me as a Financial Planner. She and I work closely together on our clients. She has 11 years of experience in the field of personal financial services and in helping clients develop financial clarity. She is passionate about helping professionals understand their financial lives and make better decisions with their money. She enjoys working with clients in the aviation industry to make the most of their employee benefits and map out a plan for personal financial strength. She is a member of NAPFA, the XY Planning Network and the Financial Planners Association.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Options to save after you’ve maxed out your 401k
401k limits for singles and married couples
The definition of a backdoor Roth IRA and some considerations around it
Income limitations for Roth IRA
What you should have set up before doing a backdoor Roth IRA
Why you should work with a financial planner if interested in the backdoor Roth
Tax considerations when utilizing the backdoor Roth IRA
When to begin contributing to a 529 Plan and how much
What to look for when investing in a taxable account
What capital gains taxes will look like based on income and time
How to take advantage of a Health Savings Account (HSA)
Some ages to keep in mind if you are utilizing an HSA
How you should prioritize your savings goals

GET SOCIAL WITH ARIEL AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Unique Financial Planning Needs of the LGBTQ+ Community with Brian Thompson Oct 19, 2020

As both a tax attorney and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Brian provides comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. Entrepreneurs hold a special place in his heart. He spent a decade defending them against the IRS as a tax attorney and has become one himself as an advisor.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Brian evolved from a tax attorney into a CFP™
Navigating unique financial needs for the LGBTQ community
The impact of marriage on a couples’ finances
Estate planning challenges for domestic partnerships
The financial paperwork that should be in place for every couple
How to navigate different mindsets around money
Financial planning tools for future family members
What it means to run a mission-driven business
How to mitigate “shiny object syndrome”
Where to begin if you want to create change in the world
The best way to measure your passion around an issue
How to leverage your unique expertise to make an impact

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

GET SOCIAL WITH BRIAN AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE

Self-Care & The Pursuit of Peace (of Mind) with Joy Lere Oct 05, 2020

A sought-after clinician, consultant, speaker, and writer, Dr. Joy Lere is a psychologist who practices at the intersection of behavior and business, specializing in work on the merger of money, mind, and meaning. Her signature work fuses Freud, Frankl, and the world of finance. She partners with bright, impact-driven, motivated professionals motivated to develop richer, more resonant lives. With one foot firmly planted in the field of psychology and the other waltzing down Wall Street, she works as a behavioral finance consultant for the financial services industry. She has previously served as an Associate Clinical Professor of Clinical Psychology at George Washington University and has held clinical and research positions at Children's National Medical Center, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, and the Department of Defense.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Joy got into the world of finance
How people are handling their financial lives in the current state of the world
Why it makes sense to continue self-care during the pandemic
What self-care actually means (and looks like)
The reasons being a perfectionist could be harming you
Why giving yourself grace could alter in your life
How social media is hurting you
Ways to navigate the roller coaster of up and down days
Questions to ask yourself during this time to move you forward
How to simultaneously practice empathy and self-care
Why it's important to take time for yourself (even when it seems as if there is no time)

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Spilling the Secrets of the Shelter-in-Place Joneses

GET SOCIAL WITH JOY AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Align Your Career With Your Goals Sep 21, 2020

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to discuss some of the money moves we’ve made in our household knowing clients and readers are going through similar things. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address how we approached the different money situations and the results of our decisions. Today I'm talking about what has happened since the merger with Abacus Wealth Partners, what Workable Wealth looks like now, how we’ve been getting through the pandemic and changes I’ve made to align my career with my values.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

An update on where things are for Workable Wealth
Why it’s okay to pivot, even during a pandemic
Career details about my merger into Abacus Wealth Partners and how things are going
What prompted me to pivot and merge with Abacus Wealth Partners
What I recognized about my business and career to expand the value I was providing
Things we built after the transition
What Workable Wealth has turned into after the merger
What it looks like to make broader changes in the financial industry
The decision that was made to align my career with my values
How I felt I could make a bigger impact with clients and in the industry

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Episode 88: Business Transitions as an Entrepreneur: How We Decided to Merge Workable Wealth

LET’S CONNECT!

Time for a Summer Break Jun 29, 2020

Summer is here and with all that is going on in the world I have decided to take a break from the podcast. The podcast will continue though! We will be back in the fall to provide you with some more great content, some amazing guests and additional tips on how you can continue to work your wealth!

Until then, continue to go back listen to the over 100 episodes we've logged so far and reach out if you're looking for a financial planner than can help you with your money questions.

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College Planning for Your Kids with Beth Greulich Jun 15, 2020

This week I sat down again with Beth Greulich, CFP® to talk through how to financially plan for your kids to go to college and some tricks along the way.

Beth is a Certified Financial Planner™, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Partner at Abacus. After a career in market research, she took some time off to raise a family. As she considered what to do next, she was driven by the memory of her grandmother and her desire to help others who lacked confidence with their money management skills.

As a financial advisor, she works closely with her clients, many of whom are women, to develop a unique and personalized financial plan that solves their specific needs. It’s extremely important to her that each of her clients clearly understand and can visualize the different paths/options that lead them to their financial independence. There are many forks in the road of life, so it’s important and extremely empowering to understand the long-term impact of each decision along the way.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The main concern people have around funding education for their children
The first step in planning for college for your kids
When to start exploring college campuses
The importance of exploring college interests early
The best time to open a 529 plan
What it looks like to set up a 529 plan before your child is born
Where a college fund should rank on your financial priorities
What should be funded before the college savings account
Considerations when thinking about college financial aid
The most important things for kids to keep in mind while in college
When to speak to your kid about financial aid available for college
How subsidized and unsubsidized loans can come into play
The amount of loan a student can take before having a cosigner
How to help your children feel empowered when making college decisions
Shop around and negotiate! Here’s how
How to financially plan for college if you’re unsure if you child will even attend
What to do if you have a surplus in your 529 plan

GET SOCIAL WITH BETH AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Financial Planning Needs for Women with Wende Headley Jun 01, 2020

This week I sat down again with Wende Headley, CFP® to talk through some financial planning needs for women and some of the hurdles we tend to face.

Wende is a Certified Financial Planner™, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Partner at Abacus. She leads the firm-wide Women & Money initiative, which provides resources and education about the broad range of financial issues faced by women. In addition to her primary role as wealth manager for her clients, she regularly speaks at local women’s and professional organizations, hosts investment discussion circles with women in Pasadena, and serves as an AARP Tax Aide volunteer for low-income seniors.

She earned an MBA from Harvard University, a BA in Economics and French from the University of Michigan, and a Certificate in Financial Planning from UCLA.

She enjoys spending quality time with her husband and children. Whenever possible, you might find her skiing, running, doing a triathlon, volunteering at her kids’ school, or attempting to get that next book read for her Book Club.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

A big issue women tend to face around money
Why it’s challenging for women to take action in their financial lives
The best way to tackle money organization in your life
How a financial planner can help when you’re feeling stuck
How to take the first step in getting organized with your money
The different approaches Wende takes with her clients
What goals clients come to Wende with around their money
The biggest money topic women tend to struggle with
How Wende engages with women who don’t normally handle the finances in a relationship
The motivation for change for women around their finances

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Women in Money Abacus Page

GET SOCIAL WITH WENDE AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Giving Yourself Permission in Your Career with Wende Headley May 18, 2020

This week I sat down again with Wende Headley, CFP® to talk about how to align your career with your values by giving yourself permission to make the pivots and changes you want to make.

Wende is a Certified Financial Planner™, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and Partner at Abacus. She leads the firm-wide Women & Money initiative, which provides resources and education about the broad range of financial issues faced by women. In addition to her primary role as wealth manager for her clients, she regularly speaks at local women’s and professional organizations, hosts investment discussion circles with women in Pasadena, and serves as an AARP Tax Aide volunteer for low-income seniors.

She earned an MBA from Harvard University, a BA in Economics and French from the University of Michigan, and a Certificate in Financial Planning from UCLA.

She enjoys spending quality time with her husband and children. Whenever possible, you might find her skiing, running, doing a triathlon, volunteering at her kids’ school, or attempting to get that next book read for her Book Club.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Challenges that dual career couples face
The career and family decisions that led Wende to becoming a financial planner
The transitional challenges of full time employee to full time stay-at-home parent and then back to full time employee again
An insight into discussions Wende had with her husband before the transition
How communication played a critical role in each career shift
What it took to become comfortable with all of the changes
The best way to view your life and career to allow yourself to breathe
Wende does this to reduce the “noise” in her life
A great place to start if you’re struggling to give yourself permission in your life and career
What a values conversation with yourself or your spouse can do for your life
How often you should check in with life goals for you and your spouse
What conversations to have with little ones while going through career transitions
Why it’s important for you and your partner to support each other when discussing career moves to your children
The most impactful way to create empowerment around your money
The benefits of understanding your own risk factor
The comfort of having a financial plan B or plan C

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Couples That Work

GET SOCIAL WITH WENDE AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Abacus Website
Wende’s e-mail

How to Invest Intentionally with Lindsey Woodward May 04, 2020

This week I sat down again with Lindsey Woodward, CFP® to talk about how to align your money with your values by investing intentionally.

Lindsey is a financial advisor at Abacus Wealth Partners, which provides fee-only, comprehensive financial advice to help individuals, families and foundations. Lindsey is dedicated to helping the people she works with align their money with their goals and values. She serves on the Abacus Wealth Partners Investment Committee and is a co-leader of the Los Angeles chapter of WISE (Women Investing for a Sustainable Economy).

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What is meant by “values informed” investing
Where to get started with investing intentionally
How Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) play a role in investing
The reason a portfolio is screened
Comparing and contrasting divestment, investment and engagement
How to engage with companies you own shares in
Tools for you when investing intentionally
Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) portfolios explained and where they derive from
Similarities and differences of ESG and SRI portfolios
Different platforms and portfolios you can invest intentionally
Action items to increase ESG options within your 401k
What to consider when using your brokerage accounts with ESG portfolios
The different types of holdings you should have in your portfolio
The biggest benefit of investment diversification
How to align your money with your values if you don’t have money to invest right now
How you can bank responsibly through a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)
How microloans play in an overall financial strategy
A myth attached to ESG funds

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

GET SOCIAL WITH LINDSEY AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Abacus Website
Lindsey’s e-mail

How to Handle Employee Stock Options with Laura Morganelli Apr 20, 2020

This week I sat down with Laura Morganelli, CFP® to talk about how to handle employee stock options and some of the things to be aware of if and when you decide to exercise those options.

Laura joined Abacus Wealth Partners in 2015. With over 7 years of experience in personal finance, her main goal is to bring a sense of peace in people’s financial lives. She recognizes that financial planning and investment management topics can sometimes feel complex and scary and is passionate about providing guidance and education in simple, human, and enjoyable ways. Laura lives in Philadelphia. When she is not nerding out over Excel spreadsheets or burying her nose in a book, she can be found at the dog park with her pup, Bella, working out, enjoying happy hour and trying new restaurants with friends, or traveling to new cities.

Family is also important to her, considering their influence is a big part of who she is today. As a child her parents often told her “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Those words have stuck with her over the years. Her eagerness to build knowledge, coupled with her love of meeting new people, has made financial planning the perfect fit.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What stock options are and what you can or can’t do with them
Exercise price, stock price, vesting dates, grant dates, and more explained
What exercising your stock options looks like
Different avenues for exercising your shares
The role taxes play upon exercising your options
What a spread is and how it can impact your taxes and compensation
The difference between non-qualified and incentive stock options
Capital gains tax considerations
Considerations for holding versus selling options
A common misconception to be aware of
The benefits of being awarded stock options and how they can enhance your life
Vesting schedules
What to be cautious of regarding expiration dates

GET SOCIAL WITH LAURA AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

LinkedIn
Laura’s e-mail
Facebook

How to Become a Millionaire with Ariel Ward Apr 06, 2020

This week I sat down again with Ariel Ward, CFP® to talk about how to become a millionaire and some of the small steps you can be taking now to help you down the road.

Ariel Ward, CFP® joined Workable Wealth in 2018 as a Financial Planner and in March of this year, made the move to Abacus Wealth Partners with me as a Financial Planner. She and I work closely together on our clients. She has 11 years of experience in the field of personal financial services and in helping clients develop financial clarity. She is passionate about helping professionals understand their financial lives and make better decisions with their money. Ariel is married to a pilot and spends as much time as possible exploring the US with her husband and 2 children. She enjoys working with clients in the aviation industry to make the most of their employee benefits and map out a plan for personal financial strength. She is a member of NAPFA, the XY Planning Network and the Financial Planners Association.

Ariel works virtually out of Charlotte, NC. She enjoys North Carolina’s mountains, beaches and everything in between. In her free time you can catch her walking to one of Charlotte’s excellent breweries, playing Scrabble or building Lego houses with her kids.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The first thing to do to start growing your net worth
The question I like to ask all of my clients to help judge progress
How being debt conscious can be an important step toward millionaire status
How student loans play into your plan of millionaire status
How critical employer-sponsored retirement savings accounts can be
Leveraging a Roth IRA or a backdoor Roth IRA
If you’re paired up, is maxing out two 401(k)s enough for retirement
A few items millionaires have leveraged to get to that status
Other areas to focus on beyond investments when working to become a millionaire
One of your most valuable assets to help you increase your net worth
How lifestyle inflation can delay your ability to become a millionaire
What a $5,000 raise could do to your net worth over 20 years
A fear small business owners have that could be hurting their millionaire status
Where a budget plays into your millionaire goal
The difference between saving a percentage of income vs. a specific dollar amount

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

The Millionaire Next Door

GET SOCIAL WITH ARIEL AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Managing the Unprecedented Mar 23, 2020

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to discuss some of the money moves we’ve made in our household knowing clients and readers are going through similar things. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address how we approached the different money situations and the results of our decisions. Today I'm talking about the what we are doing as we stay home due to COVID-19 and how we are still managing self-care and family time.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What the headlines around COVID-19 are doing to your fears and anxiety
Great resources on COVID-19, benefits to be aware of, etc.
How we are handling the next several weeks in our household
If you have little ones at home, the importance of sticking to a schedule
Ideas for the little ones to keep them occupied while they are at home
Why you should have on hand some creature comforts
The important financial things you should be doing as COVID-19 spreads and the market reacts
At a time like this, why you should be reviewing your current expenses
Adjustments you could make to your personal and retirement accounts
The importance of staying physically active during a “stay-at-home” mandate
How to continue to show gratitude in this challenging time
A few books you could pick up while staying at home
How to teach your little ones about purchasing power and make it fun
Things you should focus on during over the next several weeks and months
Some of the ways the employees at Abacus are practicing self-care
Ideas on how to serve others, even from home

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

LET’S CONNECT!

question you want me to answer? Submit one here.

Planning for Retirement with Roger Whitney Mar 09, 2020

This week I sat down with fellow CFP® Roger Whitney to discuss planning for retirement, some dos and don’ts and baby steps along the way to set you up for success.

Roger Whitney, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, AIF® is a cofounder of WWK Wealth Advisors and host of the award-winning podcast The Retirement Answer Man. He has been a financial planner for over 27 years. Each day he “walks life” with individuals and families, helping them plan for, transition into, and live out their life after a working career.

He is a former instructor of retirement planning and employee benefits for the Certified Financial Planner certificate program at the University of Texas at Arlington. He has also taught wealth management at Texas Christian University Extended Education.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What does retirement mean for you
4 choices that are usually presented to fill the retirement gap
Why people avoid planning to be a retiree
What a traditional retirement consist of
The inspiration people need to take action on long-term planning
The question people generally have about retiring
Understanding the W.A.M. process of retirement planning
How you should view retirement while you’re in the accumulation phase of life
The approach you don’t want to take when planning to retire
The group that struggles most with figuring out what a life after work looks like
The best way to make the transition from full-time worker to retiree
Why you need clarity and intension around your money decisions
How to utilize 6 month sprints to achieve your money goals
Finding the balance of enjoying life now and preparing for life after work
Why you should focus on the journey and not just the end game

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

The Retirement Answer Man Podcast

GET SOCIAL WITH GREG AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE

Bookkeeping Strategies and Business with Greg Higdon Feb 24, 2020

This week I sat down with bookkeeper, Greg Higdon to discuss the importance of having a bookkeeper and what working with one can do for your business.

Greg Higdon is the Founder of Grow the Books, a bookkeeping company for small businesses. With over 13 years of experience in education, he teaches his clients so they are empowered and armed with a clearer understanding of what their numbers mean for their business decisions. When he isn't balancing books and helping clients you can find him roasting coffee, drinking coffee, and reading about coffee.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The importance of understanding your profit and loss statement
What a bookkeeper can do for you
The difference between gross and net income
How bookkeeping plays a part in your taxes
The tax challenges you’ll face if you don't keep up with your books
Bookkeeping issues Greg tends to see when they come to him for help
Some of the terms on your income statement and what they mean for your business
The benefits of giving your business income and expenses subcategories
How to know how much your business should be spending in marketing, personnel, sales, etc.
How often you should be reviewing your profit and loss reports
Comparing hiring out versus doing your own books
What to look for when hiring a bookkeeper
If you want to do your books on your own, do this to make things easier on you

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

GET SOCIAL WITH GREG AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE

Greg's e-mail
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest

How to Know if You Can Afford for One Parent to Stay Home Feb 10, 2020

This week I sat down again with Ariel Ward, CFP® to talk about how to know if you can afford for one parent to stay home.

Ariel Ward, CFP® joined Workable Wealth in 2018 as a Financial Planner and in March of this year, made the move to Abacus Wealth Partners with me as a Financial Planner. She and I work closely together on our clients. She has 11 years of experience in the field of personal financial services and in helping clients develop financial clarity. She is passionate about helping professionals understand their financial lives and make better decisions with their money. Ariel is married to a pilot and spends as much time as possible exploring the US with her husband and 2 children. She enjoys working with clients in the aviation industry to make the most of their employee benefits and map out a plan for personal financial strength. She is a member of NAPFA, the XY Planning Network and the Financial Planners Association.

Ariel works virtually out of Charlotte, NC. She enjoys North Carolina’s mountains, beaches and everything in between. In her free time you can catch her walking to one of Charlotte’s excellent breweries, playing Scrabble or building Lego houses with her kids.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How to financially navigate having one parent stay at home with the kids
The significance of knowing what your family expenses are
A few things people tend to forget when looking at monthly expenses
Expenses that might go away with one spouse at home
The budgets we establish for our clients when one person stays home
Why you should discuss how long the spouse will stay at home before returning to the workforce, if ever
Ideas for the working parent to increase income or flexibility
Options for the stay-at-home parent to still bring in an income
What to consider when it comes to employee benefits for the parent staying at home
How staying at home might change what you need for disability or life insurance
Changes that could take place with your investments by having one parent stay home
The conversations we have with clients when considering one parent staying at home
The most important question to consider when making the change
A couple of red flags we’ve seen when looking at cash flow
The unique story Brian and I have about having one parent stay home
The agreement Ariel worked out with her employer to allow her to stay at home
What happens when the at-home parent is trying to do too much

GET SOCIAL WITH ARIEL AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

What Should Your Net Worth Be? Jan 27, 2020

What Should Your Net Worth Be?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to discuss some of the money moves we’ve made in our household knowing clients and readers are going through similar things. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address how we approached the different money situations and the results of our decisions. Today I'm talking about how to track your net worth and some tools and tips to move the needle for your net worth in the right direction.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

One of the most common questions I get about finances
The best way to do a health check of your finances
How often you should be checking on your net worth
The thing your net worth can tell you over the years
The place to start when calculating your net worth
Assets and liabilities that you should factor in to your net worth
Why you shouldn’t compare your net worth with other friends, family, etc.
The average net worth for Americans in their mid 30s
A big reason the average net worth for a 35 year old is where it is
Another way to evaluate your financial health (especially if you are in your 30s)
The amount of savings you should have when you reach age 30
What your net worth should look like at age 40
A quick equation to analyze your ideal net worth
Understanding how much you need set aside for retirement
Things that negatively impact your net worth and how to improve on it
If you haven’t started investing, here’s where to start
A few resources to help you get started towards savings
A few budget savings allocations that can help improve your net worth
Two methods to paying off your debt
How we keep track of savings goals in our household
If you want to go big on growing your net worth, here are a few tips

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

LET’S CONNECT!

How Practicing Gratitude Can Impact Your Finances Jan 13, 2020

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to discuss some of the money moves we’ve made in our household knowing clients and readers are going through similar things. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address how we approached the different money situations and the results of our decisions. Today I'm talking about the amazing and positive impact gratitude can have on your finances.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How to have a more fulfilling life through gratitude
The way gratitude can positively effect your own finances
What gratitude can prevent in your financial life
Things to be cautious of that can bust your budget
When we feel like we have less than what we need, we tend to do this
How gratitude can help you curb your impulse spending
Where being grateful for what you currently have can lead you
When was the last time you made a financial decision because you were afraid/frustrated with your current situation
How chasing dollars can impact your life in other areas
Finding the balance between life fulfillment and needing more stuff
How to approach a new financial opportunity to maximize the impact it will have
The dangers of making financial decisions out of fear
How to find fulfillment and growth in your finances
Understanding if your spending is in line with your values
The effects gratitude can have on your emotional, mental and physical health
The snowball effect of gratitude and giving
The positive effects of approaching life with abundance
The best way to avoid making financial decisions out of fear
A way to approach financial decisions when you desire to help others
Do this to create a gratitude focused financial plan
The number of Americans stressed out about money regardless of income level
The importance of reflection on the gratitude that you feel
The impact an attitude of gratitude will have on your finances

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

LET’S CONNECT!

Are You Better or Worse off Financially This Year? Dec 16, 2019

Are You Better or Worse off Financially This Year?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to discuss some of the money moves we’ve made in our household knowing clients and readers are going through similar things. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address how we approached the different money situations and the results of our decisions. Today I'm talking about some ways to evaluate how your financial health measures up to where it was a year ago.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Why the end of the year is my favorite time of year for clients
Questions I get all the time as the year is closing out
A way to gauge if you are better or worse off financially this year
First step in measuring your financial progress
The measurement to use when evaluating your financial health
How to calculate your net worth
A good way to evaluate your debt situation for the year
The check you should be doing on your debt every January
Why you should review your spending throughout the year
How your savings goals play into your financial health
Different savings vehicles you can utilize to grow your net worth
A few things you should consider when talking about your retirement savings
The role a change in income can play in figuring out if you’re financially better off this year
How “lifestyle creep” could potentially hurt your financial health
Here’s why employer benefits must be evaluated too each year
Do you have the right insurance policies in place
6 questions you can ask yourself about your financial health

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

LET’S CONNECT!

Millennials & Money with Emily Benedetto Dec 02, 2019

This week I sat down fellow financial planner and Abacus financial advisor Emily Benedetto to talk about decisions millennials make around their money.

Though she has always had a penchant for numbers, she took a bit of an interesting route to becoming a CFP but now loves every minute of it. If she had her druthers she'd be living on a farm and working as a farmer/financial planner. She’s married, has 5 siblings, love reading, horses, and helping folks systematize their money lives.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Emily got into financial planning and what convinced her to become a CFP®
The inner discovery she made by deciding to work at Abacus Wealth Partners
When your inner voice tells you “You can’t” how to get to “You can!”
Why it’s important to face the things you are afraid of
Emily’s timeline of getting to Abacus
How money relationships can evolve overtime
The importance of taking control of your finances
Two different approaches to managing savings goals
Which archetype category do you fall into?
The impact that is made going from a saver to an investor
Emily’s other passion besides financial planning
Future savings bucket to consider as you grow in your career

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

TD Ameritrade
com
Financial archetype quiz (on Abacus website)
Saving vs Investing WW blog post

GET SOCIAL WITH EMILY AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Emily’s e-mail

Being in Business as a Couple with Angela Greaser Nov 18, 2019

This week I sat down Angela Greaser to talk what it’s like running a business with your significant other.

Angela is a strategic operations consultant and co-founder of All The Ops. Led by Angela and her husband Dan, All The Ops helps business owners structure efficient teams and systems to skyrocket their profitability and claim their CEO seat.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Angela and her husband decided to go into business together
Deciding what role each spouse plays in the business
The benefits of understanding each spouse’s business strengths and weaknesses
The two reasons why Angela and her husband chose to have a business together
The goods and bads of having your significant other as your business partner
How communication can make or break spouses in business together
Why being flexible has to be a part of the framework
How to align your life and business goals
The importance of being intentional in your business
The risks involved with going into business with your significant other
Why you should have an exit strategy if the initial plan doesn’t work out
Three questions Angela and her husband asked to see if their business together would be sustainable

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

OKR Planning Method

GET SOCIAL WITH ANGELA AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

All the Ops website
Facebook
Instagram
Angela’s e-mail

Is Now a Good Time to Invest with Ariel Ward Nov 04, 2019

This week I sat down again with Ariel Ward, CFP® to talk about things to think about before buying a home.

Ariel Ward, CFP® joined Workable Wealth in 2018 as a Financial Planner and in March of this year, made the move to Abacus Wealth Partners with me as a Financial Planner. She and I work closely together on our clients. She has 11 years of experience in the field of personal financial services and in helping clients develop financial clarity. She is passionate about helping professionals understand their financial lives and make better decisions with their money. Ariel is married to a pilot and spends as much time as possible exploring the US with her husband and 2 children. She enjoys working with clients in the aviation industry to make the most of their employee benefits and map out a plan for personal financial strength. She is a member of NAPFA, the XY Planning Network and the Financial Planners Association.

Ariel works virtually out of Charlotte, NC. She enjoys North Carolina’s mountains, beaches and everything in between. In her free time you can catch her walking to one of Charlotte’s excellent breweries, playing Scrabble or building Lego houses with her kids.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Why people have hesitation around investing
Some fears people relate investing to
Why you shouldn’t use the news as a guide for to invest
Translating the market changes to your investments
How risk tolerance and asset allocation play into your investment portfolio
Questions to ask yourself when considering different investment vehicles
The trend of the market over a long period of time
Investment vehicles for different levels of risk and what that means for your money
The good and bad of taking on more risk in your investments
Why you should understand the emotional aspect of investing
How a financial planner can help you navigate your capacity for risk
Should you invest when the markets are high?
How to utilize dollar cost averaging to support your emotional side of investing
What is meant when talking about “investing”

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

GET SOCIAL WITH ARIEL AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

The Financial Impacts of Tiny Living with Ilana Burk Oct 21, 2019

This week I sat down business coach, writer, designer and pocaster Ilana Burk to talk about tiny living and how this style of living could affect your finances.

Illana helps people find and create thriving livelihoods centered around their life's work. She's host of the Good Business Podcast and owner of Your Life's Workshop. With an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise and nearly 20 years of experience working with small business owners, Illana takes a fiercely rebellious and wildly ethical approach to making money.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What is tiny living and what it entails
The three sub communities of tiny living
What it’s like going from 2200 square feet of living down to 160 square feet
How to do tiny living with a toddler
One of the biggest reasons behind doing tiny living
How long Ilana and her family expect to continue doing family living
A few of the pros and cons of tiny living
Unexpected challenges that come up that you might not think about
One of Ilana’s least favorite things about tiny living
How a focus on sustainability came into play
The importance of knowing your enough, in business, in finances and in life
The increased and decreased costs in tiny living
The effects tiny living has on your savings goals
How rent will still be a cost you need to consider
How a mailing address plays into tiny living and how that could affect your taxes
Why you must get into the details if you want to have success in tiny living
A few key pieces of advice if you are considering tiny living

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

Good Business Podcast
Your Life’s Workshop
Discovering Your “Enough” with Paul Jarvis Work Your Wealth Podcast Episode
Seth Godin’s Mastermind

GET SOCIAL WITH ILANA AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

The Benefits of Life Planning with Scott Frank Oct 07, 2019

This week I sat down financial planner Scott Frank to go over the benefits of life planning and using your money as a tool to achieve the life you want.

Scott is the founder of Stone Steps Financial, a firm created to help professionals and families understand their financial lives and position themselves to reach their fullest potential. He does this job because he loves it. He truly enjoys taking complex issues and helping clients understand them.

Scott lives in a little beach town, Cardiff by the Sea, just north of San Diego with his wife, Amanda, their sons, Lucas and Daxton, and their dog Sophia. When he’s not geeking out on financial news or white papers you’ll find him surfing with friends (Stone Steps is named for a surf break just a few minutes north of his house), running along the Pacific Coast Highway, or spending time with his family. He strongly believes in giving back and currently serves on the Leadership Development Committee for NAPFA.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Using life planning to better strategize your money goals
How to EVOKE the life you want to live
Four things you can always invest in and how to optimize that investment
The impact felt by those who have gone through life planning
The three questions to ask yourself to help you live a more intentional life
The importance of writing goals down and discussing them with an accountability partner
The best process to discover what really matters most to you
What can get overlooked when you are just focused on the money
How to identify what is getting in your way of the life you want to live
A few common changes people would like to change in their lives
Why you must figure out what matters most before executing a solid financial plan
How a sounding board can keep you on track with your life goals
The most important tool to reach the life goals you have for yourself

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

GET SOCIAL WITH SCOTT AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE

Understanding Breadwinning Women with Neela Hummel Sep 23, 2019

This week I sat down with fellow Financial Planner and Abacus partner Neela Hummel to discuss what we see in breadwinning women.

Neela is passionate about women taking their finances to the next level. Women are increasingly out-earning and in control of more money than their male counterparts, yet many company policies and financial services are leaving women out. Her goal is to step outside the “paint it pink” model and tailor financial planning to the unique needs of different types of women. As any woman knows, different women have different needs, and She specializes in working with breadwinners, decision-makers, and young inheritors. Neela is a partner with Abacus Wealth Partners. Since 2009, Neela has helped grow a firm that values and supports women through flexible policies, career advancement, and equal pay for equal work. As a consequence, 50% of Abacus’ advisors are women, in an industry were 20% is the norm. Neela was named as Investment News’ “40 Under 40” for financial advisors in 2016 and is a graduate of UC Berkeley. Neela lives in Los Angeles with her wonderful husband, two adorable children, and two rescue dogs. She is an avid traveler and foodie, taking any opportunity to visit a new country, try a new restaurant, or hone her language skills (she peaks both Spanish and Italian).

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Neela’s background and her path to Abacus Wealth Partners
The biggest challenge breadwinning women tend to face
The financial opportunities that benefit breadwinning women over men
Other factors to consider besides the dollars and cents when looking at your finances
Why outsourcing can be a crucial tool for breadwinning women
What it looks like for Neela being the breadwinner in her family
Why you should use a financial planner when talking finances with your significant other
Why you must separate out money for your financial goals
Why so many women are asking what is their enough
The benefits of being a breadwinning woman (or having one in your life)
The impact breadwinning women will have on future generations
What a family needs to be financially successful, regardless of who is the breadwinner

GET SOCIAL WITH NEELA AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Neela’s e-mail
Instagram
Twitter

Finding Balance as an Entrepreneur with Sara Peck Sep 09, 2019

This week I sat down with Sarah Peck to discuss the work life balance, especially as a female in the entrepreneur world.

Sarah is a writer, startup advisor, and yoga teacher based in New York City. She’s the founder and executive director of Startup Pregnant, a media company documenting the stories of women’s leadership across work and family. She hosts the weekly Startup Pregnant podcast, and she and her partner in life and work are the instigators behind More Women’s Voices, a website that promotes women speakers and entrepreneurs. Previously, she worked at Y Combinator backed One Month, Inc, a company that teaches people to code in 30 days, and prior, as a writing and communications consultant.

She’s a 20-time All-American swimmer who successfully swam the Escape from Alcatraz nine separate times, once wearing only a swim cap and goggles to raise $33k for charity: water. To date, she’s written for more than 75 different web publications and and has delivered speeches and workshops at Penn, UVA, Berkeley, Harvard, Year of the X, Craft & Commerce, WDS, and more. One recent viral essay, The Art of Asking, has been used across tech companies and product teams to train teams in clear communications. She’s currently writing a memoir of her experience working in the tech startup world while she was pregnant with her first kid.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Sarah got into the startup world and what drives her
A big issue women run into when getting ahead in their careers
The common thread Sarah sees throughout her audience
If it's possible to balance all that life throws at you
The connection between being a mess and a masterpiece
The naked truth about how Sarah raised $30K for charity
Going from scraping by to feeling financially secure
The real questions to ask yourself when evaluating the type of work you are doing
Where the idea for Startup Pregnant came from
The financial agreement Sarah and her partner made while navigating startups
How to enjoy parental leave for beyond the infant stage
The importance of being intentional when crafting and building a business
A big research mistake people make when starting a business
How growing slow can be a really good thing for your business

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW

GET SOCIAL WITH SARAH AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

What to Consider Before Buying a Home Aug 26, 2019

This week I sat down again with Ariel Ward, CFP® to talk about things to think about before buying a home.

Ariel Ward, CFP® joined Workable Wealth in 2018 as a Financial Planner and in March of this year, made the move to Abacus Wealth Partners with me as a Financial Planner. She and I work closely together on our clients. She has 11 years of experience in the field of personal financial services and in helping clients develop financial clarity. She is passionate about helping professionals understand their financial lives and make better decisions with their money. Ariel is married to a pilot and spends as much time as possible exploring the US with her husband and 2 children. She enjoys working with clients in the aviation industry to make the most of their employee benefits and map out a plan for personal financial strength. She is a member of NAPFA, the XY Planning Network and the Financial Planners Association.

Ariel works virtually out of Charlotte, NC. She enjoys North Carolina’s mountains, beaches and everything in between. In her free time you can catch her walking to one of Charlotte’s excellent breweries, playing Scrabble or building Lego houses with her kids.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
- A big decisions we’ve been helping multiple clients with this year
- Financial considerations to make before buying a home
- The reason people many feel the need to purchase a home
- Homeownership costs that might not always increase the value of the home
- Where the commission fees play into your financial well being for short term homeownership
- How long to plan on staying in a home before selling it
- The dangers of buying a home for the maximum amount a lender approved you for
- Why you should consider future life milestones when deciding on how much house to buy
- Where retirement savings plays into plans for buying house
- Some realities of homeownership that aren’t always talked about
- Tips for saving for a home down payment
- The types of accounts to stash money away into for your initial down payment
- A good way to prepare financially if you are considering upsizing your home
- The down payment percentage you should be striving for
- The way Private Mortgage Insurance can affect your cash flow
- How to prioritize big savings goals alongside buying a home
- Rule of thumb for establishing an emergency fund
LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:
- How to Plan (and Save) for a Home Down Payment blog
- Is Home Buying Still a Good Idea? blog
- Should My Partner and I Buy a Home Before we Marry? blog
- How Much Home Can Your Lifestyle Afford? blog
- Planning to Buy? blog
- 8 Hidden Costs When You Buy a Home blog
GET SOCIAL WITH ARIEL AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE
- Workable Wealth Website
- Ariel’s e-mail

How to Expand Your Business with Jessica Rhodes Aug 12, 2019

This week I had sat down with Jessica Rhodes to discuss how she launched and scaled her business in the very new industry of podcasting.

Jessica is the founder and equal co-owner of Interview Connections, the first and leading podcast booking agency. She has scaled the business quickly to high multiple six figures, with nearly no direct marketing or ads, and will break through the 7-figure mark in 2019. The Interview Connections team of Booking Agents are the podcast powerhouses behind many of the record breaking book launches you’ve seen today, with clients such as Ali Brown, JJ Virgin, Perry Marshall, other authors you may know, and numerous PR agencies who hire them for their podcasting savvy and booking skills.

Jessica started podcasting in 2014 with the launch of Rock The Podcast and also has co-hosted several other shows including The Podcast Producers and Womensplaining.

She is the acclaimed author of Interview Connections: How to #RockThePodcast From Both Sides of the Mic and has been a featured speaker at Podcast Movement, Podfest Multimedia Expo, and Dream Business Academy. She is married and is the mom of two kids, Nathan and Lucy.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
- The “blue ocean” Jessica discovered with podcast booking
- The business transformation from when she first started to now
- How to set pricing for your business
- Knowing when it’s okay to continue to increase pricing for your services
- Why Jessica shifted her business model from contractors to employees
- How employees worked better for her business model
- The biggest struggle she faced when getting her business started
- The financial approach she took when launching her business
- Balancing business goals and personal goals
- The background of bringing on Margy Feldhuhn as co-owner
- Building a business without ads and marketing
- Using your referral network to grow your business
- How proactively asking for referrals can positively impact your business
- Other avenues to market a business through your network
- How to keep an eye on your business numbers when there is more than one owner
LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:
- Interview Connections
GET SOCIAL WITH JESSICA AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE
- Interview Connections
- Jessica's e-mail
- Instagram
- Twitter

Defining Success with Katie Krimitsos Jul 29, 2019

This week I sat down with Katie Krimitsos to discuss traits she sees in successful business owners.

Katie Krimitsos is a mom, wife, adventurer, podcaster, business coach, seeker and change maker. She's committed to brightening the light of women around the world through her Biz Women Rock community, which supports Women Entrepreneurs, and through the Women’s Meditation Network, parent of the Meditation for Women Podcast, which provides guided meditations specifically created with the special journey of women in mind. She’s passionate about giving women the tools, strategies and inspiration to live lives the truly love.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Katie got into business coaching
A common trait among Katie’s interviewees that seems to drive them forward in their respective businesses
How Katie helps business owners strategize to get where they want to be
Steps in managing your inner critic when it comes to your business
The relationship between success and happiness and where your goals play a part
Why you need to understand what YOUR success looks like and how to get there
The impact of being willing to make mistakes
Action items people commonly complete to meet their goals
The meaning of building a successful business from the inside out
Why you shouldn’t compare your script with someone else’s script
The role financial awareness plays in the success of your business

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Cathy Heller’s BizWomenRock podcast episode

GET SOCIAL WITH KATIE AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Business Transitions as an Entrepreneur: How We Decided to Merge Workable Wealth Jul 15, 2019

This week I had changed things up a bit and became the interviewee! I invited my husband Brian on to chat about how we decided to sell my business.

Selling my business was no easy decision. There were months of discussions, months of debate and a lot figuring out what we wanted in life. On today’s episode Brian and I chat about what led to selling my business, why we felt it was the right decision for us and some of the many things I am excited about coming up for Abacus Wealth Partners. We also chat about what you the listeners, clients, subscribers, etc. can expect going forward for the Workable Wealth and Work Your Wealth brands.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How a big decision for your business impacts your family life
The importance of discussing big business decisions with your significant other
The opportunities that were available to Workable Wealth
Factors that went into merging into a larger firm
How Mary Beth learned and was exposed to Abacus Wealth Partners
The push Mary Beth received through the mentorship program
Why she explored the idea of a merger
How the Chief Marketing Officer role played into the merger
Mary Beth’s discovery of “secret” Abacus
The unique way Abacus onboards new employees
How Abacus is walking their talk when it comes to diversity
How the culture of Abacus impacted the merger decision
Opportunities seen within Abacus for Workable Wealth and their clients
What it came down to for Mary Beth to say “Yes” to Abacus
The responses clients have given regarding the merger
What readers, listeners, clients, etc. expect going forward
Be on the look out for the “Money Circles” launch
What the future holds for Workable Wealth

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

LET’S CONNECT!

Women Should Be Financially Involved with Laura Mattia Jul 01, 2019

This week I sat down with author and fellow Certified Financial Planner, Laura Mattia to talk about the importance of financial literacy for women.

Laura, Ph.D., MBA, CFP, CDFA, is the author of Gender On Wall Street: Uncovering Opportunities for Women in Financial Services. With over 30 years of financial leadership experience, Laura has hired, mentored and trained hundreds of female financial professionals. Currently she is developing the new Personal Financial Planning degree at University of South Florida with a focus on gender and diversity.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The driving force behind a woman’s financial literacy
Why both people in a relationship need to have an understanding of the finances
Who’s ultimate responsibility it is to manage finances
How having common financials goals can impact your marriage
What the fifth wave of women’s movement looks like
Where women need to get involved when it comes to money
Why financial empowerment is so impactful
Steps to take to let go of the “Bag Lady Syndrome”
Laura’s path into the financial planning arena and resources that helped her
Organizations you may find helpful as a financial planner
The stark differences between men and women’s financial education

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

GET SOCIAL WITH LAURA AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Laura’s Website
Laura’s e-mail

Olympian to Money Master with Lauryn Williams Jun 17, 2019

This week I sat down with Olympian and financial planner Lauryn Williams to discuss how to master money topics, specifically as it relates to athletes.

Lauryn, CFP® is a 4-time Olympian, 3-time Olympic medalist and the first American woman to earn a medal in both the Summer and Winter Olympics Games.

While pursuing professional sports Lauryn interacted with not one, but two financial advisors that didn’t provide the services she needed. She asked friends what they were doing about their finances and the answers were vague and unsettling. Constantly looking for ways to make a difference in the lives of others, she decided to put her finance degree and MBA to use to fill the gap for young professional. Eager to learn everything she then pursued the Certified Financial Planning certification.

Her company, Worth Winning, offers virtual services to help young professional get the answers to the financial questions that matter most to them. Whether that is creating a budget, figuring out a plan for paying off student loans, setting goals for savings or understanding your 401(k), Worth Winning is ready to help with all things personal finance.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
- Lauryn’s Olympic Journey and the worst place to end up in at the Olympics
- Different financial income streams athletes tend to have
- The financial effects of getting fourth place in the Olympics
- Lauryn’s moment when she knew she needed to take charge of her money
- The different types of financial advisors and the ones to be cautious of
- What led Lauryn to the Certified Financial Planner coursework
- The story behind Lauryn’s podcast Worth Listening
- Why everyone needs a financial planner, regardless of your industry
- Lauryn’s transition from an Olympic athlete to a financial advisor
- How to look at transitions
- What planning ahead can do for you in all aspects of life
- How to determine if you could you pivot if you needed to
- Advice Lauryn has if you have two platforms you are entertaining
- Why Lauryn wrote her book The Oval Office
- The importance of being authentically you
LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:
- Worth Listening podcast
- The Oval Office by Lauryn Williams
GET SOCIAL WITH LAURYN AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE
- Lauryn's Website
- Lauryn's e-mail
- Instagram
- Twitter

Finding the Right Financial Planner for You with Anjali Jariwala Jun 03, 2019

This week I sat down with fellow financial planner and CPA Anjali Jariwala to discuss how to figure out how to find the right financial advisor for you.

Anjali Jariwala CPA, CFP® founded FIT Advisors to save her clients time and help guide them to better financial decisions. As a mom, business owner and wife of a physician, she understands the opportunities as well as challenges that young professionals face. Whether you’re running a medical practice, looking at your first job or navigating money conversations in a new marriage - she knows your home life and financial future is not the average juggling act. Anjali believes in a more hands-on advising approach - we pull all the pieces together to provide you with peace of mind.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Questions that come up around hiring a financial planner
Barriers people put up for not hiring a financial planner
How to address the emotional side of money
How a financial planner can provide a safe space to talk about your money
Important items to look for when searching for a financial planner
Fiduciary explained and why your financial advisor should be in this category
Fee-only versus fee-based financial planners
A few things to consider when finding the right fit for your financial planner
How comfort and the ability to relate can be crucial for picking your financial planner
Why your financial planner shouldn’t be afraid to have the tough conversations with you
Why you may not get the sample plan you ask for when interviewing a financial planner
The questions you SHOULD be asking instead
The peace of mind a financial planner can bring to your life
The fees discussed and the value that you get
Why fees will be different when comparing financial planners
Different options to pay your financial planner to make it work best for you
The challenges and pitfalls you might run into down the “do it yourself” route

GET SOCIAL WITH ANJALI AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Overcoming Money Blocks through Brainspotting with Beth Medina May 20, 2019

This week I sat down with Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Brainspotting Consultant Beth Medina to discuss why people run into business blocks with their business goals.

Beth is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Brainspotting Consultant- turned business coach who helps professional service entrepreneurs break through the mental blocks that keep them stuck, exhausted, and broke.

She has adapted the therapeutic healing approach of Brainspotting for use in the business coaching setting. With Brainspotting, she helps entrepreneurs uncover and dissolve what’s stopping them from taking necessary, decisive action in their businesses.

Beth is passionate about helping entrepreneurs eliminate any blocks they have around money so they can work profitably, serve conscientiously, and live generously.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What brainspotting is and how it can help you in your business
How to access your “yuck” to understand your anxious feelings
A reason you might shy away from a business or financial goal you’re trying to reach
Where to start when you know you’re not meeting your business goals
How to use uncertainty to get to you to start moving forward
What a journey looks like to get beyond money blocks
How to look at money in a different way and develop a positive relationship with it
How to recognize you have a block that’s getting in the way of success
Questions to ask yourself when you aren’t on track with your goals
Directions to go when you’ve identified what’s causing you to be stuck
Something everyone goes through with any kind of change
Why it’s so difficult to let go of the old way of doing things
The importance of having very specific goals

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Beth Medina

GET SOCIAL WITH BETH AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Beth’s Website
Beth's Email
Facebook

The 5 Best Money Moves We've Made in 2019 May 06, 2019

What money moves have we made so far this year?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to discuss some of the money moves we’ve made in our household knowing clients and readers are going through similar things. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address how we approached the different money situations and the results of our decisions. Today I'm talking about the 5 money moves we’ve made so far in 2019.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Some money moves we are facing in our family that are common among clients too
Figuring out what to do once you’ve surpassed savings goals
Stop the over planning and constantly playing the “what if” game
The importance of setting dollar amounts for your goals
A better way to approach your money goals
A different way to approach your charitable giving
Utilizing a donor advised fund for your charitable contributions
The advantages of using a donor advised fund
The tax benefits through the use of a donor advised fund
Why we offloaded our tax projections to our CPA
Why you should lean on financial professionals when changes arise
How to avoid underfunding and overspending
How to remove some of the guilt around spending money
What aligning your money with your goals can do for your life
The significance of writing out your ideal day, month and year
Three questions to really evaluate what’s important to you
What is getting in your way of living the life you want or love?
The biggest thing I want for you around your finances

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Impact Assets Donor Advised Fund
Fidelity Charitable Donor Advised Fund
How to Manage Your Financial Anxiety Podcast
Shonda Rhimes Year of Yes

LET’S CONNECT!

Facing Your Money Fears & Figuring Out Your Finances with Melanie Lockert Apr 22, 2019

This week I sat down with blogger and author Melanie Lockert to discuss the struggles people face when it comes to debt.

Melanie is the founder of the blog and author of the book, Dear Debt. Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. Her work has appeared on Business Insider, Time, Huffington Post and more. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat, which helps bold women face their fears, own their dreams and figure out a plan to be in control of their finances.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Melanie’s background and how she began educating others about debt
What inspired Melanie to create Dear Debt
The safe space and community she has created
How debt can affect a person’s mental health
One of the top searches Melanie sees as it relates to debt
The three taboo topics Melanie sheds light on
The different types of letters to debt seen on her blog
Why people write letters to thank the debt they’ve incurred
Times debt can be a very good thing for people
Melanie’s debt journey and how she paid off $81K
How being in debt is similar to the 5 stages of grief
When Melanie hit the lowest of the low point
The way she doubled her income in one year
The ins and outs of Lola Retreat
How the Lola Retreat came about and when the next event will be

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

GET SOCIAL WITH MELANIE AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Creating a Reverse Bucket List and Celebrating Your Wins Apr 08, 2019

What’s on your reverse bucket list?

Taking time to celebrate wins is an important step in growing personally and professionally. Creating a reverse bucket list can assist in celebrating those wins. In today’s episode I talk about the importance of pausing to reflect on what you’ve accomplished and how to create a bucket list to help you do just that. In a time when all we hear about is the "hustle" and working towards our next goal, it's also very impactful to pause and appreciate what we’ve already achieved.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What a reverse bucket list is and the idea behind creating one
The impact grateful recounting can have in your life
Why it can be so challenge to speak about or even create your list
How applying a reverse bucket list in a group setting can be beneficial
Questions to ask yourself to help create a list that feels reflective of your achievements
How to stay grounded and present in our lives
The why behind celebrating your wins with other people
The importance of celebrating other people’s wins with them
The power living in the present can have on your future goals
How to know what should go on your list
How often you should be celebrating your wins
TAKE TIME TO CELEBRATE!

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

LET’S CONNECT!

Breaking Financial Behavioral Biases with Daniel Crosby Mar 25, 2019

This week I sat down with psychologist and behavioral finance expert, Dr. Daniel Crosby to discuss the behavioral side of investing.

Educated at Brigham Young and Emory Universities, Dr. Crosby helps organizations understand the intersection of mind and markets. Dr. Crosby's first book, Personal Benchmark: Integrating Behavioral Finance and Investment Management, was a New York Times bestseller. His second book, The Laws of Wealth, was named the best investment book of 2017 by the Axiom Business Book Awards and has been translated into 5 languages.

His latest work, The Behavioral Investor, is a comprehensive look at the neurology, physiology and psychology of sound financial decision-making. When he is not consulting around market psychology, Daniel enjoys exploring the American South, fanatically following St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and spending time with his wife and three children.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Why there’s such a resistance to the psychological side of money
How our choices are affected by externalities
How to identify and break the “herd mentality” in your investing
What the best investment portfolio looks like for you
Psychological tendencies that impact investment behavior
The importance of diversifying out of what you are comfortable with
Overcoming emotional connections to some of your investments
The balance between educating and empathizing
Questions to ask yourself about investments with emotional ties
How to take a “pre-mortem” look at your portfolio
The way your ego can derail your financial goals
The view you should take with long-term investing
How to prevent your emotional self from getting in the way of your investing self
The psychological benefit of the “set it and forget it” mentality
The lie many people tell themselves why they don’t need a financial planner

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

The Behavioral Investor by Dr. Daniel Crosby
Yuval Harari
The Laws of Wealth by Dr. Daniel Crosby
Work Your Wealth Podcast Episode 13 with Daniel Crosby
The Standard Deviations podcast

GET SOCIAL WITH DANIEL AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE

Daniel's Website
Twitter
LinkedIn
Daniel's e-mail

Teaching Your Kids About Money with John Lanza Mar 11, 2019

This week I sat down with author and Chief Mammal, John Lanza to discuss how to teach your kids about money.

John is the Chief Mammal of The Money Mammals and author of the new book for parents, The Art of Allowance: A Short, Practical Guide to Raising Money-Smart, Money-Empowered Kids. A pioneer in youth money-smarts, John created the original Money Mammals DVD and has written three children’s picture books to help kids learn to “Share & Save & Spend Smart.” He is recognized nationally as a youth financial literacy expert and the Money Mammals have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The LA Times.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How John became an expert in youth financial literacy
Some of the building blocks to teaching kids about money
The three core money smart skills for kids to learn
The importance of establishing a financial literacy foundation
Teaching your children the Three Jar method
The real purpose behind an allowance
Why chores and allowance shouldn’t always be linked
A recommended amount to give for allowance
The best age to start with an allowance for your child
How to approach the share jar with your child and at what age
Some common mistakes parents make when teaching kids about money
When to let your kids “borrow” money from you
The right circumstances to give your kids a loan
How to talk to your kids about investments (even if you’re not an investment guru)

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

GET SOCIAL WITH JOHN AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE

John's Website
John's e-mail

Discovering Your 'Enough' with Paul Jarvis Feb 25, 2019

This week I sat down with entrepreneur and author Paul Jarvis to discuss why you don’t need to grow your business.

Paul is a designer who likes writing (or vice versa) and has worked for himself since the 90s. He wrote a book called Company of One (Jan 15, 2019), published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

His courses—Creative Class and Chimp Essentials—have been taken by more than 13,564 paying students. His writing has been talked about by everyone from Ashton Kutcher to Arianna Huffington. He’s worked with clients, such as Microsoft, Danielle LaPorte, Mercedes-Benz, Marie Forleo and Warner Music. His ideas and words have been featured in WIRED, Fast Company, Vice, USA Today and more. As a totally random aside, his photography has been seen on Greys Anatomy (the TV show).

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Why Paul decided to write his book Company of One
The importance of a company of one
Why growth is not the best decision for every company
How a company of one is based on a mindset, not a number
The core skillset you will need
The significance of setting your upper bounds
The danger of setting your business goals too high
The number one thing to consider with goal-setting
Why introspection (and time for it) is a must
Factors to consider when setting your upper bounds
Lifestyle creep and how it can impact your happiness
The best way to juggle opportunities and obligations
How to have a business that supports your life and not the other way around
What “shoulding” all over yourself can do to your mindset and success
The way Paul defines success in his business
How systems can be more of a hindrance when starting a business
The significance of connecting with the customer before scaling

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Company of One by Paul Jarvis
I Don’t Care About Growth
The Challenge of Sitting with Your Thoughts Study
Danielle Laporte

GET SOCIAL WITH PAUL AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE

Paul's Website
Paul's e-mail
Twitter

Planning For the Unexpected with Nikki Semanchik Feb 11, 2019

This week I sat down with estate planning attorney, Nikki Semanchik to discuss what estate planning documents are a must and who should have them.

Nikki is the Founding Attorney of Semanchik Law Group (SLG), a business, nonprofit and estate planning firm located in San Diego. Nikki started SLG because she wanted to create a modern law firm that felt accessible to clients. As an entrepreneur herself, Nikki has a real passion for helping other business owners realize their dreams. Nikki truly believes that a huge part of her job as a business attorney is teaching, motivating and inspiring her clients to dream big.

Nikki is also passionate about helping families protect their assets and plan for their futures through estate planning. As a parent herself, Nikki understands how having a proper estate plan in place can give you peace of mind knowing that your children are taken care of it the unthinkable happens.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Why you should care about estate planning & the reasons people avoid it
Why the amount money you have doesn't matter when it comes to this kind of planning
What it means to have an estate plan in place and who it's actually for
The items that should be included in your trust and why they should be in there
The differenced between wills and trusts
Mary Beth’s favorite aspect of having a trust
The document you need to have if you can’t make your own medical decisions
Understanding why your trustee might not be the best person to execute your health care directive
Why everyone over 18 years old should have a HIPAA document
The purpose of having a Pour-Over Will
How to handle determining and designating guardians for your children
The importance of informing those you designate in your estate planning documents
When and why you would need a durable power of attorney
When to work with an attorney vs. creating your documents online
How frequently you should be reviewing and updating your documents

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Start and Scale a Business with Autumn Witt Boyd Jan 28, 2019

This week I sat down with lawyer and entrepreneur, Autumn Witt Boyd to discuss how to start and scale a business.

Autumn is an experienced lawyer who helps ambitious and creative business owners reach their big goals. Together with her team at The AWB Firm, Autumn guides online and e-commerce businesses as they grow. She has special expertise in copyright and trademark issues, and her firm offers full-service legal support to creative businesses.

Autumn also hosts the Legal Road Map® podcast, which teaches business owners how to protect their rights and stay out of legal hot water. She lives in Chattanooga, TN with her husband Dave, twin boys Sam and Tyson, and daughter Vivian.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The importance of understanding your purpose when building a business
The reality of the first few years of entrepreneurship
Ways to still have an income when launching your business
How your network can be your best tool when starting a business
Different ways to market your business before you launch
How to leverage an assistant in your business
When is a good time to bring on an assistant
Determining when to have part time vs. full time staff
Dealing with the pressures of having a full time employee
What to do to remove some of the financial pressure when bringing on a new employee
Bringing on an assistant or employee needs to have a WHY behind it
Knowing when it’s time to get office space (or upgrade your office space)
Other options to look into if you can’t find affordable office space for your business
Dealing with increased overhead through the use of office space
How to keep the vision of your business moving forward
The best reason to evaluate where YOU are lacking when hiring an employee
When you’re business takes off, how to control the growth

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

GET SOCIAL WITH AUTUMN AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Autumn's Website
Autumn’s e-mail
Facebook

How to Manage Your Financial Anxiety Jan 14, 2019

What Can I Do to Reduce My Financial Anxiety and Concerns About Money?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above question.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How to manage your financial anxiety
Signs and symptoms of financial anxiety
Digging too far into the details isn’t always a good thing
Why playing the “What if” game needs to be limited
How you might be subconsciously trying to beat the market
Why ignoring your finances can be just as bad as being too detailed
Tools to counteract any financial anxiety you might have
The importance of knowing where things stand
How a net worth statement can help reduce financial anxiety
Knowing your numbers is good for your health
How your goals can help reduce your financial anxiety
The significance of a financial plan for your peace of mind
How a financial plan can address many of the common fears around money
Focusing on worst case scenario is sometimes unrealistic
The worst-case scenario you’re telling yourself is not actually the worst case
How working with a financial planner can reduce some of your financial anxiety
The tools to have a less stressful 2019

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Get Your Finances Organized Blog Post
Getting Organized for Tax Time Blog Post
Are You Better or Worse Financially This Year Blog Post
Work Your Wealth Book
Garrett Planning Network
XY Planning Network
NAPFA

(Best of 2018) Retire Early with Deacon Hayes Dec 31, 2018

This week is the second of The Best of 2018 podcasts where I sat down with Deacon Hayes about how to retire early.

Deacon was able to provide such great tips and tools for all those looking to work towards that financial freedom that I felt it had to be aired again as we approach the end of 2018. I’ve highlighted below just a few of the great takeaways from the episode but I also recommend heading back over to episode 56 where you will find more details on what Deacon and I discuss.

I hope you are able to take some of these tips and roll them into your planning as you look forward to 2019! Enjoy!

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

It only took Deacon 18 months to get rid of $52,000 in debt; he used that mindset to focus on retiring early
Finances and communication go hand-in-hand when you’re in a relationship
Don’t jus focus on getting to financial independence; have a plan once you get there
Deacon discusses three different ways to work towards early retirement
There’s more than one perspective when it comes to financial independence
“Lifestyle creep” can wreck havoc on your goals if you’re not careful
How to figure out your financial independence number
Early retirement has its traps too. Don’t fall victim to these common mistakes

(Best of 2018) Making Progress with Your Money Dec 17, 2018

This week is the first of two of The Best of 2018 podcasts and in this one I talk about how to make progress with your money.

There’s a reason this episode was listened by so many people: making progress with money is important. Whether you’re working towards a long-term goal like retirement, or saving up for that new item you’ve been wanting, you need to understand how to make your money work for you. This episode goes over just that so I felt that it had to be aired again as we approach the start of a new year. I’ve highlighted a few of the key takeaways below but if you I recommend heading back over to episode 48 where you can find even more takeaways from this great episode.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Start with Step 1 before setting any financial goals
FOMO can knock you off track of your financial goals; know what it is so you don’t get sucked in by it
Do you know what your WHY is, because that’s important
Don’t fall trap to the “bag lady syndrome”
When you’re in control of your money, it will look like this
Happiness is what you make it; are you making the right money choices to get there
When you’re figuring out your “why” start with these questions
How to set SMART goals

30 Money Moves to Make in 30 Days Dec 03, 2018

What money moves should I be making before the end of the year?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above question.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Why you should be reviewing your budget each year
When’s the last time you looked at those goals of yours
Did you know there are new retirement contribution limits for next year
What to look for during your insurance policy review
How much you should be stashing away in your emergency fund
Automation, Automation, Automation
Unique ideas on how to pay off debt early and how it affects your finances
Should you rebalance your portfolio
FSA: Use it before you lose it
Can you take advantage of tax harvesting
Here’s a good idea for a date night with your partner
What to look for when checking your credit report
Where you can be optimizing your taxes before yearend
Some bad habits that could be hurting you financially
Review your paycheck. Do you know what you’re looking for
Do you need an estate and is it in order
How to check in on your financial progress
Treat yourself…Responsibly!
Talk to your financial planner or set up an appointment

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Get Unstuck with Kelly Higdon Nov 19, 2018

This week I sat down with business and life strategist, Kelly Higdon.

Kelly helps entrepreneurs scale their businesses and get unstuck without it sucking their soul. She is the creator of Calibrate Your Year and loves helping entrepreneurs build businesses that fit into their life.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How to stop your business from taking over your life
Where to start to change the problem
Taking back your life through evaluation, elimination, automation and prioritization
The importance of taking a step back to look at the big picture
How to utilize The Perfectly Average Day exercise to balance your life
The significance of unpacking the pressures of running a business
What caused Kelly to create her elaborate calendar
Kelly’s way of building her calendar to maximize her time away from work
Kelly’s secret to working only 42% of the year
Where to go when you’re so stuck you’ve lost sight of your vision
The 8 categories of life Kelly helps her clients evaluate
How to seek out an accountability partner
What it means to “calibrate” ourselves
The reason business and life need to work hand-in-hand

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

GET SOCIAL WITH KELLY AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

Kelly's Website
Kelly’s e-mail
Instagram

How to Negotiate Like a Boss with Kwame Christian Nov 05, 2018

This week I sat down with business lawyer and passionate negotiator, Kwame Christian.

Kwame is a business lawyer and the Director of the American Negotiation Institute. In this role, he conducts live negotiation and conflict resolution training sessions for organizations.

Kwame’s Tedx Talk, Finding Confidence in Conflict, was viewed over 24,000 times in less than 24 hours and was the most popular Tedx Talk on conflict of 2017.

Kwame hosts the podcast Negotiate Anything, where he interviews successful professionals and shares powerful persuasion techniques. With over 200,000 downloads and listeners in 140 countries, it is the top-ranked negotiation and dispute-resolution podcast in the nation.

Kwame is the proud husband of Dr. Whitney Christian and father of Kai Christian.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Why negotiations are so scary and uncomfortable
Two different reasons people refuse to engage in negotiations
The problem with not preparing for a negotiation
What you should do when preparing for a negotiation
3 steps to take to improve your outcomes in negotiations
The difference between collaborative and competitive
The importance of setting and knowing your limits
How to say no without jeopardizing the relationship
The power of the “no sandwich”
How to remove emotions from a negotiation
Kwame’s simple definition of what a negotiation is
The three steps of compassionate curiosity
Kwame’s two year old example of compassionate curiosity
Finding the gold in the difficult conversations
The big factor in the negotiation outcome discrepancy between men and women
How much money you could be losing in lifetime earnings if you don’t negotiate
The reason behind getting comfortable being uncomfortable
The power of anchoring in negotiations
The rule of thump if and when you should make the first offer
Knowing when the “best and final” is on the table

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

American Negotiation Institute
TedX Talk: Finding Confidence in Conflict
Negotiate Anything podcast
Kwame’s Negotiation Guide
The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Women Don’t Ask by Linda Babcock and Sarah Laschever
Negotiating Your Next Pay Raise blog post
Nobody Will Play With Me by Kwame Christian (**Coming Soon!**)

GET SOCIAL WITH KWAME AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE

Kwame's Website
Facebook
LinkedIn
Kwame’s Email

Top Investment Mistakes You Could Be Making with Ariel Ward Oct 22, 2018

This week I sat down with one of Workable Wealth’s very own Financial Planners, Ariel Ward, CFP®.

Ariel Ward, CFP® joined Workable Wealth in 2018 as a Financial Planner. She has 10 years of experience in the field of personal financial services and in helping clients develop financial clarity. She is passionate about helping professionals in their 20s-40s understand their financial lives and make better decisions with their money.

Ariel is married to a pilot and spends as much time as possible exploring the US with her husband and 2 children. She enjoys working with clients in the aviation industry to make the most of their employee benefits and map out a plan for personal financial strength. She is a member of NAPFA, the XY Planning Network and the Financial Planners Association.

Ariel works virtually out of Charlotte, NC. She enjoys North Carolina’s mountains, beaches and everything in between. In her free time you can catch her walking to one of Charlotte’s excellent breweries, playing Scrabble or building Lego houses with her kids.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Ariel came to join the Workable Wealth team
Ariel’s experience as a Financial Planner and what she brings to the team
Investment mistakes Workable Wealth has seen with clients that we want to help you avoid
How expense ratios effect your investment
The expense ratios Workable Wealth likes to target
Why too much cash on hand can be a weakness
The risk of holding too much cash
The best way to avoid concentration risk
The two industry sectors people focus a lot of their allocations on
The explanation of diversification through the use of boats in a bay
The risk of having too many accounts spread across multiple brokerages
A few account consolidation tricks that could benefit your investment accounts
Why the lack of clarity around your portfolio can be costly
An explanation of short and long term gains
When and how much taxes you would be paying on gains
How to capitalize on losses from year to year
An important reason to be participating in your company’s 401K plan
The reason for contributing to a 401K plan over a whole life policy

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

MorningStar
What to do if you’re sitting on too much cash blog post
Work Your Wealth: 9 Steps to Making Smarter Choices With Your Money
The Cost of Waiting blog post
No You Don’t Need Universal Life Insurance blog post

The Use of Story in Teaching Investments with Kelly Klingaman Oct 08, 2018

This week I sat down with Regional Director at Dimensional Fund Advisors, Kelly Klingaman.

Kelly works with advisors from across the US on investment, messaging, and business development issues in order to sustain, improve, and grow their practice. She is also a frequent speaker for Dimensional’s live video webcast content and virtual programs. Kelly graduated from the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business with a finance degree and a concentration in investment management. She also holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Kelly’s background and her field of expertise
What is meant when people refer to “the market”
How a jar of jelly beans can explain how the “market’s work”
The challenge people face when trying to time the market
Stocks, bonds, mutual funds broken down
The meaning behind different portfolio allocations (60/40, 70/30, etc.)
What a mutual fund is made up of
The difference between value and growth investing
What the aggregate market has shown for value/growth stocks
Which is the riskier investment, value or growth stocks, and why
What you need to know about expense ratios
Costs to be aware of when buying mutual funds
What you’re paying for in fund fees
What implementation costs could do to your portfolio over time
The key difference between active management and passive management
A type of fund that shows low fees is not always the best option
What “evidence investing” is and how it benefits investors
A comparison of index fund management and evidence investing using a trip to the grocery store
The best way to reduce risk across your investment portfolio

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Podcast with Philip Taylor
“Love people and use things because the opposite never works.” –The Minimalist Podcast

GET SOCIAL WITH KELLY AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

The Power of Accountability with Jess Lynch Sep 24, 2018

This week I sat down with Consultant and Wish Route Founder, Jess Lynch.

Jess Lynch grew up in the Boston area and has always had a love for business. She went to Babson College as an u'grad and met her now husband, Conor, on the third day of freshman orientation :) After graduating, she pursued her Masters in Accounting and her CPA. She then spent 4 years in Forensic Consulting, investigating corporate fraud and calculating economic damages in litigation cases and disputes before going back to her alma mater for her MBA. During her MBA program, she was inspired by the recognition of a wish epidemic - she kept hearing friends say again and again that they wish they were exercising or eating healthier and something clicked. Jess founded Wish Route, an accountability service that gets users unstuck with their wellness intentions and moving forward. Jess graduated from her MBA program in May as the valedictorian of her class and is now developing Wish Route full-time.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What Wish Route is and how it could benefit you
Why people need an accountability partner, even with small tasks
The importance of taking the first step
The benefits of an accountability partner
The reasons behind Jess starting Wish Route
How Jess stayed on track for launching her business
Why the right team behind launching a business could make a huge impact
Lessons from Jess’s previous career that helped her launch Wish Route
The value of asking the tough questions when gathering feedback about your product or service
The approach we should all take when receiving constructive criticism
How to approach failure with the right perspective
Why Jess feels it’s important to be comfortable with being uncomfortable

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Wish Route

GET SOCIAL WITH JESS AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE

How to Talk Money with Your Spouse with Ericka Young Sep 10, 2018

Talking about money with your spouse can't always be easy, but it is crucial to your marriage. This week I sat down with Certified Financial Coach, Ericka Young.

Ericka is the president and founder of Tailor-Made Budgets which she opened in 2005 after she and her husband Chris climbed their way out of nearly $100,000 in debt. She became a certified financial coach by Dave Ramsey's Lampo Group in 2006 and combines her passion for helping people with creative debt reduction techniques so everyone can have a path to financial freedom. Ericka is a recognized financial expert who inspires people to significantly improve their finances, family and their future with a solid plan. Ericka's Best-Selling book, Naked and Unashamed: 10 Money Conversations Every Couple Must Have was released online in February 2017 worldwide. She currently teaches her message of debt freedom through her e-newsletters, personal and group coaching, workshops and speaking engagements. Ericka, Chris and their two teenage daughters, Faith and Olivia reside in Fishers, IN.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What prompted Ericka to write a book around finances among couples
Why Ericka believes money is not all about the numbers
The importance of WHY you do what you do with your money
Your financial planner deals with the same money challenges you do
What can happen if you don’t talk about money within your marriage
How Ericka had to understand her husband’s money background during their money conversations
The very first money conversation you should have with your spouse
Why everyone needs a reality check
Understanding your cash flow can be very eye opening
Hurdles many people face when talking about money with spouses
Should one person take the lead on budgeting
The impact a weekly routine can have on your money
The harsh reality of what not talking about money can do to your marriage
Dreams can be a good thing for you and your money
How to give your money some real purpose

**For access to the links from this show, visit https://workablewealth.com/podcast/episode-66-how-t…ith-ericka-young/

5 Business Lessons in 5 Years Aug 27, 2018

5 Business Lessons I’ve Learned in 5 Years

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm talking about the 5 business lessons I've learned and sharing some details (and numbers) behind our company.

Get Uncomfortable Fast
Connect with People Outside of Your Industry
Delegate and Learn to Let Go
Find Your Three Pillars
Find Your Blue Ocean

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Workable Wealth is celebrating a birthday!
Where Workable Wealth started and what it has grown into
Tools WW leverages to help clients along the way
Why WW believes in being accountability partners for its clients
Why you should be comfortable with being uncomfortable
How leveraging social media helped Mary Beth get uncomfortable
The importance of connecting with people outside of your industry
A crucial step to being successful in scaling and growing
The structure of and who is on the Workable Wealth team
Have you found your “three pillars”
The role mentorship has played in the growth of Workable Wealth
Why a mentor who challenges you is a perfect mentor
Workable Wealth wouldn’t be where it was today without masterminds
How Mary Beth’s “business bestie” helped her find time for her
Why your blue ocean doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s
A new product WW is looking to roll out in the coming months
In a few weeks WW will be putting a call out…
Where Workable Wealth is headed

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Paying Down Six-Figures of Student Loan Debt with Travis Hornsby Aug 13, 2018

This week I sat down with Student Loan Planner, Travis Hornsby to talk about student loan debt.

Travis founded Student Loan Planner after helping his wife figure out her six figure med school loans and realizing that all their friends needed help too. He's consulted on more than $250 million of student debt, which is more than any one person in the country. He loves helping clients realize that financial freedom and security is possible no matter how high their student loan balance. He lives in St. Louis, MO.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Travis got into the student loan business
The difference between undergraduate and graduate student loans
Where most people get into trouble with student loan debt
The two best approaches when you are in a ton of student loan debt
How much debt you should have if you’re considering the refinancing option
A large tax bill doesn’t have to be as scary as you think
The importance of shopping around during refinancing
Places to turn to if you feel your student loan debt is unbearable
How to manage stress from student loan debt
Options to deal with student loan debt as a couple
Conversations to have with your spouse if one or both of you have student loan debt
Common professions that find themselves in student loan debt
The shift in the education industry that is increasing student loan debt
Why you should look at a financial aid/school admissions department like a sketchy used car lot

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-TALK
Student Loan Planner Refinancing Quiz
Student Loan Planner Refinancing Bonuses

GET SOCIAL WITH TRAVIS AND LET HIM KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HIM HERE

Travis’s Website
Travis’s e-mail

What to Do With Extra Cash Jul 30, 2018

WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH EXTRA CASH I'VE STORED UP?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above question and sharing some details (and numbers) behind our personal finances.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

General rules I use with clients to determine where to put extra money
The formula to decide how much should go where
The three categories you should focus on with your extra cash
Questions we ask ourselves when allocating money towards different goals
Why we review our net worth on a quarterly basis
The importance of reevaluating what you need in your emergency fund
The general rule of how much you should have in your emergency fund
A few banks recommendations to store your emergency fund
How we handle donations in our family to be most impactful
How we allocate extra cash towards our children
How we added some flexibility in our monthly cash flow
What we decided to spend our “splurge” money on

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Being Your Authentic Self with Kali Roberge Jul 16, 2018

This week I sat down with Financial Writer & Online Marketing Specialist, Kali Roberge.

Kali focuses on teaching others about mindful living through intentional spending. Kali's work has appeared on Business Insider, The Shriver Report, Investopedia, Credit Karma, and more. She also runs a marketing firm, Creative Advisor Marketing, to help financial advisors better communicate with their ideal clients. Kali has been featured on Mashable, Fast Company, Forbes, and was named one of US News and World Reports 37 Personal Finance Experts to Follow on Twitter. She currently blogs at GoingBeyondWealth.com

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How to deal with the feeling of not being good enough
The importance of living an authentic life
How to make a change to be true to yourself
The powerful impact of shifting the way you view yourself
Being who you are is more important than blending in
How being yourself can impact your marketing
The power of bringing your own voice into your marketing
How vulnerable you should/shouldn’t be in marketing
A rule of thumb when determining your level of vulnerability
Why you should market to people by showing instead of telling
Kali’s reason to talk openly and honestly about her wedding planning
How she was able to stick to their wedding budget
How to fend off some of the guilt around overspending for a budget

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

GET SOCIAL WITH KALI AND LET HER KNOW YOU HEARD ABOUT HER HERE!

Money Questions You Should Be Asking Your Parents Jul 02, 2018

HOW DO I TALK TO MY PARENTS ABOUT THEIR MONEY AND RETIREMENT?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above question.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What you should be asking yourself now as it relates to your parents and money
The importance of talking to your parents about THEIR money
Money questions we’ve been asking our parents
A few ideas to open up the money conversation
How personal money stories can ease the conversation with parents about their money
Why you’re asking these questions about your parent’s finances
Why your parents should visualize how they see retirement
Different revenue streams you should be aware of for your parents
How your parents healthcare plan could affect you
The biggest cost retirees face in retirement
Why you want your parents to have an estate plan set up
Items to look for in an estate plan
Why you need to ask, “Will you need my help?”
The reason you should ask your parents about their retirement finances
How to plan now to help your parents in retirement

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Overcoming Industry Stereotypes in Your Career with Shannah Game Jun 18, 2018

Do You Feel Like Career Stereotypes are Standing in Your Way?

***This is part 2 of a back-to-back podcast. To listen to part 1 visit Shannah's podcast at Millennial Money Podcast.***

This week I sat down with CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, podcaster, lecturer, and award-winning financial strategist Shannah Game who is on a mission to revolutionize how millennials think, act, and feel about their finances.

Shannah Game is host to the universally popular and top-ranked iTunes podcast, “Millennial Money” with listeners in 164 countries and over 4 million total downloads. Millennial Money has helped millions of listeners demystify money topics in a playful and approachable way and features interviews with musicians, authors, chefs and entrepreneurs to help inspire listeners to go out and achieve their dreams regardless of their budget.

Aside from her podcast, she is an entrepreneur at heart, starting her first business, Hometown Cinema, Inc. at 19 while in college at Indiana University that helped over 130 students get jobs and internships in the entertainment industry. Shannah is a Lecturer in Finance in California State University Northridge, where she empowers students to take ownership over their money from a young age. She is also the owner of a company that creates original personal finance media content and is an accomplished financial writer and speaker. Her financial expertise has been highlighted in articles for Women’s Health, Money Magazine, Teen Vogue, MSN Money, Reuters, Bankrate.com, Refinery 29, CNBC and Yahoo! Finance to name a few.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Shannah’s unique roa to becoming a CFP®
How Shannah’s career path lead her to become a professor for Cal State Northridge
What led to Shannah launching Millennial Money Podcast and the unique topics discussed
Men and women’s different perspectives on money
The strides that are being made by women in a male-dominated industry
How Shannah empowers women through her podcast
The importance of a solid support system
The power and significance of a great mentor
How to fight for yourself against industry traditions
Shannah’s opinion why there aren’t more women in financial planning
Why you should embrace your inner salesperson
How Shannah approaches money topics with her students
Why Shannah uses real life financial experiences when teaching
The teaching style Shannah’s students are most receptive to

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Millennial Money Podcast by Shannah Game
Work Your Wealth book

Paying Off Debt While Still Living the Life You Love with Brittney Lynn Jun 04, 2018

HOW DO I PAY OFF DEBT AND STILL ENJOY LIFE?

This week I sat down with PR & Online Marketing Strategist, Brittney Lynn.

Brittney Lynn has almost 10 years of experience working in the online marketing industry and has a passion for helping others grow their brand through strategic PR.

She's also the host of the Day in the Life podcast, which gives a glimpse into the daily lives of people from across the world who work in a variety of industries. Stepping into the lives of these fascinating guests will encourage, inspire and challenge listeners as they share in each guest's trials and triumphs, learning that we are all connected and are more alike than we realize.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The first steps Brittney and her husband took to tackle their debt
Brittney’s motivation and inspiration behind eliminating their debt
How the Debt Snowball Effect empowered the couple
The ways debt impacted their lives and interactions with friends
Lifestyle changes that were made
How they worked in “fun money” while simultaneously paying off debt
Ways they enjoyed the things they loved while on a budget
The negative effect too many money restrictions can have when paying off debt
How the couple survived pitfalls and stayed focused
When and how Brittney launched her own company
The importance of continuing to save while you’re paying down debt
Easy tweaks you can make to pay down debt and still save for retirement

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Day in the Life Podcast hosted by Brittney Lynn
You Need a Budget
Mint
Dave Ramsey
Facebook Group

Analyze Your Paycheck Like a Financial Planner May 21, 2018

HOW DO I BETTER UNDERSTAND MY PAYCHECK?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above question.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What I see when looking at your pay stub and how I use it to leverage and understand what’s happening with your money.
What to look at first when analyzing your paycheck to avoid confusion.
The difference between your gross pay and your net pay.
The importance of knowing if you’re paid monthly, biweekly or twice a month and how it impacts your budgeting.
What exemptions are on your pay stub and how it saves you taxes.
How your withholdings impact your paycheck and your annual tax refund (or amount owed).
What to aim for when electing your withholdings.
How (and when) to adjust your W-4.
The importance of knowing what state and local taxes are being withheld.
Who FICA is and why they take so much of your money.
What you pay in taxes as a sole proprietor and the impact on your cash flow.
Where to find employee benefits that you may be missing out on.
How to determine what you’re contributing to your employer sponsored retirement plan.
The tax advantages of a Flexible Spending or Health Savings Account.
Other employee benefits that can help you improve your financial situation.
Which deductions you can and can’t change.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Paying off Your Mortgage in 2 Years on One Income with Kim Anderson May 07, 2018

CAN I TACKLE MY MORTGAGE ON MY SCHEDULE?

This week I sat down with author and thrifty lifestyle blogger, Kim Anderson.

Kim Anderson is the author of Live, Save, Spend, Repeat: The Life You Want with the Money You Have. She’s also a thrifty lifestyle blogger, podcaster and Blogging Coach. She lives in North Carolina with her Youtuber husband, 6 year old son and adorably identical twin baby girls.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Kim’s parents influenced her and created a domino effect of becoming debt free in her life.
How Kim’s family celebrated being mortgage-free.
How Kim and her husband made the decision to go from two incomes to one.
Where Kim’s entrepreneurial spirit came from.
How credit card fraud impacted Kim’s life.
Why and how Kim made the transition to a cash based life.
The little things Kim did (and you can do too) to pay off your mortgage sooner.
How a little bit of money can make a big impact on your debt.
The importance of understanding the true amount that you'll pay for a home (or any debt).
What changed for Kim and her husband once the mortgage was paid off.
How turning your finances into a game can encourage your progress.
What amortization is and how to use it in your situation.
Why teamwork is imperative when paying off a large debt.
How Kim still budgeted for items that brought happiness even while paying down debt.
What to know and consider around your budget before purchasing a home.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Thrifty Little Mom
Kim Anderson Consulting
Live, Save, Spend, Repeat by Kim Anderson
Amortization Calculator

How to Retire Early with Deacon Hayes Apr 23, 2018

This week I sat down with financial expert and author, Deacon Hayes.

Deacon Hayes is a financial expert and founder of Well Kept Wallet. He has been featured in many news publications including Yahoo Finance, US News & World Report, CNN Money and more.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Deacon paid off $52,000 of debt in 18 months and how that type of mentality could lead to a much earlier retirement age.
Why Deacon sold a car he was upside down on and how it helped him achieve his goal.
How Deacon and his wife stayed motivated to keep things going.
The importance of communication if you’re partnered up around your finances.
What financial independence means and why you need to have something planned after reaching it.
How being financially independent can positively impact your family life.
Why it’s important to know what you want to do when you “retire” and why you should work on your answer now.
Why you need to understand how to make money (and considerations you may be missing out on).
How you can automate making money and remove yourself from the equation.
The three different paths you can take to early retirement.
What Deacon’s business is earning and a peak under the hood at net earnings as well.
How Deacon’s book analyzes different perspectives and paths to financial independence.
How you can diversify your income streams to reach financial independence.
Why establishing goals are so important and how they can prevent you from encountering “lifestyle creep.”
Where to start when figuring out what your number is for financial independence.
Common mistakes people make when attempting to work towards early retirement.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

The Missing Facts from Traditional Money Advice with Jen Hemphill Apr 09, 2018

WHAT IMPACTS MY MONEY MINDSET?

This week I sat down with Author and Motivational Money Coach, Jen Hemphill.

Jen Hemphill helps busy determined women who are content with their income but not their bank account. She helps them transform their finances from being overwhelming to bringing them financial confidence, control and freedom. She is a Motivational Money Coach, an AFC® (Accredited Financial Counselor), author, and host of the Her Money Matters Podcast.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
- What kind of impact your upbringing can have on how you manage your money
- How hearing things like "we can't afford this" or "we don't have the money" can impact your money mindset
- What to do when you feel like you’re making the right money moves but aren’t seeing the results
- How much your past and future money mindset can impact your financial goals
- Three steps to take to better understand your money mindset
- The importance of a budget and how to make it work for you
- A simple trick to ensure your cash flow plan isn’t derailed by things like insurance premiums, preschool tuition, etc.
- Actions you can take to become more confident around money.
- Why you should have a dream budget and what it can do for your goals.
- How to overcome a negative mindset you might be in around your money.
- Insight into Jen's book and what she sees missing from traditional money advice.
LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Amplify Your Voice & Speak in Public with Angela Chee Mar 26, 2018

WHY AM I SO AFRAID OF PUBLIC SPEAKING?

This week I sat down with Media and Communication Coach, Angela Chee.

Angela is a Media/On-Camera and Communication Coach, TV Host, Speaker and Creator of YOU, Amplified!™ and The Empowered Thought Leader Academy™. She helps leaders and entrepreneurs who are ready to become the THE Go-to experts get more credibility, exposure and own their power and their voice. She has helped her clients unlock their inner star, become more confident, clear and effective speakers, book their first TV interviews and get on camera ready for their own videos and media appearances.

She's a former News Anchor/Reporter who has worked in the TV industry for for more than 20 years from KCBS/KCAL-TV, and KNBC-TV in Los Angeles to Fox 6 and KNSD here in San Diego. She has hosted shows for networks like E! Entertainment, HGTV (Home and Garden Television) and helped launch Entertainment Tonight China.

Angela has also appeared as a expert on a variety of local and national shows including The Today Show, The List, Right This Minute and is the Media Mentor/Expert for Lifetimes new show The Pop Game.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Why so many people struggle when it comes to speaking in public
The importance of overcoming your fear of public speaking
How to prevent being your own barrier and identify what’s getting in your way
Why you need to be clear on what you’re wanting to put out there
How to be “You Amplified!” and turn up your energy
Angela’s career story and how her role has evolved
How to be confident, clear and connected with your audience
What you need to do internally before learning to become a better speaker
The importance of knowing how you want to portray yourself
How to get yourself in the right place to do public speaking and media
The best way to fine-tune your pitch when working to get media exposure
There’s only three things you need for a media pitch and a website isn’t one of them
The importance of knowing your audience inside corporate America
How to connect with your audience

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

What to Know About Infertility & Your Finances Mar 12, 2018

WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER ABOUT INFERTILITY TREATMENTS AND MY FINANCES?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above question:.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How many people experience infertility
Our story with infertility and how it affected our finances
What you need to know to be better prepared if you are going through infertility issues or looking at adoption
Questions to ask ahead of time around fertility treatments so you don’t derail your financial situation
Where to start when you find out you and your spouse do have fertility issues
Questions to ask your insurance company to better identify what you will/will not have to pay for out of pocket
What to do and how to approach the initial consultation
What you should bring with you to every meeting
More questions to ask your insurance provider.
The importance of knowing your limit (emotionally, financially, and length of time) if you are having fertility issues
Why it’s important to approach the situation with a more conservative financial limit

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

What’s Law Got to Do With It with Annette Stepanian Feb 26, 2018

This week I sat down with attorney and business strategist, Annette Stepanian.

Annette Stepanian is an attorney and business strategist who equips other creative professionals and small business owners with the legal and business knowledge needed to confidently start and grow their businesses. After practicing litigation at a national law firm in San Francisco for over five years, she took a leap of faith and started her own creative business. That experience lead her to what she does today. Combining her passion for law and small business, Annette seeks to make the law practical, approachable, and dare we say it even a little fun. Learn more at www.annettestepanian.com.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The biggest misconception people have about the law and lawyers, especially when it comes to running a business.
Whether it’s better to work with an attorney or go the DIY online route and for what situations.
The first (and most important) step when entering into a contract with another party.
The role an attorney can play in contract reviews.
The fine print matters. Why it’s important to read and understand what you’re asking for or committing to in any contract that you’re signing.
Contracts are negotiable. Don’t commit or shy away from something without having a conversation.
The importance of establishing “the trifecta” from day one for your business.
How to identify times you should be reaching out to an attorney.
Things to be look for when identifying a lawyer to work with.
Traits and qualities to look for when identifying a lawyer to work with.
Do you need to have a lawyer on retainer or are there other fee structures?
Questions to ask when interviewing a lawyer to work with.
How often and why you should sit down and review your contracts.

Links We MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Cultivating What Matters with Lara Casey Feb 12, 2018

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO GOAL PLAN WHEN GROWING A BUSINESS?

This week I sat down with author, publisher and speaker, Lara Casey.

Lara Casey is a mom to three (one through the gift of adoption), a grateful wife, and a believer in the impossible (she and her husband have quite the story!). She is passionate about helping people get unstuck, unrushed, and living on purpose instead of by accident. To help with those things, she created the PowerSheets™, a grace-filled goal setting planner, the Write the Word™ journals, and founded Southern Weddings a decade ago. You can read her whole story in her first book, Make It Happen: Surrender Your Fear, Take the Leap, Live On Purpose. You can meet Lara on her weekly Facebook Live, on her blog, or at the Making Things Happen conference. Lara loves the women she works alongside each day, the smell of white lilies, getting her hands dirty in the garden, exploring local farms, and living in Chapel Hill, NC!

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Lara’s story and how she got to where she is todays (and some of the issues and experiences she encountered along the way)
The importance of sketching out your goals in all areas of life; not just in business
Why it’s okay to GROW SLOW and what that can look like in your life
How to become comfortable and okay in growing slow
The importance of not just looking at the big picture, but also looking at the REALLY BIG picture
Considerations for running your business out of your home
The importance of intentionality in your business and your life
Why it’s a good idea to visualize where you want to be when you’re 80 years old
The difference between living by accident vs. living on purpose
How (and where) to begin with Living on Purpose
How to get on track with pursuing what’s meaningful to you
Why progress is more important that perfection and tips to help you stay focused on progress

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How the New Tax Reform Will Impact Your Finances with Josh Bauerle Jan 29, 2018

This week I sat down with CPA, Josh Bauerle.

Josh is a CPA an the founder of CPA on Fire, a tax and accounting firm that specializes in working with online based entrepreneurs.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

An overview of some of the big changes with the new tax reform.
Updates to the Standard and Itemized deductions along with the Personal Exemption and how they impact you.
The changes made to how local and state income and property taxes are deducted and how this could be less than ideal depending on the state you live in.
Are you a homeowner or anticipating become one? There’s a change to mortgage interest deductions as well.
If your business is a pass-through entity, there are some beneficial changes you’ll want to be aware of for your income.
How the 529 plan can now benefit your children’s education beyond college.
How to identify some of the myths that have been going around about the tax reform.
What entrepreneurs should be doing in order to better prepare for the changes from the new tax reform.
The biggest action item an entrepreneur can do to better understand the success of their business.
When to establish a payroll for yourself and when to take distributions.
If you do switch to payroll, what to consider when deciding the amount to pay yourself.
Retirement savings tips for entrepreneurs.
A good rule of thumb to follow when taking deductions for your business.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

CPA on Fire (Josh’s Website)
How to file Form 2553 (to file as an S-Corp)
Gusto

Shifting Your Money Mindset with Tonya Rineer Jan 15, 2018

This week I sat down with Money Mindset Maven, Tonya Rineer.

Tonya Rineer is a Speaker, Podcast Host and Money Mindset Maven who helps women entrepreneurs super-charge their profit potential by revolutionizing the way they think and feel about money! Her fun, action-packed coaching style helps women amp up their mindset and create value-based profit strategies that lead to financial peace and feel-good success.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How your money mindset can impact your financial status
What a toxic relationship with money can do to the rest of your life
Where your money mindset comes from
How the behaviors modeled to you as a child impact your financial behaviors
How the words that you use impact or define your money beliefs
Questions to ask about your money experiences and past that will help you to better understand your limiting money beliefs
What inherited money stories are
The 5 steps to overcoming a negative money mindset and beliefs
Where to begin with identifying the problem and the fear
How to label and become comfortable with your dreams
How a "splurge fund" can benefit you

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

The Profit Party

Want to Make Progress With Your Money? Do this First. Jan 01, 2018

HOW DO I ACTUALLY MAKE PROGRESS WITH MY MONEY THIS YEAR INSTEAD OF SETTING GOALS IN NEVER REACH?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above question.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The precursor step to take when setting any financial goals for yourself
How social media can derail your finances (and why your perceptions of other people can as well)
What FOMO is and how it impacts you
Why figuring out your WHY matters and how to do it
What to realistically expect on the journey to finding your “why”
Questions to answer about your finances to determine what motivates you and how you are or aren’t aligning your money with what’s important to you
What bag lady syndrome is
What controlling your money should look like
How choices play a leading role in how you utilize your money to create your own happiness
Questions to answer in determining your “why”
How to set SMART goals

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

When to Lead and When to Let Go with Katie Hunt Dec 18, 2017

his week I sat down with business strategist, Katie Hunt.

Katie Hunt is the founder of Tradeshow Bootcamp, host of the Proof to Product Podcast, a business strategist, and a mentor to creative entrepreneurs. She is a firm believer in professional development, surrounding yourself with community and pushing go even when you might not feel 100% ready.

Katie earned a dual MBA in marketing and finance from Loyola Marymount University and has spent the last 16 years coaching large corporations and entrepreneurs on marketing and business development strategies. Her strengths lie in connecting people and bringing ideas to life brainstorming, making a plan and executing. Katie has a passion for creating, a mind for business and a strong desire to help others succeed.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What it means to be a leader in your work environment, in your family environment and in your community.
Why, at times, it’s important to relinquish control to those who work for you.
How to identify when it’s time to delegate items and where to start.
Why acting as a task master doesn’t equate to good leadership.
How a trial period can ease the onboarding of team members. The importance of a trial period when starting a new job for both parties.
The role open communication plays across all of your relationships and how to implement it.
The importance of the sharing the “Why” behind tasks, requests and items delegated.
Understanding when to have very defined roles for your team and when to be flexible.
How to keep your team together for the long term.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

10 Student Loan Mistakes You May be Making with Natalie Bacon Dec 04, 2017

AM I HANDLING MY STUDENT LOANS CORRECTLY?

This week I sat down with fellow CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and blogger, Natalie Bacon.

Natalie is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ at a registered investment advisory firm during the day, and a blogger at night. She's been featured in Forbes, CNBC, MSNBC, US News, and The Huffington Post. Before all this, Natalie was an attorney, but quit because she hated it. You can find Natalie on her blog, at NatalieBacon.com.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The biggest hang up people have when it comes to facing student loan debt
The importance of understanding the terms of your student loans and why the details matter
Problems with the student loan debt forgiveness plan (and why it isn’t as great as you think it might be)
Understanding the negative aspects of refinancing Federal students loans
Whether you have the right insurance in place for your student loans (Yes, this is a thing!)
Whether it’s better to invest or tackle student loan debt
Understanding some of the differences between federal and private student loans
A big (incorrect) assumption people make when it comes to qualifying for different student loan programs
How to work in your goals when you have student debt to pay off
Benefits of paying off your loans early instead of dragging them out
A few traditional and not so traditional ways to increase what you putting towards your student loans.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

10 Student Loan Mistakes Natalie sees all the time
Natalie’s website

Tax Planning Hacks and Getting On Track with John McCarthy Nov 20, 2017

This week I sat down with CPA and Tax Professional, John McCarthy.

John is a CPA and founder of McCarthy Tax Preparation and Advisor Facing Tax where he has helped families and small businesses with income taxes and planning for the past 15+ years. He is also a past member of XY Planning Network, a leading organization of fee-only financial advisors who specialize in helping members of Gen X and Gen Y. John graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelors in Science in Accounting. John left his salaried corporate tax job to provide tax preparation and planning services to financial advisors and their clients as a full time entrepreneur.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Why you’re not alone if you’re afraid of your taxes
How to know if the IRS is actually trying to contact you versus being stuck in a scam
Errors you should be looking out for in your personal tax situation
Why it’s important to work with a tax professional each year (no matter your situation)
How to determine if you are withholding the proper amount for taxes
Whether you should aim to have a large refund versus owe at the end of the year
How to be best prepared when working with a CPA to get your taxes done
What questions to ask a CPA, a Financial Planner and a Bookkeeper
Why it’s important to talk to a tax professional during life transitions
Areas people tend to make mistakes when it comes to taxes
What happens if you owe on your tax return but don’t have the funds on hand to pay
The best way to get current with your taxes through the quarterly installments
How business owners can stay on top of their taxes
Standard versus Itemized deductions

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

IRS Withholding Calculator
John’s website

How to Financially Transition from Married to Single Life (and Not Run Out of Money) with Laurie Itkin Nov 06, 2017

This week I sat down with Financial Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Laurie Itkin.

Laurie Itkin is a financial advisor and certified divorce financial analyst who specializes in helping women transition financially from married to single life. She is passionate about increasing the financial literacy of under-served populations and provides pro-bono financial planning through the San Diego Financial Literacy Center. Her book, "Every Woman Should Know Her Options: Invest Your Way to Financial Empowerment," became an Amazon best seller in three categories. Laurie also offers an affordable online course specifically for recently-divorced women called, "How Not to Run Out of Money: The Recently-Divorced Woman's Guide to Financial Independence." She received her B.S. in economics with a concentration in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst is
Considerations when planning to keep the home as a part of a divorce settlement
The biggest financial mistakes people are making when it comes to dividing assets and the growth potential you’re giving up
How you may unknowingly turn yourself into a martyr
The changes that you’re going to face in downshifting your lifestyle
Why knowing your priorities is important and debt is not an option
Where to begin in getting financially organized if you’re preparing for a divorce
How to find your assets and debts and educate yourself up front
What a settlement agreement is and why it’s important to take action on it ASAP
What a Qualified Domestic Relationship Order is and how it benefits you
Where to begin with securing and protecting what is yours (and what you're probably overlooking)
How to start with getting track of what is coming in versus what is going out
Why it’s important to live below your means now

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Balancing Your Health and Wealth with Drew Follette Oct 23, 2017

HOW DO I FOCUS ON MY HEALTH AND BUILD WEALTH AT THE SAME TIME?

This week I sat down with holistic nutrition consultant, Drew Follette.

Drew is a certified holistic nutrition consultant helping clients improve their health through whole-foods nutrition. She works one-on-one with those who struggle with hormone imbalances, digestive issues, autoimmune, and other difficult health conditions. Drew helps her clients lead more full, healthy lives through personalized nutrition education.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How your health and wealth are aligned
What holistic nutrition entails and what real whole foods are
Why taking care of yourself on holistic level is important and how it translates into thousands of dollars saved throughout your life
Where to start with your nutrition from a big picture level
Whether you need to shop at Whole Foods or eat all organic to be considered "healthy"
How meal planning can keep your budget and your health on track
What staples you should have in your kitchen to save money over the long run
Where to head once you’re inside the grocery store to reduce costs
Unique ways to reduce costs on meats
How to reduce what you need to spend on fruits and vegetables
Where freezer meals can help you out in terms of cost and time savings

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Productivity Hacks and Purposeful Living with Tonya Dalton Oct 09, 2017

CAN PRODUCTIVITY HELP ME TO LIVE ON PURPOSE?

This week I sat down with Productivity Expert and founder of inkWELL Press, Tonya Dalton.

Tonya is a productivity expert who started her first business in 2009 working out of her dining room juggling two small kids. By 2011, she had grown the business to the point where her husband could leave corporate America and come work with her. By combining her entrepreneurial spirit with his MBA and marketing experience, they were able to grow a small niche business quickly into something that could support their family.

The company continued to flourish, but something was missing. In the summer of 2014 she closed up shop to follow her true passion of starting inkWELL Press - a company centered around productivity tools and training. inkWELL Press launched in November of 2014 and has been able to rapidly grow its online presence and expand into a national retail partnership thanks to a commitment to quality, focused marketing efforts and fiercely loyal fans. Recently Tonya launched her podcast, Productivity Paradox, which debuted at #12 in iTunes in the Business category and surpassed 100,000 downloads in the first few months.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Where people are making the biggest mistakes and wasting time in their lives
What productivity is about
How to discern between what's important and what's keeping you busy
The difference between multi-tasking, switch-tasking and background-tasking
How to reframe your "all the things" mindset
Why you should value the white space in your life
How reflection exercises and determining what you feel bad about can help you to prioritize
Systems to use in structuring your day to focus on priorities
How automations can make household and business tasks more manageable
How to convert your "To Do" list into a Priority list
Why it’s important to say ‘no’ from time to time.
Why having nothing planned should be on your list of priorities when it comes to productivity.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Teach Your Young Kids About Money Oct 02, 2017

HOW DO YOU TEACH YOUR YOUNG KIDS ABOUT MONEY?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above question.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What money scripts are and how they impact us from childhood through adulthood.
Why it's important as parents to make money a topic of interest for our children from an early age.
Why it's important to remember that children model and mimic our behaviors.
How to model and expose children to healthy financial behaviors.
How to leverage a rewards jar for savings.
How children who can practice delayed gratification fare better financially.
How to set and frame boundaries and expectations.
Ways to tie together the financial conversation through various messages.
The role "play money" can have empowering your children financially.
The use of the Three Jar Method and how to leverage it to teach a balanced approach about money.
How to incorporate a conversation around giving back.
Why it's important for you to create a habit of discussing finances from your children's early age.

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Truth and Lies About Retirement Planning with Jude Boudreaux Sep 25, 2017

WHAT DO I REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RETIREMENT PLANNING?

This week I sat down with fellow financial planner and CFP®, Jude Boudreaux.

Jude is a Partner with The Planning Center. Previously he founded Upperline Financial Planning in 2010, and has been involved in the planning industry for 17 years. His personal mission is to help others live their lives on purpose. He lives in New Orleans with his patient and understanding wife Karen and kids Lucy and Charlie.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The biggest misconception people have when it comes to thinking about their retirement
What financial independence has to do with retirement and the choices you make for you future
How you can begin thinking about and envisioning your retirement
Why it's important to have a next phase
The changes you can make today when you start reflecting on your future and how the choices on the margin will impact how successful you are in reaching your goals
How to plan around your money past, money present and money future
Why it's important to have financial mentors and what informational interviews can do for you
The power of story in effecting change in your life
How often retirement goes exactly how you imagine and plan and what a good outcome looks like
Why it's important to try on experiences before committing
Whether you should have a specific age to focus on for retirement
What family health and longevity has to do with your retirement plan
Whether of not you should count on Social Security

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How We Handle Business Finances in Our Marriage (and What You Should do) Sep 18, 2017

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. On today's episode, I welcomed back my favorite guest to help me answer some of of your money questions. Today Brian Storjohann (yep, my hubby) and I are diving in to tell you about how we handle and address my business (and the finances behind it) in our marriage.

We recorded this episode live from the FinCon booth at Podcast Movement, which means I actually let him sit next to me for this conversation! (Progress!!)

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How much of the numbers I share (and you should share) around your business finances with your spouse
How your business finances relate to and are intertwined with personal finances and goals
Ways to address the unease that can come with sharing business finances
How to structure conversations so there is no finger pointing or guilt around business success or hiccups
Why planning for your personal finances plays a big role in the success of your business
How we set income goals for the business(both individually and as a couple)
The dollar limit of business purchases that I share with Brian
How to plan in advance of business launches and investments to reduce stress
Why it is super important to share with your spouse when there are excess funds in the business
How sharing business numbers helps your spouse to better support you
How often we review numbers and how formal the conversation is
Expectations around how long it took for us to communicate effectively around our finances

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Create a More Profitable Business with Natalie Eckdahl Sep 11, 2017

This week I sat down with Business Strategist, Natalie Eckdahl.

Natalie Eckdahl is a Business Strategist and High Performance Coach who helps high-achieving women entrepreneurs across industries and time zones build, grow and scale their business while avoiding overwhelm.

She’s the Founder of the BizChix Community and Podcast, and has been recognized as “One of the Top Women in Business to Listen to.” She has also been featured in Inc, Fast Company, Huffington Post and Entrepreneur.

Natalie brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her work. She draws from her MBA education, 20+ years of work experience, deep intuition, and over 200 podcast interviews with industry influencers to help her clients with customized strategy and coaching to reach 6 figure+ in PROFITS.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
- Why PROFIT should be the focus of your business and not revenue.
- Unique ways to refocus and stay invested in your bottom line.
- Why you should set goals for what your net income will specifically go towards funding.
- Traits and characteristics of six-figure earning women.
- Why it's import to have a safe space to talk about real numbers.
- What vanity metrics are and how they can prevent you from truly celebrating wins.
- Whether or not you should go into debt to launch your business.
- Why a business start up and operating budget are imperative to have in place before launching your business.
- How to structure your plan to get out of debt.
- Whether you need a network of people on the same level as you.
- Why it’s important to build your own credit.
LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

A Brief Financial Pep Talk Aug 28, 2017

In today's episode I'm recapping a recent blog post I wrote giving you the pep talk you may need around your money. If you're in need of a loving (and brief) kick-in-the-pants around your finances, this is for you!

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Protect Your Wealth with Parker Cox Aug 21, 2017

ARE THERE WAYS TO PROTECT THE WEALTH I AM BUILDING?

This week I sat down with property & casualty insurance professional, Parker Cox.

Parker is head of sales and marketing for KM Insurance Services, an independent insurance agency that has been serving San Diego for nearly 40 years. He’s passionate about insurance, not because of a masochistic appreciation of legal jargon, but because it gives him an opportunity to help families, business owners and people protect all the things they work so hard to build.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What property & casualty insurance is and why you shouldn’t ignore it
What to consider when you're locking in your auto insurance coverage
The number of people who are underinsured or uninsured with auto coverage and how it could impact you
Questions to ask when evaluating if you can afford to not have certain coverage
Whether it's smart to shave a small growth percentage of wealth to protect yourself from a catastrophic loss
Whether you should pay premiums annually versus monthly
What to consider when selecting coverage for your personal property & liability under renters insurance
Recommendations for how to document and record the personal items you have in your home
What special form coverage is and how it impacts youas a home owner
Considerations when determining how much coverage you actually need for dwelling, personal property, personal liability and living expenses

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

KM Insurance Services Website

The Retirement Accounts Available to You and Considerations for Each Aug 14, 2017

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE TO ME AND WHICH ONE(S) SHOULD I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above question.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Investing vs. Retirement Accounts - why they're not the same
The difference between a Traditional vs. a Roth IRA
When you're qualified (or not) to contribute to a Traditional vs. a Roth IRA
Considerations for contributions to Traditional vs. Roth IRAs and 401(k)s
How your 401(k) works
What the 403(b), Thrift Savings Plan and 457 plan have in common with your 401(k)
What to do if your employer offers a match on your 401(k)
Retirement plans available to Entrepreneurs: Solo 401(k), SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA
What the age limit is on withdrawals from retirement accounts
How taxes work on withdrawals from your retirement accounts
If you should take a loan from your 401(k)
401(k) vs. Roth IRA - which one is best for you?

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Become the Leader of Your Own Life with Amanda Flisher Aug 07, 2017

This week I sat down with Self-Leadership coach, Amanda Flisher.

As a Self-Leadership Coach, Amanda works with individuals to dig deeper, move past learned beliefs and values, and to uncover their own unique value system. She guides them through making better choices, better goals, and ultimately having more satisfaction in their achievements.

Amanda holds an Associate Certified Coach certificate through the International Coach Federation, is a trained Strengths Educator through the Gallup organization and is college professor. Amanda has over 8 years of experience coaching and training thousands of individuals to learn what it takes to redefine their achievement and take the lead in their own life. She began her private practice in 2014 after several years of working in the Leadership Development and Behavioral Health fields.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What it means and looks like to be a leader in your own life
How waiting for permission may be holding you back
Signs that you're not leading yourself
How spinning, ruminating and ignoring your calling can impact you
Who you're likely looking to for permission in your own life and how to shift your thought process
How to pick apart the stories that you tell yourself
Steps to take when starting to live as the leader of your life
Why thinking about "what could go right?" can help you take the next right step.
How to find out your inherent strengths and leverage them to live your best life.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Build and Leverage a World Class Network with Philip “PT” Taylor Jul 24, 2017

SHOULD I BUILD A NETWORK TO ENHANCE MY CAREER?

This week I sat down with CPA, financial influencer and networker extraordinaire, Philip “PT” Taylor.

Philip is a CPA, husband and father of three. He created PTMoney.com back in 2007, and he founded FinCon, the annual marketing conference for financial influencers and professionals, in 2011. He got rid of debt, learned to live lean, saved his money, and eventually left his unsatisfying corporate career to pursue his entrepreneurial ventures full-time.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The simple things you can do to take control of your finances.
What permission and intentionality have in common.
How learning and talking shop can contribute to building your network.
Why joining forces instead of competition can enhance your professional life.
Strategies and steps to take when connecting and form relationships with people of interest to you.
Lesson’s PT learned by surrounding himself with a diverse and financially savvy group.
How to filter out the noise and determine which advice is best for you.
Why knowing your goals is the most important step in stopping the comparison game with others.
The growing and diminishing role frugality can play in your personal financial journey.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Stop Being a Broke Millennial with Erin Lowry Jul 17, 2017

This week I sat down with millennial money expert and author, Erin Lowry.

Erin Lowry is a millennial personal finance expert and the founder of BrokeMillennial.com. She’s also the author of “BROKE MILLENNIAL: Stop Scraping by and Get Your Financial Life Together.” Lowry has contributed to Forbes, Business Insider, New York Magazine’s The Cut and U.S. News & World Report. Some of her insights have been featured by outlets including: CNBC, Fox & Friends, CBS Sunday Morning, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek and Marketplace Money. Lowry lives in New York City with her spunky rescue dog Mosby.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Why your money story doesn’t always have to be from “rags to riches”
Questions to ask to confirm you have a gold star in personal finance
What backwards planning is when it comes to your money
Some of the roadblocks Millennials are facing when it comes to their finances and how to overcome them.
Considerations for starting today instead of delaying for the future and how compound interest works in your favor.
How your parents and family have influenced your thoughts and beliefs around money.
How social media has helped in aiding conversations about money.
Whether Millennials are scared of the stock market and where the real issues are.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Traits & Characteristics of the Financially Savvy with Joe Saul-Sehy Jul 10, 2017

This week I sat down with award winning podcaster, Joe Saul-Sehy.

Joe Saul-Sehy is the creator and co-host of the award winning Stacking Benjamins podcast. Kiplinger magazine called Stacking Benjamins the best personal finance podcast of 2016. The Academy of Podcasters has nominated Stacking Benjamins for their Best Business Podcast award, to be given out later this year. Joe was a financial advisor for 16 years and is the proud dad of 21 year old twins.

Here’s WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The traits and characteristics that the most financially successful people you have or embody.
Whether the people who are mostfinancially successful are also the happiest.
What brings happiness when it comes to money.
The really smart moves you should be taking with your finances.
How to think creatively about your financial issues.
How to automate your money.
Money scripts and how they impact you.
What you can outsource and how it can impact you.
The stupid things people do with their money.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Our Money Story (the Good, the Bad & the Funny) Jun 26, 2017

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. On today's episode, I have a super fun guest to help me answer some of of your money questions. Today Brian Storjohann (yep, my hubby) and I are diving in to tell you about the emotions, stories and good and bad money moves behind our finances.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The number one thing you need for a healthy money relationship with your partner
How your personal and marital money relationship can evolve
The biggest thing the two of us have had to work on when it come to our finances
His and hers versions of our smartest money moves
Where we wasted a ton of money
What lifestyle inflation is and why you want to avoid it
The biggest point of contention around our finances
Why financial planners need their own financial planners
The role psychology plays in handling money
How we make budgeting work in our household
What not to do when facing down big life transitions (and what to do)
Why nobody is perfect when it comes to their finances

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Think Bigger and Create Change in the World with Pat Flynn Jun 19, 2017

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HOW DO I FIT DONATIONS INTO MY FINANCIAL JOURNEY?

This week I sat down with entrepreneur, blogger and podcaster, Pat Flynn.

Pat is the crash test dummy of online business. He experiments to find out what works, and what doesn't online. He’s a dad and a husband, and the proud owner of SmartPassiveIncome.com, a website dedicated to helping people discover how to do business online and take their existing businesses to the next level.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Why Pat continues to celebrate his “Let Go” Day each year
How practicing gratitude can impact your life
How the serve first mentality can influence your path and the relationships you build
The different forms that Giving Back can take and how you can incorporate in into your personal and professional life
How and where Pat is pulling inspiration to go bigger and better with his giving back
How you can involve your spouse and children in your giving back strategy
Which can be the most impactful – giving back of time or money
How your passion and charitable giving goals can evolve over time
If you need to be financially successful in order to begin giving back
How a separate account for charitable giving can keep you on track with your financial goals
Why asking the right questions is important to your finances

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Tackling Your Business Taxes with Amy Northard Jun 12, 2017

This week I sat down with CPA for Creatives, Amy Northard.

Amy Northard, CPA provides tax preparation and bookkeeping services to creative small business owners. After graduation from Indiana University, and then passing the Certified Public Accountant’s exam, Amy began working at a small/mid-sized accounting firm, primarily with small businesses and personal taxes.

Although she learned a great deal during her time at the firm, she had always felt the pull of entrepreneurship since her days of childhood lemonade stands. Her life-long dream finally came true when she opened Amy Northard, CPA LLC, where she passionately works with creative small business owners all over the US to take the stress out of their creative business taxes.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
- Why ignoring your taxes results in a lack of clarity around what’s going on with your finances and your business
- When it could be okay to have a loss in your business and the view you should have if there’s a recurring annual loss in your business
- Where to start with getting organized with your taxes
- What paying taxes actually means
- Strategies to look at in reducing what you own in taxes – this doesn’t mean spending more money in your business.
- When it makes sense to do your own taxes versus working with a tax professional
- What to keep in mind when it comes to keeping track of your business write-offs
- How to stop the catch up cycle with your tax
- Amy’s rule of thumb for what to set aside for taxes
- Business bank accounts you need
LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:
- Amy's Website

How We Handle Money in Our Household Jun 05, 2017

HOW DO YOU HANDLY MONEY IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above question.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How often to check on your net worth. What's reasonable, and what we do in our house.
Where to invest your emergency fund
The categories we have bank accounts for and how we use them
Options available for retirement savings when you're employed or when you're an entrepreneur
How a Solo 401(k) vs. a SEP IRA can help you as an entrepreneur
How we track spending in our house and what works
How we manage credit cards
An appropriate level of communication to have with your spouse around money.

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Pay off $147,000 in Debt with Jackie Beck May 30, 2017

This week I sat down with debt freedom expert, Jackie Beck.

Jackie Beck is the creator of the app store hit Pay Off Debt, an app thats helped more than 46,000 people use a debt snowball to break free from debt. She and her husband paid off over $147,000 in debt, including their house.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Jackie paid off $147,000 of debt
What the debt snowball is
What a realistic timeline is to pay off debt
Where to start when you’re feeling burdened by your debt
Why you need to get out of a borrowing mentality to stay out of debt
How creativity can help with paying off debt
How to save while you’re paying off debt and if you need to
Lifestyle changes you can expect from living a debt free life

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Jackie’s Website

How to Handle Tough Money Conversations May 22, 2017

WHAT KIND OF AWKWARD/UNCOMFORTABLE MONEY CONVERSATIONS AND COMMENTS SHOULD I BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR WITH FRIEND AND FAIMLY AND HOW SHOULD I HANDLE THEM?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above question.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Who you should and shouldn’t share your financial details with.
People / comments to watch out for
How to address the awkward ask for a loan or to be spotted
What to remember when your friends / family are cheering you on
The issues other people may have when they’re one-upping you
What is really happening when you’re faced with prying questions and how to address them
Appropriate conversations to have with parents and family
Why it’s better to look out for yourself now than to let bad behavior continue
Who is guaranteed to keep your information private

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Making Travel a Money Priority with Whitney Hansen May 15, 2017

HOW CAN I MAKE TRAVEL AS ONE OF MY MONEY GOALS?

This week I sat down with the personal finance coach, Whitney Hansen.

Whitney Hansen is a personal finance coach, entrepreneur and host of The Money Nerds Podcast. She teaches overwhelmed millennials how to pay off debt and be financially independent. She gives them the tools to have more fun with money, while sprinkling in a little silliness. Some of her accomplishments are paying off $30,000 in 10 months, buying her first home at 19, and paying $472 for her master's degree.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Whitney earned her masters for only $500
An open ended way to approach travel that will save you $$
How much you should spend on travel
How to make travel a priority with your finances
Tips and tricks for booking cheap flights
How to travel without using credit card points
What to consider when choosing hotel vs. home rental
How to appropriately plan in advance for what you’ll spend while traveling
Considerations for meal expenses and how to find great food

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Managing Your Cash Flow with Jen Hemphill May 08, 2017

I'M HAVING TROUBLE MANAGING MY CASH FLOW. WHY?

This week I sat down with the Motivational Money Coach, Jen Hemphill.

Jen Hemphill helps busy determined women who are content with their income but not their bank account. She helps them transform their finances from being overwhelming to bringing them financial confidence, control and freedom. She is a Motivational Money Coach, an AFC® (Accredited Financial Counselor) and host of the Her Money Matters Podcast.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The biggest misconception people have around budgeting
Why your budget doesn’t need to be restrictive
How a budget allows you to put your money where your heart is
How detailed your budget really needs to be
The different money stages you could be in and where to start with each stage
Expenses you’re forgetting, but need to include in your household budget
What the zero-based budgeting system is
Why it's important to prioritize your goals and how to align your cash flow with the ones you select
Software you can use to maximize your budgeting
The separate savings account method and how it can work with your budget

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

The Financial Risks You Need to Protect with Mark Maurer May 01, 2017

HOW CAN INSURANCE HELP ME?

This week I sat down with the President & CEO of Low Load Insurance Services, Mark Maurer.

Mark joined Low Load Insurance Services (LLIS) in 2003, assumed the role of president in 2008, and CEO in January, 2013. He earned his CFP® designation in 2006, his bachelor’s degree in business and finance from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in Atlanta, Georgia, and his MBA from University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business. Mark is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and a popular speaker for financial organizations including The Alliance of Cambridge Advisors, NAPFA, Garrett Planning Network, LIMRA, LOMA, and Society of Actuaries. He is also a contributing insurance resource to industry publications including Business Week, Bloomberg.com, Forbes, NAPFA Advisor, AMA Physicians’ Guide to Financial Planning, NY Daily News, Jean Chatzky’s Talking Money, and Jane Bryant Quinn’s book, Making the Most of Your Money Now.

Here’s WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The biggest misconception people have around insurance
The types of insurance you need for your situation
Why disability insurance is an important consideration for your family
The difference between term and whole life insurance and which is best for you
How to streamline the insurance application process for yourself
How policies will pay out and how much coverage you need
How disability insurance payments are taxed

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Low Load Insurance Services
Mark’s e-mail
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me
Blog posts from the Workable Wealth blog that address insurance:
- #YOLO: So Don’t Ignore Your Need for Life Insurance
- Are You Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset?

How to Tackle Your Student Loans with Jay Fleischman Apr 24, 2017

This week I sat down with consumer protection lawyer and student loan expert, Jay Fleischman.

Jay has been a consumer protection lawyer for over 20 years. He helps people find solutions to their student loans problems so they can plan for the future and achieve their financial goals. He's a nationally-known speaker on the subject of student loan resolution, and operates the Student Loan Law Workshop, where he helps to train other lawyers in this challenging field. He also hosts The Student Loan Show, a podcast about classic cartoons and choosing the right ballpoint pen (kidding - it's about student loans).

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The number one concern people have with on student loans
The difference between public and private student loans and the options for repayment for each.
How to find out what type of student loans you have.
Strategies for dealing with loans that will give you flexibility with your repayment plans.
What not to do when it comes to paying your student loans.
How your student loans can impact your credit score.
What public student loan forgiveness is and what professions it applies to.
How to prepare in advance for any taxes due on loan forgiven balances.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Jay’s Website
Jay’s e-mail
Blog posts from the Workable Wealth blog that address student loans:

How to Become Financially Successful with Barbara Stanny Apr 17, 2017

This week I sat down with bestselling author, speaker and money coach, Barbara Stanny.

Barbara Stanny is a leading authority on women and money. Her mission is to revolutionize women's relationship with money. As a bestselling author, sought-after speaker, workshop facilitator, and money/wealth coach, Barbara has helped millions take charge of their finances and their lives.

Barbara's background in business, her years as a journalist, her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology, her extensive research, and her own dramatic experience with money give her a unique and powerful perspective on women's financial issues. She has been featured on Good Morning America, The View, Extra, The O'Reilly Report, and many times on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox News, PBS, and NPR, as well as the New York Times, and USA Today. She is the author of Prince Charming Isn’t Coming: How Women Get Smart About Money, Secrets of Six-Figure Women, Overcoming Underearning, and Finding a Financial Advisor You Can Trust.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What financial success can look like
The three levels of financial development
The realizations or beliefs that need to be changed in order to make progress with your money
Why your difficulties with money have very little to do with money
What power from a feminine perspective looks like
Why you need to be willing to rock the boat
Why a financial achievement is always preceded by a financial challenge
What happens if you’re really committed to making a change
How to overcome under earning
What a powerful support network looks like

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Barbara’s website
Barbara’s Monthly Money Mondays
Barbara’s book, Overcoming Underearning
Karen McCall’s website: Financial Recovery

Maximizing Your Benefits & Team Leadership Skills with Ashley Cox Apr 10, 2017

This week I sat down with human resources pro and founder of sproutHR, Ashley Cox.

Ashley Cox is the HR Partner for Creatives at sproutHR, where she helps you hire, train and lead your thriving team, all with confidence and heart. Ashley can help you create a simple, actionable plan to hire your first team member, provide guidance and resources on training and leading your team, and work with you one-on-one to create strategic, long-term plans and programs suited specifically to your business.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What you might be overlooking in your benefits and compensation
What your total compensation entails
The qualities to look for when you’re searching for team members
Why your core values matter
How to establish yourself while also staying within a company's core values
How to gel with someone isn’t quite a fit for your team but has been placed on your team
The qualities and traits of a thriving team

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Choose the Right Financial Planner with Alan Moore Apr 03, 2017

This week I sat down with another financial planner, entrepreneur and educator, Alan Moore, to talk about the things you don’t know to ask (but should) of any financial planner you work with.

Alan Moore, MS, CFP® is the co-founder of the XY Planning Network and is the Champion of NextGen at Abacus Wealth Partners, a fee-only RIA and financial planning firm managing over $1.5 billion AUM. He is passionate about helping financial planners start and grow their own fee-only firms to serve Gen X & Gen Y clients largely ignored by traditional firms. Alan has been recognized by Investment News as a top “40 Under 40″ in financial planning, and by Wealth Management as one of a “The 10 to Watch in 2015″. Alan frequently speaks on topics related to technology, marketing, and business coaching, and has been quoted in publications including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and The New York Times. He currently lives in Bozeman, MT so that he can hit the slopes on powder days.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What the next generation of financial planning looks like
What a Fiduciary is and what it means to “act in your best interest”
Questions to ask a financial planner before working with them
How to determine if a Financial Planner is the right Financial Planner for YOU
The issues you might face in finding a financial planner that is a fit for you and how to overcome them
Considerations for putting a value on financial planning advice for your situation
The organizations that exist to advocate for you as a consumer

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

John Oliver: Retirement Plans
Sample Fiduciary Oath (This is my signed oath for the XY Planning Network)
XY Planning Network
CFP Board
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)
Garrett Planning Network
Alan’s E-mail address
Alan’s Website
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me

Conquering Your Inner Critic with Reina Pomeroy Mar 27, 2017

This week I had the chance to chat with life and business success coach, Reina Pomeroy.

Reina Pomeroy is the founder of Reina + Co, the life + biz success coaching practice for creatives who are right brained and heart centered. She helps women who have a million brilliant ideas in their heads that they can’t seem to make happen. She helps them to stop spinning their wheels and take action on what’s most important so they can become the go-to expert in their field. Reina is also the co-host of the Creative Empire Podcast where she gets to interview leaders in the creative industry.

Here’s WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

Key ways to manage the multiple priorities and goals you want to achieve
What your fear voice is and how to externalize it
How to address the negative narrative that you have in your mind
Why it’s important to articulate your values
Conversations to have when determining if a decision or action is aligned with your values
How to peel back the layers and be mindful when you find yourself comparing to someone else’s numbers
What taking pause to celebrate your wins looks like and how it impacts your ability to move forward with the next thing
How the “what’s next?” mindset can circumvent you from living a life you value

Links We MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Top Money Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make and How to Stop Feeling Guilty About Money Mar 22, 2017

What are some of the top money mistakes you see entrepreneurs make with their money that I should avoid?

I find myself constantly anxious about my finances and feeling guilty when I spend, feeling guilt if I save...How do I stop feeling guilty about my money?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above questions.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What accounts you should have set up.
The numbers to look at beyond the income you're bringing in.
The right team members you should have in place.
How (and what type) of cushion to put in place for your business.
What your future entrepreneur self wants you to do.
How to zero in on the areas that are important for you to make financial progress.
What a money fear brain dump can help you to prioritize.
Why it's the little goals and small steps that matter.
How to leverage your calendar and set clear-cut action steps for getting things done.

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

How to Start Investing in Rental Properties with Paula Pant Mar 20, 2017

This week I had the chance to chat with Paula Pant about all things rental real estate.

Paula Pant is a self-proclaimed globetrotter, entrepreneur and investor. She is a journalist-turned-blogger who helps entrepreneurs shatter limits, ditch the cubicle and live life on their own terms. She has traveled to 33 countries and owns seven rental properties. Her belief is that money can fuel your dreams and that it’s about growing your wealth, not pinching pennies. Her blog Afford Anything is part of a larger movement to allow people to ditch the 9-5 lifestyle and master their money to embark on their dreams.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How to streamline the amount of time you spend on renovating and managing your rental properties
What’s most important when building a team to assist in maintaining your real estate portfolio
What’s to think about when selecting a location to purchase your rental property
Realistic expectations on the time commitment involved in finding and analyzing a property
The hardest part of the rental real estate game
The numbers needed to arrive at your Net Operating Income and how to arrive at your Cap Rate (and what it is)
What Passive Income really looks like (and entails)
Where to start and what to consider in building your renovation team
Why informational interviews also apply to rental real estate investing
A good rule of thumb for how much to set aside in a rental emergency fund

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Paula’s Website Afford Anything

How Much You Should Really be Saving and What to Know When Selecting a Credit Card Mar 15, 2017

I've had the same credit card for as long as I can remember. I'm hearing a lot about rewards programs and the need to maximize my options. What should I know when I'm shopping for a credit card?

I'm in my late 30s and I feel like I'm doing okay with savings, but I'm not sure that I'm doing enough. How much should I have saved by now?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above questions:

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How we maximize credit card rewards in our household.
Why your APR is and how it varies for different uses.
What to keep in mind when looking for the best rewards programs.
How your credit score can impact your APR and the credit limit available to you.
Why your personal situation will determine what you need to stash away.
Questions to ask yourself about goals and life to determine the amount you need to stash away.
How to tell if you're doing enough on your own.
Rules of thumb to use in determining the amount you need to save.

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

The Laws of Wealth and Psychology of Money with Daniel Crosby Mar 13, 2017

DO MY THOUGHTS AROUND MONEY AFFECT MY SPENDING HABITS?

This week I had the chance to chat with Dr. Daniel Crosby, a behavioral finance expert.

Dr. Daniel Crosby is a behavioral finance expert, a sought after thought leader on market psychology, and the founder of Nocturne Capital. Dr. Crosby created the sentiment and valuation measures that serve as the overlay for Nocturne's tactical strategy. His ideas have appeared in the Huffington Post, Think Advisor, and Risk Management, as well as columns for WealthManagement.com and Investment News.

Daniel was named one of Investment News "40 Under 40" and a financial blogger you should be reading by AARP. Daniel's second book, "Personal Benchmark", co-authored with Charles Widger of Brinker Capital, was a New York Times bestseller that outlines a highly personalized approach to investing that aligns intention with action while fostering an investment experience that is both enjoyable and rational.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
- What simple decisions are predictors of whether or not you reach your goals.
- Why people who work with an advisor do better with their finances than those who don’t.
- The number one thing people can do to streamline their investments.
- How your ego is impacting your financial picture.
- The impact establishing and following money rules can have in meeting your financial goals.
- Why we think that money needs to be sexy (when it really doesn’t).
LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Ask Mary Beth: Am I Sitting on Too Much Cash and How Do I Know How Much Mortgage I Can Afford? Mar 08, 2017

AM I SITTING ON TOO MUCH CASH?

HOW DO I REALLY KNOW HOW MUCH MORTGAGE I CAN AFFORD?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above questions.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What amount is just enough cash to have on hand.
Where to keep your cash savings accounts.
How to determine what to do with additional cash beyond your emergency fund.
Planning for short versus long-term goals.
The lifestyle factors to consider before locking in a mortgage payment for the next 15 - 30 years.
Decisions to make before shopping for a house.
The #1 thing you need to get organized prior to planning a home purchase.

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Finding Your MoneyZen and Excelling Financially with Manisha Thakor Mar 06, 2017

This week I had the chance to chat with Manisha Thakor, CFA, CFP® ardent financial literacy advocate for women.

Manisha Thakor, CFA, CFP® is Director of Wealth Strategies for Women at Buckingham and The BAM Alliance, a community of more than 140 independent registered investment advisors throughout the country.

An ardent financial literacy advocate for women, Manisha is the co-author of two critically acclaimed personal finance books: ON MY OWN TWO FEET: a modern girl’s guide to personal finance and GET FINANCIALLY NAKED: how to talk money with your honey.

Manisha is also a member of The Wall Street Journal’s Wealth Experts Panel, CNBC’s 2016 Financial Advisor Council, and sits on faculty at The Omega Institute. Her financial literacy advocacy work for women has been featured in countless national media outlets ranging from Real Simple and Cosmopolitan to The New York Times and The Today Show.

Manisha earned her MBA from the Harvard Business School and her BA from Wellesley College. She lives in Portland, Oregon where she delights in the active coffee culture and stunning beauty of the pacific northwest.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How perfectionism can impact your investments
The four stages in a person’s career path and where women versus men excel
How to move forward even with the negative screen savers in our mind
The biggest mistakes women and men make in their finances
Why determining what your “enough” means is imperative to financial confidence.
What common characteristics people who are financially successful have.
Questions that arise financially when going through a divorce.
Being well-thy vs. being wealthy

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Manisha’s Website (and where to sign up for her newsletter): MoneyZen
On My Own Two Feet: A Modern Girl’s Guide to Personal Finance
Get Financially Naked: How to Talk Money With Your Honey
Marie Forleo: Stop Self-Sabotage with this One Vital Step
Tara Mohr: Playing Big

Ask Mary Beth: What to Consider Before Accepting a Job Offer and Do I Really Need Life Insurance? Mar 01, 2017

I'M IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW JOB. WHAT DO I CONSIDER BEFORE SAYING "YES" TO AN OFFER?

DO I REALLY NEED LIFE INSURANCE?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above questions.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What to look for in a job offer beyond the salary.
Where to find extra money offered by a potential employer.
Why getting the company benefits booklet up front can save you from a costly mistake.
Who does and doesn't need life insurance.
The best type of life insurance policy for your situation.
Why it's not safe to assume family / friends will support or take care of your loved ones.

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

The Business of Launching a Biz with Stephanie Burns Feb 27, 2017

This week I had the chance to chat with Stephanie Burns, founder of Chic CEO.

Stephanie is the founder of Chic CEO. Chic CEO is an online resource for female entrepreneurs - bringing how-to information, tools and community to women starting businesses. With 90,000 female entrepreneurs subscribed, Stephanie's vision for Chic CEO is to be the number one resource for any woman who wants to follow her entrepreneurial dream.

Here’s WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The biggest hurdle facing new business owners and how to overcome it.
The roadblocks encountered by women launching a business.
The exact place you need to begin when starting a business. Seriously. Start here.
How to get idea validation on your product or service offering.
Why fear is robbing you from potential opportunities and how to conquer it.
Resources you can find at the Chic CEO website to launch your business.

Links We MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Ask Mary Beth – How Do I Get Started With Investing and Retirement Savings or College Savings: Which Comes First? Feb 22, 2017

HOW DO I GET STARTED WITH INVESTING?

RETIREMENT SAVINGS OR COLLEGE SAVINGS: WHICH COMES FIRST?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above questions.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The first thing you need to determine before you even dive into investing.
Why a diverse portfolio matters.
What an index does for you.
What a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund can do for you.
Where to start in the retirement vs. college planning debate.
What happens when you plan for college without planning for retirement.
Why "do what you can" is better than "do nothing".

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Finding Your Dream Career With Anna Runyan Feb 20, 2017

I WANT TO MAKE A CAREER CHANGE. WHERE DO I START?

This week I had the chance to chat with Anna Runyan, founder of Classy Career Girl.

Anna is the Creator of Corporate Rescue Plan™ and CEO of one of Forbes 35 Most Influential Career Sites, ClassyCareerGirl.com. She's a winner of the Top 5 Blogs For Young Professionals by Levo League and one of 15 Career Experts To Add To Your Twitter Feed Now by The Muse. She's been featured on Fox, ESPN, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and People Stylewatch Magazine. Anna was nominated as San Diego Magazine's Woman of the Year (2016) and her podcast was ranked one of the top 23 career podcasts by CareerToolkit.com. She helps millions of women design and launch their dream careers, businesses, and lives through her website, online courses and social media channels.

Here’s WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How to determine what your career interests are.
What holds many people back from making a career change.
The #1 place to find those you should reach out to for informational interviews.
Who you should reach out to before making a career move.
How to financially prioritize a career change.
What specific questions to ask of those currently working in the career you’re interested in.
Specific follow up action items after connecting with others.
How to tackle the overwhelm of finding your dream career.

Links We MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Work Your Wealth Wednesday: How Many Bank Accounts You Need & Can You Buy a Home while You Have Student Loans? Feb 15, 2017

HOW MANY BANK ACCOUNTS DO I NEED?

SHOULD I PURCHASE A HOME IF I HAVE STUDENT LOANS?

One of the fun parts of being a financial planner is getting to field and answer questions from clients and readers all around the country. In these Work Your Wealth episodes I'll be taking time to address and answer questions I've come across from readers and clients throughout my career. Today I'm answering the above questions.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The number of bank accounts you need.
What to consider when opening multiple bank accounts.
Tough decisions you may need to make when working towards goals.
How to keep one-time expenses from derailing your cash flow.
Cash flow considerations for locking in a mortgage.
What your debt-to-income ratio is and what percentage it should be at or below.
Items to keep in mind when saving for a down payment.

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

From Smart Mom to Rich Mom with Kimberly Palmer Feb 13, 2017

This week I had the chance to chat with Kimberly Palmer, author of Smart Mom, Rich Mom.

Kimberly Palmer is the author of “Smart Mom, Rich Mom: How to Build Wealth While Raising a Family.” She is a financial journalist living in Washington, DC with her family, including two children.

WHETHER YOU’RE A PARENT OR NOT, HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The statistics behind women handling their own finances.
How to get started with automating your financial education.
Why a basic financial foundation is needed before jumping in to understanding your investments.
The #1 thing needed to come together as a couple and a family to get on track financially.
Where to start with teaching your children about money and the power to stories.
When and why you should talk to your own parents about their financial situation.
What you should do now to start planning for care for your aging parents.
Creative ways to leverage employee benefits.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Kimberly’s book: Smart Mom, Rich Mom: How to Build Wealth While Raising a Family
Kimberly’s website

7 Money Beliefs Holding You Back Feb 02, 2017

You may not want to get touch- feely with your finances, but when it comes to beliefs and the stories we tell ourselves about money, they can have a huge impact on your finances, your ability to save, to grow your income, and to meet your goals. In this episode we're going to dive in to seven common money beliefs, how they may be holding you back and what you can do to reframe them in order to make progress with your money.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

What money scripts are and how they shape the way you view money.
How to reframe and reshape your money beliefs and anxieties so they no longer hold you back.
What “enough” money could look like for you.
How to view being good with money through a different lens.
How to identify when you're telling yourself a story about money.
How to address guilt about earning more.
Questions to ask in getting comfortable talking about money.

LINKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

The Art of Negotiation with Erica Gellerman Feb 01, 2017

Erica Gellerman is a career consultant and advisor who helps women find their worth in the workplace. Having spent 10 years honing her skills with great companies (PwC, P&G, Amazon), she's now helping other women transition into careers they love, gain the confidence to speak up and ask for more, and see the value in their work. She shares information and advice on her website, The Worth Project, through her weekly Forbes Column, The Salary Chronicles, and as the Finance Editor for The Everygirl. She has her MBA from Duke University, is a CPA, and is currently an expat living in London with her husband and her little dog, Hattie.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

The number one thing you need to do before walking into a negotiation
Why negotiation is a collaboration
Steps to take in eliminating your anxiety around negotiation
When most of the work happens in a negotiation
What to tools to take into your negotiation with you
How a skills assessment can help you pivot in your career without taking a pay cut
The power of a moment of silence

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Master Your Career & Your Debt with Adrienne Dorison Jan 31, 2017

This week I had the incredible opportunity to talk with Adrienne Dorison of www.adriennedorison.com and The School of Self-Mastery Podcast.

Adrienne Dorison is a business strategist and podcast host who helps experts, entrepreneurs and business owners get better results in less time. Adrienne has a corporate background with LEAN Six Sigma as a continuous improvement expert and she has developed proven systems for entrepreneurs that deliver real results, fast. Adrienne has been recognized as a thought leader in the millennial entrepreneurial space. She hosts her own podcast, The School of Self-Mastery, and contributes to a myriad of media and publications.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

How Adrienne became debt-free in less than six months!
Why figuring out your survival expenses is important before making a career change.
Why you don’t necessarily need to have it all figured out before making a move.
Why having a timeline matters when you’re tackling financial goals.
What being vocal with your goals looks like and how it impacts your spending patterns.

LINKS WE MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Welcome to the Work Your Wealth Podcast Jan 31, 2017

Welcome to the first episode of the Work Your Wealth Podcast, a weekly podcast for those wanting to make smarter choices with their money.

Featuring expert interviews with leading authors, business owners and professionals, the Work Your Wealth Podcast will give you the education, confidence and clarity around your finances that you deserve. If you’re ready to use your money to live a life you love, this show is for you.

I’m your host, Mary Beth Storjohann. I’m a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, the Founder of Workable Wealth, where I serve as a financial planner and accountability partner in working to help clients in their 20s-40s across the country make smart, educated choices with their money.

I’m also an author and the inspiration for this show came from my book, Work Your Wealth: 9 Steps to Making Smarter Choices With Your Money, which launched in March 2016.

I’ve been named as a “Top 40 Under 40” financial planner by Investment News, one of “10 young Advisors to Watch” by Financial Advisor Magazine, and one of “10 of the Best Personal Finance Experts on Twitter.” I frequently appear on NBC as a financial expert and my expertise has been featured in Glamour, Women’s Health, Brides, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Forbes, and more. You can connect with me via Instagram, on Facebook, or via Twitter.

In this inaugural episode of the Work Your Wealth Podcast, I talk about why I created this show, share a bit about my background, and explain who this podcast is for and what you can expect each time you join me here.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: