Are you using your Health Savings Account to its full potential? HSAs are great for covering immediate healthcare costs, but with careful planning, they can also become a strategic part of your long-term wealth plan. This week, Scott Frank, fou

What Should You Do With Your Stock Portfolio?

14 days ago 25m 35s

Deciding what to do with your stocks can prove to be a problem, challenge, and opportunity all at once. With a huge portfolio in front of you, what can you do to slim it down? This week, Scott Frank, founder of Stone Steps Financial, and Meg Ba

What Should You Do With Your Pile of Cash?

15 days ago 23m 9s

Is your cash currently sitting under your mattress, withering away with inflation? While stashing your cash seems like a safe bet, it limits your access to investment opportunities. With inflation rising, the value of your cash may not have the

Is It Possible To Actually Reach FIRE?

18 days ago 25m 34s

What does being financially independent mean to you? Those chasing FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) are choosing to live frugally now to achieve early retirement. FIRE is a means to unlock a life where work is optional and the freedo

How Can You Avoid Surprises Next Tax Season?

19 days ago 26m 7s

Does your anxiety spike every time tax season rolls around? The possibility of receiving an unexpected tax bill can bring a sense of dread to the entire month of April. We all have to pay taxes, but we don’t have to stress about them. Scott Fra

Final Episode - How To Stay In Touch With Us!

Mar 1st, 2023 6m 5s

Scott and James thank all of the fans for years of support for listening to the podcast and review where you can find them if you're looking for customized advice when it comes to maximizing your finances. LET'S CONNECT!JamesYouTube | Website |

How to Balance a Home Purchase with Saving for Retirement?

Feb 22nd, 2023 15m 9s

Scott and James discuss how to balance a home purchase with saving for retirement.Listener Question:We want to stay in manhattan and want to be home owners but can’t make the math work. Our current rental 2 bed 2 bath just went up to $4400/mo.

What Should You Do If You Make Too Much To Contribute To a Roth IRA?

Feb 15th, 2023 12m 57s

Scott and James discuss what to do if you make too much to contribute to a Roth IRA.Listener Question:I am currently 33 years old, single, and am nearing a $129,000 annual salary. I have been investing in a Roth IRA and realize the phaseout lim

The Truth About an MBA - Is It Worth It?

Feb 8th, 2023 14m 41s

Scott and James discuss whether or not an MBA is worth it.Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationPurchasing PowerOther issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)Timestamps:2:30 - Listener Quesiton5:30 - Why

How Are Different Types of Investment Withdrawals Taxed?

Feb 1st, 2023 17m 5s

Scott and James discuss the tax implications of withdrawing income from various accounts in retirement.Listener Question:Can you talk about how some of the main retirement accounts are taxed upon withdrawal? Example topic: Are withdrawals just

How Can I Reduce Costs Inside Of My Company's 401(k)?

Jan 25th, 2023 21m 30s

Scott and James discuss how to reduce costs inside of your company's 401(k).Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:What is a good expense ratio for a retirement account? Is this

How Should Real Estate Factor In My Retirement Plan?

Jan 18th, 2023 23m 45s

Scott and James discuss how real estate should factor into your retirement plan.Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:Me and my wife enjoy doing live and flip rentals and are p

How to Best Diversify a Concentrated Stock Holding

Jan 11th, 2023 26m 6s

Scott and James discuss how to best diversify a concentrated stock holding.Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:How do I exit a concentrated stock position?I’m an employee at

5 Steps to Get Your Finances Right in the New Year

Jan 4th, 2023 35m 13s

Scott and James discuss how 5 things to start the new year right with your finances.Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Planning Points DiscussedUtilizing Time EfficientlyCapital AppreciationP

How Should You Choose Survivor Benefits Options For Your Pension?

Dec 28th, 2022 19m 42s

Scott and James discuss how you should choose your survivor benefits options for your pension. Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:I'm not sure if this can be a whole show bu

Misleading Financial Rules That You Should Avoid

Dec 21st, 2022 18m 58s

Scott and James discuss misleading financial rules to avoid.Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:How do you both think about the common wisdom that you should have a certain m

[BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!] How to Find the Right Solution For Your Financial Needs

Dec 14th, 2022 43m 9s

Scott and James discuss annuities and announce Real Personal Finance NATION!Join the Real Personal Finance Community and click on "The Nation"We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:I've met with multiple financial advisors and all of them have

What's the Best Way for a Career Changer to Get Into the Financial Planning Industry?

Dec 7th, 2022 26m 13s

Scott and James discuss the best way to enter the financial planning industry as a career changer.Wilson Liu Financial ResourcesWe're on YouTube here!Listener Question:I really enjoy your podcast. I've had a 10-year career in nonprofit developm

How Do You Know When You're on Track to be Financially Free?

Nov 30th, 2022 23m 3s

Scott and James discuss how you can know when you're financially free.NEW: We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:If you think we can step away from work when I hit "my number" whether it be at age 49 or 54 - knowing that I would only pull app

How do Individual Stocks Compare to Investing in Funds?

Nov 23rd, 2022 34m 5s

Scott and James discuss the most how individual stocks compare to investing in funds.NEW: We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:I listen to your podcast and it has inspired me to invest however, I have invested into individual stocks and it h

What's the Most Effective Way to Incorporate Giving Into Your Financial Plan?

Nov 16th, 2022 26m 54s

Scott and James discuss the most effective way to incorporate giving into your financial plan.NEW: We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:Am I on track to retire at 52? Am I over-investing in retirement at the expense of more freedom now? How

Does it Ever Make Sense to Purchase a Home with All Cash Down?

Nov 9th, 2022 27m 58s

Scott and James discuss if you should ever purchase your home fully in cash.NEW: We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:I’m 27 and my goal is to have a paid for house by the time I'm 45. In the next 18 years, if I save and invest aggressively

How Does A Pension Fit In Your Overall Retirement Plan?

Nov 2nd, 2022 23m 26s

Scott and James discuss how a pension fits into your overall retirement plan.NEW: We're on YouTube here!Listener Question:Am I on track to retire at 52? Am I over-investing in retirement at the expense of more freedom now? How would you recomme

175 - 5 Employee Benefits To Get Right During Annual Enrollment

Oct 27th, 2022 37m 3s

Scott and James discuss the 5 employee benefits to get right during annual enrollment! NEW: We're on YouTube here! Planning Points Discussed Utilizing Time Efficiently Capital Appreciation Purchasing Power Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financ

174 - Is Roth or Traditional Better for FIRE?

Oct 19th, 2022 26m 57s

Scott and James discuss if Roth or Traditional is better for FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). NEW: We're on YouTube here! Listener Question: I’m wondering if I should change my 401k strategy from traditional to roth? I’m a 3