Episode 9: Beyond the Paycheck: Vacation Rental ROI, State Taxes, and Deferred Comp Decisions

June 16th, 2025  |  18 mins 43 secs

deferred compensation, financial literacy, no-income-tax state move, residency rules, vacation rental, vacation rental roi

This week, we’re digging into real-world financial decisions with long-term impact. What’s the right way to measure ROI on a vacation rental—and how do you account for taxes, maintenance, and future resale? Thinking of relocating to a no-income-tax state? We explain what to evaluate beyond just taxes, including legal residency rules and estate implications. If you’ve been offered deferred compensation, we’ll walk through how to weigh the benefits, risks, and coordination with other retirement strategies.

Then in Money in the Headlines, Stephan reacts to a new survey showing 77% of Americans are changing their financial behavior due to recession fears. Is that smart strategy—or emotional overreaction?

Episode 8: Three Physicians, Three Big Questions: Planning for Flexibility, Savings, and Sanity

June 9th, 2025  |  19 mins 24 secs

financial independence, financial literacy, locum tenens retirement accounts, physician burnout, physician finance, retirement planning, variable income planning

Feeling burned out but unsure if you can afford to cut back? We answer physician finance questions about retirement accounts, variable income planning, and what financial independence looks like when you’re ready for a slower pace.

Episode 7: Wealth Concentration to Weekend Plans: Retirement Prep and Financial Literacy for Heirs

June 2nd, 2025  |  28 mins 15 secs

concentration risk, family business, financial literacy, gifting strategies, incentive trusts, over-contribution correction, retirement transition

Holding most of your wealth in a family business? We cover how to reduce concentration risk when wealth is tied to a family business, how to prepare for the emotional and financial transition into retirement, and how to structure gifts to children with financial literacy in mind. Plus, a bonus question on managing over-contributions after a large bonus payout.

Episode 2: Can You DIY Your Financial Plan with Software? Plus, How Often to Check Your Portfolio

April 28th, 2025  |  9 mins 50 secs

financial literacy, market timing, portfolio rebalancing, tax planning

This week, Stephan answers two common questions from DIY investors. First: can you really just buy the same financial planning software advisors use and run your own plan? Then: how often should you actually be checking your portfolio? Stephan breaks down what separates professional-grade planning tools from consumer versions, when retail software might be enough, and why too much portfolio monitoring can do more harm than good.