This week Ross and Dan dive into the listener mailbag and come up with questions around Cash Balance Plans, the tax benefits of I-Bonds and 529 funding strategies. To have your questions featured, email checkyourbalances@outlook.com!Check this episode out on YouTube.Follow us on Instagram!

This week we share our system for how many savings accounts to use so that you can accurately track your savings and spending guilt-free at the same time. If you've had trouble keeping your savings organized, this episode is for you!Check this episode out on YouTubeEmail us your questions to be featured on upcoming episodes to checkyourbalances@outlook.comFollow us on Instagram

If you gave us a magic wand and let us change the tax code, what would we do to it? Hear our take as well as the advice from several tax experts on this week's show!Check this episode out on YouTubeEmail us your questions at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featuredFollow us on Instagram

Longtime listener and cute dog owner, Tyler, sends us a clip of Ron Baron talking about bonds. Does this billionaire's advice apply to your life? Probably not, but we had fun discussing it anyway. Find this episode on YouTubeFollow us on InstagramEmail your questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com

This week's mailbag episode features questions on backdoor Roth conversions gone wrong, how attractive are I-Bonds today, and how a dog photo will ensure your question makes it to our air!Thanks for sending in question to the show! To have your questions featured on an upcoming episode email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com.Check this episode out on YouTubeFind us on Instagram

This week Adam Nash joins the show to talk about his newest business, Daffy, which is broadening access to a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) platform. He's a Silicon Valley veteran and the former CEO of Wealthfront. His resume includes experience at Dropbox, LinkedIn, eBay, and many others... and he even teaches a personal finance class at Stanford. Email checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on an upcoming mailbag episode!Check out this episode on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram

The author of A Simple Path to Wealth, JL Collins, is back with a new book called Pathfinders. JL Joins us this week to talk about his views on building wealth and investing in an easy to follow plan.Email your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on an upcoming mailbag episode!This episode is on YouTubeFind us on Instagram

Ross and Dan Reveal Their Most Ridiculous (and Relatable) 2023 Purchases and how the markets did. We've all been there: splurging on something we definitely didn't need. Ross and Dan take you on a lighthearted journey through their own hilariously questionable spending habits of 2023. You'll laugh, you'll cringe, you'll realize you're not alone in your financial oddities.Email your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have them featured on an upcoming mailbag.This episode is on YouTubeFind us on Instagram

This week, Kelly Phillips Erb (AKA Taxgirl), joins the show again to explain a meaningful tax case that is currently being argued in the Supreme Court. How could Moore vs. United States impact us in the future? Tune in to find out.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on upcoming episodes!Check out this episode on YouTube.Follow us on Instagram.

With the announcement that Mark Cuban is leaving Shark Tank, Ross and Dan reflect on the show's accomplishments and places where it can be misleading for entrepreneurs and investors. What's really a "flyer" when you have a reported $6.2 Billion net worth?Email your questions for upcoming episodes to checkyourbalances@outlook.comCheck out this episode on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram

This week Ross and Dan dip into the listener questions and talk about Securities Based Lending, Noncontrolling  Interest on a balance sheet, and the role of gold in a portfolio. Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on upcoming episodes!This episode is on YouTube.

This week Ross and Dan raise a glass in memory of investing legend Charlie Munger. From his thoughts on business incentives to simply winning by not being stupid... we owe Charlie a lot.Add your questions to the comments section on YouTube or email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on the show!

This week, US Tax Attorney and Expat Entrepreneur, Stewart Patton joins the show to talk about some of the methods and pitfalls you should consider if you're planning to live or work outside of the United States. This is a complex topic area, so as always, we recommend consulting with a tax advisor personally. But we hope this episode gives you a few ideas on where to start your international living journey!Email your questions, topic ideas, and comments to checkyourbalances@outlook.comView this episode on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram 

This week is the first repeat guest in show history! Chris Hill joins Ross & Dan for a lighthearted discussion about investing and the best dishes to bring to Thanksgiving dinner!Email checkyourbalances@outlook.com to send your questions to the show!Check out this episode on YouTube.Find us on Instagram.

This week, Ross and Dan react to a portfolio proposal called "The Cockroach Portfolio" from Market Sentiment. Should our goal be to just survive? Tune in this week to find out.Email your questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com.Check out this video on YouTube.Follow on Instagram.

Before getting to your questions, Ross and Dan stop to see who can win the most money with a biased coin. Play the simulator for yourself here.Email questions for upcoming shows to checkyourbalances@outlook.comCheck out this episode on YouTubeFollow us on IG.

As we celebrate the end of "Spooky Season," Ross and Dan pull back the curtain on a few transactions in finance that may seem scary, but really shouldn't be. Hopefully understanding how they work gives you more confidence the next time you have a scary transaction to handle.Email questions for an upcoming mailbag show to checkyourbalances@outlook.comCheck out the show on YouTube!Slide into our DMs on Instagram

Money regrets aren't limited to mere mortals. Magic Johnson spoke recently about his regrets about what could have been if he had taken Nike's offer of stock in the company versus a higher cash offer from Converse.  We break down his comments and offer our own thoughts.Email your questions and thoughts to checkyourbalances@outlook.comThis week's show is on YouTube.Check us out on Instagram!

Famed author, Michael Lewis, is taking a lot of heat for his portrayal of Sam Bankman-Fried in his new book, Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon. Dan's take on the book and a discussion of how much you need to be offered to switch banks on this week's show.Send questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.comCheck out the show on YouTubeFollow us on Instagram

This week Ross and Dan unpack how a charitable deduction really works to reduce your taxes as well as some other unique areas of the tax code that you might consider (only with the help of your CPA or tax professional).Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.comCheck this episode out on YouTubeFollow on Instagram

It's October, so we pay a visit to our email queue to address your questions.  Check this episode out on YouTube.Email your questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.comFollow us on Instagram

We spend a lot of time talking about how to retire, but not a lot talking about where. This week we unpack some of the main considerations we hear from clients, and help you look for pitfalls to avoid.Check this episode out on YouTube.Email your questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.comFollow us on Instagram

 Check this episode out on our YouTube Channel if you'd rather see us do this same show!This week Ross and Dan revisit a popular topic in their practice which is how to approach portfolio income. Should you be switching to a dividend-focused approach, or would a "Carve Out" strategy give you better access to the funds you'll need to live on in retirement?Email your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on upcoming mailbag episodes!

This week Ross and Dan rant about some of the headlines commonly seen in the personal finance space. Why we hate them, and you should too!Email questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

This week's show gets into how a Backdoor Roth actually works (and whether it's actually legal), the mechanics of a target date fund, and a notable stock spin-off.To have your question featured on the next mailbag episode, email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

The real estate landscape has changed meaningfully since Ross and Dan recorded the "Rent, Buy and PMI" episode in late 2021.  This week, they discuss how this new environment is impacting the way people approach housing.The Check Your Balances crew also wants to give a very special shout out to our partner Matt for welcoming a new baby girl to his family.  Congratulations!Have thoughts or questions for the show?  Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com or shoot us a note on Instagram!

This week, Ross and Dan take on two topics that felt important but didn't quite need a full show on their own.  Should you take money out of your retirement accounts in an emergency situation? How do you avoid tax penalties for under-withholding? Tune in this week to find out.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com or slide in our DMs on Instagram!

Serving as a Trustee comes with a laundry list of responsibilities.  This week, Ross and Dan go over what is required of someone serving in that role, and introduce how a Corporate Trustee might be able to help.Give us a follow on Instagram, and send your questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

A good idea taken to its most extreme place can lead to trouble. This week, Ross and Dan unpack what might have seemed like a good idea to the programmers at a prominent "Robo-advisor," but might not be the best in practical application...Give us a follow on Instagram, and send your questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

July came and went without us diving into the mailbag, so we kick off August with a few listener questions!  Ross and Dan respond to a Money With Katie episode that suggests Roth contributions are rarely more favorable than pre-tax savings, and we share why using a direct indexing strategy is still...indexing.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!  Follow us on Instagram @checkyourbalancesDo you like our show?  Leave a rating and share with a friend!

What are the critical discussions you should be having with your parents about money? As you transition from your formative first impressions of money to trying to "lead up" - how do you even start to bring it up? Send your questions for Ross and Dan to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on an upcoming show!

Index funds have become a popular tool for investors when building a portfolio.  This week, we talk about the origins of the earliest indexes, their rise to popularity, and how direct indexing could change the way we think about index investing. Send your questions and feedback to checkyourbalances@outlook.com, or connect with us on Instagram!

This week Ross and Dan ponder a range of "Would you rather?" style questions from the practical to the absurd. We hope you enjoy the hot takes on a wide range of topics.Send your questions and feedback to checkyourbalances@outlook.com, or connect with us on Instagram!

This week Ross and Dan use two listener questions to reflect on the current state of the mortgage market. Check your own math with this handy Free Amortization Calculator.Send questions to the show to checkyourbalanaces@outlook.com.

This week we open the mailbag to see what you, our listeners, want to hear about. Should you let AI help with your stock picking? Does the Social Security trust fund running low change your strategy around filing? Tune in to find out.Send your questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have them featured!

As more Americans seem to be struggling with "Tip fatigue" we wanted to talk about tipping from an academic lens. This week we are joined by Dr. Michael Lynn from Cornell who has studied the service industry and written extensively on tipping practices.Send questions for upcoming episodes to checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

Does beach season have you thinking about how nice a second home would be? This week Ross and Dan unpack some of the considerations, pitfalls, and a simple way to test if your theory is really right. Send your questions for an upcoming mailbag episode to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have them featured!

How worried should we be about the increase in consumer debt?  What does a persistently low Expecations Index mean?  What is the Expectations Index anyway?  That and more on this week's show.If you have any questions for the show send them to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

A veteran of the car dealership and finance world, Chris Johnson joins the show to talk about the places where the dealership really makes their money. Do you really need that warranty they offer in the finance office? Tune in this week or check out Chris' e-books to learn more.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

Non-Profit hospitals in the United States are required to offer Charity Care programs to help reduce or eliminate medical bills for low to midddle income patients.  Why don't more of us know about this? Today we are joined by Jared Walker, founder of the charity Dollar For.  His organization is dedicated to increasing awareness of these programs, and advocating for patients to help eliminate medical debt.  To seek assistance, or to support Dollar For, visit: https://dollarfor.org/Have any questions for the show?  Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

While most of our loyal listeners are very comfortable in the language of personal finance, we know not everyone feels the same. This week Adam Koren of Adam Koren Coaching joins the show to talk about his approach.Send questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

Does it make sense to adjust your net worth for the taxes that are embedded in your portfolio? This week Ross and Dan open up the mailbag to dive into your feedback and questions.  Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

The internet was abuzz with a story about how under new mortgage rules, borrowers with better credit will pay more for mortgages than borrowers with poor credit.  Could that be true?  We dive into that story, as well as a potential tax reduction strategy for owners of pass through entities.Do you have any questions for the show?  Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

Matt Trogdon, CFP joins us for this week's episode to talk about the ways a financial plan can give you permission to spend more of your money rather than saving it. Whether you want permission for the little things or the big things, knowing where you stand can make those choices more comfortable.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

This week Ross and Dan look at all of the parallels between the game of golf and the game of investing. From temperament to where you focus your time, there are a lot of ways they can be compared. Send your questions or ideas for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

As the 2023 tax deadline looms, Ross and Dan talk through a number of situations that seem to come up frequently. Dial in your withholding with the IRS Withholding Estimator.

How safe is your money with SIPC, and what does it even protect? We answer that and more on this week's mailbag episode. Send your questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have Ross and Dan weigh in on your finance questions!

While researching a complex loan situation for a client, Dan stumbled upon The Institute of Student Loan Advisors (TISLA). Betsy Mayotte was kind enough to join us for an interview to talk about the landscape of student loans and all of the great work that she and her team at TISLA are doing FOR FREE!Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on an upcoming mailbag!

In the wake of multiple bank failures, Ross and Dan talk about the implications of the Silicon Valley Bank failure and the cloudy nature of the current banking environment. Where might you be exposed to the problems, and what should you be doing about it? Tune in to hear.Send questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on an upcoming episode!

Matt Malkus, Partner and Director of Analytics at Institutional Life, joins the show to talk about what is going on behind the scenes in the insurance world.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

It's the most wonderful time of the year... no, not that one. The annual Berkshire Hathaway report with Warren Buffett's letter to shareholders is out, and we give you our 10 takeaways.Send questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have them featured on an upcoming episode!

This week Ross and Dan ask Chat GPT to craft answers to financial planning questions and evaluate how safe their jobs are from the AI sensation. Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

Are you converting a rental into your primary residence, or thinking about how many different accounts you should have? This week's mailbag episode could be for you. Send your questions for the CYB Podcast to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on an upcoming show!

This week, Ross and Dan celebrate Valentine's day with a Love and Money episode. From gift-giving to challenging conversations around estate planning, there are endless ways that your money and relationships ultimately intersect. Send your questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have them featured on an upcoming mailbag episode!

This week Ross and Dan unpack five "tax traps" that can sneak up on you if you're not paying attention to them. Tune in for what to look for and possibly how to mitigate the impact.As always, know that Ross & Dan are not CPAs or Tax Preparers. Any tax discussion is strategic in nature, and should always be discussed with your personal tax advisor prior to implementing!Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured!

Ross and Dan spend this week trying to react to some of the advice found on TikTok and other social media platforms. With videos about Stock Splits, Roth IRAs,  529s, and even Whole Life Insurance - there is something here for everyone!Send your questions or topic ideas for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

Inspired by a listener email, Ross and Dan dive into a brief history of retirement. From some common misconceptions to how recent some of our most beloved tools are, we hope you find this timeline entertaining.The majority of the data for this show was sourced from this Georgetown Law Timeline.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

On this month's mailbag episode, Ross and Dan talk through questions on Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), how to understand your index funds better, and how we personally look at shopping habits.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have them featured on an upcoming episode!

SECURE Act 2.0 introduces a massive number of changes for American taxpayers. In this week's episode, we outline the updates we think have the biggest impacts on you and your planning.Send your questions for an upcoming mailbag episode to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

Is tech investing dead? Is a recession already happening? Is the Dow even relevant anymore? This week Ross and Dan take a quick look at closing the books on 2022 and what they're looking at heading into the new year.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

We made it! Check Your Balances has produced its first 100 episodes. We are exceptionally grateful to everyone who has tuned in and listened. Whether this is your first time hearing us, or you've listened to every show, we hope you have found our show valuable and entertaining.This week we are honored to have one of our biggest supporters, Chris Hill, join us for the celebration of making it to 100 shows.Send your questions for Ross and Dan to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have them featured in the next 100.

Dan sits down for a 1:1 interview with his childhood friend and sports writer Mike Prada to talk about his new book Spaced Out: The Tactical Evolution of the Modern NBA. Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

As 2022 comes to a close, Ross and Dan kick around planning ideas you may want to consider before we kick off 2023. Should you be thinking about tax loss harvesting or tax gain harvesting? The answers lie ahead in this weeks episode.Send your questions for our January mailbag episode to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have them featured on the show!

This week Ross and Dan tackle questions from listeners on topics ranging from the 5-year rule for Roth IRAs to books to learn more about bond investing.Submit your questions to the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

Many high profile tech companies have already announced largescale layoffs, and it is likely we will see more to come in the future.  In this episode, Ross and Dan address what you should be thinking about if you or someone you know is facing job loss....and do you know your blood type?E-mail your questions for the show to checkyourbalance@outlook.com for a chance to be featured on our December mailbag episode!

The Check Your Balances team wishes a happy and meaningful Thanksgiving to all our listeners.  We hope you enjoy the holidays and look forward to getting back to our regularly scheduled program next week.E-mail checkyourbalance@outlook.com to weigh in on the best Thanksgiving side dishes!

The collapse of a $32 billion dollar market cap exchange is a story that seems to just be getting started. Ross and Dan weigh in with a high level review of what's going on, and what it means moving forward.E-mail your questions for the show to checkyourbalance@outlook.com to have a question featured on the show!

Matt Trogdon, CFP joins the show to talk about all things side hustle. From the aversions that people have when considering them to some simple ideas that can be pursued. The team shares their insight on what kind of impact a side business can have.E-mail your questions for the team to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on the show and a chance to get one of the last remaining CYB coffee mugs!

Kicking off November with a mailbag episode where we talk through your feedback and answer questions on wash sales and long-term care needs!E-mail your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to get one of the few remaining CYB coffee mugs!

At the risk of putting you to sleep, Ross and Dan try to take on bonds. As an incredibly large, meaningful, and often misunderstood asset class, the primer on how and why bonds might belong in your portfolio is hopefully helpful.Ross talks briefly about this chart showing the 10 year treasury yield relative to the real yield, and we know you love a good chart.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have questions or topics featured!

Ross and Dan talk through cost of living updates as they relate to Social Security as well as the cost of having children. See the Washington Post's coverage of Brookings Institute data on costs of childcare: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2022/cost-raising-child-calculator/Send your questions or what you a decluttering to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

This week Ross and Dan explore three possible strategies for the challenging environment we find ourselves in. Whether you're considering a home transaction or looking for cash, we just might have an idea that will help.E-mail questions or topic suggestions to the show at checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

A recent article from MarketWatch suggests that many young people should not be saving for retirement.  Ross and Dan react. You can read the article by clicking here.We love hearing from you!  Send any comments or questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com for the chance to be featured on the show.

This week Ross and Dan dive into the mailbag to answer listener questions on tax withholding possibilities as well as why there aren't always as many Roth options available as there should be.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have a question featured and get a CYB coffee mug if you want one!

Forget beets, bears and Battlestar Galactica...this week it is all about burgers, buyouts, and bear markets!  Join Ross and Dan as they tackle some listener questions and address the bearish sentiments expressed last week.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com for the chance to be featured.

Ross and Dan reveal 6 different private companies that they wish they had the opportunity to learn more about and possibly invest in.And we immediately have to retract our shade thrown at the Washington Commanders as apparently the mugs were not in the stadium.Speaking of mugs... shoot your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com and we will send you a Check Your Balances coffee mug for your contribution (while supplies last)!

David Blanchett is the Managing Director and Head of Retirement Research with PGIM DC Solutions.  His work has been featured prominently in many industry publications as well as the Wall Street Journal.  This week, he shares some of his research with the Check Your Balances team. Keep up to date on David's research by visiting his website:https://www.davidmblanchett.com/Have questions or thoughts for the podcast?  Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

A sad tale of the sandwich that never got eaten, Ross and Dan follow up on the $100 Million deli. They also discuss the student loan relief package and the food budget of a 20-something high-earner in DC. E-mail us with questions at checkyourbalances@outlook.com with show topics, questions, or feedback!

This week we are joined by Sharon Schneider, author of Handbook for an Integrated Life: A Practical Guide to Aligning Your Everyday Choices with Your Internal Compass.  Sharon has overseen the deployment of over $1.5 Billion in philanthropic capital for some of America's most prominent families, and has now written a guide on how to be more purposeful with the dollars flowing through your household budget.Visit Sharon's website: https://www.theintegratedlife.com/Click here to get your copy of Handbook for an Integrated LifeHave questions for Ross and Dan?  Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

Ross and Dan clarify their position that they aren't (complete) bears when it comes to real estate investing, but they want to consider the range of options available. Check out this week's show to hear some of their favorite ways to access a lucrative asset class.Send your stories or questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured!

Are you one of the many people who feel they got a late start saving for their future?  In this episode, we discuss how to approach your finances if you fall into that camp.  Ross also gets a rare message of support for one of his unpopular opinions.  Send your questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

Is it possible to boil your financial planning down to a single critical number? In this week's episode, Ross and Dan try to get to the bottom of that question. Send your questions and thoughts on rice cakes to checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

Ready for a financial planning throwdown?  Ross and Dan go head to head as they debate heated topics in financial planning.  Friend of the show Matt Trogdon joins as moderator. In the episode Dan made reference to a book, but forgot the name.  It was The Outsiders by William N. Thorndike, Jr., which tells the story of 8 unconventional CEOs and how their approach to capital allocation led to their success.

Washington Post reporter Andrea Sachs joins the show to talk about what is going on in the travel market today, and where the deals still exist if you're looking. In an era where everybody seems to want travel built into their financial plan, we thought it was important to share.Send your questions on personal finance, investing, or business to the show at checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

On this week's episode we discuss our feelings for Jimmy Buffet's music and review our thoughts on App Economy Insight's article, How To Handle Big Losers.Submit questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have Ross and Dan weigh in!

We celebrate Independence Day with a breakdown of how we define 5 (or is it 6?) levels of financial freedom. Our simple to understand framework should apply to wherever you are in your financial life today and give you a target for how to get to the next step.Submit questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have Ross and Dan weigh in!

How can approaching things with a "scout mindset" make us better investors?  Ross and Dan discuss their takeaways from Julia Galef's book The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't.Shoot a note to checkyourbalances@outlook.com with any questions, comments, or jokes for the team!

It feels like just yesterday we were talking about what was in the first SECURE act, and now we get to talk about the sequel. Ross and Dan talk about what is expected (and stupid) in the current proposals. Send your questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have them answered on our air! 

Ross and Dan recap their takeaways from last week's Financial Planning Association conference.  In particular they cover two strategies that can help avoid capital gains tax: upstream gifting, and the qualified small business stock exclusion.E-mail your questions or thoughts for Ross and Dan to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

Do you share the same financial concerns as Cardi B? We think you might. This week's show addresses a 20:1 stock split and how negative the overall sentiment seems right now. The chart Ross references in the show can be seen here.E-mail your questions for Ross and Dan to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have them weigh in!

Ross and Dan dive into the mailbag for this episode.  They tackle a listener question on how to think about inherited assets as well as the strategies for saving money on behalf of your kids. E-mail your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com.We're YouTubers! Smash that subscribe button to check out our video content.

This week Dan and Ross consider whether life insurance could act as a safe haven in what we're calling the "Nowhere to hide" market. And we also answer a listener question about where to focus savings.E-mail your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com.YouTube Channel coming soon... 

This week, we are joined by our old friend Robert "Bro" Brokamp, from Motley Fool's Rule Your Retirement service.  Tune is as we talk financial calculators, financial therapy, and more!  Test out CalcXML's retirement calculator by clicking here.Join Robert Brokamp's Rule Your Retirement Service here.Shoot us an email with your personal finance and investing questions at checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

This week, Nick Maggiulli joins the podcast to talk about his new book Just Keep Buying: Proven Ways to Save Money and Build Your Wealth. He's also the author of the blog Of Dollars and Data, and the Chief Operations Officer at Ritholtz Wealth Management. We are thrilled to have Nick join us!Shoot us an email with your personal finance and investing questions at checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

Inspired by the story of Fred Smith gambling to save FedEx early on, Ross and Dan explore scenarios where wrong financial decisions may have positive outcomes.Send questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on the show.

Market got you down? Ross and Dan kick around positive actions that you can (potentially) take in a negative market.Send questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on the show (and get a CYB mug!).

On this episode, Ross and Dan are joined by Anna Helhoski - Nerdwallet's authority on Student Loans.   Read more from Anna by visiting her Nerdwallet profile here:https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/author/anna/Email us at  checkyourbalances@outlook.com if you have any questions or comments for the show!

This week we're calling it a rant episode. Ross and Dan take on some very broad tax advice being given out on social media, and debate whether you should get excited about stock splits. Submit your financial planning questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on the show!

Our former colleague, the recently retired, Sean Gates, joins us to talk about his journey. Sean has embraced the Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) movement for his entire career and has just recently made the transition out of full time work. Hear more about his story on this week's show.To submit your personal finance questions or thoughts tot he show, email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

This week we are joined by George Mason University professor Dr. Lawrence White. Dr. White has spent his academic career studying monetary systems, banking, and more recently cryptocurrencies. He joins the show to share what is going on in the space and how crypto is being used.Submit your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have a question featured!

Inspired by Dan Pink's new book The Power of Regret, Ross and Dan reflect on how regret has played a part in their financial planning practice. Also, Dan shaved his beard and head to support St. Baldrick's Foundation.Send us your questions and thoughts to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

Resident "engaged guy" Matt Trogdon joins the show to talk about how he and his fiancée are dealing with combining finances.   Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com. 

Ross sold his home recently and details what an exploration of the iBuying process was like. A farewell episode to "Dirty Mike and the Boys."Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com. 

Of course more money is better than less money (unless you ask Biggie, in which case mo money is mo problems), but how much can a shift in salary impact your retirement trajectory?  Ross and Dan create a scenario for their made up client, Janice McExample, to see how it plays out.Email us at  checkyourbalances@outlook.com if you have any questions for the show!

Elon Musk has been in the news for giving away Tesla stock, and the news presented an interesting slant on Donor Advised Funds (DAF). Ross and Dan weigh in with their take on why DAF accounts can be a powerful planning tool and how you might consider using them.Submit questions to the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

Ross and Dan explore the basics of estate planning that everyone needs, and how to plan effectively in an area with so many variables. You'll also get to hear about Dan's second career path that could have been at the end.Submit questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to have them featured on the show!

This week we unpack Morningstar's report entitled: The State of Retirement Income: Safe Withdrawal Rates.  Do we need to replace the old 4% rule with the 3.3% rule?  We also address the differences between ETFs and Mutual Funds when it comes to index investing.You can download Morningstar's report using this link.Do you have a question or comment you'd like covered on the show?  Email us at  checkyourbalances@outlook.com and maybe the spirit will inspire Ross to mail Check Your Balances mugs once again.

What real life lessons about business and investing can we learn from scripted television?  This week, Ross and Dan pull back the curtain on their TV habits and share some moments from The Office and Silicon Valley that ring true in real life.Have you had any "a-ha" moments watching your favorite TV show?  We'd love to hear about it!  Email us at  checkyourbalances@outlook.com to share your takeaways with us.

A roundtable discussion of how to keep the recent market movement in context and focus on the big picture of your personal financial plan. Ross and Dan are joined by Matt Trogdon to discuss how the market has started 2022, and some strategies that we are using to relax along the way.Send your financial planning questions to us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

YouTuber, investor, speaker, and author Brian Feroldi joins the show to talk about the inspiration for his series of personal finance graphics and the book he has coming out this spring.Pre-order Brian's Book: Why Does the Stock Market Go UpFollow Brian on: YouTube, Instagram, TwitterSend your questions for Ross and Dan to us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

Ross and Dan were on a mission to bring to life Bill Mann's vision of a Monkey Butt on the blockchain.  They did so by creating the Monkey Butt NFT!  This week, we discuss what the process was like to create an NFT, and we also address a listener question about financial aid for college.To view the Monkey Butt NFT on Rarible click here.  Worth a chuckle, but not your hard earned dollars.  We don't recommend purchasing it.If you have personal experience with NFTs or any questions about personal finance, send your notes to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on the show!

We kick off the year feeling 22 and addressing listener questions! This week we address improving a credit score, differences in 529 and ABLE accounts, Fully Paid Securities Lending, and even a hint of Payment For Order Flow. Send your questions to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to be featured on the show!

As the year comes to a close, Ross and Dan review the performance of several major stock indexes and discuss their takeaways from 2021.  They also address Vanguard's Market Perspectives report which offers their 10 year asset class forecasts.  Have you dozed off yet?  E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com with your biggest investing takeaways from the year!

Do you need last minute gift ideas for the finance nerd in your life? Check out our gift guide for 2021 to help round out your shopping list for the year!E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com if you have questions for our year end wrap up show next week, or personal finance questions that we can help with!

Many of us have experienced inflation to this point in 2021 through rising costs, however there is a flip side to that coin!  Series I Savings Bonds, which pay an interest rate tied to inflation, are paying attractive rates.  In this episode we discuss I Bonds, and Ross takes us through what it was like to purchase one through TreasuryDirect.gov.Have you reached any personal financial milestones in 2021?  Let us celebrate your success!  Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to potentially be featured!

This week we welcome Andrew Schear of the Practical Personal Finance YouTube channel to the show. Andrew is a personal finance enthusiast that has documented his own journey and has created a library of more than 180 videos teaching finance concepts in simple, easy-to-understand, language.To submit a question for our show, email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to potentially be featured!

This week we talk taxes with Kelly Phillips Erb, aka the Tax Girl.  Together we discuss the challenges of navigating the tax landscape, and Kelly offers some controversial takes on home ownership and Roth IRAs.You can find Kelly's podcast, blog, and more by visiting: https://www.taxgirl.com/If you'd like to submit questions or air grievances you can contact us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

Once again, Matt Trogdon, CFP joins the show to talk about his experience going through a job transition over the summer which he lovingly refers to as "Funemployment." You can read his Preservation Mode article that he wrote for Humble Dollar.And to submit your questions for our show, email checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

Ross and Dan have real estate on the brain again.  This week they discuss the tough rental market, along with some potential money saving tips whether you already own a home or are in the market for one. Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com and receive a CYB mug while supplies last!

Bill Mann joins the show this week to discuss how to think about international investing, changes to the small-cap landscape, and even... crypto. Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com and receive a CYB mug while supplies last!

On this week's episode the team tackles a listener question which spurs a conversation on balancing short- and long-term goals.  Ross lets us in on a wedding planning hack.  And where in the world is Tyler?Submit any comments or questions you may have for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com and receive a free mug while supplies last!

Ross and Dan welcome Matt Trogdon, CFP to the show for the first time to share financial planning horror stories from celebrity life and beyond! Make sure you don't miss this special Halloween episode of Check Your Balances.Submit horror stories or any questions you may have for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to receive a free mug while supplies last!

Mat Sorensen,  an attorney and the CEO of Directed IRA,  joins us on this week's show to discuss how IRA funds can be used to make investments beyond traditional securities. This week's show explores a broader investment universe through a lesser known structure.You can learn more about Mat Sorensen and Self-Directed IRAs here on his website.Send your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to receive a CYB mug!

A new term in financial planning to unpack, and one of the key problems that could prevent it from working for you! Check out this week's show on what the Coast FIRE movement is and how little choices make the difference on it working.Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com with your Coast FIRE plans or any stories of personal lifestyle creep that you've experienced!

On this week's episode we welcome William Green, author of Richer, Wiser, Happier.  His book draws on his interviews with some of the world's greatest investors and highlights the principles and habits that make them successful.   In his chat with Dan, they discuss how many of these lessons extend beyond the world of investing. You can learn more about William Green and his work by visiting https://www.williamgreenwrites.com/.E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to submit questions for the show!

People often grow comfortable with buying stocks, but how should you think about selling them?  Ross and Dan talk about a few of the situations where you should say goodbye to shares within your portfolio. E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to submit questions for the show!

What personal finance lessons can we take away from a Will Ferrel movie? Check out this week's show to find out as Ross and Dan break down personal finance lessons from some popular movies.E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to submit questions for the show!

In a world where yield is hard to come by, learn how you can leverage simple options strategies to boost portfolio income.  Email your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to potentially have your question featured!

As kids head back to school for the fall, Ross and Dan breakdown what would be in their financial literacy course if they got to design it for high school students.Email your questions for the show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com to potentially have your question featured!

This week Ross and Dan are joined by Alan Moore.  He is the CEO and co-founder of XY Planning Network, which has created a community of over 1,000 fee-only advisors focused on serving Gen X and Gen Y clients.  To submit questions or topics for the show, email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

Dr. Terri Friedline is the author of Banking on a Revolution and a professor at University of Michigan. She joins Ross and Dan to talk about underbanked and unbanked communities and structural reform that is needed in the banking system.To submit questions or topics for the show, email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

The blog post Go Big, Then Stop by Nick Maggiulli inspired Ross and Dan to think about advice they would give to their younger selves.  They reflect on the early days of their careers, the power of compounding, and the risks of faking it until you make it.Submit questions or feedback to the show using checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

A mailbag episode, Ross and Dan read listener responses to how they'd spend lottery winnings and answer questions on net worth and 401(k) rollovers. There's a lot to unpack this week!Submit questions or feedback to the show using checkyourbalances@outlook.com!

We examine the math on how lottery payouts are actually made and then apply those same fundamentals to a much more likely scenario... pension planning! Check out this week's episode whether you're thinking about your pension or the Powerball.Receive a Check Your Balances mug by sending in great questions for the show at checkyourbalances@outlook.com (while supplies last!).

At the end of 2019 a major piece of tax legislation was signed into law.  The SECURE Act may have flown under the radar of many Americans as our focus quickly shifted towards a global pandemic.  On this episode Ross and Dan review some major provisions of the SECURE Act and what they might mean for you.E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com with your questions or feedback for the show!

How much cash is too much in your portfolio? Ross and Dan launch from a listener question into their theory about allocation bands and how you choose to treat risk in your portfolio. They also react to Malcom Gladwell's enthusiasm for self-driving cars.E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com with your questions or feedback for the show!

Kimberly Palmer, author of "Smart Mom, Rich Mom" and personal finance expert at NerdWallet, joins the show to talk about budgeting.  Ross and Dan have historically considered themselves "anti-budgeters", but Kimberly flips them by offering a simple and practical framework for regaining control of your spending.E-mail us your personal finance questions or topics at checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

Ross and Dan ambitiously try to tackle life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance in a single episode. How to think about what you really need, and what products get sold in all the wrong ways.E-mail checkyourbalances@outlook.com to submit questions or feedback to the show!

Ross and Dan answer a listener question on relocation, provide a helpful (free) resource for estimating your costs, and unpack what the bond market is currently telling us to expect in terms of inflation.Shoot us an email at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to let us know where you're thinking of relocating to in retirement or with other questions for the show!

Ross and Dan compile a list of 10 of the most powerful concepts, mantras, and lessons they have learned about investing. Whether they help with your mindset, developing good habits, or combating a dangerous bias, we hope you take something positive from this week's show.Shoot an email to checkyourblaances@outlook.com to share your favorite investing lesson or a question you'd like Ross and Dan to weigh in on!

Dr. Michelle Fritsch, author of Preventative Maintenance for a High Mileage Life, joins the show to talk about health when making the transition into retirement. Her background as a pharmacist uncovered gaps that need addressing in the medical field that she is actively working to solve.Learn more about Michelle at retirewellness.com or email her at michelle@retirewellness.com.E-mail us your personal finance questions or topics at checkyourbalances@outlook.com.

Ross and Dan weigh in on one of the biggest debates in the investing world: active versus passive investing.  E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com with questions for the show or anything you'd like us to weigh in on!

A new Dalbar study suggests that investors with variable annuities did better in 2020. Ross and Dan unpack some of the possible reasons and discuss whether data like this  would alter our traditional thinking around retirement income.E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com with questions for the show or anything you'd like us to weigh in on!

Ross and Dan receive an email from a "listener" in need of assistance.  This spurs a conversation about common scams and some preventative measures people should be taking.Send us what you're excited to do with your free time to checkyourbalances@outlook.com or submit questions or topics you'd like to hear us cover on our show!

Could a new framework around what retirement means let you get to the fun stuff early? Ross and Dan discuss different ways to think about what retirement could be and what they learned in starting their business about financially preparing for mini-retirements.Send us what you're excited to do with your free time to checkyourbalances@outlook.com or submit questions or topics you'd like to hear us cover on our show!

How realistic are TV shows like Ballers and Entourage?  This week we invited Jordan Josephs to answer that question and more as he gives us a glimpse into his life.  Jordan has been named as one of Billboard's top business managers for 2021 and awarded Variety's "Business Manager Elite" title. Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com for questions or topics you want us to cover on our show!

Taylor Swift is in the process of recording fresh versions of her first six studio albums.  She is doing this because she does not own the master recordings of those original tracks, and hopes to regain control of her music by creating new versions ("Taylor's Versions" as she calls them).  To learn more about Taylor Swift's efforts, and to more broadly explore intellectual property rights, we welcome Scott Lloyd to the show.  He is a principal with the law firm Offit Kurman and does work in the intellectual property space.   Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com with questions or ideas that you want us to share on the show!

Ross and Daniel discuss side hustles, offer their thoughts on rental real estate, and share why you should beware if you happen upon raccoons in your attic.  Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to submit questions or topics for discussion on the show!

Ross and Dan unpack some of the financial statements on a single deli that trades as a public company with an eye popping valuation, as well as review an incredibly prominent financial product that you may have in your 401(k) right now. Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to submit questions or topics for discussion on the show!

The "Credit Card Queen," as we appointed her, Sara Rathner from Nerd Wallet joins the show this week to talk all things credit cards! We also dive into the importance of bringing nuance to financial media.Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com for questions or topics you want us to cover on our show!

We are thrilled to welcome Together We Bake to our show to share some of the great work they are doing in the Northern Virginia community to support women in the area. We also kick off financial literacy month with some shortcuts for math and quick tips that we use as planners.Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com with questions or ideas that you want us to share on the show!

The founders of Crooked Crab Brewing join our show to tell the story of how three friends put their combined skills together to create an award winning up-and-comer of a craft brewery. Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com if you've got feedback, finance questions, or topics you want to hear us cover!

The language of investing is constantly changing - are you keeping up to date? Join Ross and Dan as they explore a few acronyms showing up more frequently in the world of finance. Be sure to stick around until the end for their rapid fire "meme-talk" round.E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to submit your questions for the show!

It has been shown that people hate losing money about twice as much more than they like making it.  How does that translate to the way you look at your portfolio during turbulent markets?  Ross and Dan discuss their philosophy on managing the downside in this week's show.  E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to submit your questions for the show!

Is the Roth IRA for you? When should you file Social Security? When does it make sense to accelerate your taxable income? Ross and Dan talk through three common planning issues in this week's show.E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com to submit your questions for the show!

Investing icon Warren Buffet writes a letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders each year. Ross and Dan break down the 2021 letter and share their top 10 takeaways that you can apply to your financial life and investing. E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com if you had a different take or with any questions that you think we should cover in upcoming shows!

The chef and restaurateur behind the award winning Clarity restaurant in Vienna, VA joins us to talk about his journey and what it has been like adapting a restaurant in the pandemic. There are lessons for all business owners and entrepreneurs in the way chef Krinn has been able to navigate the situation.E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com with any feedback, questions, or to participate in this week's gift card challenge! And visit clarityvienna.com to learn more about our guest and his establishment.

College savings plans, picking stocks your kids will understand, and more. Our resident Advisor-Dad takes you through his process and what you need to be thinking about if you're interested to get your kids started on their investing journey.E-mail us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com with questions you want us to cover and feedback!

Should you make it a goal to payoff your mortgage? Do you need to convert to a dividend focused portfolio? What's the right allocation for your age? This week Ross and Dan unpack 3 common myths that investors have as they approach retirement.

Morgan Housel, author of The Psychology of Money and partner at The Collaborative Fund joins Ross and Dan to discuss his book. Check Your Balances is a journey through investing, personal finance, and business with an emphasis on always understanding the tradeoffs. Ross and Dan unpack common financial planning anecdotes and lore to help listeners get down to what will really make the most impact for them. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!