Category: Education

Savings 101: How to Earn More on Your Money (Ep.33)

Savings 101: How to Earn More on Your Money (Ep.33)

Are you tired of earning next to nothing on your savings? Do you want to know how to get higher returns on your hard-earned money?

In this episode, Austyn Whittenburg explores the best places to park your money, both for the short and long term, so you can earn better returns and minimize the impact of inflation on your purchasing power.

Join Austyn in an insightful discussion covering important financial topics:

  • Discover why now is an ideal time to prioritize saving
  • The pros and cons of high-yield savings accounts, CDs, money market mutual funds, and treasuries
  • Learn about a strategic approach to safeguarding emergency funds within your bank account
  • Understand the significance of regularly monitoring interest rate fluctuations
  • And much more!

 

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5 Financial Concepts Your Kids Should Know (Ep.32)

5 Financial Concepts Your Kids Should Know (Ep.32)

It’s no secret that financial literacy is something that *isn’t* taught in school.

In this episode, Austyn welcomes Rick Gallacher, CFP®, CPA/PFS back onto the podcast to talk about five key financial principles that your kids should know. From interest to taxes, Austyn and Rick use real examples so you can teach your kids everything they need to know about money.

Austyn and Rick discuss:

  • Albert Einstein’s Eighth Wonder of the World.
  • How taxes can affect your investments.
  • The difference between investing and gambling.
  • A dollar today is worth less than a dollar tomorrow.
  • And more!

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About our guest:

Rick has experience in the areas of financial modeling, asset allocation, investment selection, estate planning, personal risk management, holistic situation auditing, and personal financial reporting. As a licensed CPA, he has proficiency in understanding and applying analysis to the overall economy, capital markets, corporate fundamentals, personal taxation, and essential business law.

Rick is a highly organized, analytical, and detail-oriented individual. Through professional and personal experience, he has learned that complete and accurate data is important to make appropriate decisions. He follows this concept: theorizing before one has data inevitably causes one to twist facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit facts.

Rick, his wife Kate, and their daughters Remi and Addi live in Sandy, Utah, and love to travel. They have jokingly been told that their residence is more of a vacation home because it seems they are rarely there. Between them, Rick and Kate have traveled to 36 countries. Rick enjoys golfing, skiing, soccer, jet skiing, and being in the mountains. He’s been skydiving three times and has not broken a bone! Any time spent with family is time well spent for him.

The Evolution of Money: From Corn to Cryptocurrency (Ep.31)

The Evolution of Money: From Corn to Cryptocurrency (Ep.31)

If you’ve been watching the news lately, there has been a lot of panic surrounding the US dollar. 

In this episode, Austyn Whittenburg eases your mind about money by explaining the different scenarios we could face in the future. He addresses the recent events that could have an impact on the dollar and explains why there is no reason for immediate concern.

Austyn discusses:

  • The history of money – how it started and where it’s going.
  • America’s lead in the competition for “best” currency.
  • The two currencies that pose the biggest threat to the US dollar.
  • Why you won’t have to start a food reserve quite yet.
  • And more!

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The Passive or Active Management Debate (Ep.30)

The Passive or Active Management Debate (Ep.30)

Are you wondering whether you should use passive or active asset management when investing? It’s a million-dollar question that every investor faces.

But fear not, in this podcast episode, Austyn Whittenburg dives deep into this polarizing debate in the financial industry, exploring the pros and cons of each strategy, and even how to get the best of both worlds!

In this episode, Austyn covers a range of important topics such as:

  • The heated debate between passive and active management, and the factors that contribute to this debate
  • How to determine which investing strategy is better suited for your goals
  • The differences between active and passive managers, and which type of manager is right for you
  • The history of these investing strategies and the key factors that have influenced their evolution over the years
  • And much more

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Any company names noted herein are for educational purposes only and not an indication of trading intent or a solicitation of their products or services.  The Russell 3000 Growth Index is an unmanaged index comprised of those Russell 3000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 3000 Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 3000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) / Environmental Social Governance (ESG) / Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) investing / Faith Driven Investing (FRI) has certain risks based on the fact that the criteria excludes securities of certain issuers for non-financial reasons and, therefore, investors may forgo some market opportunities and the universe of investments available will be smaller.

 

Tips and Tricks for Saving Money on Taxes (Ep.29)

Tips and Tricks for Saving Money on Taxes (Ep.29)

Seeking out strategies for saving money on your taxes? Looking to keep more of your hard-earned income in your pocket?

Look no further…

In this episode, Austyn Whittenburg explores the various ways you can save money on your taxes. From tax deductions and credits to retirement accounts and charitable contributions, Austyn provides practical tips and insights on how to reduce your taxes and maximize your savings.

Austyn discusses:

  • Changes that you can expect to see in your taxes over the next few years 
  • The good news about the current state of inflation
  • How your tax credits might change coming out of the pandemic
  • Tax deductibles that you may not know about that could save you money
  • And more

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Maximizing Your Healthcare Coverage: Insights on Medicare and Supplement Plans with David Burns (Ep.28)

Maximizing Your Healthcare Coverage: Insights on Medicare and Supplement Plans with David Burns (Ep.28)

Join us for this week’s episode, where we welcome David Burns from Retirement Health Solutions to share his expert insights on Medicare. 

While Medicare is an essential program providing healthcare coverage to seniors, it’s important to be aware of its limitations.

During this episode, David will cover the various parts of Medicare, including A, B, C, and D, and provide valuable information on supplementing your healthcare and dental expenses coverage. Gain a better understanding of what is and isn’t covered under Medicare, and learn how to optimize your Medicare Supplement plan.

David discusses:

  • An overview of Medicare Parts A and B
  • Understanding Medicare Coverage: Inclusions and Limitations
  • Strategies to enhance the Medicare supplement plan benefits
  • Addressing dental costs beyond Medicare and the alternatives to consider
  • Additional insights on Medicare optimization
  • And more

Resources

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Building Credit: Insights from a Mortgage Loan Originator with Troy Heidenreich (Ep.27)

Building Credit: Insights from a Mortgage Loan Originator with Troy Heidenreich (Ep.27)

Your financial future is at stake, and a good credit score is essential in pursuing your goals. Whether it’s buying a home, starting a business, or investing in your future, a solid credit history is crucial. Don’t risk making common mistakes that can negatively impact your credit score and hurt your financial well-being.

In this episode, Austyn Whittenburg is joined by Troy Heidenreich, Mortgage Loan Originator at CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC. They talk about credits, how to build a good credit history, and the importance of building credit at an early age. Additionally, they debunk common credit score myths.

Austyn and Troy discuss:

  • How Troy got into the mortgage industry, and how his team at Cross Country Mortgage helps clients pursue their financial and real estate goals
  • What credit is, basic tips on building credit, and creating a good credit history for future loans
  • Credit score ranges (what is considered poor, good, and perfect), and how many years does it take to have accurate information about your credit history 
  • The factors that go into calculating credit scores
  • Tips for fixing or improving your credit situation and the importance of getting a “deletion letter”
  • The myth that pulling credit for a mortgage application will hurt your credit score
  • The importance of using a credit monitoring service to avoid identity theft 
  • And more!

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Connect with Troy Heidenreich:

Troy Heindenreich and CrossCountry Mortgage are not affiliated with or endorsed by Whittenburg Wealth Partners or LPL Financial. 

Any company names noted herein are for educational purposes only and not an indication of trading intent or a solicitation of their products or services. 

 No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

Most Common Mistakes In Financial Planning (Ep.26)

Most Common Mistakes In Financial Planning (Ep.26)

For some people, their biggest regret when it comes to financial planning is not starting early enough. 

In this episode, Austyn Whittenburg covers the most common mistakes people make when financial planning and how to avoid them.

Austyn discusses:

  • Living beyond your means
  • Not taking advantage of employers’ 401k matching
  • Being uninsured on life insurance
  • The worry of not having an estate plan
  • The mistake of trying to time the market
  • And more

Resources: 

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Whittenburg Wealth Partners and LPL Financial do not offer legal advice or services. This material contains only general descriptions and is not a solicitation to sell any insurance product or security, nor is it intended as any financial or tax advice. For information about specific insurance needs or situations, contact your insurance specialist. Dollar-cost averaging involves continuous investment in securities regardless of fluctuation in price levels of such securities. An investor should consider their ability to continue purchasing through fluctuating price levels. Such a plan does not assure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets.

Update About The Secure Act 2.0 With Rick Gallacher (Ep.25)

Update About The Secure Act 2.0 With Rick Gallacher (Ep.25)

Congress has passed a few things that give people more opportunity to grow the amount of money they can put away and save for retirement. 

In this episode, Austyn Whittenburg talks with Rick Gallacher to discuss a high level overview of the Secure Act 2.0.

Rick discusses:

  • The changes to RMD’s
  • The impact to the QCD
  • You can now use Roth in a SEP
  • A list of what can happen in your life that will allow you to still access your retirement funds
  • Start up credits for small business owners
  • How the new provision works called ESA
  • And more

Resources:

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About Our Guest:

Serving as both Financial Planning Director and Private Wealth Advisor, Rick has experience in the areas of financial modeling, asset allocation, investment selection, estate planning, personal risk management, holistic situation auditing and personal financial reporting. As a licensed CPA, he has proficiency in understanding and applying analysis to the overall economy, capital markets, corporate fundamentals, personal taxation and essential business law.

Rick is a highly organized, analytical, and detail-oriented individual. He has learned through professional and personal experience that complete and accurate data is important to make appropriate decisions. He follows this concept: theorizing before one has data inevitably causes one to twist facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit fact.

A Financial Forecast For 2023 (Ep.24)

A Financial Forecast For 2023 (Ep.24)

You can potentially expect the economy to slow down even a little bit more in 2023, from what you’ve experienced in 2022. Specifically, if you’re looking at the global economy it might be around the 2% range.

But wouldn’t it be helpful to have a crystal ball that would tell you exactly what to expect in the new year?

In this episode, Austyn Whittenburg answers some of the common questions his clients are asking at this time of year and shares a 2023 outlook as it relates to the economy stock market.

Austyn discusses:

  • If the economy is headed in the direction of a recession
  • Why the rising interest rates are contributing to the slowing of the economy
  • The worst year for bonds and why a recovery is expected in the new year
  • And more

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