Real Personal Finance Scott Frank and James Conole

Rethink your charitable giving and maximize your tax benefits with Donor-Advised Funds. Discover how this streamlined and tax-efficient alternative to traditional donation methods might just be a game-changer to your financial strategy. Scott and Meg contrast DAFs with conventional giving methods like checks and credit cards, to paint a clearer picture of their advantages. They also address common myths surrounding DAFs, especially the idea that they're only a tool for tax avoidance. Le...

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, founder of Stone Steps Financial, and Meg Bartelt, founder of Flow Financial Planning, LLC, take on HSAs, sharing the ins and outs of eligibility, their triple tax benefits, and how it can become a vital nest egg for end-of-life care later on. HSAs w...

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 Bartelt, founder of Flow Financial Planning, LLC, provide insights on how to cut down on your stocks to achieve the life you’ve dreamed of. We have emotional ties to our investments—but that shouldn’t stop you from pursuing a more financially sound f...

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 longevity you hoped for. If you currently have a pile of cash and are asking yourself, “Well…what now?” this week’s episode of “Real Personal Finance” guides you through aligning your resources with the life you want to lead. Scott Frank, founder of St...

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 freedom of choice reigns supreme. Scott Frank, founder of Stone Steps Financial, and Meg Bartelt, founder of Flow Financial Planning, LLC, discuss the movement's evolution and how people are applying FIRE principles to their daily lives. With the concept...

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 Frank, founder of Stone Steps Financial, is joined by Meg Bartelt, founder of Flow Financial Planning, LLC, to simplify conversations around money and tax planning. Conquer your tax season anxiety and avoid the shock of unexpected tax bills through Sc...