Decoding Your Money Podcast

Finstream.TV
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Hosted by the experts at Finstream.tv, this podcast strips away the jargon and complex math to reveal how money actually works. We take a deep dive into the building blocks of wealth, from the psychology of spending to the mechanics of the credit system. Whether you’re looking to fund a startup, buy your first property, or simply stop living paycheck to paycheck, we provide the blueprint.

  1. Sep 24

    The hidden flaw in “set it and forget it” retirement plans

    Most people think they’re doing the right thing with their 401(k). They’re not. In this episode, certified financial planner Spencer Betts breaks down the hidden mistakes that quietly derail retirement plans -- from saving too little and choosing the wrong tax strategy to relying too heavily on “set it and forget it” investing. If you want to know whether you’re actually on track, this conversation may change how you think about retirement.

  2. Sep 23

    The Hidden Rules of Retirement Withdrawals with Tim Steffen, CPA, CFP®

    You spend your entire career learning how to save and invest for retirement, but what happens when it’s time to take the money out? In this episode, host Bob Powell sits down with Tim Steffen, CPA, CFP®, CPWA®, and Director of Advanced Planning at Baird Wealth Management, to decode the complex, unforgiving tax and withdrawal rules that trip up retirees. In this episode, we cover: The 3 Core Rules of Retirement Accounts: Taxes, early withdrawal penalties, and mandatory distributions.Rollover Traps: Direct vs. indirect rollovers, the strict 60-day rule, and avoiding unexpected tax bills.Tax Optimization Tactics: The Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) strategy for company stock and separating after-tax dollars using the "cream in the coffee" rule.Early Access Without Penalty: Navigating the Rule of 55 and Section 72(t) substantially equal periodic payment schedules.RMD Masterclass: Current age thresholds (73 vs. 75), first-year delay mechanics, and why the "first dollars out" rule impacts Roth conversions.Tax-Free Giving: How Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) keep your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) down and protect Medicare premiums.

  3. Sep 18

    The Ultimate Year-End Tax & Wealth Planning Checklist with John Nersesian

    Year-end planning shouldn’t be a reactive scramble in the final days of December. By taking an intentional, checklist-driven approach across taxes, investments, retirement accounts, and estate planning, you can significantly reduce your lifetime tax bill and avoid costly missed opportunities. In this episode, host Bob Powell sits down with longtime friend and wealth planning expert John Nersesian, founder of Nersesian Wealth Education, to break down essential proactive strategies before the calendar flips. In this episode, we cover: Proactive Tax Bracket Management: Marginal rate awareness, bracket stuffing, and managing phase-outs under new tax laws (including SALT caps, Senior Deductions, and QBI).Smart Investment Moves: Tax-loss harvesting rules, navigating the 61-day wash sale window, stock option exercise timing, and the emotional discipline of portfolio rebalancing.Retirement Optimization: Maximizing 401(k) and IRA limits, traditional vs. Roth decisions, utilizing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as supplemental retirement vehicles, and executing strategic Roth conversions.Distribution & Program Rules: Mandatory RMD timing and penalty reductions, Social Security claiming coordination, and Medicare enrollment choices.Legacy & Philanthropy: Annual gift tax exclusions, 5-year front-loading for 529 plans, "bunching" charitable deductions to beat the standard deduction, and utilizing Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs).

  4. Aug 17

    The New Rules for Avoiding Financial Scams

    Artificial intelligence has transformed financial fraud. Steve Weisman joins Bob Powell to explain why today's scams are more convincing than ever, why smart people still become victims and the practical habits that can dramatically reduce your risk.

  5. Jul 24

    Retirement Is More Than Money: How to Find Purpose, Income and Peace of Mind

    Retirement planning usually begins with a number: How much money will you need? But leaving work also raises harder questions. Who are you without your career? What will give your days meaning? And after decades of saving, how do you give yourself permission to spend? Suzanne Norman, a longtime financial educator, executive coach and fellow with LIMRA, joins Bob Powell to explain why retirement requires both financial and emotional preparation. They discuss how retirees can build a new sense of purpose, why many people feel guilty spending their own savings, and how predictable income can reduce the fear of running out of money. Norman also explains why Generation X may face a more difficult retirement than previous generations, how caregiving affects women’s financial security, and why families should prepare for cognitive decline and financial fraud before a crisis occurs. The conversation offers practical guidance for people approaching retirement, retirees struggling to spend and families trying to protect aging loved ones.

  6. Jul 23

    The Biggest Medicare Mistakes Retirees Make Before Age 65

    The latest Medicare trustees report says the Part A trust fund could face a shortfall by 2033. But according to Medicare expert Katy Votava, that's not the biggest issue retirees should be thinking about. In this episode, Bob Powell and Votava discuss Medicare enrollment mistakes, IRMAA, Roth conversions, HSAs, Medicare Advantage, Medigap and the planning decisions that can save retirees thousands of dollars.

  7. Jul 9

    Are Your Kids Learning Money From You—or TikTok?

    Michael Milligan and Nina Milligan explain how parents can teach children about earning, spending, saving, investing, giving, scams and AI through everyday money conversations.

  8. Jun 10

    What Today's Market Euphoria Means for Your Money

    The Shiller P/E ratio has climbed to levels rarely seen in modern market history. NYU finance professor Colin Slabach joins Robert Powell to explain what elevated valuations could mean for investors, retirees and younger workers. Topics include: Why the Shiller P/E mattersThe danger of distorted risk toleranceInvesting versus gamblingAsset allocation and investment policy statementsAI's role in portfolio managementRetirement sequence riskInflation and elder fraud

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About

Hosted by the experts at Finstream.tv, this podcast strips away the jargon and complex math to reveal how money actually works. We take a deep dive into the building blocks of wealth, from the psychology of spending to the mechanics of the credit system. Whether you’re looking to fund a startup, buy your first property, or simply stop living paycheck to paycheck, we provide the blueprint.

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