Money Matters with Greg

Greg Farrall

Needing guidance on finances, or just curious about investments? Join CEO and Owner of Farrall Wealth, Greg Farrall, as he dives into all things relating to money and often interviews interesting people he is fortunate enough to call his friends. Thanks for listening! Please share, review, and subscribe! Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. 

  1. May 26

    Are You Planning For Health Costs Or Guessing

    Medicare is one of those milestones that sounds scary until you see the rules laid out clearly and realize you actually have more control than you think. We sit down with Paul Jankowski from Shepherd Insurance, a Medicare specialist who has helped people navigate Medicare since 2005, to walk through what happens as you approach age 65 and how to avoid the most common (and costly) mistakes. We start with the basics that trip people up: Medicare vs Medicaid, when your Medicare effective date begins, and how enrollment works if you are or are not already taking Social Security. Then we zoom out to the real-world problem we see constantly in financial planning: retiring early at 62 or 63 and getting hammered by health insurance premiums. We compare COBRA to Affordable Care Act marketplace plans on Healthcare.gov, including how provider networks can limit out-of-state care and why “Affordable” often depends on your modified adjusted gross income. From there, we get into the details that matter for your budget: Medicare Part A and Part B, how Part B premiums are set, and how IRMAA income surcharges can raise both Part B and Part D costs for higher earners. Paul explains why Medicare Supplement Plan G is often the strongest, most predictable coverage, what Indiana’s new Birthday Rule means for switching supplement companies without medical underwriting, and why Part D prescription drug coverage is worth enrolling in on time to avoid lifetime penalties. We also break down Medicare Advantage plans, including the tradeoffs behind $0 premium plans, network rules, copays, and hospital costs up to the annual out-of-pocket maximum. If you want a practical roadmap for Medicare enrollment, Medicare supplement vs Medicare Advantage, and retirement health insurance planning, this conversation will save you time and money. Subscribe, share this with someone turning 65, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The opinions voiced in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may suit you, consult the appropriate qualified professional before deciding.

    29 min
  2. May 7

    Decoding Financial Advisor Credentials

    Those credentials after a financial advisor’s name can either be a meaningful signal or pure noise, and most people are never taught how to tell the difference. We’re opening the hood on the financial advice industry and translating the terms you see on websites, account statements, and disclosures so you can ask sharper questions and feel more confident about who is managing your money. We start with the basics that often get skipped: the licensing and regulatory foundation. We talk through what it means to pass key securities exams like the Series 7 and the Series 65/66, why firms treat them as non-negotiable, and how that connects to an advisor’s ability to discuss stocks, mutual funds, and investment strategy. Then we untangle two names that sound similar but do very different jobs: FINRA as the watchdog that enforces rules and oversight, and SIPC as protection designed to help customers recover assets if a brokerage firm fails. If you remember the fear of 2008, you’ll recognize why that distinction still matters for investor confidence today. From there, we get into the “why” behind continuing education and fiduciary training. I explain what the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) designation teaches about putting client interests first through a documented investment process, and what earning the AIFA adds for consulting with 401(k) plan sponsors. We also walk through retirement plan focused credentials and wealth strategy training that support high net worth planning, plan governance, and the kind of structure that holds up under scrutiny. If you want a clearer way to evaluate a financial advisor, share this with a friend, subscribe, and leave a review. What credential or financial term do you want us to decode next? Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The opinions voiced in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may suit you, consult the appropriate qualified professional before deciding.

    25 min
  3. Apr 28

    Episode 183: Fed Speak and Are You Building Wealth Or Just Staying Busy?

    The Fed may not cut rates tomorrow, but your portfolio can still feel every word Jerome Powell says. We walk through what’s happening in markets right now including earnings chatter, oil price volatility, and why geopolitics has been dominating investor attention. Then we narrow the focus to the FOMC setup: what a “no change” decision could mean, why forward guidance matters, and the specific parts of the Fed statement that hint at whether rate cuts stay on the table. I also lay out the two paths markets are bracing for. A steady, consistent message could bring a modest relief rally. A more hawkish tone tied to inflation pressures and energy prices could spark a sharper drop and shift leadership away from cyclical sectors, with defensive areas like utilities, staples, and health care holding up better. If you’ve ever felt lost translating Fed speak into real-world decisions, this gives you a clean checklist for what to watch. Then we switch gears into a practical “top 10” set of investing and personal finance rules you can actually use: the 1% housing maintenance rule, the 28% mortgage rule, a simple way to estimate passive income using a 4% yield, the Rule of 72 for compounding, the 4% retirement rule, the 50/30/20 budget, building a three-to-six-month emergency fund, and the habit that ties it all together: pay yourself first. Subscribe, share the episode with someone who worries about rates, and leave a review so more people can find smarter, calmer money advice. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The opinions voiced in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may suit you, consult the appropriate qualified professional before deciding.

    31 min
  4. Apr 15

    Episode 182: Seven Straight Up Days For Stocks With Two Red Flags

    Seven up days in a row for stocks can make the world feel suddenly calmer but the market rarely gives a single, clean signal. I walk through what’s powering the recent S&P 500 rebound, from ceasefire negotiations to better than feared inflation data and early Q1 earnings strength from major banks and household names. Then I slow it down and ask the question serious investors have to ask: are other asset classes confirming the rally? We look at why elevated oil prices and higher Treasury yields can contradict a bullish stock move, and what that tension can mean for interest rates, consumer spending, and the broader market outlook. I also share a simple way to filter “real news” that changes fundamentals from emotional noise that only drives whiplash. Because the calendar matters too, I close with Tax Day thoughts and practical tax planning reminders, including why it pays to coordinate your financial advisor, CPA, and tax attorney if you want to minimize taxes legally and keep your plan aligned with your values. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review with the one market indicator you’re watching most right now. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The opinions voiced in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may suit you, consult the appropriate qualified professional before deciding.

    21 min
  5. Apr 8

    Episode 181: How To File IRS Form 4547 For A Newborn Trump Account Before April 15

    A newborn could qualify for a $1,000 head start but only if you handle the paperwork on time. We walk through the practical steps behind “Trump Accounts,” including the April 15 tax deadline, what details you need on hand, and how IRS Form 4547 fits into getting the account set up for a child or grandchild. If you’re a parent, grandparent, or you simply know someone with a baby born in 2025, this is the kind of money move that’s easy to miss and frustrating to learn about too late. Then we switch gears to the markets, because the last few weeks have been a roller coaster. I break down how the U.S. Iran ceasefire news hit oil prices and why stocks rallied fast, and I explain what that reaction can reveal about expectations already baked into prices. We also talk about why a single headline doesn’t “fix” volatility, especially when negotiations stay tense and energy markets carry a lingering risk premium. To make this useful for real world investing, we connect the dots to inflation and Federal Reserve policy, including how commodity spikes can keep interest rates higher for longer. I also flag pressure points I’m watching closely, like private credit liquidity limits and AI stock anxiety as investors demand results. We end with a disciplined, trend focused framework and research themes like nuclear energy, the power grid, and data center infrastructure that support long term AI growth. Subscribe, share the episode with a new parent, and leave a review if it helps you think more clearly about your next financial decision. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The opinions voiced in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may suit you, consult the appropriate qualified professional before deciding.

    25 min
  6. Mar 4

    Episode 179: How The Iran War Is Moving Oil, Risk, And Your Portfolio

    Headlines are loud, but your plan should be louder. We break down the Iran war’s fast‑moving developments, the jump in oil, and what all of it really means for stocks, bonds, and your day‑to‑day budget. Greg draws on decades in the markets—from the pits in Chicago through the tech bust, the Great Recession, the pandemic, and everything between—to separate signal from noise and show how disciplined investors navigate uncertainty. First, we set the scene: coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes, retaliatory drone and missile activity, and a rapid shift in risk sentiment. Rather than fixating on every twist, we map the channels that matter: crude moving from the 60s toward 80, gasoline prices rising at the pump, and the way global, fungible oil flows transmit shocks even when direct Iranian exports are limited. We also put today into context with a quick tour of past crises, reminding ourselves how often markets wobble, reprice, and find a new equilibrium. Then we turn to practical moves. For households, lock in near‑term fuel buys and revisit cash flow to cushion higher transportation costs. For portfolios, lean on diversification across U.S. and international equities, quality bonds, short‑duration Treasuries, and select real assets. We explain why direct exposure to Iran is minimal for most investors, why second‑order risks like shipping lanes and China’s sourcing matter more, and how the U.S.’s leading role in oil and natural gas production helps absorb external shocks. You’ll hear how to use rebalancing, liquidity reserves, and a clear rules‑based process to keep fear from driving decisions. Markets rarely reward panic. They often reward preparation. If you want a grounded view on geopolitics, oil, inflation hedges, and risk management—without the noise—this conversation is your playbook for staying invested with purpose. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs calm in the chaos, and leave a review to tell us what money question you want answered next. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The opinions voiced in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may suit you, consult the appropriate qualified professional before deciding.

    27 min
  7. Feb 21

    Episode 177: From Tailwind To Headwind: How AI Shook Stocks

    Markets don’t fear innovation; they fear paying too much for it without proof. We dig into why stocks whipsawed to start 2026, how a string of data points moved sentiment, and where the AI narrative flipped from easy tailwind to hard questions about ROI, competition, and disruption risk. From softer retail sales to steadier jobs, from chip margin pressure to mortgage rates slipping below six percent in some regions, Greg connects the dots between headlines and the tape so you can separate noise from signal. We walk through the mechanics of the AI repricing: giant CapEx plans that once guaranteed multiple expansion, growing scrutiny of payback periods, and the outsized role of a few buyers in fueling order books. Then we get practical about competitive dynamics after Gemini’s strong benchmarks and the push toward proprietary silicon, exploring what that could mean for demand at chip suppliers, cloud platforms, and software vendors. The conversation doesn’t stop at tech. We trace cannibalization fears into brokers, transports, and professional services, outlining where automation may compress revenue models and where it can unlock real productivity gains that stick. Most importantly, we map the signposts that could steady markets: clean disclosures that tie AI investment to recurring revenue, utilization and margin trends that improve quarter to quarter, and proof that new tools enhance—rather than erode—core profit pools. Along the way, Greg shares a pragmatic playbook: keep quality exposure to AI infrastructure and platforms, size for execution risk, favor diversified cash generators with pricing power, and look for software that charges on outcomes, not seats. Want a clearer lens on volatility and a checklist for what to watch next? Tune in, subscribe, and tell us where you see the most durable AI earnings power this year. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The opinions voiced in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may suit you, consult the appropriate qualified professional before deciding.

    27 min
  8. Feb 21

    Episode 178: AI, Money, And Safer Choices

    Scammers sound like your kids now. Emails read perfectly. Vendors “change banks” with spotless instructions. We’ve hit a turning point where AI raises both the ceiling on productivity and the floor on fraud—so we sat down with AI strategist Debra Peters-Smith and the owner of Easy as ABC Computing to draw a clear line between fear and smart adoption. The plan is refreshingly simple: assess first, automate second, and verify every money move. We walk through how most teams already own the right tools. CRMs, email suites, and PDF editors now ship with powerful AI features that go unused. By mapping bottlenecks—where time vanishes, errors crop up, and compliance wobbles—you can turn on what you already pay for and capture 20–25 percent efficiency before buying anything new. From meeting summaries and faster drafts to resume screening and structured interviews, AI compresses routine work, giving people space to do higher-value thinking. That’s how careers advance without fear: skill up, keep humans in the loop, and let the system handle the heavy lifting. Security runs through every topic we cover. With voice cloning and realistic phishing on the rise, we outline low-friction guardrails for families and firms: slow down urgent requests, hang up and call back on known numbers, set a shared safe word, and confirm bank changes by phone before moving funds. For business owners, we frame AI around three outcomes—protect revenue, reduce friction, and scale capacity. After-hours voice agents that book appointments, on-site AI that qualifies leads, and automated review flows that route unhappy feedback to a manager before it hits Google can lift bookings, calm tempers, and prevent burnout. If you’re ready to get traction without taking on tool sprawl, start by listing your top three friction points. Turn on the features inside your current stack, stitch small automations between steps, and pilot one change with clear metrics. Relief means you chose well; stress means you moved too fast. Subscribe, share this with a friend who runs a team, and leave a quick review telling us which task you’ll automate first. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The opinions voiced in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may suit you, consult the appropriate qualified professional before deciding.

    32 min
4.9
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Needing guidance on finances, or just curious about investments? Join CEO and Owner of Farrall Wealth, Greg Farrall, as he dives into all things relating to money and often interviews interesting people he is fortunate enough to call his friends. Thanks for listening! Please share, review, and subscribe! Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.