Between Sips

Monument Wealth Management

Pull up a chair, pour your favorite drink, and join Monument Wealth Management partners Jessica Gibbs, CFP®️ and Emily Harper, CFP®️ for candid, coffee-table conversations about money, meaning, and the moments that matter. We're answering the most pressing questions successful people have about creating and preserving their wealth, along with and a human take on making life option rich—served one sip at a time. Have a wealth management question you want answered? Send it to us at betweensips@monumentwm.com.

Episodes

  1. 3D AGO

    How to Set Goals Without Overhauling Your Life in 2026

    A new year has a way of making people feel like they need to figure everything out at once. Goals, priorities, plans, all piled together in January, like our life restarts with the change in the calendar. In this first Between Sips episode of 2026, Emily and Jessica talk through a more realistic way of thinking about goals, one that leaves room for life stage, time constraints, and changing priorities. They share why so many people struggle to articulate what they want, and how narrowing goals too quickly can cause us to miss opportunities that really move the needle. The conversation takes into account experiences, health, career, relationships, creativity, and giving, not as a checklist, but as different parts of life that often compete for attention. Along the way, we reflect on how money fits into all of it, not as the point of the plan, but as something that supports the choices successful people make. This episode is for anyone heading into 2026 feeling thoughtful rather than decisive, and looking for a steadier way to think about the year ahead.   0:00 — Champagne, A New Year, And Fresh Starts 4:40 — Why Goals Need Meaning 9:40 — The Bucket List Framework And Three Goal Buckets 15:20 — Health, Stress, And Spending Without Guilt 23:00 — Career Growth, Creativity, And Cash Flow Confidence 32:10 — Relationships, Time Poverty, And Support 39:20 — Finance As An Enabler, Not The Goal Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures   Connect with us:  Get our Free Private Wealth Advice Newsletter: https://www.monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/  Connect with Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyharpercfp/ Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagibbscfp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

    40 min
  2. 12/10/2025

    What People Get Wrong About Roth IRAs and Conversions: A Guide for Busy Professionals

    Roth IRAs, backdoor Roths, conversions… most people know these terms, but not why they matter. In this episode, Emily and Jessica break it all down in plain English and focus on the real question: How do you create more flexibility for your future self? With uncertainty around tax policy and retirement rules, the way your money gets taxed can have as much impact as how it's invested. The good news? You have more control than you may think. Emily and Jessica walk through the key moments when a Roth conversion might be worth considering—career pivots, sabbaticals, business transitions, lower-income years—and how building a mix of account types can give you more options in retirement and beyond. If you want to understand why Roths matter (not just how they work), this episode is for you. 👉 Grab your cup o' tea (or joe) and listen in Between Sips.   0:00 – What We're Sipping On 2:05 – Why Roth Conversions Matter 4:45 – When Conversions Make Sense During Working Years 8:15 – Roth 401k Options, Backdoor Paths, And Income Limits 15:20 – How Roth Conversions Work And Key Tax Considerations 18:00 – RMD Relief, Inheritance Benefits, And Planning Risks   Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures Connect with us:  Get our Free Private Wealth Advice Newsletter: https://www.monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/  Connect with Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyharpercfp/ Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagibbscfp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

    35 min
  3. 11/26/2025

    How to Plan for Your Child's Education

    College can feel far away when your kids are still young, but the questions around their future tend to show up early. Over a favorite cup of coffee, Emily Harper, CFP® and Jessica Gibbs, CFP®, talk through the mix of hope, uncertainty, and planning that surrounds education today. They share what they've learned as financial planners and college graduates, touching on rising costs, changing career paths, and the value of defining your own philosophy before focusing on numbers. The conversation wanders through personal stories, shifts in the education landscape, and the small steps families can take now to create more options later. It's an easygoing chat that leaves you feeling more grounded, more informed, and more prepared to shape opportunities for the kids you love. A sip worth settling into. Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures   0:00 – The Sips, and Why Education Planning Matters 3:00 – How Education Is Changing: AI, Jobs, and the Value Beyond Academics 9:00 – The Cost Conversation: Tuition Trends, Philosophy, Debt, and Aid 17:00 – Balancing College Priorities With Long-Term Goals 19:08 – 529 Plans: Flexibility, K-12 Uses, Trades, and Rollovers 28:00 – Funding Strategies: Superfunding, Consistency, and Alternatives 36:00 – Pulling It Together: Planning for Optionality   Connect with us:  Get our Free Private Wealth Advice Newsletter: https://www.monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/  Connect with Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyharpercfp/ Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagibbscfp/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

    40 min
  4. 11/12/2025

    Retiring Before 65: What It Really Means

    We've all heard 65 is the magic retirement age, but who decided that, anyway? In this episode, Jessica Gibbs, CFP®, and Emily Harper, CFP®, share a fresh take on what it means to step away from full-time work before that milestone. The conversation moves between money and mindset, the realities of healthcare and savings, and the freedom of redefining what retirement even looks like. They talk through how to prepare, what "enough" might mean for you, and why the emotional side of this transition matters just as much as the financial one. For anyone wondering when work starts to give way to something new, this sip is a thoughtful look at creating balance and space for the life you've been building toward.   0:00 – Disclaimers, coffee talk, and the Annapolis fall blend ☕️ 2:14 – Why some people dream of retiring before 65 and what that really means 4:45 – Where "65" came from, Social Security, and the real cost of healthcare before Medicare (COBRA tips included) 12:40 – How saving rates, wealth accumulation, and account mix shape your flexibility later on 22:10 – Building cash reserves, understanding spending habits, and preparing for down markets 28:12 – Earning in retirement, finding purpose, and keeping alignment with your spouse through the transition Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures   Connect with us:    Get our Free Private Wealth Advice Newsletter: https://www.monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/  Connect with Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyharpercfp/ Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagibbscfp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

    37 min
  5. 10/15/2025

    OBBBA Review: Tax Moves to Make Before 2025 Ends

    The "One Big Beautiful Bill" is here—and it's changing the math on deductions, income timing, and year-end tax strategy. In this episode we cut through the complexity to spotlight the most important moves to make before December 31, 2025. We unpack what high earners need to know about charitable deductions, the new 35% cap, clean-energy credits, and how to make the most of your AGI and MAGI thresholds—without drowning in details. Pour yourself a cup of your favorite brew and tune in for clear, actionable ideas on how to finish the year tax-savvy and confident. Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures  0:00 – Why careful planning matters before 2025 0:19 – Important disclosure from Monument Wealth Management 2:10 – The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" explained 4:09 – How the new tax code adds complexity 7:50 – Managing income thresholds and deductions 11:14 – Year-end moves to consider for 2025 15:00 – Energy credits and charitable giving changes 18:31 – The long-term view and the value of professional advice   Connect with us:  Get our Free Private Wealth Advice Newsletter: https://www.monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/  Connect with Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyharpercfp/ Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagibbscfp/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

    25 min
  6. 10/01/2025

    Unique Ways to Donate to Charity Beyond Writing a Check

    "Cash isn't the only way to make an impact. Complex assets—like private business shares or alternative investments—can sometimes be the most powerful gifts." Emily M. Harper, CFP® Charitable donations come in many forms: cash, stock, assets. In this episode, we're talking about charitable donations in the form of complex assets, such as privately held business shares, crypto, oil and gas royalties, and more. Depending on your situation, it may make a lot of sense. It can help maximize the impact of your gift while also increasing your tax efficiency. That being said, there is much to consider, so we're breaking it all down for you. Join us as we discuss when donating complex assets makes sense, how to do it, and what to expect when you go through the process.  Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures    0:58 – Donating complex assets 3:23 – Tax benefits of appreciated assets 6:30 – Donor-advised funds option 9:28 – Charity due diligence 12:24 – Third-party appraisals 16:25 – Time and complexity 19:52 – Charitable intent first   Resources Mentioned: Off The Wall Episode 66: From DAFs to Charitable Trusts: Choosing the Right Path for Meaningful Philanthropy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHw9ZGWzg18    Connect with us:  Get our Free Private Wealth Advice Newsletter: https://www.monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/  Connect with Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyharpercfp/ Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagibbscfp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

    23 min
5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Pull up a chair, pour your favorite drink, and join Monument Wealth Management partners Jessica Gibbs, CFP®️ and Emily Harper, CFP®️ for candid, coffee-table conversations about money, meaning, and the moments that matter. We're answering the most pressing questions successful people have about creating and preserving their wealth, along with and a human take on making life option rich—served one sip at a time. Have a wealth management question you want answered? Send it to us at betweensips@monumentwm.com.