The Personal Finance Project

The Personal Finance Project
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Investing
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Personal Finance Project is a podcast dedicated to providing specialized advice on retirement planning, investment strategies, and financial management, particularly for employees in the oil, gas, and chemical industries. Hosted by experienced advisors from Baird Retirement Management, each episode delves into topics designed to help listeners make informed decisions about their financial futures. Whether you're approaching retirement or looking to optimize your investment portfolio, this show offers valuable insights tailored to your unique situation. Tune in to stay informed and take control of your financial well-being. Meet Your Hosts: •Greg Ashcroft, CFA®, CFP®, CPWA®, CIMA®, RMA®: Greg is a Senior Vice President at Baird Retirement Management. He joined Baird in May 2015 after graduating from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. Greg has earned multiple professional designations, including Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), and Retirement Management Advisor® (RMA®). In March 2023, he graduated with a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning. •Scott Bartosh, CFP®: Scott is a Director at Baird Retirement Management and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, demonstrating his commitment to providing comprehensive financial planning services. Scott also holds a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning, highlighting his dedication to advancing his expertise in helping clients navigate their financial futures. Together, Greg and Scott bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the podcast, offering listeners practical advice and strategies to navigate the complexities of retirement planning and investment management.

  1. 3d ago ·  Video

    Prediction Markets: Investing, Gambling, or Something In Between?

    Prediction markets have exploded in popularity, allowing people to trade on the outcomes of elections, sporting events, economic developments, pop culture moments, and even the possibility of alien life. In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, Hannah Gowdy is joined by Certified Financial Planner™ professional Scott Bartos to explain how prediction markets work, how platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket establish their probabilities, and why these markets are often much closer to gambling than traditional investing. They also explore how prediction markets compare with political polling, whether the "wisdom of crowds" can produce reliable forecasts, and how bias, insider information, public perception, and overconfidence can influence the odds. Most importantly, they discuss what prediction markets mean for everyday investors, retirees, and anyone concerned about missing the next major financial trend. Topics discussed include: How prediction markets work Prediction markets versus traditional investing What an implied probability actually means The differences between prediction markets and polling The risks of speculation, bias, and insider information Why diversification still matters during uncertain events Whether prediction markets belong in a long-term financial plan Prediction markets may be interesting to follow, but that does not necessarily mean they need to be part of your investment portfolio.

  2. Oct 2

    The Affordability Crisis: Is Life Really Getting More Expensive?

    Inflation may have cooled from its 2022 highs, but for many Americans, life still feels expensive. In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, Scott and Chris unpack the so-called "affordability crisis" and explore why rising costs continue to dominate conversations about personal finance. The discussion covers the pandemic-era economic response, inflation, housing affordability, mortgage rates, college costs, healthcare expenses, and the shifting realities facing today's families and young professionals. They also examine whether the headlines tell the full story and why personal experiences with affordability can vary dramatically. Most importantly, they share practical strategies for navigating higher costs, building financial resilience, and staying focused on long-term goals even when economic conditions feel challenging. Topics discussed: What caused the recent inflation surge Why housing remains the biggest affordability challenge The impact of higher mortgage rates College costs and lifetime earning potential Healthcare expenses and future trends Practical financial habits that can help combat rising costs

  3. Sep 24

    The Swiftarc Ponzi Scheme: Warning Signs Every Investor Should Know

    A high-profile connection may have brought attention to the Swift Ark case, but the lessons extend far beyond professional athletes and celebrity investors. In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, we examine the timeline of the Swift Ark investment scheme, how an allegedly diversified fund became heavily concentrated in a single thinly traded security, and how new investor money was used to satisfy earlier redemption requests. The episode then shifts from the case itself to the practical questions every investor should ask before committing capital. You'll learn why it is important to understand: What you own Why you own it How it supports your long-term financial goals Who verifies the investment's performance Whether added complexity is actually worth the additional risk The central message is simple: your portfolio should support your independence, peace of mind, and long-term objectives. It should not be a source of unnecessary excitement or surprises.  Listen for a practical framework designed to help you evaluate unfamiliar investments, recognize potential warning signs, and make more intentional portfolio decisions. This episode is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized investment advice.

  4. Sep 17

    What Are You Doing at Tax Court? The Richard Hatch Case

    Winning $1 million on Survivor should have been a life-changing financial opportunity. Instead, Richard Hatch's decision not to properly report his prize money and other income led to tax-evasion convictions, multiple prison sentences, and a federal tax judgment of approximately $3.3 million.  In the first installment of"What Are You Doing at Tax Court?", we examine how the case unfolded and explore the financial planning strategies that could have produced a much different outcome. The episode covers taxes on cash and noncash prizes, estimated-tax safe harbors, charitable bunching, donor-advised funds, offers in compromise, and the critical difference between legal tax mitigation and criminal tax evasion.  The lesson is simple: when you experience an unusually high-income year, seek qualified professional guidance, understand your tax obligations, plan carefully, and pay what is due.

  5. Sep 11

    Can You Trust Financial Advice on the Internet?

    How much of the financial advice you see online is actually true? In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, two financial advisors react to viral claims about an S&P 500 warning signal, the CAPE ratio, billionaire estate-planning strategies, irrevocable trusts, popular budgeting rules, retirement withdrawals, and whether most people really need a financial advisor. Along the way, they separate useful guidance from oversimplified advice, explain why diversification still matters, correct common misunderstandings about the 50/30/20 and 4% rules, and explore when professional financial or tax guidance may provide meaningful value. Plus, stay tuned for news about the podcast's refreshed brand and upcoming video format.

  6. Sep 3

    Buy or Sell: Navigating Markets in an Uncertain World

    Welcome to a brand-new segment of The Personal Finance Project: Buy or Sell. In this episode, Hannah puts Greg and Scott on the spot to weigh in on some of the biggest topics shaping today's financial landscape. Will inflation remain a persistent challenge through 2027? Are higher interest rates here to stay? Should investors worry about the infamous September stock market slump? And how much do midterm elections really matter to your portfolio? Along the way, the team explores the impact of energy prices, bond markets, demographic trends, political uncertainty, artificial intelligence, and historical market anomalies. Most importantly, they discuss what investors should actually do when headlines create fear and uncertainty. Whether you're concerned about inflation, curious about market seasonality, or wondering if current events should change your investment strategy, this conversation offers practical perspective grounded in long-term financial planning. Topics Covered: Inflation outlook through 2027 Rising interest rates and bond markets The September Swoon phenomenon Midterm elections and investor sentiment Why long-term planning beats market timing The role of AI in future economic growth Subscribe and send your questions to be featured in future episodes.

  7. Aug 31

    Stop Overpaying the IRS: Smarter Tax Planning in Retirement

    In this solo episode of The Personal Finance Project, Greg dives into one of the most misunderstood aspects of retirement planning: how to pay your taxes after leaving the workforce. Many retirees transition from automatic payroll withholding to managing taxes on their own, often leading to confusion about estimated tax payments, withholding strategies, IRS safe harbor rules, and avoiding underpayment penalties. Greg explains the differences between estimated payments and withholding, when each strategy may make sense, and why timing matters more than many investors realize. You'll also learn how tax planning changes during major retirement transitions, including your first year of retirement, large capital gains events, and the start of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Whether you're approaching retirement or already there, this episode offers practical insights that could help you avoid costly mistakes and make more informed decisions about managing your tax obligations. Topics covered: • Estimated tax payments • IRS safe harbor rules • Tax withholding strategies • Capital gains and tax timing • Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) • Tax planning considerations for retirees As always, consult with your tax professional before implementing any tax strategy discussed in this episode.

  8. Aug 20

    Investing Through Distressing Headlines

    Distressing headlines can make even long-term investors wonder whether they should change course. In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, Greg Ashcroft and Scott Bartosh discuss how to think about portfolio decisions when markets have performed well but the news remains unsettling. They explore the difference between proactive rebalancing and market timing, why strong recent returns can leave a portfolio carrying more risk than intended, how retirement income needs can shape portfolio construction, and why periods of market stress are already part of a thoughtful long-term plan. They also revisit lessons from 2020, 2022, and other major market declines to put today's concerns in perspective. This episode is for educational purposes only and does not provide individualized financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Please consult your own professionals regarding your circumstances.

See All (79)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Personal Finance Project is a podcast dedicated to providing specialized advice on retirement planning, investment strategies, and financial management, particularly for employees in the oil, gas, and chemical industries. Hosted by experienced advisors from Baird Retirement Management, each episode delves into topics designed to help listeners make informed decisions about their financial futures. Whether you're approaching retirement or looking to optimize your investment portfolio, this show offers valuable insights tailored to your unique situation. Tune in to stay informed and take control of your financial well-being. Meet Your Hosts: •Greg Ashcroft, CFA®, CFP®, CPWA®, CIMA®, RMA®: Greg is a Senior Vice President at Baird Retirement Management. He joined Baird in May 2015 after graduating from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. Greg has earned multiple professional designations, including Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), and Retirement Management Advisor® (RMA®). In March 2023, he graduated with a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning. •Scott Bartosh, CFP®: Scott is a Director at Baird Retirement Management and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, demonstrating his commitment to providing comprehensive financial planning services. Scott also holds a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning, highlighting his dedication to advancing his expertise in helping clients navigate their financial futures. Together, Greg and Scott bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the podcast, offering listeners practical advice and strategies to navigate the complexities of retirement planning and investment management.

Information

You Might Also Like