Mitten Money

Tri-Star Trust
  • 5.0 (11)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and, in fact, make up 99% of all businesses in the United States. Yet only 50% of them will survive their fifth year in business. Mitten Money host William Zank will focus on helping Michigan-based business owners find answers to the tough questions that will help them succeed. How do I expand my business? What options do I have for retirement? How do I move forward when I feel stuck? Having worked with small business owners throughout his career, William Zank of Tri-Star Trust uses his strong analytical skills to unearth answers to these questions and more on Mitten Money. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Amazon

  1. JAN 20

    Scams & Staying Protected

    Will & Kevin are kicking off the year with a timely conversation about how scams are becoming harder than ever to spot. With AI-generated voices, fake videos, and messages that look like they’re coming from trusted institutions, fraud is evolving fast. Will & Kevin share real-world examples, including a close call with a highly sophisticated scam, and explain how urgency and fear are often used to pressure people into quick decisions. They also discuss simple but effective ways to protect yourself, from slowing down and verifying requests to using multi-factor authentication and account alerts. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

    25 min

  2. 12/02/2025

    Gift Giving

    This week on Mitten Money, hosts Will Zank and Kevin Scorsone dive into the realities of holiday gift-giving and how to keep the season joyful and financially manageable. From planning ahead to avoiding that last-minute December panic, they talk through how they budget for gifts, balance birthdays that fall near the holidays, and keep spending in check without sacrificing meaningful moments. They even unpack the popular “five-gift rule,” the art of stocking stuffers, and why personalized or sentimental gifts can go further than anything flashy. Will and Kevin also share their experiences with shopping early, hunting for deals throughout the year, and the importance of supporting local businesses. Whether you’re a strategic planner or someone who usually scrambles at the end of the month, this episode offers practical tips, relatable stories, and a reminder that giving thoughtfully matters more than spending big. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

    26 min

  3. 11/18/2025

    Year-End Portfolio Adjustments

    In this week’s Mitten Money episode, Will and Kevin open with conversation about Denver rent, kids’ soccer, and Halloween traditions before shifting into the core topic: preparing your portfolio for year-end. They break down why this is the ideal time to reassess your financial plan, review upcoming cash needs, and decide whether to set aside funds in money markets or short-term municipal options. The discussion covers key strategies like tax-loss harvesting, managing capital gains distributions from mutual funds, staying mindful of Medicare IRMAA limits, planning RMDs and QCDs, and how to spread gains across multiple tax years to avoid unnecessary surprises. Kevin and Will also stress the importance of evaluating portfolio performance, checking for style or allocation drift after strong market years, and rebalancing to keep risk aligned with long-term goals. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

    27 min

  4. 11/04/2025

    Habits That Shape Our Finances

    In this episode of Mitten Money, hosts Will Zank and Kevin Scorsone dive into the most common financial mistakes people make, like credit card debt, lifestyle creep, and overspending on travel or cars, and share smart ways to avoid them. From personal stories and travel hacks to practical budgeting tips, this conversation is full of relatable insights and real-world advice. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

    34 min

  5. 10/21/2025

    Midlife Money Management

    Midlife doesn’t have to mean mid-crisis. In this week’s episode of Mitten Money, Will Zank and Kevin Scorsone dig into what a “midlife money squeeze” really looks like. Between college tuition, rising insurance costs, and trying to save for retirement, it can feel like your finances are always being pulled in every direction. Will and Kevin share practical, real-world advice on how to course-correct your financial plan, balance competing priorities, and keep your goals in focus. They talk about managing debt, tackling lifestyle habits, and finding ways to save without sacrificing the moments that matter most. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

    39 min

  6. 10/07/2025

    What Will Your Retirement Look Like?

    On this episode of Mitten Money, Will & Kevin take a deep dive into what it really means to plan for retirement. It’s not just about the numbers; they talk about how setting priorities before goals can shape your future, why health and purpose matter just as much as savings, and how flexibility is key when life changes. They share real-life client stories, practical travel hacks (like saving on parking and when it’s worth driving two cars), and the role hobbies and social interaction play in making retirement fulfilling. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

    26 min

  7. 09/09/2025

    College Costs & Financial Reality ft. Abby Welsh

    In this episode of Mitten Money, host Kevin Scorsone sits down with Marketing Associate and college graduate Abby Welsh to talk about the real price of college. From FAFSA frustrations and student loans to hidden costs, scholarships, and refund checks, Abby shares her firsthand experience navigating higher education. Kevin reflects on how different college costs looked in his day, while Abby offers insights, regrets, and hacks for today’s students. Whether you’re a parent planning for your child or a student facing these challenges yourself, this episode is all about navigating college financially. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

    35 min

  8. 08/05/2025

    Financial Hot Takes

    Get ready for hot take roulette! In this episode, Will & Kevin spill their financial hot takes. Will challenges the common belief that buying a home is always better than renting, pointing out how high interest rates and rising costs make renting a smarter, more flexible choice, especially if you’re not planning to settle long term. Kevin dives into the booming world of Buy Now, Pay Later services like Klarna and Afterpay, discussing how these easy micro-loans can help, but also lead to debt stacking if you’re not careful. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

    29 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and, in fact, make up 99% of all businesses in the United States. Yet only 50% of them will survive their fifth year in business. Mitten Money host William Zank will focus on helping Michigan-based business owners find answers to the tough questions that will help them succeed. How do I expand my business? What options do I have for retirement? How do I move forward when I feel stuck? Having worked with small business owners throughout his career, William Zank of Tri-Star Trust uses his strong analytical skills to unearth answers to these questions and more on Mitten Money. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Amazon

Information

  • Creator
    Tri-Star Trust
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    107
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Tri-Star Trust
  • Show Website
    Mitten Money