Two Cents Together

Amol Desai

Two Cents Together is a personal finance podcast hosted by Amol Desai, CFP®, CFA, founder of Perceptive Wealth Advisors, a firm serving first-generation Indian immigrants and mid-career professionals navigating money in the U.S. Amol and his co‑host, longtime friend Devendra Kulkarni, share thoughtful, practical conversations about earning, saving, investing, taxes, and big life decisions, with stories that reflect the realities of first‑generation households and busy professionals balancing careers and young families. Instead of jargon or hot takes, Amol focuses on clear frameworks, cultural nuance, and actionable steps so listeners can make confident decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and build long‑term wealth on their own terms. Whether you’re a first‑generation Indian immigrant or a professional looking for a trusted guide, Two Cents Together gives you the context, clarity, and perspective to align your money with the life you want. Disclosure: The content presented here is for informational and educational purposes only. We make no representations as to the informational accuracy, completeness, suitability or validity of the information presented. The audience should always consult their own tax, financial or legal professional for advice specific to their situation. The information herein is not intended to be a substitute for qualified professional advice and should not be construed as such.

Episodes

  1. Aug 17

    What is Financial Planning Anyway? It's Much More than Investments

    In this episode, hosts Amol and Devendra dive deep into a question many people overlook: What exactly is comprehensive financial planning? Far too often, personal finance is viewed strictly through the narrow lens of investment management and stock picking. Amol breaks down why chasing a single "deterministic number" can be a moving goalpost, and explains how financial planning comes from looking at your financial life holistically. What We Cover in This Episode: - The 8 Key Components of Comprehensive Financial Planning: From basic cash flow analysis and goal setting to tax strategies, insurance, employee benefits, and estate planning. - The 3 Life Phases of Planning: How financial focus shifts during the accumulation, maintenance, and decumulation (spending) phases of your life. - The Pitfalls of Investment-Only Thinking: How emotional reactions to bull and bear markets can lead to suboptimal financial planning. - The Core Drivers of Financial Planning: Why clarity of thought, strong financial organization, and decision-making confidence matter more than just a number on a screen. - US-India Cross-Border Complexity: A brief look at the unique tax regulations, global income reporting, and asset management hurdles faced by first-generation Indian immigrants. For personalized guidance, always consult your own financial professional or learn more about comprehensive planning with Perceptive Wealth Advisors at perceptivewealth.com.

  2. Feb 20

    Our Journey and the Purpose of the Podcast: Indian Immigrants talking Personal Finance

    Two friends, Amol and Devendra, share how growing up in India and moving to the U.S. reshaped their views about money, careers, and “success” as first‑generation immigrants. In this inaugural episode, you’ll hear how an engineer became a CFA, CFP, and independent financial advisor, how a random airport purchase of “Rich Dad Poor Dad” changed a flight and a mindset, and how late‑night conversations about music and art led to deeper questions about financial independence.​ Together, they unpack why chasing the “next hot stock” is not a financial plan, what they learned watching Amol’s father retire early in India, and why sound financial decisions start with your “why,” not just a target portfolio return. You’ll also get a clear sense of what this podcast is and isn’t: curious conversations about personal finance for immigrants and mid‑career professionals, not stock tips or one‑size‑fits‑all advice.​ If you’re a first‑generation Indian immigrant (or relate to that story) navigating questions like 401(k) vs. Roth IRA, investing vs. sending money home, or “am I allowed to enjoy my money now?”, this episode will help you see your financial life more holistically and set the stage for the topics to come. For personalized guidance, always consult your own financial professional or learn more about comprehensive planning with Perceptive Wealth Advisors at perceptivewealth.com.

About

Two Cents Together is a personal finance podcast hosted by Amol Desai, CFP®, CFA, founder of Perceptive Wealth Advisors, a firm serving first-generation Indian immigrants and mid-career professionals navigating money in the U.S. Amol and his co‑host, longtime friend Devendra Kulkarni, share thoughtful, practical conversations about earning, saving, investing, taxes, and big life decisions, with stories that reflect the realities of first‑generation households and busy professionals balancing careers and young families. Instead of jargon or hot takes, Amol focuses on clear frameworks, cultural nuance, and actionable steps so listeners can make confident decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and build long‑term wealth on their own terms. Whether you’re a first‑generation Indian immigrant or a professional looking for a trusted guide, Two Cents Together gives you the context, clarity, and perspective to align your money with the life you want. Disclosure: The content presented here is for informational and educational purposes only. We make no representations as to the informational accuracy, completeness, suitability or validity of the information presented. The audience should always consult their own tax, financial or legal professional for advice specific to their situation. The information herein is not intended to be a substitute for qualified professional advice and should not be construed as such.