Your Catch-Up Contributions Are Changing! This week, Ross and Dan dive into the new guidance from the Treasury Department that will redefine how high earners over age 50 make their 401(k) catch-up contributions. The new rule mandates Roth contributions for certain savers, forcing many to lose a key pre-tax deduction. We break down who is affected, when this starts, and what you need to do to prepare. Plus, we open the mailbag to answer listener questions on all things Roth. Send us a text Sen...
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Your Catch-Up Contributions Are Changing! This week, Ross and Dan dive into the new guidance from the Treasury Department that will redefine how high earners over age 50 make their 401(k) catch-up contributions. The new rule mandates Roth contributions for certain savers, forcing many to lose a key pre-tax deduction. We break down who is affected, when this starts, and what you need to do to prepare. Plus, we open the mailbag to answer listener questions on all things Roth. Send us a text Sen...
Are you one of the many people who've inherited a retirement account and are now wondering, "What's an RMD and how do I manage it?" The rules around inherited IRAs and required minimum distributions have changed, and it can be confusing. In this episode of Check Your Balances, we're tackling the complex topic of managing Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) on an inherited IRA. We'll break down the key rules, including the 10-year rule, and discuss how to create a strategy that works for you...
Scott Galloway recently announced he’s dropped all of his insurance—but is he an anomaly or onto something? Dan and Ross break down his controversial stance and discuss whether most people are actually over-insuring themselves against small risks. Tune in to find out if you're a Scott Galloway, or if you're just paying too much. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
The highly anticipated "One Big Beautiful Bill" has officially been signed into law, sparking intense debate and speculation. This week on Check Your Balances, we're cutting through the noise to deliver a crucial breakdown of its sweeping changes. From tax tweaks and investment implications to critical shifts in financial planning, we'll equip you with the essential insights you need to understand exactly how this legislation impacts your individual finances. Send us a text Send your qu...
In this episode of Check Your Balances, we're joined by Callum Thomas to tackle a crucial question for your portfolio: Do you own enough emerging markets? Callum shares his expert insights on the current landscape, potential, and risks of investing in these dynamic economies. Tune in to understand if your asset allocation is truly optimized for global growth. Learn more about Callum at Top Down Charts and The Weekly ChartStorm Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourb...
This week, NerdWallet's Sara Rathner makes a second appearance on the show to talk about the changes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. As one of the most prominent travel cards and the market, and one that Ross happens to personally use... this was of particular interest. Sara Rathner is a NerdWallet travel and credit cards expert. She has appeared on the “Today” show and CNBC’s “Nightly Business Report,” and has been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street ...
On this week's episode of Check Your Balances, a mailbag episode! Does Chat GPT know how each of your retirement account taxes actually works? How do the fees in mutual funds and ETFs actually get deducted? These questions and more as we dive into what our listeners want to hear us talk about. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
What can the hit Apple TV show Severance teach the fellas about saving for financial independence? Join us this week as Ross and Dan explore the idea that you might be "severed" from the version of yourself that you're supposed to be saving money for. Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July! Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
How do you you get your money to line up with being available when you actually need it? Designing a portfolio with this strategy in mind is called "Liability Matching" and it's a concept that Ross and Dan believe in and teach regularly. While rules of thumb like "The 4% Rule" get all the buzz, this is how to think about actually connecting your money with its purpose. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
Think you know the average American? Ross and Dan are about to find out if they do! Welcome to "Over Under," the brand new game on Check Your Balances where our hosts put their statistical savvy to the test. They'll compete in a lighthearted game to see how well they know the wealth and financial habits of the typical American. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
A surge in homes for sale relative to the number of buyers leads Ross to question whether his purchase of a home 6 months ago might have been poorly timed. Is he the worlds worst real estate investor? Only time will tell, but you can hear the boys discuss it on this weeks episode of Check Your Balances. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
This week on Check Your Balances, we tackle a listener question: Should your Roth IRA double as an emergency fund? We'll explore the pros and cons. We'll also demystify the critical difference between correlation and causation in personal finance. Understanding this distinction is key to making sound financial decisions, ensuring you build a robust financial plan based on true cause-and-effect, not just coincidental relationships. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checky...
This week we're diving into the big questions we think you should be asking. We break down the latest rumblings around SALT deduction changes and what they could mean for your tax bill. Then, we pivot to the ever-shifting housing market, and whether you should bite off a bigger purchase for better schools. And finally, is a recession really on the horizon? We analyze the economic tea leaves and offer insights to help you prepare. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to c...
What do you do when the numbers tell a different story than your gut? This episode tackles a common planner's dilemma: how to help clients truly believe their financial plan when the data clearly shows they'll be okay. We'll explore if it's about our planning approach, or the deeper issue of trusting the data itself. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
Want a fun and engaging way to talk about money with your partner? This episode of Check Your Balances explores how "Would You Rather...?" style finance questions can be a fantastic tool for uncovering each other's financial values and perspectives. We'll show you how these playful scenarios can lead to richer, more meaningful conversations and ultimately strengthen your financial understanding as a couple. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com ...
On this episode of Check Your Balances, we're putting replacement ratios in the hot seat! Is this financial fortune-telling or just lazy math? We'll ask the tough questions: Are they the ultimate shortcut to a comfy retirement, or a recipe for financial disaster served up with a side of wishful thinking? Get ready for a lively debate as we uncover the truth behind these so-called rules of thumb and explore whether they're genius or just plain... well, sloppy. Tune in for a dose of financial r...
Stop wondering what to do with that extra paycheck, bonus, or side hustle income! "Save vs. Splurge" empowers you to make confident financial decisions that align with your values and goals. We explore the art of balancing saving for a secure future with enjoying the present moment. Learn how to make your extra cash work harder for you, whether it's paying down debt, investing wisely, or indulging in something you truly value. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourb...
Have you ever wondered why you'd use a money market or a CD instead of a high yield savings account? Are you concerned about battling it out with a sibling over an inheritance? If so, this week's mailbag episode is for you! Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
Should you even try to hedge a single position inside an index fund? What happens when you spot a single stock within your broad market index that looks seriously overvalued? We'll weigh the costs, complexities, and potential benefits against simpler, more effective risk management approaches for index fund investors. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
The headlines are screaming about tariffs and trade wars, but what does it all mean for your wallet? In this episode of Check Your Balances, we break down the "Tariff Tantrum" and explore how these international trade spats could impact business and ultimately your portfolio. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
It's March Madness, but make it money! This week, we're pitting the biggest personal finance debates against each other in a head-to-head bracket showdown. From "Debt Snowball vs. Avalanche" to "Roth vs. Traditional IRA," which financial strategies will reign supreme? Tune in for the ultimate financial face-off and level up your money game! Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
Your Catch-Up Contributions Are Changing! This week, Ross and Dan dive into the new guidance from the Treasury Department that will redefine how high earners over age 50 make their 401(k) catch-up contributions. The new rule mandates Roth contributions for certain savers, forcing many to lose a key pre-tax deduction. We break down who is affected, when this starts, and what you need to do to prepare. Plus, we open the mailbag to answer listener questions on all things Roth. Send us a text Sen...
