First up: A listener challenges our take on Dollar Cost Averaging out. Then, we confront the fear: How spooky is this market? Ross and Dan bust the financial ghouls and tell you what’s truly frightening for your portfolio (and what’s just noise). Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

The October Mailbag is here! Ross and Dan open up the mailbag to answer your pressing financial questions, tackling everything from navigating the costs of college to whether you can Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) out of a position as you approach retirement. Plus, they dive into the latest listener stories and tips on spotting and avoiding financial scams. Tune in for practical advice and a breakdown of the things you need to know right now! Send us a text Send your questions for upco...

Is the grueling pace of your job fueling your desire for FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early)? This week on Check Your Balances, Ross and Dan tackle the reality that for many, burnout is the primary driver of the movement, not just aspiration. We discuss how to re-evaluate your aggressive savings strategy, explore more balanced options like Coast FIRE, and ensure your pursuit of freedom doesn't cost you your current well-being. Stop letting the corporate grind dictate your financial pl...

When it's time to sell your personal home, do you treat it like a purely emotional move or a smart financial transaction? This week, our resident real estate expert, Dan, is under contract on selling his personal home. Join us as Dan breaks down the process, from pre-listing prep and pricing strategy to staging secrets and negotiation tactics. Whether you're moving next month or just planning for the future, this episode is packed with must-hear, actionable lessons on maximizing your home's ...

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...

30 Year Fixed Mortgage rates decline down to 6.26%, is it too early to consider a re-finance from a high rate loan? This week Ross and Dan unpack some of the trickery that can make you think you're saving more money than you really are when you look at refi numbers and how to make sure you don't get fooled. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

This week, Ross and Dan read and discuss The Millionaire Next Door. Does a finance book from 1996 still have precious lessons for us to learn about becoming Prodigious Accumulators of Wealth (PAWs) and avoiding the dreaded Under-Accumulator of Wealth (UAW) title? Tune in this week to see if this still deserves a spot on your shelf almost 30 years later. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

As a follow up to last week's episode with David Gardner, we dive deeper into whether the Rule Breaker Investing philosophy is suited for an investor that is approaching retirement. Ross and Dan spent 6 years almost exclusively trying to answer that question for many many investors. Here's what they think about that concept today! Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

This week we are honored to have the Co-Founder and Chief Rule Breaker of The Motley Fool, David Gardner, join the show. David has an unbelievable investing track record, and his new book Rule Breaker Investing is his formula for success. We know many of our listeners are excited to hear David's thoughts! Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

Got extra cash and wondering if you should throw it at your mortgage? 🤔 This week, we dive into the age-old debate: when does it actually make sense to overpay your mortgage? What are you using if you still mourn the loss of Mint.com? That and more in this week's mailbag episode. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

When it comes to talking about finance, not all of the theories you hear out there are going to be winners. What are some of the dumbest theories that we've come across, and why are they wrong? Tune in to find out. Send us a text Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

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