I’ve said it before: I’m not against side hustles, but I am against bad planning. In this episode, I’m giving you the blueprint for turning your side gig into a sustainable, full-time business. I’m talking about evaluating market demand and pricing your services, along with budgeting for startup costs and building your all-star support team. VERY important information!

You’ll also learn when (and how) to go full time, why doubling your estimates is a smart move, and what financial benchmarks to hit before making the leap. Then there are the legal considerations: financial statements, scaling tips, and the risks of taking on investors or debt.

If you want to know how to turn your side business into something potentially huge, don’t miss today’s episode of CAPitalize Your Finances!

Let’s be honest here: your 401(k) is probably your best shot at financial freedom. Unfortunately, most people have no clue how to use it properly. Today, I’m going to walk through what you need to know about investing **in your 401(k), including the truth about target date funds (preview: I think they’re garbage), why employer matches are free money, and how fees and overdiversification can mess you up if you’re not careful.

I'll also tell you how to rebalance your account, when to start adjusting your allocation, and what to do with your plan when you leave your job (after all, it's YOUR money, so know how to take it with you appropriately).

Have you ever wondered whether you’re making the most of your company retirement plan? If so, you're in luck because THIS is the 401(k) episode you don't want to miss!

What does “retiring early” actually mean? Is it really as great as it sounds? In this episode, I challenge the conventional wisdom around early retirement, breaking down the FIRE movement, redefining what retirement can look like today, and exploring the often-overlooked emotional and financial tradeoffs.

You’ll get insights from my own practice, and I’ll discuss how to structure your investments, take advantage of tax strategies like 72(t) and Roth laddering, and I’ll reveal the real costs – financial, personal, and psychological – of leaving the workforce too soon.

Are you chasing freedom or just curious about your options? I’ve got the candid advice and tough questions you need to help you make an informed decision about your next chapter early… or not.

In today’s episode, I sat down with one of the top minds in the world of alternative investments: Tony Davidow, author of Private Markets. We talked about the evolving role of alternatives, like private equity, credit, real estate, and infrastructure, and how they can be used more thoughtfully within a financial plan.

I challenged Tony on the disconnect between institutional frameworks and the needs of everyday investors, and we discussed where asset allocation falls short – and how to fix it. We also talked through how financial philosophy is changing and why having access to the right tools (and the right mindset!) can be a total game-changer for long-term investors.

Sure, this one’s a little nerdier than usual… but if you’re ready to think deeper about the future of planning, then tune in and find out more!

In today’s episode of CAPitalize Your Finances, I interviewed a long-time fitness influencer, Marc Lobliner—who is an entrepreneur, pro bodybuilder, and all-around force in the supplement industry. We talked business strategy, fatherhood, stress, and staying sharp, both mentally and physically.

Marc gets real about the grind behind the scenes, how he stays disciplined while traveling the world, and what it's like raising kids with a competitive edge. We also get into the supplement space—from the evolution of ingredients and FDA regulation to Marc’s philosophy on social media and legacy. Plus, he drops some hard-earned wisdom on building wealth, staying authentic, and why real success never comes easy.

Whether you're a business owner, a fitness enthusiast, or just someone trying to get better every day, there's something here for you.

Emergency funds are not the flashiest part of financial planning, but one thing's for sure: they’re arguably the most important pieces of personal finance. In this episode, I’m revisiting why. Today, I will talk about how to determine the right amount of cash reserves based on your income, expenses, and career situation, and why your emergency fund should evolve as your net worth grows.

From freelancers to business owners to full-time employees, you’ll get practical advice to make sure your emergency fund actually works when you need it most. Plus, we’ll talk automation, online savings accounts, and even how to make your cash reserves work for you.

Mastering these simple concepts will help you immensely...never ignore the boring stuff because it's the boring stuff that will eventually save you.

Summer’s almost here, but that doesn’t mean you should take your foot off the financial gas pedal. In this episode, I talk about credit card debt – how it happens, how to handle it, and how to keep it from coming back.

I’ll discuss the psychology behind overspending, the role of behavior in financial planning, and why compounding interest can work for you or against you. I also explain the two most common debt repayment strategies, the avalanche and snowball methods, and when it makes sense to consolidate debt.

And there’s more! How about some tips on staying debt-free, building an emergency fund, and using credit cards responsibly? Whether you’re in debt or just want to avoid it, I'm passing along the tools you need to keep your finances moving forward.

Keep CAPitalizing!

On today’s episode, I break down the cash flow milestones that matter most to you. Whether you’re struggling to make ends meet or building even greater wealth, understanding how to track and optimize your cash flow is essential. I’ll cover the key stages that signal real progress toward financial independence, including climbing out of debt and eventually covering fixed expenses with investment income.

What’s the difference between passive income and smart reinvestment? Why does reinvesting in yourself or your business often offer the best return? What about the myth of “good” dividends? I'll also share why it’s so important to celebrate your milestones, and how to do it without getting complacent.

If you’re looking to gain momentum with your money, today's episode is a MUST listen!

In this episode I tackle one of the most common challenges that entrepreneurs, commission-based professionals, and business owners face – how to manage variable income. From flexible budgeting and prioritizing fixed expenses to building an emotional buffer through smart cash management, I’ll walk you through how I coach clients (and live it myself) to bring more predictability and a greater sense of calm into an unpredictable world.

I also dig into tax timing strategies, income smoothing tips, and why automation can actually backfire when your income isn’t steady.

Whether you’re navigating lumpy paychecks or gearing up for a slower season, this episode will help you CAPitalize and take control of your cash flow, no matter what the market – or your income – throws your way!

I’ve been looking forward to this one...

“Professor” Rick Plum has been a mentor, friend, and sounding board for more than a decade, and in this episode, he joins me in studio for a conversation about one of the most misunderstood topics in finance: Social Security.

Will Social Security Run out? How is it funded? What are the best strategies to be aware of with tax proposals coming to possible fruition in Congress? When should you claim Social Security for retirement income?

We get into all of this and then some. I even give you some bonus topics towards the end of our conversation to chew on...

Regardless if you are retiring soon or just trying to make sense of the system, this episode is one you’re going to love!

Keep CAPitalizing!