Do It For Yourself with Stephen A. Taylor, JD, CFP®

When I talk to families every week, I hear the same concern: how do we build Smart Strategies for Paying for College Without a Lifetime of Debt? The cost of college is going up, student debt is piling higher than ever, and yet most parents don’t have a clear plan.In this episode, I break down practical steps around college savings, student loans, and college funding so you can protect your family’s future. We’ll talk about college savings plans, how to pay for college without wrecking retirement, and the realities of college applications and college admissions today.You’ll learn why a merit aid strategy matters more than ever, how college merit scholarships actually work, and what you need to know about FAFSA tips 2025. I’ll share the same college financial planning conversations I have with clients, covering college financial aid, student aid, and why state school admissions are becoming so competitive.I’ve been through this process myself with my kids, and I’ve worked alongside college planning experts who know how to guide families through the noise. Whether your student has Ivy League dreams or is focused on finding the right fit closer to home, this conversation will help you make better choices with real college counseling advice.If you’re looking for clarity on college applications, student loans, and how to align your resources with your goals, you’re in the right place.00:00 College Admissions Trends Overview03:57 Test Scores: Importance and Trends08:19 Optimal Number of College Applications11:46 "Smart Financial Planning for Med School"15:40 "Rising State School Applications"17:22 State Universities Prioritize In-State Students20:00 Prioritize In-State College Applications23:15 Navigating Acting School Finances26:59 "Choosing the Right School Matters"29:54 Avoid College Advice PitfallsFollow Collegesharks:Https://www.facebook.com/collegesharkshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/collegesharkshttps://www.instagram.com/collegesharks/https://www.linkedin.com/in/leenorwoodhttps://www.tiktok.com/@collegesharks

When and Which to Hire First: a Bookkeeper, Controller, or Fractional CFO for Your Business?Too many entrepreneurs confuse revenue with profit and neglect their accounting until it’s a mess. In this episode, Steve Taylor, CFP® and host of the Do It For Yourself podcast, sits down with Matt Tatum, the CEO of Decimal, to unpack how small business owners can scale their accounting and financial systems as they grow. They dive into the operational side of bookkeeping, the true cost of tools (time + price), and when to bring in a fractional CFO.0:00 – Introduction & the revenue vs. profit myth0:42 – Matt Tait's background and why Decimal was founded1:54 – Early signs that your accounting systems need to grow4:06 – Bookkeeping vs. operational processes: beyond QuickBooks5:12 – Automating collections and paying bills seamlessly7:07 – Understanding your numbers: monthly reporting & forecasting9:16 – Gut feel vs. data: scaling beyond your intuition13:18 – Outsourcing vs. insourcing: bookkeeper, controller, or CFO?20:35 – Fractional CFOs, peer groups & business coaching28:38 – How to start fixing your finance systems & finding the right advisor30:59 – Final thoughts and where to learn more about Decimal

Hello Friends, Steve here, and welcome back to the Do It For Yourself Podcast! The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here! The "Big Beautiful Bill" has been finalized, and it's a big one. In this episode, I'm sitting down with my good friend and tax expert, Brett Landsman, to break down exactly what this new legislation means for you, your family, and your business.We're cutting through the noise to give you the real story on the changes that matter most. From the new standard deduction for seniors and the increased SALT cap to the surprising new rules for charitable giving and the "no tax on tips" provision, we're covering it all. We'll also dive into what's new for small business owners, how 529 plans are changing, and what you need to know about the latest updates to opportunity zones.Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, planning for retirement, or just want to understand how your taxes will be affected in 2025, this episode is for you. We're here to give you the clear, practical insights you need to navigate these changes and make the best decisions for your financial future. So grab a coffee, and let's get into it!⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️📩 Join Our Mailing List – https://www.meritedwealth.com/join-ou...📱 Follow Us on Social Media – https://linktr.ee/meritedwealth🎥 Subscribe on YouTube –    / @meritedwealth  🎙 Be the next Guest on the Do It For Yourself Podcast – ✉️ [email protected]⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️

📈 How AI Is Reshaping the Wealth Management Industry Forever | Taylor Matthews of FartherIn this episode of the Do It for Yourself Podcast, host Steve Taylor interviews Taylor Matthews, Co-Founder of Farther — a fast-growing fintech startup that's disrupting the wealth management space using AI, automation, and custom-built technology.Learn how this fintech founder is building a vertically integrated RIA to solve key pain points for financial advisors, eliminate outdated tech stacks, and create real efficiency in private wealth management and financial planning.

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️📩 Join Our Mailing List – https://www.meritedwealth.com/join-our-mailing-list📱 Follow Us on Social Media – https://linktr.ee/meritedwealth🎥 Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@meritedwealth🎙 Be the next Guest on the Do It For Yourself Podcast – ✉️ [email protected]⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️

In this episode of the Do It For Yourself Podcast, host Steve Taylor welcomes Adam Bergman, founder of IRA Financial, to shine a light on the misunderstood and often overlooked strategy of self-directed IRAs and solo 401(k)s. Adam explains how these tools can be used to invest in real estate, private companies, and other alternative assets—debunking myths and clarifying rules that homegrown entrepreneurs and savvy savers need to know. The discussion ranges from Peter Thiel’s famous $5 billion IRA to using retirement accounts to buy real estate, and practical steps for those thinking of taking the leap.

✍️ Adam’s biggest piece of advice—just start saving, whether it’s in stocks, real estate, or your own business. Taking advantage of retirement vehicles is one of the smartest, most tax-efficient ways to build long-term wealth.

Timestamps

00:00 "Do It For Yourself Podcast Intro"

05:45 "Affordable Self-Directed IRA Setup"

08:41 UBIT Triggers in IRA Real Estate

10:49 "Strategies to Minimize UBIT Tax"

14:47 401(k) Startup Investment Loophole

17:09 Political Challenges in Wealth Regulation

21:52 Avoiding Tax Pitfalls in Investments

23:15 AI & Diversification Insights

Host: Steve Taylor – Linkedin

Guest: Adam Bergman – Linkedin

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Discover How To Fix The $33 Trillion U.S. Debt Crisis with Paul Musson in this eye-opening episode of the Do It For yourself podcast. Financial strategist Paul Musson explores how the U.S. fell into a budget crisis, examining how distorted monetary policy and long-standing government habits created a debt burden that now exceeds $33 trillion. He answers the critical question: how did the U.S. deficit get so big and what can be done about it with Paul Musson?

⏳ Timestamps:00:00 "Special Expert Episode"03:32 Market Distortion and Miscommunication06:54 Federal Deficit and Economic Shifts12:05 Creating Wealth Through Housing Prices15:48 Deficits, Tax Cuts, and Economic Levers18:07 "Natural Rate of Interest Explained"20:32 Housing Crisis: Central Banks' Role26:15 Balancing Deficits and Social Programs29:07 Balancing Innovation and Affordability30:49 Social Security Policy Adjustments33:59 "Bond Vigilantes and Inflation Risks"37:31 Optimistic Path Through Conversation

In this episode of the Do it for Yourself Podcast, host Steve Taylor sits down with Andrea Hoffer, founder of Talent Experts, to unpack the essentials of effective hiring, especially for growing businesses. Andrea shares her "dream hire" framework, starting with how to define what you really need in a role, focusing on outcomes and goals, not just tasks.

She dives into the role of AI in recruitment, how to craft engaging job postings, and techniques for screening and engaging candidates throughout the hiring process. Andrea also emphasizes the importance of candidate engagement, keeping communication strong every step of the way, and how to motivate new hires so they thrive once they've joined the team. Whether you’re hiring hourly, executive, or specialized positions, the episode is packed with actionable advice to help you attract and retain great talent in any business.

• [00:01:21] – Introduction to Andrea Hoffer and Talent Experts
• [00:03:14] – The Importance of the “Define” Stage
• [00:05:50] – Focus on Outcomes, Not Just Tasks
• [00:08:09] – Using AI to Streamline Job Descriptions/Postings
• [00:12:42] – Training AI for Better Results
• [00:16:30] – Standing Out with Engaging Job Postings
• [00:19:43] – Knockout Questions, Applicant Tracking System, and Screening
• [00:24:20] – The Importance of Candidate Engagement
• [00:24:53] – Screening and Interview Approach
• [00:32:50] – Motivation and Employee Lifecycle
• [00:36:09] – Final Advice

Host: Steve Taylor – Linkedin, Website

Guest: Andrea Hoffer – Linkedin, Website

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Amber Paige is the founder of Far Beyond Marketing, a dynamic marketing agency focused on helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses through streamlined systems, teamwork, and authentic branding.

In this episode, Amber Paige shares her journey from growing up in a family business to running her own marketing agency. She discusses strategies for personal branding, crafting clear messaging, and building trust with clients. Amber also highlights the role of authenticity and trial and error in marketing success.

Key Takeaways:

• 00:00: Intro
• 01:23: Amber’s Journey to Far Beyond Marketing from family business to marketing agency founder.
• 02:40: The Role of Personal Branding and scaling success by transitioning from personal to business branding.
• 06:04: Defining Brand Problems and addressing external, internal, and philosophical challenges.
• 08:54: Crafting Clear Messaging and the power of a concise oneliner.
• 12:07: Building Trust Through Communication and focusing on client outcomes and structured plans.
• 15:00: Optimizing Website Design, creating engaging content and effective calls to action.
• 19:10:  Balancing Branding and Growth and enhancing the business identity through personal branding.
• 21:31: The Power of Writing a Book and using books as lasting marketing tools.
• 26:16: Authenticity in Marketing and sharing personal stories to build trust.
• 29:46: Outro

"We've taken care of you your whole life, but we have a future as well..."

Navigating college decisions can be a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety, especially when finances enter the chat. Join Steve as he sheds light on balancing dreams with reality and making those pivotal conversations with your future college student as constructive as possible.

In this episode, we cover:

• Initiating crucial financial conversations with your child about college costs.
• Clarifying exactly what a family can afford without sacrificing future financial stability.
• Understanding the real costs behind college tuition, including living expenses.
• Delving into the implications of student debt and why it's crucial to keep it within a "one year's salary" rule.
• Exploring the benefits of federal versus private student loans.

Tired of feeling in the dark about these tough choices? Don't miss the full episode on YouTube, where we dive even deeper! 🌟

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Stop Betting, Start Investing! The Harsh Truth About Sports Gambling 🎲💸 Are you thinking about sports gambling as a way to make money? Think again! In this video, we expose the dangers of sports betting and why it’s NOT a form of investing. While many believe they can beat the odds, the reality is that gambling won’t make you rich—it’s a high-risk game designed for the house to win. 🔴 What You’ll Learn in This Video: ✔️ The rise of sports gambling and its impact on society ✔️ Why sports betting is NOT investing (and never will be) ✔️ The illusion of making money through gambling ✔️ The difference between gambling and investing in stocks, bonds, or crypto ✔️ The psychological tricks gambling companies use to keep you hooked ✔️ Smart alternatives to build wealth instead of wasting money on bets 📌 Key Topics Covered: - Sports Gambling vs. Investing – Why betting on games isn’t a financial strategy - How gambling companies profit – The dark secrets behind the industry - Crypto vs. Sports Betting – Which one is actually an investment? - Fantasy sports & daily betting – How they push people towards gambling addiction - Financial literacy for beginners – How to make smarter money moves