Summer is the perfect time to pause, reset, and make sure your money is still working for you. In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Zach Keister and Kristin Kalley walk through practical midyear money moves that can help you review your financial goals, get organized, and protect your household from costly mistakes. 

First, they cover how to run a simple midyear money reset by reviewing what came in, what went out, what you owe, and what you have saved. Then, they discuss why credit card debt can quietly build during the summer, how to create a realistic payoff plan, and how small spending “speed bumps” can help reduce impulse purchases. 

The conversation also covers financial loose ends that are easy to put off but important to review, including beneficiary designations, old retirement accounts, estate planning documents, and account consolidation. Finally, Zach and Kristin shift into cybercrime awareness, sharing key takeaways from the FBI internet crime report, including how AI is making scams more convincing, why younger people are increasingly being targeted, how government impersonation scams are evolving, and why crypto fraud is driving major losses. 

If you are looking for practical personal finance tips, ways to pay down debt, or reminders to protect your family from financial scams, this episode is a great place to start. 

In this episode: midyear financial reset, credit card payoff strategies, budgeting tips, retirement account cleanup, beneficiary reviews, estate planning basics, cybercrime prevention, AI scams, government impersonation scams, and cryptocurrency fraud awareness.



💵 About Dollars & Sense: 💵
Hosted by Joel Garris, a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning, Dollars & Sense is one of Central Florida’s longest-running radio programs and a top 25 financial planning podcast. Each week, Joel and his team provide expert insights to help you make sense of all your financial decisions. 

👉 Visit our website: nelsonfinancialplanning.com for more resources and to connect with our team of Certified Financial Fiduciaries.

About Joel Garris:
Joel Garris is a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning. He’s dedicated to providing comprehensive financial advice to help you achieve your retirement goals. With a team of expert advisors, Nelson Financial Planning is committed to delivering personalized and effective retirement and financial planning solutions.

➡️ CONNECT WITH US: 
Facebook: /NelsonFinancialPlanning
Twitter: /nelsonfinplan
Instagram: /nelson_financial_planning
YouTube: @nelsonfinancialplanning2202

Is Social Security really running out? And if changes are coming, what should you be doing now to prepare for retirement? 

In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Rob Field and Chet Cowart of Nelson Financial Planning break down the latest Social Security Trustees Report and explain what it may mean for future retirees. They discuss why Social Security is not expected to disappear entirely, what could happen if no changes are made, and why it is more important than ever to build a retirement income plan that goes beyond one source of income. 

Rob and Chet also cover the importance of employer retirement plans, IRAs, Roth options, systematic investing, diversification, market expectations, AI and technology exposure, and how to answer the big retirement question: “Do I have enough?” 

Whether you are decades away from retirement or already thinking about turning your savings into income, this episode offers practical insight into how Social Security, investments, budgeting, taxes, risk tolerance, and lifestyle goals all work together in a successful retirement plan. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• What the latest Social Security Trustees Report says about the future of benefits 

• Why Social Security should be one part of a broader retirement income strategy 

• How workplace retirement plans, IRAs, Roth accounts, and brokerage accounts can support your long-term goals 

• Why systematic investing and “paying yourself first” can help build strong financial habits 

• How diversification can help manage risk during changing market conditions 

• Why retirement planning is about more than reaching a single account balance 

If you have questions about Social Security, retirement income planning, or how your investment strategy fits into your long-term goals, contact Nelson Financial Planning. We’re here to help you make sense of life’s decisions involving your dollars.


💵 About Dollars & Sense: 💵
Hosted by Joel Garris, a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning, Dollars & Sense is one of Central Florida’s longest-running radio programs and a top 25 financial planning podcast. Each week, Joel and his team provide expert insights to help you make sense of all your financial decisions. 

👉 Visit our website: nelsonfinancialplanning.com for more resources and to connect with our team of Certified Financial Fiduciaries.

About Joel Garris:
Joel Garris is a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning. He’s dedicated to providing comprehensive financial advice to help you achieve your retirement goals. With a team of expert advisors, Nelson Financial Planning is committed to delivering personalized and effective retirement and financial planning solutions.

➡️ CONNECT WITH US: 
Facebook: /NelsonFinancialPlanning
Twitter: /nelsonfinplan
Instagram: /nelson_financial_planning
YouTube: @nelsonfinancialplanning2202

In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Joel Garris of Nelson Financial Planning covers a packed lineup of financial topics—from market volatility and index changes to summer travel planning and a potentially significant tax refund opportunity.

First, Joel discusses the recent uptick in market volatility, including how AI-related spending, semiconductor stocks, and market concentration are affecting investor conversations. He also explains the upcoming Russell 1000 Growth and Russell 1000 Value reconstitution, why major companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet may shift within these indexes, and what that could mean for investors who own index funds or ETFs.

Next, with summer vacation season in full swing, Joel shares practical ways to vacation smarter. From building travel into your monthly budget to choosing less expensive travel dates, considering less touristy destinations, planning for the full cost of the trip, and using credit card rewards carefully, this segment offers timely tips for enjoying a vacation without creating financial stress afterward.

Finally, Joel breaks down a recent court decision, Kwong v. United States, that may create a potential refund opportunity for taxpayers who paid certain IRS penalties or interest related to tax years 2019 through 2022. He explains why the July 10 deadline matters, what a protective claim is, and why taxpayers may need to act to preserve their rights while the issue continues through the appeals process.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Market volatility, AI spending, semiconductor stocks, and the Russell index reconstitution
• Smart summer vacation planning and ways to reduce travel costs
• The Kwong v. United States tax case and potential refund claims for IRS penalties and interest

💵 About Dollars & Sense: 💵
Hosted by Joel Garris, a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning, Dollars & Sense is one of Central Florida’s longest-running radio programs and a top 25 financial planning podcast. Each week, Joel and his team provide expert insights to help you make sense of all your financial decisions. 

👉 Visit our website: nelsonfinancialplanning.com for more resources and to connect with our team of Certified Financial Fiduciaries.

About Joel Garris:
Joel Garris is a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning. He’s dedicated to providing comprehensive financial advice to help you achieve your retirement goals. With a team of expert advisors, Nelson Financial Planning is committed to delivering personalized and effective retirement and financial planning solutions.

➡️ CONNECT WITH US: 
Facebook: /NelsonFinancialPlanning
Twitter: /nelsonfinplan
Instagram: /nelson_financial_planning
YouTube: @nelsonfinancialplanning2202

As parents, it’s natural to want to help your children—especially when they’re facing financial challenges. But when that support becomes open-ended, it can create serious risks for your retirement, your emergency fund, your credit, and even your family relationships.

In this episode of Dollars and Sense, Joel and Zach discuss five ways helping adult children can unintentionally hurt your retirement plan. They cover how financial support can affect family dynamics, create sibling tension, reduce retirement contributions, drain emergency savings, and increase debt or credit risk.

The goal isn’t to stop helping your kids. It’s to help wisely—with structure, boundaries, and a clear understanding of how today’s generosity could impact tomorrow’s financial security.
If you’re a parent, pre-retiree, or retiree trying to balance generosity with long-term financial stability, this conversation is for you.

Thinking about moving to a 55+ community? Before you make the leap, there are a few important questions to ask yourself—because this decision is about much more than buying a new home.
Joel and Zach discuss the lifestyle, financial, emotional, and long-term planning considerations that come with moving into a 55+ community. From downsizing and HOA fees to social activities, aging in place, and making sure you and your partner are on the same page, this conversation is designed to help you think clearly before making a major life transition.

A 55+ community can offer convenience, connection, and a fresh start—but it may also require trade-offs. The key is knowing whether the community fits your finances, personality, lifestyle, and future needs.

In this episode, we cover:

• Whether you’re truly ready for a lifestyle change
• The emotional and practical side of downsizing
• Giving up yardwork, gardening, and home maintenance
• Understanding HOA fees and service-based costs
• Social opportunities and privacy considerations
• Making sure you and your partner are aligned
• Planning for aging in place and long-term comfort

If you’re retired, nearing retirement, or helping a loved one consider their next move, this episode will give you helpful questions to consider before choosing a 55+ community.





💵 About Dollars & Sense: 💵
Hosted by Joel Garris, a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning, Dollars & Sense is one of Central Florida’s longest-running radio programs and a top 25 financial planning podcast. Each week, Joel and his team provide expert insights to help you make sense of all your financial decisions. 

👉 Visit our website: nelsonfinancialplanning.com for more resources and to connect with our team of Certified Financial Fiduciaries.

About Joel Garris:
Joel Garris is a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning. He’s dedicated to providing comprehensive financial advice to help you achieve your retirement goals. With a team of expert advisors, Nelson Financial Planning is committed to delivering personalized and effective retirement and financial planning solutions.

➡️ CONNECT WITH US: 
Facebook: /NelsonFinancialPlanning
Twitter: /nelsonfinplan
Instagram: /nelson_financial_planning
YouTube: @nelsonfinancialplanning2202

In this episode, we look at three forces that can shape—or sabotage—an investor’s long-term success: exciting investment stories, nonstop financial headlines, and everyday money habits. 

From the hype around companies like SpaceX to the emotional pull of market news, we discuss why compelling stories and breaking headlines don’t always translate into smart portfolio decisions. We also explore the quiet habits that can help build wealth over time, including saving consistently, avoiding lifestyle creep, automating good decisions, and staying focused on a long-term financial plan. 

The big takeaway? Successful investing usually isn’t about reacting faster, finding the flashiest opportunity, or predicting the next market move. It’s about discipline, diversification, consistency, and making decisions that align with your goals—not your emotions.


💵 About Dollars & Sense: 💵
Hosted by Joel Garris, a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning, Dollars & Sense is one of Central Florida’s longest-running radio programs and a top 25 financial planning podcast. Each week, Joel and his team provide expert insights to help you make sense of all your financial decisions. 

👉 Visit our website: nelsonfinancialplanning.com for more resources and to connect with our team of Certified Financial Fiduciaries.

About Joel Garris:
Joel Garris is a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning. He’s dedicated to providing comprehensive financial advice to help you achieve your retirement goals. With a team of expert advisors, Nelson Financial Planning is committed to delivering personalized and effective retirement and financial planning solutions.

➡️ CONNECT WITH US: 
Facebook: /NelsonFinancialPlanning
Twitter: /nelsonfinplan
Instagram: /nelson_financial_planning
YouTube: @nelsonfinancialplanning2202

Are today’s market highs a sign of strength—or a reason for caution? In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Joel Garris breaks down what investors should pay attention to as stocks sit near record levels, inflation remains sticky, and interest rate uncertainty continues to shape the financial landscape.

Joel also tackles one of the biggest quiet risks in personal finance right now: holding too much cash. While cash can feel safe, staying overly conservative for too long can create long-term consequences for growth, purchasing power, and retirement success.

Then, in a practical and timely segment, Joel walks through a retirement readiness checklist—covering income planning, Social Security, taxes, health care, legal documents, and the lifestyle questions many people overlook.

If you’ve been wondering whether to stay invested, move money out of cash, or prepare more intentionally for retirement, this episode offers clear, practical guidance to help you make smarter financial decisions.



💵 About Dollars & Sense: 💵
Hosted by Joel Garris, a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning, Dollars & Sense is one of Central Florida’s longest-running radio programs and a top 25 financial planning podcast. Each week, Joel and his team provide expert insights to help you make sense of all your financial decisions. 

👉 Visit our website: nelsonfinancialplanning.com for more resources and to connect with our team of Certified Financial Fiduciaries.

About Joel Garris:
Joel Garris is a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning. He’s dedicated to providing comprehensive financial advice to help you achieve your retirement goals. With a team of expert advisors, Nelson Financial Planning is committed to delivering personalized and effective retirement and financial planning solutions.

➡️ CONNECT WITH US: 
Facebook: /NelsonFinancialPlanning
Twitter: /nelsonfinplan
Instagram: /nelson_financial_planning
YouTube: @nelsonfinancialplanning2202

In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Kristin Kalley and Christina Lamb tackle two important financial topics that can have a big impact on your family’s future. First, they break down which accounts parents should prioritize when they have a baby, including 529 plans, custodial accounts, and newer savings opportunities that could help build long-term, tax-advantaged wealth for children. Then, they shift gears and unpack some of the most commonly misunderstood federal income tax rules—covering tax brackets, write-offs, refunds, Roth conversions, capital gains, and more.

If you’ve ever wondered how to start saving for your child, or if you’ve heard tax advice that sounded a little too simple to be true, this episode will help you think more strategically and avoid costly mistakes.



💵 About Dollars & Sense: 💵
Hosted by Joel Garris, a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning, Dollars & Sense is one of Central Florida’s longest-running radio programs and a top 25 financial planning podcast. Each week, Joel and his team provide expert insights to help you make sense of all your financial decisions. 

👉 Visit our website: nelsonfinancialplanning.com for more resources and to connect with our team of Certified Financial Fiduciaries.

About Joel Garris:
Joel Garris is a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning. He’s dedicated to providing comprehensive financial advice to help you achieve your retirement goals. With a team of expert advisors, Nelson Financial Planning is committed to delivering personalized and effective retirement and financial planning solutions.

➡️ CONNECT WITH US: 
Facebook: /NelsonFinancialPlanning
Twitter: /nelsonfinplan
Instagram: /nelson_financial_planning
YouTube: @nelsonfinancialplanning2202

What investment habits can quietly hurt your retirement plan? In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Chet and Rob break down 7 common investor behaviors that can create unnecessary risk for retirees—from holding too much cash and trying to time the market to ignoring taxes, chasing yield, skipping rebalancing, overreacting to headlines, and failing to adjust your strategy over time. 
 
If you are retired or getting close to retirement, this conversation will help you think more clearly about how your portfolio, withdrawal strategy, and long-term plan should work together. The goal is not perfection—it is discipline, clarity, and making thoughtful decisions that support your lifestyle over the long run. 
 
In this episode, we cover: 
• Why too much cash can create inflation risk 
• How market timing can hurt long-term returns 
• Why tax-efficient withdrawals matter in retirement 
• The hidden danger of chasing yield 
• Why rebalancing is essential 
• How reacting emotionally to news can backfire 
• Why your investment plan should evolve over time 
 
If you enjoy practical retirement planning conversations like this, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone preparing for retirement or already living in it. 

💵 About Dollars & Sense: 💵
Hosted by Joel Garris, a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning, Dollars & Sense is one of Central Florida’s longest-running radio programs and a top 25 financial planning podcast. Each week, Joel and his team provide expert insights to help you make sense of all your financial decisions. 

👉 Visit our website: nelsonfinancialplanning.com for more resources and to connect with our team of Certified Financial Fiduciaries.

About Joel Garris:
Joel Garris is a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning. He’s dedicated to providing comprehensive financial advice to help you achieve your retirement goals. With a team of expert advisors, Nelson Financial Planning is committed to delivering personalized and effective retirement and financial planning solutions.

➡️ CONNECT WITH US: 
Facebook: /NelsonFinancialPlanning
Twitter: /nelsonfinplan
Instagram: /nelson_financial_planning
YouTube: @nelsonfinancialplanning2202

Tax season may be over, but tax scams are not. In this episode, Joel Garris and Christina Lamb break down the IRS’s annual “Dirty Dozen” list of the most common tax scams targeting taxpayers right now—from phishing texts and AI-powered phone scams to fake charities, ghost preparers, identity theft, and misleading social media tax advice.

They also unpack the IRS’s ongoing digital shift and explain what it means for refunds, payments, online accounts, and why taxpayers need to prepare now.

If you want practical tips to protect your money, avoid costly mistakes, and stay ahead of major IRS changes, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.


💵 About Dollars & Sense: 💵
Hosted by Joel Garris, a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning, Dollars & Sense is one of Central Florida’s longest-running radio programs and a top 25 financial planning podcast. Each week, Joel and his team provide expert insights to help you make sense of all your financial decisions. 

👉 Visit our website: nelsonfinancialplanning.com for more resources and to connect with our team of Certified Financial Fiduciaries.

About Joel Garris:
Joel Garris is a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning. He’s dedicated to providing comprehensive financial advice to help you achieve your retirement goals. With a team of expert advisors, Nelson Financial Planning is committed to delivering personalized and effective retirement and financial planning solutions.

➡️ CONNECT WITH US: 
Facebook: /NelsonFinancialPlanning
Twitter: /nelsonfinplan
Instagram: /nelson_financial_planning
YouTube: @nelsonfinancialplanning2202

Join Joel Garris on this insightful episode of Dollars & Sense, where he explores the top questions you should ask your financial advisor, planner, or wealth manager.  

Discover why it’s crucial to understand how your advisor is compensated, the importance of the fiduciary standard, and how to evaluate investment philosophy, communication practices, continuity planning, portfolio details, risk management, goal tracking, beneficiary strategies, tax minimization, and how to reach your advisor during critical moments. 

Joel also shares practical guidance on how long to keep financial documents and the best ways to safely dispose of sensitive paperwork. Whether you’re preparing for your next review meeting or seeking clarity in your financial life, this episode is filled with actionable insights to help you make smarter decisions with your money. 


💵 About Dollars & Sense: 💵
Hosted by Joel Garris, a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning, Dollars & Sense is one of Central Florida’s longest-running radio programs and a top 25 financial planning podcast. Each week, Joel and his team provide expert insights to help you make sense of all your financial decisions. 

👉 Visit our website: nelsonfinancialplanning.com for more resources and to connect with our team of Certified Financial Fiduciaries.

About Joel Garris:
Joel Garris is a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning. He’s dedicated to providing comprehensive financial advice to help you achieve your retirement goals. With a team of expert advisors, Nelson Financial Planning is committed to delivering personalized and effective retirement and financial planning solutions.

➡️ CONNECT WITH US: 
Facebook: /NelsonFinancialPlanning
Twitter: /nelsonfinplan
Instagram: /nelson_financial_planning
YouTube: @nelsonfinancialplanning2202