Don Sowa's MoneyTalk

The steam engine was among the first major innovations of the industrial era, and also one of the first monopolies in our nation’s history. On this edition of our MoneyTalk Moment in Financial History, Nathan and Daniel take us through the history of the steam engine from the innovations of James Watt, to the monopoly that fed the early growth of the Industrial Revolution, they explore how steam power reshaped industries, transportation, and society itself. Also on MoneyTalk, budgeting best practices, and some unique takes on retirement living. Host: Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Special Guest: Daniel Sowa; Air Date: 7/23/2025; Original Air Dates: 5/24/2023 & 10/24/2023. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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On this episode of MoneyTalk, Nathan discusses a new strategies for unused 529 savings, how to lower your tax bill with qualified charitable distributions, challenges with budgeting, and how to determine your risk tolerance. Host: Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 7/21/2025; Original Air Date: 8/22/2023 & 3/18/2025. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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We try to take a calculated approach to decision making with our money, but more often than not, those decisions are driven by emotions. Donna and Nathan use the framework of behavioral finance to explain the role the investment advisor can play in helping to offset some of our counterproductive tendencies. Also on MoneyTalk, Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 7/18/2025; Original Air Date: 1/27/2023. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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Ever since the advent of index funds and ETFs, the industry has debated the value provided by mutual fund managers, especially with passive alternatives available at lower cost to investors. Donna and Nathan consult the data and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of active and passive investments. Also on MoneyTalk, Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 7/17/2025; Original Air Date: 12/20/2023. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever since the advent of index funds and ETFs, the industry has debated the value provided by mutual fund managers, especially with passive alternatives available at lower cost to investors. Donna and Nathan consult the data and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of active and passive investments. Also on MoneyTalk, Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 7/17/2025; Original Air Date: 12/20/2023. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill has been criticized for disproportionally benefiting the wealthy, but it also included some changes for retirees and other key groups that could make a real impact. Donna and Nathan discuss some of the positive provisions of new spending bill, including: an additional tax deduction for seniors, student loan reform, and investment contributions for newborns. Also on MoneyTalk, when it does (and doesn’t) make sense to take social security early, and Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 7/15/2025. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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One of the topics that we are consistently asked about is IRAs, partly because the rules change so frequently, but also because of the steep penalties the IRS puts in place to enforce those rules. Donna takes us through some of the most frequently asked IRA questions, including: What are the current contribution limits? How long can I continue to contribute? How does an IRA differ from a 401(k)? And more. Also on MoneyTalk, a discussion on the fundamentals of investing. Host: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF®; Air Date: 7/14/2025. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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Believe it or not, 150 years ago the average male only lived to age 65 and most worked until they died, so the idea of retirement is still a relatively new concept. Donna and Nathan discuss retirement revelations outlined in Ben Carlson’s book, “Everything’s You Need to Know About Retirement”, including: how family history helps forge your money habits, how saving money is really about buying time and freedom, and much more. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 7/11/2025; Original Air Date: 9/28/2023. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

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Financial advisors live in a world of numbers, but when it comes to determining client suitability and risk tolerance, a fiduciary must go beyond the numbers to explore the qualitative factors that drive decision making. Donna and Nathan dive into the realm of behavioral finance to help you better understand the psychology behind how you spend and save, and the biases that help to form your money habits. Also on MoneyTalk, Stock Trivia: Two Truths and a Lie. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 7/10/2025; Original Air Date: 3/28/2024. Have a question for the hosts? Visit sowafinancial.com/moneytalk to join the conversation!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.