Student loans are complicated — and with all the recent rule changes, it’s easy to make missteps that cost you time, money, or progress toward forgiveness. We’re digging into the most common signs that your repayment strategy might be off track and what to do about it. Whether you’re working toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), income-driven forgiveness, or paying your loans off completely, small mistakes can make a big difference.

You’ll learn how to stay proactive, integrate your tax strategy, and make smarter decisions about refinancing, repayment, and tracking your progress toward forgiveness — all while keeping your student loan strategy aligned with your larger financial plan.

Key moments:

(03:41) Why staying on the SAVE plan too long could stall forgiveness progress

(10:11) How tax planning can directly impact your monthly student loan payments

(17:13) The right way to track PSLF and IDR credits to avoid lost time

(27:18) When refinancing makes sense (and when it locks you out of options)

Resources mentioned:

• PSLF Payment Tracker
• PSLF Reconsideration
• PSLF Buyback

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Think your Roth IRA is set up perfectly? You might want to think again. There's a good chance you're making at least one mistake without realizing it. Roth IRAs are powerful retirement tools, but they come with a bunch of IRS rules that can trip you up.

Learn the most common Roth mistakes people make — including backdoor Roth mishaps and the dreaded “pro rata” problem. We'll help you figure out if something's off with your contributions before it turns into a costly headache. If you've got a Roth or you're thinking about opening one, this episode will show you what to watch out for.

Key moments:

(06:39) The most flexible savings tool for retiring early

(10:27) Reclassifying IRA contributions and what is a backdoor Roth

(15:28) The common mistake high-income earners make

(19:58) Pro rata red flags

(29:50) When your Roth IRA investment isn’t actually invested

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Ever wonder what financial planners really think about their clients when the meeting's over? We're cracking open those candid conversations that happen behind closed doors. Inspired by a blog post that one of our readers sent to us: “Are you a DIYer, Validator, or Delegator when it comes to your finances,” we’re sharing some controversial hot takes that might be a little shocking to some of our listeners.

Key moments:

(02:24) Travis shares his journey from being a DIYer to a Delegator

(09:32) Validators struggle finding one-off planners because compliance requirements make occasional service impractical

(22:43) A simple investment mistake that often leads to massive future taxes

(38:27) Insider perspective: A lot of people are being ripped off by financial planners that charge too much

Resources mentioned:

• Delegator, Validator, or DIYer?

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Childcare expenses have completely outpaced normal inflation, and it’s one of the biggest financial shocks new families face. We're talking real numbers and honest conversations about costs that can make you sweat. It’s not just expensive daycare. We're sharing creative strategies and money-saving hacks that actually work, plus exploring how to weave these massive expenses into your overall financial plan without losing your mind.

You'll also learn our best tips to raise money-smart kids from day one, breaking that uncomfortable taboo around talking about finances. If you're expecting, planning, or already knee-deep in parenting, you’ll get practical tools to navigate these crazy costs while setting your family up for long-term success.

Key moments:

(06:54) Childcare costs range from 10% to 35% of household income depending on situation

(14:33) Parenthood requires trade-offs, maybe swapping your dream car for practical payments

(19:58) Remember income restrictions apply to child tax credits

(24:49) Always prioritize retirement savings over your kids' college fund contributions first

(39:34) Kids absorb your money attitudes even when you're not actively teaching them

Resources mentioned:

Monarch Money Child Tax Credit Dependent Care Credit Dependent Care FSA The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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We’re diving into the latest money stories making headlines, like the drama unfolding at Kroger, changes in airline travel costs, and the impacts of spiking healthcare premiums in California. We swap personal stories, from travel mishaps to a power-washing scam, and unpack how corporate scandals might hit your day-to-day expenses.

Plus, we break down what Disney and Hulu’s upcoming merger could mean for your streaming budget.

Key moments:

(05:15) Installing car seats on planes was a hassle and why to avoid hard-shell luggage

(10:45) Lawsuit claims Kroger favored family ties over singer Jewel, sparking serious ethics questions

(23:44) Disney is officially going to merge with Hulu

(27:04) New executive order could bring real estate, crypto, and private equity into 401(k) plans

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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What can reality TV teach us about money? Turns out… a lot. We’re using Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as a jumping-off point to talk about how influencers get paid, why 1099 income is so unpredictable, and what it takes to manage money when your paychecks don’t look the same every month. If you’re a high-income professional with fluctuating bonuses, freelancing on the side, or just curious how people survive when their income is all over the place, we’ve got you covered.

We’re talking budgeting strategies, emergency funds, negotiating your worth, and even how money dynamics play out in relationships (spoiler: it gets messy). Tune in for the financial lessons hiding between the scandals and soda shops.

Key moments:

(07:34) The size of your emergency fund depends on the variability of your income

(20:11) Why your “wildly fluctuating income” might not be as unpredictable as you think

(24:32) Veterinarians are a hot commodity but often undervalue their worth

(51:26) Revenge trading might be the quickest way to turn a bad decision into a financial disaster

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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Ever feel like money advice is either painfully boring or way too complicated? We get it. That’s why we decided to have a little fun and roast some of the worst financial moves people keep falling for. If you’ve ever signed up for a gym membership you barely used, bought furniture on a “0% APR” deal, or took out a seven-year car loan that outlasted your actual love for the car — this one’s for you. You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, and most importantly, you’ll walk away knowing how to dodge some of the biggest financial mistakes out there.

Key moments:

(03:59) Understanding whole life policies requires both a CPA and a Ouija Board

(08:59) MLMs sell you the dream, then make you sell it to your friends

(14:26) Leasing vs. buying a car, and when a seven-year car loan makes sense

(25:01) A rapid-fire roast of money mistakes you’ll laugh at (and hopefully avoid)

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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With the end of 2025 fast approaching, now’s the time to brush up on what the “Big Beautiful Bill” means for your charitable giving and education planning. If you’ve ever wondered how to squeeze the most out of your donations or whether that Goodwill slip really counts, you’ll want to tune in. We walk through the new rules on charitable deductions, why high earners need to pay extra attention, and how simple moves like “bunching” your gifts can make a big difference. Then we shift gears to 529 plans — covering smart strategies like “super funding” and the latest updates on gift and estate tax exclusions. You’ll come away knowing how to give generously and keep more money in your pocket.

Key moments:

(04:15) Goodwill donations only matter if you properly document and itemize the receipt

(12:26) Super funding 529s works by coordinating with the annual gift tax exclusion rules

(16:17) 529s are estate-exempt, making them a powerful legacy tool for family education

(21:31) Instead of giving yearly, bunch contributions every 2–3 years to maximize deductions

Resources mentioned:

• Tax Policy Center
• IRS Form 709: Gift tax return
• IRS Form 706: Estate tax return

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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Most of us live in blissful denial about natural disasters — until the unthinkable happens. But here's what separates those who recover quickly from those who struggle for years: having a solid financial strategy in place before catastrophe strikes. Financial planner Scotty McDonald, CFP®, CSLP®, joins us to go beyond basic emergency funds to explore in-depth wealth protection strategies.

We discuss the nuances of insurance coverage gaps that could leave you vulnerable and the importance of maintaining adequate liquidity during crisis situations. If you’d rather not get financially steamrolled by Mother Nature, this episode's packed with real, actionable advice that could save your bacon when things get ugly.

Key moments:

(11:24) Have cash on hand and enough savings to cover your insurance deductible

(17:06) Your basic homeowner's policy won't cover wildfire, flood, or earthquake damage costs

(21:56) Umbrella insurance adds extra liability protection when your main policy maxes out

(30:25) Planning ahead for financial disasters removes stress when emergencies happen

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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Getting a letter from the IRS is enough to make anyone’s stomach drop. But before you panic, take a breath. Chief tax officer Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, joins us to break down what those notices mean, why they’re often less scary than they look, and the exact steps to take if one shows up in your mailbox.

You’ll learn the most common IRS notices (and the ones that actually need urgent attention), how to make sense of the dense tax jargon, and what to do if you’ve got unique situations like multiple 1099s or community property rules in states like California. If you’re a business owner, newly married, or just someone with a messy tax year, consider this your playbook for handling IRS mail like a pro.

Key moments:

(05:10) California’s tax notices can confuse married filing separately, even if you didn’t do anything wrong (12:30) The viral TikTok tax myth you should ignore (17:02) The first thing to do when an IRS notice lands in your mailbox (23:46) How a mid-year tax projection can save you from penalties and stress

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
• Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts