About This Episode:

Money is one of the most common sources of stress in our lives, and one of the leading causes of conflict in relationships. For many couples, financial disagreements aren’t really about numbers. They’re about values, fear, priorities, and uncertainty about the future. 

In this episode of Money, Marriage, and the Meaning of Financial Success, Glen and Robert explore why personal finance is far more personal than it is mathematical, and how understanding the emotional side of money can strengthen relationships, improve decision-making, and lead to long-term confidence. 

Ready to Start the Conversation? 

If you and your partner want clarity around your financial future, or if you’re unsure whether your current strategy truly aligns with your goals, working with a trusted financial advisor can provide guidance tailored to your circumstances. 

Schedule a complimentary consultation to start building a plan that aligns with your goals and situation. 

Disclosure: 

GDS Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser. This podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, legal, or tax advice. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of recording, are subject to change without notice, and may not necessarily reflect the views of GDS Wealth Management as a firm. The content discussed is general in nature and may not be suitable for all individuals. Any references to market performance, future results, financial projections, or client experiences are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal, and diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against loss. Listeners should consult with a qualified financial professional regarding their individual circumstances before making any financial decisions. 

About This Episode:

When it comes to investing and wealth management, most mistakes aren’t about picking the wrong stock. They’re about lacking clarity, structure, and foresight. In this podcast conversation, we unpacked the most common—and costly—missteps people make with their money, and what they can do differently. 

Here’s a breakdown of the key themes, along with practical takeaways you can apply today. 

Ready to Take the Next Step? 

If you recognize any of these mistakes in your own financial life, the good news is this: they’re fixable—with the right plan. 

Whether you’re just getting started or want a second opinion on your current strategy, working with an experienced financial advisor can help you bring clarity, discipline, and confidence to your decisions. 

A thoughtful financial plan can help you: 

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start planning, consider scheduling a conversation with a trusted advisor to see how a personalized strategy could help you move forward with purpose. 

Your future deserves a plan. 

Disclosure:

GDS Wealth Management is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The speakers in this program are investment adviser representatives of GDS Wealth Management. The views and opinions expressed are their own and are for educational purposes only. This content is not investment, tax, or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. 

About This Episode: 

When it comes to investing, there’s a simple truth most people don’t appreciate until they live it: 

Some lessons are far more expensive to learn the hard way. 

You can read about market cycles. 

But it’s very different when you watch your net worth fall by 30% in real time. 

That’s often when emotions take over, and when costly decisions are made. 

After more than 20 years in the financial industry and working with hundreds of families, one theme continues to surface: investment success is far more behavioral than mathematical. 

Keep Learning & Stay Connected:

Want more insights? Check out past episodes, articles, and tools in our Learning Center, and subscribe to GDS Unplugged on your podcast platform of choice. 

If you’re ready to have a conversation about your goals, financial plans, and future, we’d love to talk. Schedule a complimentary consultation and get personalized guidance for your financial plan. 

Disclosure: 

GDS Wealth Management (“GDS”) is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This podcast episode and recap are for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute personalized investment advice. The views expressed by the hosts are their own and may change over time. Any examples or illustrations discussed are hypothetical and for explanatory purposes only, and they do not reflect actual investment results. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. No investment strategy— “boring” or otherwise—can ensure a profit or prevent a loss. Discussions of private or alternative investments are not recommendations and may not be appropriate for all investors. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions. For additional information about our services, fees, and disclosures, please visit www.gdswealth.com. 

About This Episode: 

In this episode of GDS Unplugged, we’re tackling one of the most subtle, and potentially costly behaviors in investing: Market FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). It’s that urge to chase returns when markets are going up and to pull back when markets are sliding. But as Robert and Glen discuss, reacting to headlines and social buzz can lead investors away from thoughtful, goals-based decision-making. 

Markets are noisy. Algorithms reward trends. But history suggests that long-term success is often associated with discipline, diversification, and sticking to a thoughtful plan, not chasing viral returns. 

Keep Learning & Stay Connected 

Want more insights? Check out past episodes, articles, and tools in our Learning Center, and subscribe to GDS Unplugged on your podcast platform of choice. 

If you’re interested in learning how a goal-driven investment strategy may apply to your situation, we’d love to help. You may Schedule a complimentary consultation and discuss personalized guidance for your financial plan. 

Disclosure:

GDS Wealth Management (“GDS”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. References to market performance or investment outcomes are hypothetical and illustrative and do not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Advisory services are offered where GDS and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt.

About This Episode 

“Invest like the top 1%.” 

In this episode, Robert and Sebastian take a hard look at that claim. And more importantly, they revisit a far better question: Why are we investing at all? 

Is it to brag about the next big score… or to actually reach a long-term goal? 

What unfolds is an honest conversation about what wealthy people often do, how certain types of products are marketed, and how everyday investors can avoid traps disguised as “exclusive opportunities." 

Keep Learning & Stay Connected 

Want more insights? Check out past episodes, articles, and tools in our Learning Center, and subscribe to GDS Unplugged on your podcast platform of choice. 

If you’re ready to explore how a goal-driven investment strategy may apply to your situation, we’d love to help. Schedule a complimentary consultation and get personalized guidance for your financial plan. 

Disclosure: 

GDS Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This content is for educational purposes only and is not personalized financial advice. All investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. No investment strategy, approach, or standard of care guarantees future performance or success. Viewers should consider their individual circumstances or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

About This Episode 

Most people think a financial plan is a simple yes-or-no question: Can I retire? 

But in this episode of GDS Unplugged, Glen and Robert talk through how a retirement plan that looks solid initially may tell a different story once you take a closer look. 

This time, they walk through a real client plan (with details changed, of course) and highlight the various levers that can quietly alter the outcome. Some are honest mistakes. Others are simply overlooked. And a few…may be unexpected to viewers. 

If you’ve never watched someone “stress test” a plan in real time, this episode offers a different way to view retirement planning.  

Keep Learning & Stay Connected 

Curious how this kind of planning looks in action? Watch The GDS Experience and explore exactly how our team approaches retirement strategy. 

Want more insights? Check out past episodes, articles, and tools in our Learning Center, and subscribe to GDS Unplugged on your podcast platform of choice. 

Disclosure

GDS Wealth Management (“GDS”) is a registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where GDS and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. The information discussed in this video is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Examples and financial planning scenarios are hypothetical in nature, based on estimates, and not guarantees of future results. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal, and past performance does not guarantee future outcomes. Tax laws, Social Security rules, and healthcare-related costs may change, and viewers should consult their own qualified professionals before implementing any strategy. Any case studies or client stories have been anonymized for confidentiality and are not indicative of any specific client experience.

About This Episode 

In this episode, Robert and Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) professional, Sebastian Carrillo take aim at the growing wave of financial advice spreading through social media, the kind that promises quick wins, viral stock tips, or “secret” strategies the pros don’t want you to know. 

From meme stocks and crypto hype to AI investing tools and private equity ads, Robert and Sebastian unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes, and how everyday investors can avoid getting caught up in the noise. 

Their advice is simple: don’t chase trends, chase truth. Real wealth isn’t built through hashtags or hype; it’s built on patience, discipline, and timeless fundamentals. 

Keep Learning & Stay Connected 

Disclosesure  

GDS Wealth Management (“GDS”) is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as tax, legal, accounting, or investment advice, nor as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security or strategy. Information is believed to be reliable but may change without notice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Diversification and asset allocation do not ensure profit or protect against loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mentions of companies, products, or individuals are illustrative only and not endorsements; no compensation was received. Certain investments, such as private offerings, may involve unique risks and are limited to accredited or qualified investors. For more information about our services, fees, and disclosures, please visit www.gdswealth.com or review adviser records at FINRA BrokerCheck and the SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website.

About This Episode 

Many investors default to a single broad index fund, often the S&P 500, because it’s simple and low-cost. In this episode, Glen and Robert discuss how that approach can work for certain types of investors and when it may not align with specific objectives or risk profiles.  

They also dive into ETFs vs. mutual funds, explore diversification across asset classes and regions, explain bond mechanics and duration, and walk through tax-loss harvesting and mutual fund capital-gain distributions in practical, plain language. 

Keep Learning & Stay Connected 

Disclosure: 

GDS Wealth Management (“GDS”) is an investment adviser registered with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended as tax, legal, or investment advice. Information is believed to be reliable but may change without notice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance or government adjustments are not indicative of future results. Indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested in directly. For more information about our services, fees, and disclosures, please visit www.gdswealth.com.

About This Episode 

If you’ve ever wondered “How do 401(k)s really work? Should I use the Roth option? How much should I contribute, and when?” this conversation breaks it down. Glen and Robert walk through traditional vs. Roth 401(k)s, company matches, “true-up” rules, catch-up contributions in your 50s and early 60s, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and how employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs) fit into a broader plan. The aim isn’t to provide a one-size-fits-all formula; it’s to help you understand how informed financial choices today may support your long-term goals. 

Keep Learning & Stay Connected 

Disclosure:

GDS Wealth Management is a registered investment adviser with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. 401(k) and employer plan rules vary, please consult your plan documents, HR department, or a qualified professional for details specific to your situation. For more information on services, fees, and disclosures, visit www.gdswealth.com.

About This Episode 

Dr. Gary Chapman, best‑selling author of The 5 Love Languages®, joins host Glen Smith to share practical ways couples, parents, and teams can feel more connected. From the 0–10 check‑in to learning a language that doesn’t come naturally, you’ll hear simple, repeatable habits you can start this week. We also explore how these ideas lower stress around money and decisions at home. 

Keep Learning & Stay Connected 

Disclosure: 

GDS Wealth Management (“GDS”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Dr. Gary Chapman was compensated for his appearance and is not a client of GDS. His participation does not represent a testimonial or endorsement of GDS or its services. This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. All investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Mentions of books, products, or third-party services are for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. For important information about services, fees, and disclosures, visit gdswealth.com.