Are you a professional or small business owner feeling overwhelmed by your finances?

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with Alvin Carlos, CFP®, CFA, Managing Partner of District Capital, a fee-only financial planning firm. They discuss the importance of a holistic approach to financial planning, focusing on tax efficiency, retirement planning, and debt management.

Key Takeaways:

→ Financial planning is not just about investments; it's about aligning your money with your values and goals.

 → Tax planning is crucial for maximizing wealth and should be integrated with your overall financial plan.

 → Retirement planning requires a long-term perspective and a disciplined approach to saving and investing.

 → Managing debt effectively is essential for financial freedom, and there are strategies to minimize its impact.

 → Working with a fee-only fiduciary advisor ensures you receive unbiased advice in your best interest.

More from Alvin Carlos:

Alvin Carlos, CFP®, CFA, is the Managing Partner of District Capital, a fee-only financial planning firm based in Washington, D.C. His firm specializes in helping professionals and small business owners maximize their money through comprehensive financial planning and investment management. With a focus on reducing taxes, retirement planning, and debt management, Alvin's team provides clear, actionable advice. As a fiduciary, Alvin's approach is entirely client-focused, offering unbiased financial guidance without commissions.

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Are you ready to revolutionize your retirement planning? This episode dives into actionable strategies business owners can use to optimize benefits and ensure a secure future.

Intro:

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt speaks with James LaFleur, a senior plan advisor with Sentinel Group. James brings over 20 years of expertise in retirement planning, offering insights into innovative financial solutions and critical strategies for business owners to maximize their retirement plans.

Key Takeaways:

→ The importance of fiduciary responsibility in managing retirement plans.

→ How to leverage tax benefits from the Secure 2.0 Act.

→ Why cash balance plans are a powerful option for small businesses.

→ Common mistakes business owners make in retirement planning and how to avoid them.

→ The future of retirement planning and emerging trends.

More from James LaFleur:

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Divorce can be a complex and emotionally charged process, especially when it comes to finances.  

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, Gary Heldt speaks with Melissa Murphy Pavone, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. They discuss the common financial pitfalls of divorce, how to protect yourself financially, and the importance of financial communication in a relationship.  

Key Takeaways:

→ Understand the tax implications of dividing different assets during a divorce.  

→ Consider the impact of divorce on business ownership, including valuation and cash flow.  

→ Ensure you have adequate life insurance coverage to protect your financial future in case of a spouse's death.  

→ Address health insurance coverage and costs as part of your divorce settlement.  

→ Engage in open financial communication with your spouse to avoid potential conflicts and ensure both partners are informed.  



More from Melissa Murphy Pavone:

Connect with Melissa: 

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Are you ready to legally safeguard your business and avoid costly mistakes?

In this episode, we dive into the legal essentials for entrepreneurs with Amira Irfan, founder of A Self Guru. Amira shares her inspiring journey from helping her father through a devastating lawsuit to becoming an internationally recognized business lawyer and coach. Learn how to avoid common legal pitfalls, protect your business, and set yourself up for long-term success with practical, accessible solutions.

✅ 5 Key Takeaways:

➤ Legal Is Your Business Glue: Don’t overlook legal protections—they are the foundation of a sustainable business.

➤ Avoid Common Mistakes: Amira's 23 Legal Mistakes to Avoid as an Entrepreneur outlines errors that could cost you money and peace of mind.

➤ Empower Yourself Through Education: From legal templates to one-on-one consultations, there’s a way to protect your business at every level.

➤ AI and Legal Considerations: AI is a helpful tool but comes with risks—always use it cautiously, and never rely on it for critical legal needs.

➤ Take Action Despite Fear: Amira’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs—confidence and preparation can transform your dreams into reality.

📖 Quotes from the Guest:

🌐 Resources Mentioned:

Thank you for tuning in! Be sure to connect with Amira Irfan across social platforms @ASelfGuru and visit her website to explore templates, resources, and services tailored for entrepreneurs.

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What if transforming your financial mindset could unlock your path to wealth and a more fulfilling life?

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Thomas Blottenberger, CFP, ChFC, ABFP, and Co-founder of Paradigm Shift Financial. Thomas is also an American Dream Experience Leader, and he’s here to share his journey of shifting from the impersonal, commission-driven world of traditional financial advising to a mindset-focused approach that helps individuals and families achieve their greater purpose through financial success. Since entering the industry in 2010, Thomas has provided breakthrough education and tools to help people align their financial decisions with their goals and dreams.

5 Key Takeaways:

➡️ Mindset Matters: Thomas emphasizes the importance of shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance to make smarter financial decisions.

➡️ The Science Behind Investments: Most advisors lack the depth of knowledge about the economic science behind financial strategies. Thomas shares how he applies Nobel Prize-winning principles to investment strategies.

➡️ Client-Centric Approach: Paradigm Shift Financial focuses on helping clients define what they truly want—beyond simply avoiding loss—and uses that clarity to create wealth-building strategies.

➡️ Passive Investing: Understanding how to design investments with the least risk and the highest growth potential is key. Thomas teaches how passive investing strategies can align with long-term goals.

➡️ Education is Key: Thomas believes in empowering clients through education, giving them the tools to make informed financial decisions and question their current strategies.

How to Reach Thomas Blottenberger:

Additional Information:

Thomas’s approach isn't just about money—it's about helping people live their American Dream by aligning their financial actions with their life’s purpose. If you’re looking to change the way you think about money, investments, and personal growth, Thomas offers the tools to make that shift. Don't miss out on his transformative insights!

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Are you looking to transform your financial future? Learn how Paul Gabrail applies Warren Buffett's principles to real estate and personal finance to build long-term wealth.

In this episode, Gary Heldt sits down with Paul Gabrail, co-host of Everything Money, to discuss the art of value investing, building a successful real estate portfolio, and teaching financial literacy. Paul shares his journey from investing as a teenager to running a YouTube channel with over 278,000 subscribers, offering unconventional but effective strategies for financial success.

Key Takeaways:

➤ How Paul started his investing journey and what sparked his passion for value investing.

➤ Why teaching financial literacy is crucial and how Paul plans to impact the next generation.

➤ The importance of dollar-cost averaging and compounding interest for long-term returns.

➤ Tips for getting started in real estate, including evaluating risks and leveraging small investments.

➤ Why Paul believes in managing properties directly and avoiding third-party managers.

➤ Lessons on balancing work and life while maintaining high productivity.

Quote from Paul Gabrail:

"Successful investing isn't about following someone else's strategy—it's about understanding and applying your money to what you truly know."

"Don't get caught up in looking like you're working hard. Focus on being effective. The person who gets the most done the fastest wins."

How to Connect with the Guest:

Watch Paul's content on YouTube, where he posts multiple videos weekly. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @EMPaulG. Engage with his videos for fresh insights on finance and investing.

Closing Statement:

Join us next week for more insights to grow your business and wealth. Thanks for tuning in!

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Are you prepared to navigate the complexities of elder law and estate planning? Discover essential insights that could save your family from costly mistakes.

Summary

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt speaks with Richard Miller, a highly respected Certified Elder Law Attorney. Richard dives into the critical aspects of elder law, including asset protection, Medicaid planning, and probate litigation. He shares practical advice, real-life stories, and strategies to help families make informed decisions while preserving dignity and financial stability.

5 Key Takeaways

→ Planning ahead ensures your assets are used to support you and your spouse with dignity and autonomy.

→ Understand the difference between probate and non-probate assets to avoid unexpected pitfalls.

→ Beneficiary designations are crucial; they often determine where assets go, regardless of a will's intentions.

→ Trusts, both revocable and irrevocable, play significant roles in asset protection and estate planning.

→ Complex family dynamics, like second marriages or estranged family members, require thorough estate planning to avoid disputes.

2 Quotes from Richard Miller

How to Reach Richard Miller

Richard Miller is the Chair of the Elder Law Department at Mandelbaum Barrett. Licensed in New Jersey, New York, and Colorado, he offers nationwide elder law and estate planning services.

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Did you know that 90% of life insurance policies lapse or are surrendered, leaving untapped value behind? In this episode, discover how life settlements can unlock hidden wealth.

Episode Overview

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt speaks with Adam Lippman, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Operations at Lighthouse Life and Director of Consumer Insights for Harbor Life Settlements. With over 20 years in the life settlement industry, Adam shares insights into how policyholders can maximize the value of their life insurance policies on the secondary market.

Key Takeaways

→ Life settlements explained: selling policies for more than their surrender value.

→ Understanding policy underwriting and health projections.

→ Regulatory protections and ensuring ethical transactions.

→ Leveraging AI to streamline the life settlement process.

→ How to find a reputable buyer and avoid common mistakes.

More from Adam Lippman

"Most people don't know they can sell their life insurance policies. It's a hidden opportunity."

"Life insurance is often the second-largest asset people own after their home, yet it's rarely utilized effectively."

Guest Bio

Adam Lippman is a seasoned founder and executive in the life settlement industry, having facilitated over 1,000 transactions with a combined face value of more than $1 billion. He is passionate about educating consumers and advisors on maximizing policy value.

Connect with Adam:

Harbor Life Settlements

https://www.lighthouselife.com/company/

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Are you unknowingly losing money through "financial termites"?

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, host Gary Heldt speaks with Jude Wilson, founder of Centrist Financial Strategies. Jude shares his journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship, discusses the principles of comprehensive financial planning, and highlights critical strategies for tax efficiency and risk management.

Key Takeaways:

→ Why comprehensive financial planning beats the transactional approach.

→ Understanding "financial termites" and how to combat them.

→ The importance of tax diversification and strategies for creating tax-free money.

→ Avoid costly mistakes with retirement account titling and beneficiary updates.

→ Proactively preparing for tax changes in 2026 and beyond.

More from Jude Wilson:

Website: Centris Financial Strategies

Additional Resources: The Tax Bomb

Podcast: The Roth Guy

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Are your accounting books holding your business back? Discover how proper accounting can transform your business's success in this episode.

In this episode of Grow Your Business & Grow Your Wealth, guest host Ed de la Rosa speaks with guest Susan Brill, an experienced accountant and business consultant with 20 years of expertise.

Susan specializes in helping small and medium-sized businesses clean up accounting books, streamline workflows, and navigate complex financial challenges. From law firms to wealth management companies, Susan brings a wealth of knowledge and solutions to her clients.

Key Takeaways:

→ Why proper bookkeeping is essential for business success.

→ Common accounting pitfalls and how to avoid them.

→ The cost of poor bookkeeping and the ROI of getting it right.

→ How Susan transformed a struggling business with over $100,000 in errors.

→ Practical tips for building trust with financial professionals.

More from Susan Brill:

Susan Brill is a seasoned accountant with over two decades of experience in various industries. She has helped businesses overcome bookkeeping challenges, improve financial transparency, and easily prepare for audits. Susan earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Bowling Green State University.

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