Millennial Money Moves

Every great financial plan starts with one simple step: knowing your numbers. In this episode, we walk through two real-life examples of how to take control of your finances by first understanding how much money is coming in and where it’s going out.

You’ll learn how to:

• Track income and expenses with clarity

• Spot spending patterns that could hold you back

• Find opportunities to pay yourself first

• Build a budget that actually works for your lifestyle

If you’ve ever felt like money slips through your fingers or you’re not sure where to start, this episode gives you a clear and practical starting point. Confident money moves don’t begin with fancy investments—they begin with knowing your numbers.

Many investors believe the secret to wealth is finding the “right” stock at the “right” time. The truth? Even professional advisors and Wall Street pros can’t consistently pick winners. In this episode of Millennial Money Moves, we break down why stock picking is more gambling than strategy, why most people underperform the market trying to do it, and what smarter, evidence-based approaches can actually help you grow long-term wealth.

Whether you’ve tried chasing hot stock tips, or you’ve wondered if you need to be picking individual companies to succeed, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a better strategy for your future.

Link to study that Kenny mentions: https://blogs.wpcarey.asu.edu/20240805-asu-study-stock-market-winners-uncovers-some-surprises

Do you really need a financial advisor?
If you’re a millennial juggling student loans, career growth, saving for a home—or just trying to figure out if you're on track—this episode is for you.

In this episode of Millennial Money Moves, we dive into 10 powerful questions every millennial should be asking their financial advisor to take control of their money, reduce taxes, and build long-term wealth.

Top 10 Questions:1. How do I balance paying off debt with saving and investing?

You've probably heard the advice: “Don’t invest it all at once, dollar cost average instead.” But does spreading your money out over time actually reduce risk and improve returns? In this episode, Sean & Blake break down the numbers behind dollar cost averaging vs. lump sum investing and the results might surprise you. We’ll explore when DCA makes sense, when it doesn’t, and why blindly following this strategy could cost you in the long run.

If you're serious about making smarter, data-driven investment decisions, this one's a must-listen.

Thinking about how to pay for your child's education without drowning in student loans? In this episode, Sean & Blake break down the 529 plan, one of the most powerful and tax-efficient ways to save for future education expenses. You'll learn how these plans work, who they’re for, the tax benefits, what counts as a qualified expense, and how recent rule changes have made 529s even more flexible. Whether you’re a new parent or just playing catch-up, this is your roadmap to smarter college savings.

In this episode of Millennial Money Moves, we’re breaking down five of the most common (and costly) money mistakes people make—and how to avoid them. From expensive car payments to purchasing annuities, these missteps can quietly sabotage your financial future. Whether you’re just getting started or already building wealth, these tips can help you stay on track and grow with confidence.

Thinking about buying a home? Curious if the mortgage you have is right for you? This episode breaks down everything you need to know — from FHA vs. conventional loans to navigating high interest rates, monthly payments, and mortgage insurance. Tune in for real talk on affording a home in today’s market and how to unlock homeownership without blowing your budget.

Sean Babin and Blake Bandani sit down with Jamie Fernandez, an experienced mortgage broker to unpack the American Dream of homeownership.

Jamie Fernandez - [email protected], 602-419-9688

You’ve seen the headlines: “Top 10 Stocks of the Year!” or “5-Star Funds to Buy Now!” But here’s the truth—investing in what’s recently done well often leads to disappointing long-term results. In this episode of Millennial Money Moves, we’re joined by Kenny Gatliff, CFA® and busting the myth of “track record investing” and digging into why chasing past winners, whether it’s hot stocks or 5-star Morningstar funds, can actually leave your portfolio worse off.

We break down:
✅ Why past performance is a terrible predictor of future returns✅ The surprising data behind Morningstar ratings and their lack of predictive power✅ The psychology of performance chasing (and how to fight FOMO)✅ Smarter ways to invest for long-term growth

If you’ve ever been tempted by a shiny 5-star fund or a top-performing ETF, this episode is your wake-up call.

In this episode Sean is joined by Jeff Rusin and Matthew Awai, owners of Advisor Tech Partners, who are building businesses from the ground up. From early struggles and late-night hustle to breakthrough moments and hard-earned lessons, they share what it really takes to grow something meaningful in today’s competitive landscape.

You’ll hear candid insights on mindset, mistakes, wins, and the realities no one talks about. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in your own journey, this conversation offers fresh perspective, inspiration, and some serious real talk from both sides of the founder experience.

Should you buy gold? Gold has dazzled investors for centuries—but is it truly the safe-haven asset it’s made out to be? In this episode, we talk with Kenny Gatliff, CFA® and strip away the shine and dig into the truth behind gold’s role in a modern investment portfolio. You’ll learn how gold stacks up against inflation, stocks, and market volatility, and whether it deserves a place in your strategy—or if it’s just glittery distraction. Whether you’re a die-hard gold bug or a skeptical investor, this one’s for you.

👉 Tune in to find out:

• Does gold actually protect you in a crisis?

• What history says about gold returns vs. stocks

• How much gold (if any) you really need in your portfolio