Whether you know him as “The Sketch Guy” from his decade-long run as a NY Times columnist or you’ve heard him on a podcast, if you’re interested in the world of finance, you probably know who Carl Richards is. He has also written multiple books, including The Behavior Gap, The One-page Financial Plan, and his forthcoming book of sketches, titled simply Your Money. 

In this episode, we sit down to talk through a few of Carl’s favorite sketches, how he came up with the ideas, and what he hoped to communicate with each. Whether it’s learning to be “less wrong tomorrow” or finding out what is on the other side of complexity, Carl’s sketches and insights will leave you feeling inspired.

About our guest

Carl Richards started The Sketch Guy column in The New York Times from the hills of Utah, crafting clear, relatable insights about money with just card stock and a Sharpie. The column ran weekly for a decade. This journey began when Carl applied for what he thought was a job as a “security guard,” only to find out the ad actually said “securities.” That slight misstep sparked a lifelong dedication to reshaping how we think about money.

Resources mentioned in the episode

• Pre-order the book on Amazon

Your Money: Using Money, Energy, Time, and Attention to Build Your Best Life by Carl by Carl Richards

• Bulk orders of Carl’s books

Your Money - Bulkbooks

• Support local bookstores

Bookshop.org

Ready to learn more? 

• Scott Frank on LinkedIn 
• Stone Steps Financial 
• Carl Richards on LinkedIn
• Carl Richards on X
• Carl Richards on Instagram
• Behavior Gap

With the OBBBA now signed into law, we’re sitting down to walk through the good, the bad, and the ugly. The biggest takeaway is that the new bill has opened the door to some great tax planning opportunities, but you have to act soon! Most of the OBBBA’s changes expire in four years, so you have a little time and space to consider doing a Roth conversion or realize some capital gains. 

We explore the impact on tax rates, estate and gift tax, deductions, tax credits, and more. After that, we dive into how Congress will pay for the OBBBA, which I guess you could say is where things go from “good” to “bad” – or even “ugly.”

Ready to learn more? 

• Scott Frank on LinkedIn 
• Stone Steps Financial 
• Nick Covyeau on LinkedIn
• Swell Financial Partners

Leave us a question! 

Money can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial or Swell Financial Partners.

Do you ever feel like you're behind on retirement? A 41-year-old listener with over $230,000 saved and a 50%+ savings rate, certainly did. In this episode, we explain why starting late doesn't mean finishing last, especially when you're making such incredible strides! We dive into the numbers, the idea of being "behind" and the importance of the right mindset during this prep-for-retirement journey.

You will hear a little debate about Roth versus traditional 401(k), how your tax bracket should guide your choices, and why leaning too heavily on dividend funds might hold back your growth in the long term. After listening, you will have a question stuck in your head: “Is that intense saving strategy keeping me from living today?”

Key takeaways:

• You can make huge progress even if you start “late”
• Mindset matters almost as much as numbers
• Choosing between Roth and traditional 401(k) contributions
• Dividend investing might not be the best strategy

Ready to learn more? 

• Scott Frank on LinkedIn 
• Stone Steps Financial 
• Nick Covyeau on LinkedIn
• Swell Financial Partners

Leave us a question! 

Money can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial or Swell Financial Partners.

We all know we should probably save some more, but when we pass the piggy bank phase and have larger amounts of money, things get a little more complicated than just dropping some coins every once in a while. In this episode of Real Personal Finance, Scott and Nick get into a little detail that most people skip: “where” and “how” matter as much as “how much” when it comes to saving.

Key takeaways:

• The emergency fund is not optional; it’s the foundation of saving
• The 401K match is free money you shouldn't leave behind
• Sequence matters: there’s a smart way to allocate money

Ready to learn more? 

• Scott Frank on LinkedIn 
• Stone Steps Financial 
• Nick Covyeau on LinkedIn
• Swell Financial Partners

Leave us a question! 

Money can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial or Swell Financial Partners.

Retirement is supposed to be the reward after decades of hard work, but for many, the hardest part is learning how to actually spend the money they’ve saved. In this episode, we explore why that transition feels so uncomfortable and how creating a retirement paycheck can help make spending feel safe and sustainable. We talk through the natural phases of retirement spending, the risks of being too conservative, and how to align your money with what really matters to you.

Key takeaways:

• Retirement spending happens in phases, and your plan should evolve with them
• A "retirement paycheck" can bring structure and confidence to your financial life
• Being overly cautious can hurt more than help, especially when it comes to inflation

Ready to learn more? 

• Scott Frank on LinkedIn 
• Stone Steps Financial 
• Nick Covyeau on LinkedIn
• Swell Financial Partners

Leave us a question! 

Money can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial or Swell Financial Partners.

Why do some people delay retirement when they’re more than ready, while others want out the moment they hit the financial edge? In this episode, we explore the emotional weight behind retirement decisions, from the fear of losing identity to the overlooked value of early, healthy retirement years. You’ll hear how flexible paths like consulting or “dialing down” can offer purpose and freedom without the pressure of full-time work. If you’ve ever asked yourself whether to push through one more year or step into your next chapter, this conversation is your guide.

Key takeaways:

• Retirement isn’t just a financial decision—it’s an emotional one and an identity shift.
• Early retirement years are more valuable than later ones due to health and opportunity.
• Flexible transitions like part-time work or consulting can bridge the gap between burnout and full retirement.

Ready to learn more? 

• Scott Frank on LinkedIn 
• Stone Steps Financial 
• Nick Covyeau on LinkedIn
• Swell Financial Partners

Leave us a question! 

Money can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial or Swell Financial Partners.

What should you do with extra cash when markets feel shaky? In this episode, we break down why your savings rate is the real engine of wealth, and how understanding the purpose behind your money brings clarity to every financial decision. You’ll learn why market downturns can be golden opportunities, but only if your foundation is solid and your timeline matches the risk. We also share how investment certainty grows with time, helping you shift your mindset from fear to long-term confidence.

Key takeaways:

• Know your savings rate and aim for 10–20% of total compensation.
• Build financial stability before pursuing market opportunities.
• Match investment decisions to your money’s purpose and timeline.

Ready to learn more? 

• Scott Frank on LinkedIn 
• Stone Steps Financial 
• Nick Covyeau on LinkedIn
• Swell Financial Partners

Leave us a question! 

Money can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial or Swell Financial Partners.

Is market volatility really all about tariffs? In the wake of the unexpectedly aggressive “Liberation Day,” headlines would have you believe so. But the bigger culprit isn’t trade policy—it’s uncertainty. While U.S. markets have taken a noticeable hit, international developed markets are down only about 1.3% as of this recording. So what’s really going on? In this episode, we break down what investors need to keep in mind when the market gets shaky, including:

• Why portfolio diversification is your best defense in turbulent times
• Why volatility tends to cluster and why that makes timing the market so difficult
• The reality behind trade balances: population size and competitive advantage matter
• How using tolerance bands for rebalancing can help you make rational, not emotional, decisions

Ready to learn more? 

• Scott Frank on LinkedIn 
• Stone Steps Financial 
• Nick Covyeau on LinkedIn
• Swell Financial Partners

Leave us a question! 

Money can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial or Swell Financial Partners.

Balancing today’s lifestyle with tomorrow’s goals isn’t easy, but it’s doable. In this episode, we answer a listener's question about 401(k) contribution limits and employer matching, which opens up a broader conversation about financial flexibility and smart savings strategies.

We break down 2025 contribution limits, including catch-up provisions for those over 50, and clarify what counts toward those limits. Nathan, who works in higher ed and saves 21% of his income, offers a great example of blending tax-advantaged retirement accounts with a brokerage account for added flexibility.

This episode offers practical insights to help you build a plan that supports both your future and your life today.

Ready to learn more? 

• Scott Frank on LinkedIn 
• Stone Steps Financial 
• Nick Covyeau on LinkedIn
• Swell Financial Partners

Leave us a question! 

Money can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial or Swell Financial Partners.

Major financial transitions don't have to be binary choices – testing your assumptions before making big moves can prevent costly mistakes and regrets. In this episode, Nick and Scott talk about test-driving potential life transitions to help guide your decisions. 

• Looking at buying a home? Try setting aside the difference between rent and projected homeownership costs

• Practice living on expected retirement income while still employed

• Try extended stays in potential retirement locations during different seasons

Break down big transitions into small, actionable steps, and remember that major life goals often involve both financial and lifestyle adjustments.

Ready to learn more? 

• Scott Frank on LinkedIn 
• Stone Steps Financial 
• Nick Covyeau on LinkedIn
• Swell Financial Partners

Leave us a question! 

Money can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial or Swell Financial Partners.