Real Secrets of Money Podcast

In Episode 4 of the College Funding Collection, Jeff and Andy move into the practical side of college planning by discussing some of the tools families may consider as they prepare for education costs.

From basic savings accounts to 529 plans, Coverdell accounts, custodial accounts, work-study opportunities, and other flexible strategies, this episode offers a high-level look at the college funding toolbox — and why there is no single answer that fits every family.

College funding is not one-size-fits-all. The important thing is to understand your options, start the conversation early, and choose a path that helps your family prepare with more confidence.

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Want to learn more? Visit RealSecretsOfMoney.com to explore all episodes, access additional resources or schedule a full financial literacy class with a certified financial educator — available virtually or in person. Take the next step toward financial confidence today!

In Episode 3 of the College Funding collection, Jeff and Andy talk about why planning ahead can help families avoid compounding an already emotional season with added financial stress.

It may not cover everything, but even a small start can still help. Whether it is $25 a month, a modest account, or simply the first step toward a larger plan, preparation can give families a better conversation when college becomes real.

Instead of saying, “We don’t have anything for you,” parents may be able to say, “This won’t pay for everything, but it will help" — a difference that matters

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Want to learn more? Visit RealSecretsOfMoney.com to explore all episodes, access additional resources or schedule a full financial literacy class with a certified financial educator — available virtually or in person. Take the next step toward financial confidence today!

When parents think about college funding, it can be easy to look at the total cost and feel overwhelmed before they even begin. But college planning does not have to be all-or-nothing.

In Episode 2 of the College Funding collection, Jeff and Andy talk about one of the biggest mental blocks families face: the belief that if they cannot pay for every dollar of college, there is no point in saving at all.

College funding isn't about having a perfect answer for every dollar. It's about starting where you are, planning intentionally, and giving your family more options when the time comes.

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Want to learn more? Visit RealSecretsOfMoney.com to explore all episodes, access additional resources or schedule a full financial literacy class with a certified financial educator — available virtually or in person. Take the next step toward financial confidence today!

College funding is about more than tuition.

In the first episode of our new College Funding season, Jeff and Andy explore the emotional side of sending a child to college — the pride, the sadness, the empty nest, and the financial pressure that can arrive all at once.

From there, the conversation reframes college planning as more than a savings strategy — it's a way to prepare for one of the most meaningful transitions in family life.

Before we get into 529 plans, FAFSA, scholarships, and funding strategies later in the season, we begin with the real reason this planning matters: helping families face a major life moment with more peace, more flexibility, and fewer financial regrets.

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Want to learn more? Visit RealSecretsOfMoney.com to explore all episodes, access additional resources or schedule a full financial literacy class with a certified financial educator — available virtually or in person. Take the next step toward financial confidence today!

What is estate planning really about?

After a season spent discussing wills, probate, powers of attorney, beneficiary designations, and trusts, our co-hosts step back and tackle the bigger question that sits underneath every estate plan:

If something happened to you tomorrow, who would need money — and how much?

In this season finale, Jeff and Andy explore why estate planning is ultimately about protecting the people you love. They discuss the role life insurance can play in funding a plan, why accumulated assets may not be enough on their own, and how families can think about financial protection at every stage of life.

You'll learn why estate planning is about people, (not just assets), how younger families and retirees approach planning differently, the role life insurance can play in protecting a spouse and children, why efficiency matters when transferring wealth, and the question every family should ask when building a plan.

This episode brings the entire Estate Planning season together and reinforces the idea that a good estate plan isn't just about what you leave behind — it's about the people you leave it to.

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Want to learn more? Visit RealSecretsOfMoney.com to explore all episodes, access additional resources or schedule a full financial literacy class with a certified financial educator — available virtually or in person. Take the next step toward financial confidence today!

Trusts are one of the most misunderstood tools in estate planning.

Some people assume they’re only for the wealthy. Others think they’re overly complicated or only necessary for large estates. The truth is, trusts are simply tools — and when used correctly, they can provide flexibility, privacy, and control over how your assets are managed and distributed.

In this episode, our co-hosts break down the fundamentals of trust planning in plain English. You’ll learn what a trust actually is; the roles of the grantor, trustee, and beneficiary; what it means to “fund” a trust (and why it’s critical); the difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts; and how trusts can help families create more customized estate plans.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore estate planning or trying to better understand your options, this episode will help demystify one of the most powerful tools available.

Tune in now to learn why trusts aren’t mysterious — they’re simply tools designed to help carry out your wishes.

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Want to learn more? Visit RealSecretsOfMoney.com to explore all episodes, access additional resources or schedule a full financial literacy class with a certified financial educator — available virtually or in person. Take the next step toward financial confidence today!

In this episode of the Real Secrets of Money Podcast, our co-hosts clear up misconceptions on how assets actually transfer after death. You’ll learn which assets bypass probate entirely, how beneficiary designations work, why life insurance and retirement accounts transfer differently, and the costly mistake people make when naming their estate as a beneficiary

Plus, we explain how proper setup can help assets transfer faster, more privately, and more efficiently to the people you care about most. Because estate planning isn’t just about who gets your assets — it’s about how they get them.

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Want to learn more? Visit RealSecretsOfMoney.com to explore all episodes, access additional resources or schedule a full financial literacy class with a certified financial educator — available virtually or in person. Take the next step toward financial confidence today!

What happens to your finances if you’re still alive, but unable to manage them Who pays your bills? Who has access to your accounts? And how much control do they really have?

In this episode, our hosts break down financial power of attorney: what it is, how it works, and why it’s one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of an estate plan.

You’ll learn what a financial power of attorney actually allows someone to do, why choosing the right person matters more than most people realize, and how financial decisions continue even if you’re unable to make them.

Tune in now to make sure control goes into the right hands.

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Want to learn more? Visit RealSecretsOfMoney.com to explore all episodes, access additional resources or schedule a full financial literacy class with a certified financial educator — available virtually or in person. Take the next step toward financial confidence today!

Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you die. It’s also affects happens if you’re still alive but unable to speak for yourself.

In this episode, our hosts walk through one of the most overlooked and most important parts of any estate plan: healthcare directives and medical power of attorney.

What would happen if you were in a hospital and couldn’t communicate your wishes? Who would make decisions for you? And would they know what you actually want?

Learn how to protect the people you love from having to make impossible decisions without guidance. Tune in now to make sure your voice is heard — even when you can’t speak.

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Want to learn more? Visit RealSecretsOfMoney.com to explore all episodes, access additional resources or schedule a full financial literacy class with a certified financial educator — available virtually or in person. Take the next step toward financial confidence today!

What happens if you die without a will? It’s more common than you might think, and the consequences can be bigger than most people realize.

In this episode, Jeff Lehman and co-host Andy Cowan break down what it really means to die "intestate" and how it can leave some of the most important decisions of your life in the hands of the court.

Tune in now to understand what’s at stake — and why having an estate plan in place matters more than you think.

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Want to learn more? Visit RealSecretsOfMoney.com to explore all episodes, access additional resources or schedule a full financial literacy class with a certified financial educator — available virtually or in person. Take the next step toward financial confidence today!