During 2025, we’ve read lots of books, listen to tons of podcasts, and talk to numerous people. In this Christmas Eve episode, we reflect on their biggest takeaways and money lessons from 2025. From the importance of not judging others' financial decisions to understanding how to minimize future regret, the discussion is insightful and relatable. Learn the significance of happiness elements such as good health, quality relationships, meaningful work, and appreciating art and nature. Tune in now to wrap up the year with perspective, gratitude, and a little holiday cheer.

[00:07:33] 2025 Money Reflections and Financial Lessons Learned

[00:08:23] Why You Shouldn’t Judge Other People’s Financial Decisions

[00:18:40] How to Minimize Future Regret With Better Money Choices

[00:23:08] Comfort vs. Convenience: How Lifestyle Choices Affect Your Finances

[00:23:28] The Main Elements of Happiness

[00:28:10] The Hidden Downsides of a Completely Stress-Free Life

[00:35:17] The Irony of Desire: Why More Doesn’t Always Mean Happier

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Bona Fide Finance – Trusted financial advisors offering flat-fee, comprehensive planning to help you build wealth and financial security. Book a consultation at bonafidefinance.com/wealthmindedmd or email [email protected] and tell them we sent you.

Got money questions you'd like us to tackle on our next segment of Wealthy Wonders? Visit our page to submit your query.

Be sure to go to our website to join the Wealthy Minds Community and download a FREE copy of our Wealthy Minds Blueprint.

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Don't forget to rate and review the show to help others discover us! When you do, you'll have a chance to win a free drink on us.

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead and happy wealth building!

If you are looking to get your finances on track and thinking about hiring a financial advisor, this is for you. In this episode, we are joined by Ben Martinek, founder and lead advisor at Bona Fide Finance, to help you end the year strong and start the new year off right. We dive into the benefits of hiring a financial advisor, Ben and his team’s approach to financial planning, and how he integrates tax advisory and student loan management into his services. You will also learn about investment strategies, personalized financial advice, and guidance on making smart financial decisions as a physician. Plus, Ben shares practical end of year tips and advice for starting the new year right, highlighting the importance of having a plan, a strong mindset, and being resourceful when managing your finances.

[00:04:57] Wealthy Insight: Ben Martinek of Bona Fide Finance 
[00:10:27] Ben Martinek’s Background as a Financial Advisor and His Planning Philosophy
[00:30:11] Navigating Student Loans: Repayment Strategies and Key Options to Consider
[00:34:07] Comprehensive Financial and Tax Planning for Physicians
[00:35:51] How Integrated Tax Services Strengthen Financial Planning
[00:41:13] Transparent Fee Structures and What Clients Can Expect
[00:49:21] End-of-Year Financial Planning Tips for High Earners

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Bona Fide Finance – Trusted financial advisors offering flat-fee, comprehensive planning to help you build wealth and financial security. Book a consultation at bonafidefinance.com/wealthmindedmd or email [email protected] and tell them we sent you.

Got money questions you'd like us to tackle on our next segment of Wealthy Wonders? Visit our page to submit your query.

Be sure to go to our website to join the Wealthy Minds Community and download a FREE copy of our Wealthy Minds Blueprint. 

Claim your debt freedom with our boot camp!

Don't forget to rate and review the show to help others discover us! When you do, you'll have a chance to win a free drink on us.

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead and happy wealth building!

 There are many mistakes that people make when contributing to their 401k or 403b at their job. In this episode, find out what they are and how to avoid those pitfalls. We discuss the importance of contributing enough to get the full employer match, understanding Roth vs. traditional contributions, and ensuring your money is properly invested. Plus, hear about the significance of not cashing out when switching jobs, remembering old 401k accounts, and familiarizing yourself with vesting rules. Learn the implications of student loans on employer matching and highlight the changes introduced by the SE Secure 2.0 Act.

[00:07:42] 401k Mistakes to Avoid
[00:09:09] Understanding Employer Matches and Student Loans
[00:16:09] Investment Strategies for 401k and 403b
[00:20:35] Managing 401k When Switching Jobs
[00:23:56] Avoiding Temptation with 401k Transfers
[00:24:42] The Problem of Forgotten Retirement Accounts
[00:29:09] Understanding Roth vs. Traditional 401k
[00:35:13] The Importance of Vesting Rules

If you'd like deeper insight into one of the points Brittne mentioned, specifically the Secure Act 2.0 student loan retirement match, you can learn more here.

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Bona Fide Finance – Trusted financial advisors offering flat-fee, comprehensive planning to help you build wealth and financial security. Book a consultation at bonafidefinance.com/wealthmindedmd or email [email protected] and tell them we sent you.

Got money questions you'd like us to tackle on our next segment of Wealthy Wonders? Visit our page to submit your query.

Be sure to go to our website to join the Wealthy Minds Community and download a FREE copy of our Wealthy Minds Blueprint.

Claim your debt freedom with our boot camp!

Don't forget to rate and review the show to help others discover us! When you do, you'll have a chance to win a free drink on us.

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead and happy wealth building!

We all make mistakes, and as we step into 2026, it’s the perfect time to leave the 2025 slip-ups behind. In this episode, we discuss Brittne's financial mistakes in 2025 to help you avoid similar pitfalls. From unused subscriptions, errors in negotiations, splitting dinner bills, overcommitting, to missing tax deadlines, the episode also touches on the importance of value-based spending, better accounting methods, setting boundaries, and the balancing act between work and personal life. Learn the significance of creating meaningful experiences over accumulating material goods. Tune in to learn from their experiences and gain actionable tips for your financial journey.

[00:06:27] Brittne’s Money Mistakes of 2025
[00:07:42] Unused Subscriptions
[00:16:05] Negotiation Mistakes
[00:20:20] Splitting the Bill Dilemma
[00:28:44] Finding a Balance in Commitments
[00:36:07] Tax Penalties and Better Accounting

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Bona Fide Finance – Trusted financial advisors offering flat-fee, comprehensive planning to help you build wealth and financial security. Book a consultation at bonafidefinance.com/wealthmindedmd or email [email protected] and tell them we sent you.

Got money questions you'd like us to tackle on our next segment of Wealthy Wonders? Visit our page to submit your query.

Be sure to go to our website to join the Wealthy Minds Community and download a FREE copy of our Wealthy Minds Blueprint.

Claim your debt freedom with our boot camp!

Don't forget to rate and review the show to help others discover us! When you do, you'll have a chance to win a free drink on us.

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead and happy wealth building!

As the holiday season approaches, many people start thinking about charitable giving. In this episode, we dive into tax-efficient strategies to help you give wisely and meaningfully. We discuss the importance of ensuring donations qualify for tax deductions, the benefits of strategic timing for giving, why donating stock can be smarter than giving cash, how donor-advised funds work, and charitable giving options during retirement. Learn how to align your generosity with your values while also maximizing tax benefits. Tune in to make the most of your charitable contributions and support meaningful causes effectively.

[00:06:37] The Joy and Strategy of Giving
[00:09:58] Tax Efficient Charitable Donations
[00:15:40] Timing Your Donations for Maximum Benefit
[00:20:21] Tax Planning for Charitable Giving
[00:20:44] Benefits of Donating Stock
[00:26:45] Using Donor-Advised Funds
[00:31:28] Charitable Giving in Retirement

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Bona Fide Finance – Trusted financial advisors offering flat-fee, comprehensive planning to help you build wealth and financial security. Book a consultation at bonafidefinance.com/wealthmindedmd or email [email protected] and tell them we sent you.

Got money questions you'd like us to tackle on our next segment of Wealthy Wonders? Visit our page to submit your query.

Be sure to go to our website to join the Wealthy Minds Community and download a FREE copy of our Wealthy Minds Blueprint.

Claim your debt freedom with our boot camp!

Don't forget to rate and review the show to help others discover us! When you do, you'll have a chance to win a free drink on us.

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead and happy wealth building!

Holiday shopping season is here, and Black Friday is right around the corner. In this episode, we share strategies to help you maximize savings and elevate your travel through credit card perks and shopping portals. We break down how to use portals like Rakuten and Capital One for cashback and points, leverage credit card bonus categories, activate credit card offers, and take advantage of valuable quarterly or annual perks. Learn how to spend intentionally so you can earn rewards without stretching your budget. Tune in for practical tips to make the most of your holiday shopping.

[00:05:16] Holiday Shopping and Credit Card Perks
[00:06:52] Tip 1: Utilizing Shopping Portals
[00:12:26] Tip 2: Bonus Categories on Credit Cards
[00:15:53] Tip 3: Adding Card Offers
[00:19:50] Tip 4: Quarterly and Yearly Credit Card Perks
[00:24:35] Tip 5: Meeting Signup Bonuses with New Cards

Get a $50 bonus when you join Rakuten using our link: rakuten.com/r/wealth824

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Bona Fide Finance – Trusted financial advisors offering flat-fee, comprehensive planning to help you build wealth and financial security. Book a consultation at bonafidefinance.com/wealthmindedmd or email [email protected] and tell them we sent you.

Got money questions you'd like us to tackle on our next segment of Wealthy Wonders? Visit our page to submit your query.

Be sure to go to our website to join the Wealthy Minds Community and download a FREE copy of our Wealthy Minds Blueprint.

Claim your debt freedom with our boot camp!

Don't forget to rate and review the show to help others discover us! When you do, you'll have a chance to win a free drink on us.

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead and happy wealth building!

 It's officially quarter four and there are a few tasks to complete before the end of the year. In this episode, we cover essential financial moves to make before year-end, from reviewing your retirement accounts, contributing to FSAs, and checking your portfolio for tax-loss harvesting opportunities to managing 401(k) and 457(b) contributions, planning charitable giving, and making sure your emergency fund and insurance coverage are up to date. Learn practical, actionable tips to tackle these tasks efficiently, optimize your finances, and set yourself up for success. Tune in to learn how to finish 2025 strong and set yourself up for financial peace in 2026.

[00:09:03] End-of-Year Financial Checklist
[00:22:03] How to Maximize Your Solo 401(k) Contributions Before Year-End
[00:23:27] Smart Charitable Giving Strategies to Maximize Tax Benefits
[00:27:00] Making 529 Contributions and Managing Student Loans Effectively
[00:32:22] Complete Your Year-End Financial Checkup for a Strong 2026 Start

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Bona Fide Finance – Trusted financial advisors offering flat-fee, comprehensive planning to help you build wealth and financial security. Book a consultation at bonafidefinance.com/wealthmindedmd or email [email protected] and tell them we sent you.

Got money questions you'd like us to tackle on our next segment of Wealthy Wonders? Visit our page to submit your query.

Be sure to go to our website to join the Wealthy Minds Community and download a FREE copy of our Wealthy Minds Blueprint.

Claim your debt freedom with our boot camp!

Don't forget to rate and review the show to help others discover us! When you do, you'll have a chance to win a free drink on us.

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead and happy wealth building!

Many people know they should spend less than they earn and invest the rest, but figuring out how much to save or invest can be tricky. In this episode, we break down practical saving and investing benchmarks for different income levels, from $50,000 to $300,000 a year. We cover everything from building a solid emergency fund and saving for retirement to maximizing tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, and HSAs. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to optimize your finances as your income grows, this episode offers clear and actionable insights to help you make smarter money moves and build lasting wealth.

[00:10:07] How Much to Save at Different Income Levels
[00:15:19] Saving Strategies for $50,000 Income
[00:21:15] Saving Strategies for $75,000 Income
[00:29:39] Saving Strategies for $100,000 Income
[00:36:40] Financial Planning for a $150,000 Salary
[00:40:04] Wealth Building at a $200,000 Salary
[00:53:04] Optimizing Finances at a $300,000 Salary

🎉 This episode is sponsored by Bona Fide Finance – Trusted financial advisors offering flat-fee, comprehensive planning to help you build wealth and financial security. Book a consultation at bonafidefinance.com/wealthmindedmd or email [email protected] and tell them we sent you.

Got money questions you'd like us to tackle on our next segment of Wealthy Wonders? Visit our page to submit your query.

Be sure to go to our website to join the Wealthy Minds Community and download a FREE copy of our Wealthy Minds Blueprint.

Claim your debt freedom with our boot camp!

Don't forget to rate and review the show to help others discover us! When you do, you'll have a chance to win a free drink on us.

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead and happy wealth building!

It’s fall, which means open enrollment season is here and it’s time to take a closer look at your workplace benefits. In this episode, we talk about what to consider as you prepare to enroll, from comparing health insurance plans and choosing between comprehensive and high deductible options to making the most of your HSAs and FSAs. We also cover the importance of reviewing employer-provided benefits like disability and life insurance, along with other perks such as wellness programs, tuition assistance, and legal packages. Tune in to make informed choices this open enrollment season and get the most out of your job’s benefits to secure your financial future.

[00:12:02] Navigating Open Enrollment And Work Benefits
[00:21:30] Health Insurance Plans: Comprehensive Vs. High Deductible
[00:32:17] Key Differences Between Fsa And Hsa Accounts
[00:34:44] Understanding Malpractice Insurance Coverage
[00:39:19] Choosing Between Long-Term And Short-Term Disability Insurance
[00:43:45] Life Insurance: Employer Vs. Individual Policies
[00:49:35] Additional Employee Benefits To Consider

Sign up for our Negotiate Like a BOSS accelerator! In the program, you’ll learn how to increase your salary, decrease burnout, and optimize your schedule to create the life you desire! 

🎉This episode is sponsored by  PKA Insurance Group, Inc. - Helping you find the best value with personalized insurance solutions. Reach out to PKA Insurance Group to discuss your disability or life insurance needs by calling +1 800-258-1018 or emailing [email protected].

Got money questions you'd like us to tackle on our next segment of Wealthy Wonders? Visit our page to submit your query.

Be sure to go to our website to join the Wealthy Minds Community and download a FREE copy of our Wealthy Minds Blueprint.

Claim your debt freedom with our boot camp!

Don't forget to rate and review the show to help others discover us! When you do, you'll have a chance to win a free drink on us.

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead and happy wealth building!

Investing in real estate and the stock market each comes with unique advantages, risks, and rewards. In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of investing in real estate versus the stock market, from the benefits of each investment type to the influence of the current economic climate and personal experiences with both asset classes. Plus, we reference insights from Warren Buffett, the tax advantages of real estate, and the ease and liquidity of stock market investments. Tune in to learn which investment may be the better choice for you based on your financial goals and lifestyle.

[00:12:28] Stocks Versus Real Estate
[00:19:09] Real Estate Investment Considerations and Benefits
[00:24:41] Challenges and Advice for Real Estate Investors
[00:29:23] Stock Market vs Real Estate Data Comparison
[00:31:12] Advantages of Stock Market Investing
[00:32:55] Balancing Real Estate and Stock Market Investments

Sign up for our Negotiate Like a BOSS accelerator! In the program, you’ll learn how to increase your salary, decrease burnout, and optimize your schedule to create the life you desire! 

🎉This episode is sponsored by  PKA Insurance Group, Inc. - Helping you find the best value with personalized insurance solutions. Reach out to PKA Insurance Group to discuss your disability or life insurance needs by calling +1 800-258-1018 or emailing [email protected].

Got money questions you'd like us to tackle on our next segment of Wealthy Wonders? Visit our page to submit your query.

Be sure to go to our website to join the Wealthy Minds Community and download a FREE copy of our Wealthy Minds Blueprint.

Claim your debt freedom with our boot camp!

Don't forget to rate and review the show to help others discover us! When you do, you'll have a chance to win a free drink on us.

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead and happy wealth building!