In this episode, we break down one of the most misunderstood parts of the financial industry: the difference between financial advice and product sales and why it matters more than most people realize.

Most people seek out a financial professional because they want advice. They want to confirm they’re on track, want help building a comprehensive plan, or are seeking guidance for a specific financial decision. What many don’t realize is that the financial industry has historically been structured as a sales-based business. According to feeonlynetwork.com, fewer than 2% of the 295,000 financial professionals in the United States can be classified as Fee-Only for the advice they provide.

We explore how compensation, sales quotas, and limited product offerings can influence recommendations, often blurring the line between objective advice and a sales presentation. We end with a simple recommendation of how to quickly identify advisors who have prioritized advice and eliminated the sales-based commission and revenue sharing incentives from their practices.

If you want to better understand the incentives behind the advice you receive, this episode will give you a framework to ask the right questions and choose a financial professional that is right for you.

Thanks for listening!

For more details we recommend that you check out our blog post covering the same topic at https://pw-wm.com/learn/financial-planning/why-financial-advice-vs-product-sales-matters/

Welcome to 2026! In this episode, we discuss key market takeaways from 2025, including why valuations matter, how concentration within the S&P 500 has grown, and why diversification remains essential for long-term planning.

We also cover planning items for 2026, including general housekeeping items like updated IRS contribution limits for employer retirement plans, IRAs, and Health Savings Accounts, along with important changes impacting catch-up contributions.

As we look ahead to 2026, some of the major items to consider are the provisions taking effect under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including changes to income tax brackets, itemized deductions, charitable giving rules, estate planning exemptions, and the growing importance of proactive tax planning.

As financial complexity continues to increase, the importance of staying informed, managing risk, and maintaining a coordinated strategy is key to long-term success.

This conversation will help you prepare and plan for financial success into 2026 and beyond.

Thanks for listening!

For more details, we recommend that you check out our blog post covering the same topic at https://pw-wm.com/learn/financial-planning/your-finances-in-2026-what-you-need-to-know/

Are all financial professionals created equal? If not, how can you identify who will provide advice that puts you first?

Managing your money wisely can be complex, and many individuals realize they need good financial advice; however a search for “financial advisor near me” provides an endless list of advisors that all promise to help with retirement planning, tax strategies, investment management, and more, while promising to do it all “in your best interests.”

Despite all sounding the same, individuals know that there is a significant difference between financial professionals. Whether they’ve experienced financial professionals trying to “sell” products or sensed pressure toward certain strategies, they realize that identifying the right financial professional is a key decision. The question is how to cut through all the marketing hype to identify the professional who will put them first.

In this series, we break down the key types of financial professionals, explore how compensation structures can influence advice, and share tips for identifying fiduciary, Fee-Only advisors who truly put your interests first. Cut through the marketing noise, avoid hidden conflicts, and make informed financial decisions with confidence.

Whether you’re already working with a financial professional or looking to hire one, this conversation will help you understand how to choose a financial professional committed to putting you first.

Thanks for listening!

For more details we recommend that you check out our blogpost covering the same topic at https://pw-wm.com/learn/financial-planning/are-all-financial-professionals-created-equal/

As part of our continuing health insurance series, this episode dives into one of the biggest questions facing early retirees: how to maintain health coverage before Medicare kicks in at age 65.

We explore your key options, from COBRA coverage to Marketplace plans, discuss how to pay for health insurance out of pocket, and uncover tax planning strategies that can help reduce your premiums through premium tax credits.

Whether you’re planning to retire soon or just beginning to map out your financial future, this conversation will help you understand how thoughtful planning can make early retirement a reality. Thanks for listening!

For more details, we recommend that you check out our blog post at https://pw-wm.com/learn/.

Retirement planning isn’t just about finances; it’s about healthcare too. With Medicare enrollment approaching, many retirees wonder how Medicare works and what coverage they really need.

In this episode, we break down Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, explain the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans, and walk through key enrollment periods to help you avoid costly penalties. We also cover premiums, deductibles, IRMAA surcharges, and common misconceptions about Medicare coverage.

Whether you’re turning 65, continuing to work past retirement, or exploring your healthcare options, we think you’ll enjoy this podcast episode. Thanks for listening!

For more details we recommend that you check out our blog post covering the same topic at: https://pw-wm.com/learn/financial-planning/medicare-what-you-need-to-know/

The new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is changing the tax landscape for families across America, but what does it really mean for you?

In this episode, we break down three family scenarios with real tax calculations and comparisons showing the actual changes in tax liability under the OBBBA for each family.

You’ll learn who benefits, where phaseouts and limitations come into play, and why proactive planning will be key to making the most of these changes.

For those who are interested in understanding how the provisions of the OBBBA will impact their own family, we think you will enjoy this month’s podcast. Thanks for listening!

For more details we recommend that you check out our blog post covering the same topic at https://pw-wm.com/learn/tax-planning/will-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-save-you-money/

Big changes are here - and they’re anything but simple. In this episode, we break down the sweeping tax reforms introduced under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4th.

From extending lower tax brackets, expanding the standard deduction, and making major changes to charitable and itemized deductions to creating new deductions for tips, overtime, car loan interest, and even senior taxpayers, the OBBBA makes significant updates to the current tax code.

We’ll walk through what’s changing, what’s staying, and what it all means for your tax planning, charitable giving, and estate strategy. Whether you're a hard-working family seeking lower taxes, a small business owner navigating the tax complexities of owning a pass-through entity, or a high-net-worth family focused on legacy planning, we think you’ll enjoy this podcast episode. Thanks for listening!

For more details we recommend that you check out our blog post covering the same topic at https://pw-wm.com/learn/tax-planning/major-tax-changes-are-you-prepared-for-the-one-big-beautiful-bill/

Do you own real estate in your business or as an investment but know you will eventually need to transition to something that requires less involvement in the future? Are you worried about the tax bill when that time comes?

In this episode, we explore powerful strategies like 1031 and 721 exchanges that can help you defer taxes, add diversification, transition into completely passive income, and preserve wealth for your retirement and future generations.

We’ll break down each exchange, how they can fit into your retirement and estate planning, and what to consider if you want to simplify your real estate portfolio without losing the benefits of ownership.

Whether you're nearing retirement or simply looking to optimize your real estate portfolio, we think you’ll enjoy this podcast episode. Thanks for listening!

For more details we recommend that you check out our blog post covering the same topic at https://pw-wm.com/learn/tax-planning/selling-smart-tax-deferred-real-estate-exchanges/

Long-term investment success isn’t about timing the market — it’s about having the right perspective and discipline. In this episode, we share the key principles that help investors avoid costly mistakes, stay invested, and reach their financial goals.

Learn why emotional decisions, media noise, and chasing trends often do more harm than good — and why a steady, long-term strategy remains the most reliable path to wealth.

Backed by decades of data and insights from Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, this episode will help you block out the noise and focus on what truly matters.

If you're looking to achieve long-term investing success, we think you’ll enjoy this podcast episode. Thanks for listening!

For more details we recommend that you check out our blog post covering the same topic at https://pw-wm.com/learn/investing/the-secrets-of-investment-success/

Is your cash working for you? Each year individuals leave thousands of dollars on the table by accepting the extremely low interest rates offered on their checking and savings accounts. In fact, this is an area where we consistently see family after family missing out on significant income that could easily be theirs.

With the significant drop in interest rates after the Great Recession, most banks began paying little to no interest to their depositors. Over the ensuing 15 years, most individuals became accustomed to earning very little interest. Now as overall interest rates have started to rise, most banks have left the interest rates they pay on deposit accounts very low.

With most individuals no longer expecting to earn interest on their bank accounts, very few have spent the time to find a solution paying a better interest rate. For many families, this costs them thousands of dollars each year.

The good news is that this is one of the easiest issues to fix! In this podcast, we discuss a simple option to begin earning a competitive interest rate on your cash balances. If you want your money to work for you, we think you’ll enjoy this podcast episode. Thanks for listening!

For more details we recommend that you check out our blog post covering the same topic at https://pw-wm.com/learn/financial-planning/flourish-cash-is-your-cash-working-for-you/