By Paula Pant
George is a worried baby boomer, wondering if today’s generation is drowning in the noise of today’s financial landscape. How does one find a balance between information and overload?
Heather is stunned by the notion that renting could make more financial sense than buying. Where she’s from, the numbers seem to always swing in favor of owning. What’s she missing?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
Hospice nurse and end-of-life educator Suzanne O’Brien joins us to discuss the financial realities of dying in America — and they might surprise you.
Remember Aretha Franklin?
Her handwritten will was found in her couch cushions after she passed away. Despite her substantial wealth, this simple document was legally upheld. It’s a powerful reminder that having any form of will is better than none at all.
But there’s more to worry about than just having a will or trust. The costs of aging and dying can add up fast.
Long-term care costs can quickly deplete even substantial savings. Suzanne shares a story about a couple with over $5 million who were shocked to learn how quickly 24/7 care for dementia would consume their nest egg.
Traditional funerals average between $7,000-$11,000, but there are much more affordable alternatives:
• Home wakes and natural burials can cost just a few hundred dollars
• Water cremation offers an environmentally friendly option
• Whole body donation to medical institutions costs nothing while contributing to education
Planning ahead gives you control over these decisions and spares your loved ones additional stress. Multi-generational living arrangements can also reduce caregiving costs and address concerns like isolation and safety for aging family members.
Suzanne also shares stories about the emotional side of dying. Did you know some people seem to choose when they go? She tells us about a 99-year-old woman in a coma who somehow held on for days until she turned 100, then passed away that very night.
By Paula Pant
In light of recent federal mandates to return to the office, Pedro is having a hard time giving up on his fully remote lifestyle. Is there a creative solution to his dilemma?
An anonymous caller is excited to move abroad permanently. How should she structure her investments to support her international lifestyle while maintaining a home base in the US?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
The biggest trade shake-up in 135 years is happening right now.
April brought tariff levels that economists say haven’t been seen since the 1890s, creating ripple effects throughout the economy.
We’re seeing a stark disconnect between official economic data and how people feel about their financial future.
While the economy added 177,000 jobs in April — beating forecasts — consumer confidence has plummeted to alarming levels.
Almost 70 percent of Americans now expect higher unemployment ahead, despite the strong job numbers.
The tariffs have triggered some unexpected behaviors. Companies rushed to import goods before prices increased, which ironically pushed the trade deficit to record levels.
Consumers went on buying sprees for cars, computers, and other expensive items, fearing they’d soon cost much more.
Meanwhile, inflation expectations have surged to their highest levels in decades.
What does this mean for investors? Bond markets reacted dramatically, with Treasury yields posting one of the sharpest spikes on record mid-April before settling back down.
The dollar weakened significantly, and economists have raised recession probability to 45 percent — up from 30 percent just last month.
Small businesses are feeling the uncertainty too.
After initial optimism about potential tax cuts and deregulation, their expectations have soured amid concerns about how tariffs might hurt smaller firms disproportionately.
Market volatility has hit retirement savers particularly hard. We take a call from a listener named Johanna who shared that she lost 30 percent of her portfolio due to recent tariff-related swings.
She’s wondering whether she’s still “Coast FIRE” — even when market shocks alter her retirement math.
Join us as we break down April’s economic data, explain what’s behind the market volatility, and discuss what these historic tariffs might mean for your money in the months ahead.
By Paula Pant
Bethany’s partner wants to invest most of their money in gold and silver, but no one seems to talk about this kind of investing. Is this a red flag or a potential opportunity?
Diana is worried she’s been saving too much for her kids’ college – hundreds of dollars a month since they were born. How does she know when to stop?
Wendy’s pension and social security will cover all her basic expenses during retirement. Does the four percent rule still apply to her discretionary nest egg, or is there another approach?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
Ever looked back at an old Facebook post and cringed? According to Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic, that discomfort is evidence of something powerful: your personality has changed, even if you didn’t notice it happening.
In our latest episode, Khazan, who recently wrote a book on the science of personality change, breaks down […]
By Paula Pant
Nick and his wife have $100,000 to invest, but they’re worried about the volatility of the current stock market. Should they look into alternative investments such as private equity?
Even though Roth IRAs come with tax-free withdrawals in retirement, Josh is worried about his tax bracket going up and neutralizing the benefits. Is he right to be concerned?
The retirement portion of Cindy’s financial three-legged stool is set, and she’s now focused on her taxable brokerage. What investment strategy will allow her to be work optional in 10 years?
Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these questions in today’s episode.
Enjoy!
By Paula Pant
Jillian Johnsrud was falling apart. After suffering a miscarriage, she couldn’t pull herself together to return to her job as a youth pastor in DC. She decided to take a month off.
That unexpected break became Jillian’s first “mini-retirement” — a deliberate step away from work for at least 30 days to focus on something […]
Written By Paula Pant
Picture this: It’s 2 a.m. and you’re wide awake, mentally rehearsing tomorrow’s salary conversation for the fifteenth time.
Your stomach tightens at the thought of asking for more.
“There are people who will be up nights on end stressed about asking for a raise,” explains Bob Bordone, who taught negotiation for 21 years at Harvard Law […]
Written By Paula Pant
There are two paths to business ownership.
One path — creating a new company — has a 10 percent success rate.
The other?
When entrepreneurs buy an established, existing business, 75-85 percent succeed.
We don’t hear about this path often.
But maybe we should.
This dramatic difference challenges conventional wisdom. The myth says that buying […]
