Check Your Balances
183 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 10 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 49 ratingsCheck Your Balances explores the world of personal finance, investing, and business through the lens of two financial planners that help people navigate some of life's most impactful financial decisions.
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Episodes
Investing in Real Estate
August 17, 2022 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBRoss and Dan clarify their position that they aren't (complete) bears when it comes to real estate investing, but they want to consider the range of options available. Check out this week's show to hear some of their favorite ways to access a lucrative asset class. Send your stories or questions for the show to [email protected] to be featured!
Getting a Late Start to Saving
August 10, 2022 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBAre you one of the many people who feel they got a late start saving for their future? In this episode, we discuss how to approach your finances if you fall into that camp. Ross also gets a rare message of support for one of his unpopular opinions. Send your questions to [email protected].
The Most Important Number
August 03, 2022 04:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBIs it possible to boil your financial planning down to a single critical number? In this week's episode, Ross and Dan try to get to the bottom of that question. Send your questions and thoughts on rice cakes to [email protected].
Point-Counterpoint
July 27, 2022 04:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MBReady for a financial planning throwdown? Ross and Dan go head to head as they debate heated topics in financial planning. Friend of the show Matt Trogdon joins as moderator. In the episode Dan made reference to a book, but forgot the name. It was The Outsiders by William N. Thorndike, Jr., which tells the story of 8 unconventional CEOs and how their approach to capital allocation led to their success.
Travel Talk with Andrea Sachs
July 20, 2022 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBWashington Post reporter Andrea Sachs joins the show to talk about what is going on in the travel market today, and where the deals still exist if you're looking. In an era where everybody seems to want travel built into their financial plan, we thought it was important to share. Send your questions on personal finance, investing, or business to the show at [email protected].
The Biggest Loser: Thinking About Stocks with Big Losses
July 13, 2022 04:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBOn this week's episode we discuss our feelings for Jimmy Buffet's music and review our thoughts on App Economy Insight's article, How To Handle Big Losers. Submit questions for the show to [email protected] to have Ross and Dan weigh in!
5 Levels of Financial Independence
July 06, 2022 04:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBWe celebrate Independence Day with a breakdown of how we define 5 (or is it 6?) levels of financial freedom. Our simple to understand framework should apply to wherever you are in your financial life today and give you a target for how to get to the next step. Submit questions for the show to [email protected] to have Ross and Dan weigh in!
The Scout Mindset
June 29, 2022 04:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBHow can approaching things with a "scout mindset" make us better investors? Ross and Dan discuss their takeaways from Julia Galef's book The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't. Shoot a note to [email protected] with any questions, comments, or jokes for the team!
SECURE 2.0 - What's coming?
June 22, 2022 04:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBIt feels like just yesterday we were talking about what was in the first SECURE act, and now we get to talk about the sequel. Ross and Dan talk about what is expected (and stupid) in the current proposals. Send your questions to [email protected] to have them answered on our air!
FPA Takeaways: Upstream Gifting, QSBS Exclusions
June 15, 2022 04:00 - 19 minutes - 13.8 MBRoss and Dan recap their takeaways from last week's Financial Planning Association conference. In particular they cover two strategies that can help avoid capital gains tax: upstream gifting, and the qualified small business stock exclusion. E-mail your questions or thoughts for Ross and Dan to [email protected]!
Is a recession coming?
June 08, 2022 04:00 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MBDo you share the same financial concerns as Cardi B? We think you might. This week's show addresses a 20:1 stock split and how negative the overall sentiment seems right now. The chart Ross references in the show can be seen here. E-mail your questions for Ross and Dan to [email protected] to have them weigh in!
Leaving and Receiving Gifts
June 01, 2022 04:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBRoss and Dan dive into the mailbag for this episode. They tackle a listener question on how to think about inherited assets as well as the strategies for saving money on behalf of your kids. E-mail your questions for the show to [email protected]. We're YouTubers! Smash that subscribe button to check out our video content.
Nowhere to hide?
May 25, 2022 04:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBThis week Dan and Ross consider whether life insurance could act as a safe haven in what we're calling the "Nowhere to hide" market. And we also answer a listener question about where to focus savings. E-mail your questions for the show to [email protected]. YouTube Channel coming soon...
Robert Brokamp - Rule Your Retirement
May 18, 2022 04:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MBThis week, we are joined by our old friend Robert "Bro" Brokamp, from Motley Fool's Rule Your Retirement service. Tune is as we talk financial calculators, financial therapy, and more! Test out CalcXML's retirement calculator by clicking here. Join Robert Brokamp's Rule Your Retirement Service here. Shoot us an email with your personal finance and investing questions at [email protected].
Nick Maggiulli - Just Keep Buying
May 11, 2022 04:00 - 31 minutes - 22 MBThis week, Nick Maggiulli joins the podcast to talk about his new book Just Keep Buying: Proven Ways to Save Money and Build Your Wealth. He's also the author of the blog Of Dollars and Data, and the Chief Operations Officer at Ritholtz Wealth Management. We are thrilled to have Nick join us! Shoot us an email with your personal finance and investing questions at [email protected].
Wrong Decisions, Right Outcomes
May 04, 2022 04:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBInspired by the story of Fred Smith gambling to save FedEx early on, Ross and Dan explore scenarios where wrong financial decisions may have positive outcomes. Send questions for the show to [email protected] to be featured on the show.
Positive Actions in Negative Markets
April 27, 2022 04:00 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MBMarket got you down? Ross and Dan kick around positive actions that you can (potentially) take in a negative market. Send questions for the show to [email protected] to be featured on the show (and get a CYB mug!).
Student Loans with Anna Helhoski
April 20, 2022 04:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MBOn this episode, Ross and Dan are joined by Anna Helhoski - Nerdwallet's authority on Student Loans. Read more from Anna by visiting her Nerdwallet profile here: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/author/anna/ Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments for the show!
Does the traditional 401(k) suck?
April 13, 2022 04:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBThis week we're calling it a rant episode. Ross and Dan take on some very broad tax advice being given out on social media, and debate whether you should get excited about stock splits. Submit your financial planning questions to [email protected] to be featured on the show!
FIRE with Sean Gates, CFP
April 06, 2022 04:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MBOur former colleague, the recently retired, Sean Gates, joins us to talk about his journey. Sean has embraced the Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) movement for his entire career and has just recently made the transition out of full time work. Hear more about his story on this week's show. To submit your personal finance questions or thoughts tot he show, email us at [email protected].
Cryptocurrency with Dr. Lawrence White
March 30, 2022 04:00 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MBThis week we are joined by George Mason University professor Dr. Lawrence White. Dr. White has spent his academic career studying monetary systems, banking, and more recently cryptocurrencies. He joins the show to share what is going on in the space and how crypto is being used. Submit your questions for the show to [email protected] to have a question featured!
Regret as a Tool
March 23, 2022 04:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBInspired by Dan Pink's new book The Power of Regret, Ross and Dan reflect on how regret has played a part in their financial planning practice. Also, Dan shaved his beard and head to support St. Baldrick's Foundation. Send us your questions and thoughts to [email protected]!
Couples and Money
March 16, 2022 04:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MBResident "engaged guy" Matt Trogdon joins the show to talk about how he and his fiancée are dealing with combining finances. Send your questions for the show to [email protected].
iBuying (or iSelling) - Ross Sold His House
March 09, 2022 05:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBRoss sold his home recently and details what an exploration of the iBuying process was like. A farewell episode to "Dirty Mike and the Boys." Send your questions for the show to [email protected].
Janice Gets a Job Offer
March 02, 2022 05:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBOf course more money is better than less money (unless you ask Biggie, in which case mo money is mo problems), but how much can a shift in salary impact your retirement trajectory? Ross and Dan create a scenario for their made up client, Janice McExample, to see how it plays out. Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions for the show!
Donor Advised Funds
February 23, 2022 05:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBElon Musk has been in the news for giving away Tesla stock, and the news presented an interesting slant on Donor Advised Funds (DAF). Ross and Dan weigh in with their take on why DAF accounts can be a powerful planning tool and how you might consider using them. Submit questions to the show to [email protected]!
Estate Planning and Uncertainty
February 16, 2022 05:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBRoss and Dan explore the basics of estate planning that everyone needs, and how to plan effectively in an area with so many variables. You'll also get to hear about Dan's second career path that could have been at the end. Submit questions to [email protected] to have them featured on the show!
Morningstar's New Safe Withdrawal Rate; ETFs Vs Index Funds
February 09, 2022 05:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBThis week we unpack Morningstar's report entitled: The State of Retirement Income: Safe Withdrawal Rates. Do we need to replace the old 4% rule with the 3.3% rule? We also address the differences between ETFs and Mutual Funds when it comes to index investing. You can download Morningstar's report using this link. Do you have a question or comment you'd like covered on the show? Email us at [email protected] and maybe the spirit will inspire Ross to mail Check Your Balances ...
Business Lessons From Our Favorite Shows
February 02, 2022 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBWhat real life lessons about business and investing can we learn from scripted television? This week, Ross and Dan pull back the curtain on their TV habits and share some moments from The Office and Silicon Valley that ring true in real life. Have you had any "a-ha" moments watching your favorite TV show? We'd love to hear about it! Email us at [email protected] to share your takeaways with us.
Celebrating Our First Year with a Market Correction
January 26, 2022 05:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBA roundtable discussion of how to keep the recent market movement in context and focus on the big picture of your personal financial plan. Ross and Dan are joined by Matt Trogdon to discuss how the market has started 2022, and some strategies that we are using to relax along the way. Send your financial planning questions to us at [email protected]!
An Interview with Brian Feroldi
January 19, 2022 05:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MBYouTuber, investor, speaker, and author Brian Feroldi joins the show to talk about the inspiration for his series of personal finance graphics and the book he has coming out this spring. Pre-order Brian's Book: Why Does the Stock Market Go Up Follow Brian on: YouTube, Instagram, Twitter Send your questions for Ross and Dan to us at [email protected].
We Make an NFT
January 12, 2022 05:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBRoss and Dan were on a mission to bring to life Bill Mann's vision of a Monkey Butt on the blockchain. They did so by creating the Monkey Butt NFT! This week, we discuss what the process was like to create an NFT, and we also address a listener question about financial aid for college. To view the Monkey Butt NFT on Rarible click here. Worth a chuckle, but not your hard earned dollars. We don't recommend purchasing it. If you have personal experience with NFTs or any questions about pe...
January Mailbag Episode
January 05, 2022 05:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBWe kick off the year feeling 22 and addressing listener questions! This week we address improving a credit score, differences in 529 and ABLE accounts, Fully Paid Securities Lending, and even a hint of Payment For Order Flow. Send your questions to [email protected] to be featured on the show!
2021: A Market Review
December 29, 2021 05:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBAs the year comes to a close, Ross and Dan review the performance of several major stock indexes and discuss their takeaways from 2021. They also address Vanguard's Market Perspectives report which offers their 10 year asset class forecasts. Have you dozed off yet? E-mail us at [email protected] with your biggest investing takeaways from the year!
Holiday Gift Guide
December 22, 2021 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBDo you need last minute gift ideas for the finance nerd in your life? Check out our gift guide for 2021 to help round out your shopping list for the year! E-mail us at [email protected] if you have questions for our year end wrap up show next week, or personal finance questions that we can help with!
The name's Bond...I Bond.
December 15, 2021 05:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBMany of us have experienced inflation to this point in 2021 through rising costs, however there is a flip side to that coin! Series I Savings Bonds, which pay an interest rate tied to inflation, are paying attractive rates. In this episode we discuss I Bonds, and Ross takes us through what it was like to purchase one through TreasuryDirect.gov. Have you reached any personal financial milestones in 2021? Let us celebrate your success! Email us at [email protected] to potentia...
The name's Bond...I Bond.
December 15, 2021 05:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBMany of us have experienced inflation to this point in 2021 through rising costs, however there is a flip side to that coin! Series I Savings Bonds, which pay an interest rate tied to inflation, are paying attractive rates. In this episode we discuss I Bonds, and Ross takes us through what it was like to purchase one through TreasuryDirect.gov. Have you reached any personal financial milestones in 2021? Let us celebrate your success! Email us at [email protected] to potentia...
Talking with Andrew Schear of Practical Personal Finance
December 08, 2021 05:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBThis week we welcome Andrew Schear of the Practical Personal Finance YouTube channel to the show. Andrew is a personal finance enthusiast that has documented his own journey and has created a library of more than 180 videos teaching finance concepts in simple, easy-to-understand, language. To submit a question for our show, email us at [email protected] to potentially be featured!
Talking Taxes with the Tax Girl
December 01, 2021 05:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBThis week we talk taxes with Kelly Phillips Erb, aka the Tax Girl. Together we discuss the challenges of navigating the tax landscape, and Kelly offers some controversial takes on home ownership and Roth IRAs. You can find Kelly's podcast, blog, and more by visiting: https://www.taxgirl.com/ If you'd like to submit questions or air grievances you can contact us at [email protected].
Funemployment and Thanksgiving!
November 24, 2021 05:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBOnce again, Matt Trogdon, CFP joins the show to talk about his experience going through a job transition over the summer which he lovingly refers to as "Funemployment." You can read his Preservation Mode article that he wrote for Humble Dollar. And to submit your questions for our show, email [email protected].
Rent, Buy, and PMI
November 17, 2021 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBRoss and Dan have real estate on the brain again. This week they discuss the tough rental market, along with some potential money saving tips whether you already own a home or are in the market for one. Send your questions for the show to [email protected] and receive a CYB mug while supplies last!
Small-Cap and International Investing: A Discussion with Bill Mann
November 10, 2021 05:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MBBill Mann joins the show this week to discuss how to think about international investing, changes to the small-cap landscape, and even... crypto. Send your questions for the show to [email protected] and receive a CYB mug while supplies last!
Balancing Short- and Long-Term Goals
November 03, 2021 04:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBOn this week's episode the team tackles a listener question which spurs a conversation on balancing short- and long-term goals. Ross lets us in on a wedding planning hack. And where in the world is Tyler? Submit any comments or questions you may have for the show to [email protected] and receive a free mug while supplies last!
Happy Halloween: Financial Planning Horror Stories
October 27, 2021 04:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MBRoss and Dan welcome Matt Trogdon, CFP to the show for the first time to share financial planning horror stories from celebrity life and beyond! Make sure you don't miss this special Halloween episode of Check Your Balances. Submit horror stories or any questions you may have for the show to [email protected] to receive a free mug while supplies last!
Self-Directed IRAs: An Interview with Mat Sorensen
October 20, 2021 04:00 - 24 minutes - 17.2 MBMat Sorensen, an attorney and the CEO of Directed IRA, joins us on this week's show to discuss how IRA funds can be used to make investments beyond traditional securities. This week's show explores a broader investment universe through a lesser known structure. You can learn more about Mat Sorensen and Self-Directed IRAs here on his website. Send your questions for the show to [email protected] to receive a CYB mug!
Coast FI(RE) and Lifestyle Drift
October 13, 2021 04:00 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MBA new term in financial planning to unpack, and one of the key problems that could prevent it from working for you! Check out this week's show on what the Coast FIRE movement is and how little choices make the difference on it working. Email us at [email protected] with your Coast FIRE plans or any stories of personal lifestyle creep that you've experienced!
Richer, Wiser, Happier: A Chat with William Green
October 06, 2021 04:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBOn this week's episode we welcome William Green, author of Richer, Wiser, Happier. His book draws on his interviews with some of the world's greatest investors and highlights the principles and habits that make them successful. In his chat with Dan, they discuss how many of these lessons extend beyond the world of investing. You can learn more about William Green and his work by visiting https://www.williamgreenwrites.com/. E-mail us at [email protected] to submit ques...
When to Sell
September 29, 2021 04:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBPeople often grow comfortable with buying stocks, but how should you think about selling them? Ross and Dan talk about a few of the situations where you should say goodbye to shares within your portfolio. E-mail us at [email protected] to submit questions for the show!
Personal Finance Lessons from the Movies
September 22, 2021 04:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBWhat personal finance lessons can we take away from a Will Ferrel movie? Check out this week's show to find out as Ross and Dan break down personal finance lessons from some popular movies. E-mail us at [email protected] to submit questions for the show!
Episode 33: Understand your "Options"
September 15, 2021 04:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MBIn a world where yield is hard to come by, learn how you can leverage simple options strategies to boost portfolio income. Email your questions for the show to [email protected] to potentially have your question featured!