Stop wondering what to do with that extra paycheck, bonus, or side hustle income! "Save vs. Splurge" empowers you to make confident financial decisions that align with your values and goals. We explore the art of balancing saving for a secure f...

Have you ever wondered why you'd use a money market or a CD instead of a high yield savings account? Are you concerned about battling it out with a sibling over an inheritance? If so, this week's mailbag episode is for you!

Should you even try to hedge a single position inside an index fund? What happens when you spot a single stock within your broad market index that looks seriously overvalued? We'll weigh the costs, complexities, an...

The headlines are screaming about tariffs and trade wars, but what does it all mean for your wallet? In this episode of Check Your Balances, we break down the "Tariff Tantrum" and explore how these international trade spats could impac...

It's March Madness, but make it money! This week, we're pitting the biggest personal finance debates against each other in a head-to-head bracket showdown. From "Debt Snowball vs. Avalanche" to "Roth vs. Traditional IRA," which financi...

What if you had access to capital, but it cost you some of the upside value of your home? This week Ross and Dan explore a product that they were recently introduced to and look at what situations it makes sense for. Like most exotic lending op...

Ever wonder if all those market buzzwords—overvalued, undervalued, fear, greed—are just dressed-up ways to say "time the market"? In a world where it's easy to get spooked by the news and want to sit on the sidelines, let's get real about marke...

Warren Buffett's annual letter is a must-read for investors. Join us as we break down the key takeaways from his 2024 missive, exploring his insights on the economy, Berkshire Hathaway's performance, and of course, his enduring love fo...

This week's Mailbag episode has great listener questions about whether rolling money back into a 401(K) is worth it for backdoor Roth IRA contributions, how to withhold taxes for a small business, and whether you can actually have too much mone...

Are your RSUs a golden ticket to financial freedom or just a confusing piece of your compensation package?  This week, we demystify Restricted Stock Units and show you how to turn them into a powerful wealth-building tool.  Learn how ...

In a world where everyone from the car finance office to an insurance salesperson calls themselves a "Financial Advisor" what can advisors actually provide? Do you have to have your money managed, or can they simply act as a consultant? Tune in...

Your money personality plays a bigger role in your financial success than you might think. In this episode, Ross and Dan introduce a framework of four distinct money personalities. Learn how to identify your own archetype and understand how it ...

This week Jesse Cramer of the Best Interest Blog and Podcast joins the show to talk about how different advisors can approach the same decision of getting to where we need to go. Join us for a fun conversation about Jesse's journey and how we a...

We kick off 2025 with an update on a few of the key things you might want to update heading into the new year and then move into a discussion about asset location. Are your growth assets in the right buckets? Are your safe assets in the right b...

If you had the money to buy a home outright, would you still take a mortgage at our current rates? This week's episode dives into the pros and cons of whether it makes sense to borrow money or invest based on the current landscape.

This time of year we think a lot about gift giving. But what about the gifts you truly don't want? We don't mean a bad neck tie or macaroni art, but maybe one that costs you thousands of dollars just to maintain... tune in this week for our dis...

This month's mailbag episode is a super-sized catch-up! We're diving deep into your burning questions about personal finance. From the ins and outs of taxes on gifts to strategies for supercharging your retirement savings, we've got you covered...

Confused about capital gains tax and whether you should be selling stocks before the end of the year? In this episode, we break down the basics of capital gains tax and discuss the factors to consider when deciding whether to sell your stocks b...

This week Ross and Dan celebrate their 200th episode of Check Your Balances with a lighthearted reflective episode of the journey up to this point. We appreciate each and every one of you, whether you've listened to a single segment or every si...

When financial decisions matter most, you need strong arguments to consider. This week episode brings you a lighthearted debate on 5 financial topics:- How relevant is net worth as a metric? - Should I just invest in the S&...

As we celebrate our Veterans this week, we got a great listener questions about what unique benefits our Veterans have access to. We also answer questions about whether high earners should consider a 529 for themselves to gain access to a Roth ...

Elections can be a rollercoaster of emotions, and it's easy to get caught up in the hype and fear-mongering. But as investors, it's crucial to stay calm and focused on our long-term financial goals. In this episode, we'll discuss how to avoid m...

In this episode, we dissect the iconic personal finance book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" at the request of our listeners. We'll delve into the core principles, analyze their effectiveness, and challenge some of the controversial claims. While acknowl...

Ever wondered how the couples on Love is Blind discuss their finances? Join us for a look into the financial decisions made by the contestants, and how we might treat the same questions. We'll analyze their choices through a financial lens and ...

Ever wondered how your taxes change after you retire? In this episode, we'll break down the key tax implications of retirement, and what sources you can still have withholding versus the ones where you'll have to take care of it yourself.