Make the Most of Your Money Podcast

We test the most common money rules of thumb and show how to adapt them to real life. From saving rates to Social Security timing, we map the assumptions under each rule and explain when to trust them and when to change...

We explore why money reveals our inner life more than our bank balance, and how purpose transforms financial decisions from optimization to meaning. Rev. Josh Bascom joins us to dig into self-help’s limits, AA’s wisdom...

We step back from “term good, perm bad” and map the real trade‑offs of permanent life insurance. We explain whole life, UL, VUL, IUL, and GUL, where they fit, where they fail, and how to avoid sales traps by matching...

Variable Universal Life is a complicated life insurance product that may not have the best reputation, but we visit with Victor Yates of Nationwide to learn about how they are doing things differently. We'll discuss the...

We unpack why most portfolios don’t need frequent changes and how a clear purpose, time horizon, and risk preference do the heavy lifting. We trade “performance reviews” for plan reviews, walk through rebalancing and...

Clicking “same as last year” might be the most expensive choice you make all fall. We break down open enrollment with a practical, no-fluff framework: protect against the big risks, pay cash for the small ones, and...

While it may seem obvious, having kids drastically changes your financial plan. This episode will cover some of the obvious and less obvious changes and give you practical ways to think about making the tradeoffs you...

After a brief summer hiatus, we're diving into the newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBA) to unpack what these changes actually mean for your financial planning. The good news? Many of the lower tax rates you've...

Retirement planning requires understanding three major tax landmines that can derail your financial strategy: Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), the widow's penalty, and beneficiary taxes. • RMDs are mandatory...

Financial projections can be both helpful and misleading when planning your financial future. While they provide valuable insights into potential outcomes, they shouldn't be taken as literal predictions of what will...

Navigating the complexities of Social Security can feel overwhelming, but understanding the fundamentals is crucial to maximizing your retirement security. In this detailed exploration, we break down how Social Security...

Understanding Medicare requires navigating complex options, deadlines, and potential pitfalls that can impact healthcare coverage for decades. Insurance broker Margo Steinlage shares expert insights to help individuals...

Roger Cantu, of OneAmerica, brings his 36 years of long-term care (LTC) industry experience to the show. We discuss:- What long-term care actually is- How likely you are to need it and for how long- How you can plan for...

Ed Coambs CFP®, LMFT, CFT-I™ joins the show to talk about relationships and money. As both a therapist and financial planner, Ed brings a unique perspective to the conversation. He discusses identity crisis, attachment...

Mike Staman joins Colin and Taylor to talk about Charitable Giving. They discuss:- Tax-efficient giving- Donor advised funds- How to talk about giving with your family- Giving while you're alive versus dead- and more