Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth

Credit card points can feel confusing, risky, or downright gimmicky. Listen in as I sit down with credit card rewards consultant Colin Stroud to break down what "points hacking" really is (and what it isn't). We talk about simple, realistic ways to use travel rewards without opening a dozen cards, wrecking your credit, or turning it into a part-time job. You'll learn how to think strategically about points, avoid common traps, and decide whether this is even worth your time. Key moments: (02:21) What credit card "hacking" really means and why it's misunderstood (08:22) Why flexible travel cards beat airline or hotel cards for beginners (14:57) How transferring points works (and when it's actually worth it) (26:09) A simple 1–3 card system for earning points without constant card churn (34:34) How business owners can unlock outsized value from everyday spending Resources mentioned: Point.me - Flight search tool for points Monarch Money - Spending and tracking tool Go Somewhere - Find Colin Stroud online   There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts   

Ever hear a money rule that sounds empowering… but makes you feel like you're failing when you can't stick to it? Learn why one-size-fits-all financial advice hits so hard on social media — and why it can backfire in real life. We'll walk through common "always/never" money rules (debt, credit cards, investing, homebuying, saving 20%) and I'll show you how to turn those rules into a real plan that actually fits your life, goals, and peace of mind. Key moments: (08:57) "All debt is bad" breaks down fast with student loans (17:45) Credit cards aren't bad — it's the behavior around them that matters (21:59) Maxing out your 401(k) might not be your best financial move (28:56) "Save 20%" is a benchmark, not a morality test (32:33) Why people love blanket advice There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts   

Most people hear "disability insurance" and instantly want to tap out. But this might be the most important episode you listen to all year. We sit down with Dennis Hornsby, Director of Insurance Operations at SLP Insurance, to break down what disability coverage actually does, why it matters so much in your 20s–40s, and how a few simple decisions can protect your income, your family, and your future. You'll learn what must-have policy features to look for, how to avoid common mistakes, and why now is the best time to get this in place. Key moments: (07:12) Resident discounts: the 20% lifetime savings most people miss (11:54) Own-occupation coverage and why specialists can't skip it (16:11) Partial disability: the benefit you'll likely use before anything else (23:27) Riders that matter (catastrophic, COLA, and benefit increase) (38:06) Benefit period vs. elimination period and how to choose the right combo Resource mentioned: Get a disability insurance quote There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts   

Running your business on vibes and Venmo? Find out the five most common money mistakes I see small business owners, practice owners, and 1099 contractors make — and exactly how to fix them. You'll learn how to separate business and personal spending, pay yourself a steady paycheck, plan for taxes year-round, and build simple financial systems so your business supports your life instead of constantly stressing you out. Key moments: (04:41) The Target receipt problem: mixing business and personal expenses (12:23) Revenue does not equal a paycheck (and how to pay yourself reliably) (16:38) Using an overflow account to smooth out high and low months (19:36) Year-round tax planning and simple systems to run your business like a business There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts   

Headlines have been wild this year, but what actually matters for your money? We'll run through nine quick "newsworthy nuggets," from mortgage rates and inflation to student loan forgiveness, insurance gaps, and the job market. You'll hear what's noise, what's worth paying attention to, and how these headlines show up inside real financial plans. By the end, you'll feel a little more informed, and a lot less panicked. Key moments: (01:44) Will self-driving cars actually lower your auto insurance anytime soon (05:37) Mortgage rates dip, but why 3% (and probably 4%) mortgages aren't coming back (09:02) Student loan forgiveness resumes — and clarity on 2025 tax-free forgiveness (16:31) Inflation is raising prices and squeezing your everyday budget (22:57) Why insurance premiums keep climbing even as coverage feels weaker There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts   

We're pulling back the curtain today. SLP Wealth CEO Travis Hornsby, CFA®, CFP®, joins us as we walk through the biggest lessons we've learned building SLP Wealth — what worked, what didn't, and why we're making some thoughtful changes to serve you better in 2026 and beyond. You'll hear how we're creating a planning process that's smoother, clearer, and more supportive year-round, plus what these updates actually mean for your goals, your momentum, and your day-to-day financial life. If you want to understand how you'll get more value and better guidance going forward, this episode lays it out. Key moments: (01:36) How SLP Wealth actually started (and why it clicked so fast) (14:10) What we learned from our first year, and how it means better planning for you (26:22) How moving to three annual check-ins can help you make faster progress on your goals (33:25) The new investment management tiers and how they benefit you (44:40) Why treating your financial plan as a living roadmap keeps you on track through every life shift There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts   

We're talking about cars — not from a "never buy anything nice" angle, but from the perspective of how much they can quietly drain from your long-term wealth. Jake Courtney, CFP®, CSLP®, joins us to break down what an $80,000 SUV really does to your savings rate. We also look at the pressure to "upgrade" when life changes (new baby, new job, new neighborhood) and how to separate what you actually need from what feels normal around you. You'll learn practical ways to get a reliable, safe car without letting transportation become the biggest drag on your wealth. Key moments: (01:24) New baby, growing families, and the peer pressure to upgrade vehicles (08:42) A $200K-income couple and how one car choice adds eight work years (19:12) The three-year-old used SUV strategy and why it wins long term (29:41) When leasing can make sense — and when buying still comes out ahead Resources mentioned: Monarch Money Kelley Blue Book There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts   

Think you've got your investments under control? You might be surprised. Two SLP Wealth partners — Travis Hornsby, CFA®, CFP®, and Conor Mahlmann, CFP®,CSLP® — break down seven costly mistakes even the most hands-on investors make, from subtle market timing to tax traps that quietly eat away at returns. Discover what most people miss when managing their own portfolios and learn how to spot (and fix) the issues before they snowball. Key moments: (04:38) Sneaky ways you might "time the market" without realizing it (12:26) What tax-loss harvesting really involves (and why most people don't do it right) (15:58) Why your brokerage's default settings could cost you thousands in taxes (20:02) The purpose and power of rebalancing your portfolio   There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts   

We're sharing our real-life financial horror stories, from haunted tax bills and ghostly subscriptions to lifestyle creep and the curse of bad investments. You'll hear about surprise tax collections, credit card vampires, and toddler fraud (yep, it's a thing). We talk about how to escape debt traps, protect yourself from money monsters, and keep lifestyle creep from haunting your future. Key moments: (08:34) Identity theft, IP PINs, and freezing your credit for protection (17:32) The curse of the curious toddler and surprise subscriptions (20:37) Debunking haunted money myths and why buying a house isn't always a good investment (39:24) How to keep the ghost of lifestyle creep from sneaking up on you Resource mentioned: IRS identity protection PIN   There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts   

We all lie to ourselves with numbers — even when we don't mean to. Our brains (and marketing messages) bend math in ways that can make questionable money choices feel justified. From how we frame percentages and comparisons to the mental gymnastics we do to justify spending, we explore why our perception of "good" or "bad" financial decisions can be so skewed. When we start to recognize how we "lie" with numbers, we can make clearer, more honest progress toward our goals. Key moments: (03:38) The PSLF "99% denial" panic — how framing changed everything (11:44) How magnitude blindness affects our spending habits (18:06) The car payment blind spot — why big costs feel smaller than they are (22:10) How marketing and "discount logic" trick us into overspending (34:33) Reframing money decisions to align with what actually matters Resources mentioned: How to Lie with Statistics by Darrell Huff   There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts   

Debt can make you feel like you're always behind. But there's a path forward — and it's not as complicated as it seems. Learn what debt looks like for different professions and the best ways to finally pay it off. We walk through real numbers from SLP Wealth clients, from dentists to veterinarians, and break down strategies like the avalanche and snowball methods, balance transfers, debt consolidation, HELOCs, and even 401(k) loans. I also share when each option might make sense (and when to stay far away). Most importantly, we talk about how to stay out of debt once you're free. Key moments: (04:49) Real client data: average debts and incomes across professions (11:01) How to choose between the avalanche and snowball payoff methods (15:37) Smart (and risky) tools to pay down debt — 0% balance transfers, consolidation loans, and HELOCs (27:18) When a 401(k) loan might actually make sense Resources mentioned: Monarch Money   There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts    

Student loans are complicated — and with all the recent rule changes, it's easy to make missteps that cost you time, money, or progress toward forgiveness. We're digging into the most common signs that your repayment strategy might be off track and what to do about it. Whether you're working toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), income-driven forgiveness, or paying your loans off completely, small mistakes can make a big difference. You'll learn how to stay proactive, integrate your tax strategy, and make smarter decisions about refinancing, repayment, and tracking your progress toward forgiveness — all while keeping your student loan strategy aligned with your larger financial plan. Key moments: (03:41) Why staying on the SAVE plan too long could stall forgiveness progress (10:11) How tax planning can directly impact your monthly student loan payments (17:13) The right way to track PSLF and IDR credits to avoid lost time (27:18) When refinancing makes sense (and when it locks you out of options) Resources mentioned: PSLF Payment Tracker PSLF Reconsideration PSLF Buyback There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts

Think your Roth IRA is set up perfectly? You might want to think again. There's a good chance you're making at least one mistake without realizing it. Roth IRAs are powerful retirement tools, but they come with a bunch of IRS rules that can trip you up. Learn the most common Roth mistakes people make — including backdoor Roth mishaps and the dreaded "pro rata" problem. We'll help you figure out if something's off with your contributions before it turns into a costly headache. If you've got a Roth or you're thinking about opening one, this episode will show you what to watch out for. Key moments: (06:39) The most flexible savings tool for retiring early (10:27) Reclassifying IRA contributions and what is a backdoor Roth (15:28) The common mistake high-income earners make (19:58) Pro rata red flags (29:50) When your Roth IRA investment isn't actually invested There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts

Ever wonder what financial planners really think about their clients when the meeting's over? We're cracking open those candid conversations that happen behind closed doors. Inspired by a blog post that one of our readers sent to us: "Are you a DIYer, Validator, or Delegator when it comes to your finances," we're sharing some controversial hot takes that might be a little shocking to some of our listeners.   Key moments:   (02:24) Travis shares his journey from being a DIYer to a Delegator (09:32) Validators struggle finding one-off planners because compliance requirements make occasional service impractical (22:43) A simple investment mistake that often leads to massive future taxes (38:27) Insider perspective: A lot of people are being ripped off by financial planners that charge too much   Resources mentioned: Delegator, Validator, or DIYer? There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  

Childcare expenses have completely outpaced normal inflation, and it's one of the biggest financial shocks new families face. We're talking real numbers and honest conversations about costs that can make you sweat. It's not just expensive daycare. We're sharing creative strategies and money-saving hacks that actually work, plus exploring how to weave these massive expenses into your overall financial plan without losing your mind. You'll also learn our best tips to raise money-smart kids from day one, breaking that uncomfortable taboo around talking about finances. If you're expecting, planning, or already knee-deep in parenting, you'll get practical tools to navigate these crazy costs while setting your family up for long-term success. Key moments: (06:54) Childcare costs range from 10% to 35% of household income depending on situation (14:33) Parenthood requires trade-offs, maybe swapping your dream car for practical payments (19:58) Remember income restrictions apply to child tax credits (24:49) Always prioritize retirement savings over your kids' college fund contributions first (39:34) Kids absorb your money attitudes even when you're not actively teaching them Resources mentioned: Monarch Money Child Tax Credit Dependent Care Credit Dependent Care FSA The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts

We're diving into the latest money stories making headlines, like the drama unfolding at Kroger, changes in airline travel costs, and the impacts of spiking healthcare premiums in California. We swap personal stories, from travel mishaps to a power-washing scam, and unpack how corporate scandals might hit your day-to-day expenses. Plus, we break down what Disney and Hulu's upcoming merger could mean for your streaming budget. Key moments: (05:15) Installing car seats on planes was a hassle and why to avoid hard-shell luggage (10:45) Lawsuit claims Kroger favored family ties over singer Jewel, sparking serious ethics questions (23:44) Disney is officially going to merge with Hulu (27:04) New executive order could bring real estate, crypto, and private equity into 401(k) plans There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts

What can reality TV teach us about money? Turns out… a lot. We're using Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as a jumping-off point to talk about how influencers get paid, why 1099 income is so unpredictable, and what it takes to manage money when your paychecks don't look the same every month. If you're a high-income professional with fluctuating bonuses, freelancing on the side, or just curious how people survive when their income is all over the place, we've got you covered. We're talking budgeting strategies, emergency funds, negotiating your worth, and even how money dynamics play out in relationships (spoiler: it gets messy). Tune in for the financial lessons hiding between the scandals and soda shops. Key moments: (07:34) The size of your emergency fund depends on the variability of your income (20:11) Why your "wildly fluctuating income" might not be as unpredictable as you think (24:32) Veterinarians are a hot commodity but often undervalue their worth (51:26) Revenge trading might be the quickest way to turn a bad decision into a financial disaster There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts

Ever feel like money advice is either painfully boring or way too complicated? We get it. That's why we decided to have a little fun and roast some of the worst financial moves people keep falling for. If you've ever signed up for a gym membership you barely used, bought furniture on a "0% APR" deal, or took out a seven-year car loan that outlasted your actual love for the car — this one's for you. You'll laugh, you'll cringe, and most importantly, you'll walk away knowing how to dodge some of the biggest financial mistakes out there. Key moments: (03:59) Understanding whole life policies requires both a CPA and a Ouija Board (08:59) MLMs sell you the dream, then make you sell it to your friends (14:26) Leasing vs. buying a car, and when a seven-year car loan makes sense (25:01) A rapid-fire roast of money mistakes you'll laugh at (and hopefully avoid) There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts

With the end of 2025 fast approaching, now's the time to brush up on what the "Big Beautiful Bill" means for your charitable giving and education planning. If you've ever wondered how to squeeze the most out of your donations or whether that Goodwill slip really counts, you'll want to tune in. We walk through the new rules on charitable deductions, why high earners need to pay extra attention, and how simple moves like "bunching" your gifts can make a big difference. Then we shift gears to 529 plans — covering smart strategies like "super funding" and the latest updates on gift and estate tax exclusions. You'll come away knowing how to give generously and keep more money in your pocket. Key moments: (04:15) Goodwill donations only matter if you properly document and itemize the receipt (12:26) Super funding 529s works by coordinating with the annual gift tax exclusion rules (16:17) 529s are estate-exempt, making them a powerful legacy tool for family education (21:31) Instead of giving yearly, bunch contributions every 2–3 years to maximize deductions Resources mentioned: Tax Policy Center IRS Form 709: Gift tax return IRS Form 706: Estate tax return   There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts

Most of us live in blissful denial about natural disasters — until the unthinkable happens. But here's what separates those who recover quickly from those who struggle for years: having a solid financial strategy in place before catastrophe strikes. Financial planner Scotty McDonald, CFP®, CSLP®, joins us to go beyond basic emergency funds to explore in-depth wealth protection strategies. We discuss the nuances of insurance coverage gaps that could leave you vulnerable and the importance of maintaining adequate liquidity during crisis situations. If you'd rather not get financially steamrolled by Mother Nature, this episode's packed with real, actionable advice that could save your bacon when things get ugly. Key moments: (11:24) Have cash on hand and enough savings to cover your insurance deductible (17:06) Your basic homeowner's policy won't cover wildfire, flood, or earthquake damage costs (21:56) Umbrella insurance adds extra liability protection when your main policy maxes out (30:25) Planning ahead for financial disasters removes stress when emergencies happen   There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free! Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts