Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth

AI is reshaping every corner of finance, and we know there's a lot of noise out there about whether artificial intelligence can actually replace your financial advisor. We get real about what AI tools can — and can't — do for your money, especially when it comes to financial planning, coaching, and those pivotal life decisions. You'll hear why tech can help with tasks like data analysis or budgeting, but doesn't replace the human relationship, judgment, and accountability that a true planner offers — especially when your goals (or spouse's dreams) don't show up neatly in a spreadsheet. We also talk about where AI is already making our own work faster and better, plus the emotional side of planning in a world full of information and tech-driven change. Key moments: (01:52) Why the hype about AI replacing financial advisors doesn't match reality (03:02) How real-life goals and stressors can't be captured by AI's point-in-time advice (06:22) A case study: when AI misses the key element in a student loan forgiveness plan (15:04) Which parts of financial planning will — and won't — be replaced by AI (28:14) The difference between DIY, validator, and delegator clients — and how tech fits in (35:57) Why scenario planning is more than numbers, and where pros add value you can't automate Resource mentioned: PSLF Payment Tracker   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 with big student loans assume they'll be grinding until their 60s before they can finally breathe, but that math is usually way off. Most professionals have far more control over their work-life balance than they realize. You'll hear practical ways to rethink saving, spending, and career planning so you can reclaim time, energy, and purpose right now (not just decades from now). Learn the math and the mindset you need to start living the life you want, sooner than you think. Key moments: (03:31) Running the numbers to show why dramatically changing your job tomorrow is more realistic than you think (06:04) What most high earners say they'd do if they had "enough" (07:24) Why pausing retirement savings for daycare years isn't as bad as it seems (15:08) The one "big thing" you need to be frugal on to open up your life   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 "debt restructuring" and immediately think bankruptcy, but that's not what we're talking about here. This episode is about reshuffling your debt stack in a way that frees up cash flow, takes advantage of interest arbitrage, and gets you to your goals faster. We walk through how rethinking which debts get your extra dollars — based on deductibility, interest rates, and after-tax cost — can save you thousands every year and unlock breathing room. Key moments: (01:32) Deductible debt vs. non-deductible debt, and how mis-prioritizing payments can work against you (06:43) The math behind why paying a 5% student loan is equivalent to a risk-free 8-9% return (11:50) Why inflation can actually benefit debt-holders with significant assets (13:56) Restructuring mortgage debt near retirement to delay Social Security and maximize benefits (17:17) When it's okay to ignore the math: behavioral finance and the psychology of debt payoff   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   

For years, the internet's favorite investing advice was simple: buy VTSAX and chill. But it's long overdue for a reality check. We'll talk about the downsides of a one-fund portfolio and why recent international and small-cap value outperformance should give you pause. You'll learn how diversification, smart portfolio rebalancing, and practical investment management can protect your goals (and your peace of mind) far better than going it alone or chasing past returns. I'll walk you through the evidence, the behavioral traps, and how to align your investments with your real life, not just the latest forum trend. Key moments: (01:51) Why international and small-cap value beat the US large-cap lately (07:49) How outperformance cycles should shape your portfolio, not your emotions (13:01) The dangers of chasing performance versus committing to a long-term allocation (21:13) Why portfolio complexity means tax and rebalancing headaches — and when to get help 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   

Going from DINKWAD (Dual Income, No Kids, With A Dog) to new parent is a wild ride. I'm sharing exactly what I did to financially prepare for birth and the first two weeks postpartum — from simplifying bills and meal planning to hospital supply hacks, Amazon returns, and freeing up mental space for the emotional ups and downs of new parenthood. If you're in the newborn stage (or almost there), this is your financial survival guide. Key moments: (02:10) What I did pre-birth so I could focus on my newborn, not my bills (11:30) How (and why) to maximize hospital resources covered by your insurance (14:40) Week 1 postpartum: What I bought, didn't use, and returned (20:11) Week 2 postpartum: medical bills, rewards program, and subscription services to reclaim time Resources mentioned: The Doctors Bjorkman Hello Fresh Similac Rewards Pampers Rewards College savings plan 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 would you do if you were sliding backward down an icy mountain at 11 p.m. with your kids in the car? We walk through a terrifying near-miss and the powerful financial lessons that came from it: overconfidence bias, underinsuring your life and disability, and why preparedness isn't fear-based — it's freedom-based. You'll also hear why reflecting on your mortality might actually help you live (and spend) more intentionally. If you've ever found yourself on a slippery slope — literally or financially — this episode is for you.  Key moments: (03:20) Why spending on safety, like snow tires or insurance, isn't optional (06:37) No one should live in fear, but we should be better about being prepared (08:39) Overconfidence bias and dangerous financial blind spots (12:52) Balancing long-term savings with living fully in the present 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   

Parent PLUS loans have always been complicated, and recent rule changes have made them even more confusing. Learn what's changed, what still works, and where parents need to take action now. You'll hear real-life experience from a Parent PLUS borrower, clear explanations of new deadlines, and practical strategies for families still paying for college — or getting ready to. Key moments: (05:20) How double consolidation worked, and why it's now obsolete (10:05) The June 30, 2026, deadline that locks you out of income-driven repayment (13:31) How new rules impact PSLF for parents still borrowing (29:26) Tax strategies, IRMAA, and when married filing separately helps 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 if your tax return could quietly point out investing mistakes that are costing you real money? In this episode, we walk through the three most easily spotted investing blunders we find over and over. Learn why missing out on tax-loss harvesting, donating cash instead of appreciated stock to charity, and not maximizing backdoor Roth IRAs can slow your financial progress. If you've been DIY-ing your investments or feel a little lost during tax season, this is the episode you didn't know you needed. Key moments: (01:20) Tax loss harvesting and the problem with having brokerage accounts at different places (04:20) Your Schedule A and charity donations (05:44) Why actively managing your portfolio's cost basis is potentially genius (06:47) Check your Form 1040 if you did a backdoor Roth IRA (09:28) Even really smart, capable people make investing mistakes   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 aren't doing anything wrong with their taxes, they're just missing a few key details that quietly add up. In this episode, I'm joined by Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, our chief tax planner at SLP Wealth, to break down the most common (and totally normal) tax mistakes we see that can cost people thousands. From backdoor Roth errors and brokerage account missteps to missed deductions and underpayment penalties, we cover what actually matters, what's fixable, and how to be more proactive heading into a new tax year. Key moments: (03:15) Why backdoor Roth mistakes trigger unexpected taxes (15:27) How brokerage account defaults quietly increase your tax bill (29:06) Underpayment penalties and how to avoid IRS interest (43:37) Why SALT deduction changes matter more than you think Resources mentioned: Monarch Money Daffy (donor-advised fund) IRS estimated tax payments   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     

Why are colleges telling students to borrow less… while writing nine-figure checks for football coaches? In this episode, Travis Hornsby, CEO of SLP Wealth, joins me to pull back the curtain on the business of higher education through the lens of college football. We talk NIL money, massive TV contracts, coaching buyouts, and what all of this says about how universities actually operate. We also connect the dots to student loan caps, ROI on degrees, and why it's more important than ever to approach college decisions with eyes wide open. Key moments: (06:20) How TV deals turned football into a cash machine (09:08) What $100M+ coaching contracts teach us about leverage and negotiation (17:01) Contract terms, non-competes, and exit options might matter more than salary (22:43) Why loan caps could change which schools are actually worth attending 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 you don't do with your money matters just as much as what you do. In this episode, I break down what's officially out in personal finance for 2026 — from late fees and unnecessary taxes to money shame and silent stress — and what we're intentionally replacing it with. We're focusing on habits, systems, and decisions that make money feel easier, calmer, and more aligned with real life. If you want 2026 to be the year your finances feel calmer, clearer, and more aligned with your real life, this episode sets the foundation. Key moments: (05:58) Late fees and credit card interest: non-negotiables for 2026 (11:30) Avoiding unnecessary taxes and common planning mistakes (20:23) Why estate planning, life insurance, and disability coverage matter (38:21) What's in: automation, goal tracking, and values-based spending 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   

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