Financial Pathway

1️⃣ Giving People Money Helped Less Than I Thought It WouldA fascinating look at why direct cash transfers haven’t delivered the long-term results many expected. It’s a reminder that money alone doesn’t fix poverty without education, opportunity, and strong community institutions.https://www.theargumentmag.com/p/giving-people-money-helped-less-than2️⃣ This Social Security "Bridge" Claiming Strategy Delaying Social Security can meaningfully boost lifetime income — and the “bridge” strategy shows how to use savings early to make that possible. Smart timing, not just saving, can make a six-figure difference over retirement.https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2025/09/03/this-social-security-claiming-strategy-reliably-lifts-retirement-income/3️⃣ Suze Orman Tells Us the Biggest Retirement Mistake You Can MakeSuze Orman says claiming Social Security early is the biggest mistake retirees make. Patience and proactive planning can dramatically increase your long-term wealth and legacy.https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/retirement-planning/suze-orman-tells-us-the-biggest-retirement-mistake-you-can-make4️⃣ Gen Z’s Dividend Investing Boom Gen Z investors are flocking to dividend-paying ETFs for stability and income — a surprising twist for the “risk-on” generation. But dividend investing for young people carries a lot more downside when you consider all the factors.https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-gen-z-dividend-investing-etfs/

Adoption is one of the most life-changing decisions a family can make, and it comes with both financial and spiritual challenges. Bryan Samms shares his family’s adoption story, how they balanced financial planning with faith, and what it means for all of us to align our money with a higher purpose.You can get Bryan's book "Rescued" and/or the group course here: https://bryansamms.com/rescued/

Here's why I believe the greatest value of financial planning isn’t just in numbers. A real financial planner is someone who understands your values can help you avoid costly mistakes, navigate life’s changes, and find confidence in your financial decisions.

I was recently invited to be part of a conversation with Luke Clayton, Bryan Samms, and Mike Lester to discuss discipleship within the church. How do you structure a group study in a way that engages each person, fosters conversation, and effectively accomplishes the goal of growing people to be more like Jesus? We shared our experience and insights on how we are all trying to equip churches with the right tools for discipleship.

Taxes don’t have to be overwhelming. Planning ahead with powerful tax-saving strategies can help you keep more of what you’ve earned. Here's how we work with clients to proactively save instead of just looking back to at last year to see how much we owe!

What does smart investing really look like? Nate shares how we take the guesswork out of managing your money with a clear, disciplined process so you can stay calm in the markets and feel confident your retirement income will last.

Retirement Reality Check: Americans believe they need $1.1M to retire but expect to save only 25% of that number, signaling a big savings shortfall. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/emp01-retirement-savings-reaching-the-magic-number/ Freedom ≠ Fulfillment: Rick Foerster notes that the idea of freedom being the highest form of wealth is incorrect. As someone who has attained both money and freedom, he argues there is something even more important. https://newsletter.thewayofwork.com/p/freedom-is-not-the-highest-form-of 2025 Florida Python Challenge. A little news from my backyard - Florida removed a record 294 pythons in a conservation contest. The winner bagged 60 snakes and $10K. https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/record-setting-amount-of-snakes-removed-in-2025-florida-python-challenge/3676921/ 401k Shake-Up. President Trump signed a new executive order that would allow workers to invest in private companies and real estate via their 401k's. But these investments present a lot of challenges, and some argue that workers are ultimately better served by investments in public companies and bonds. https://www.axios.com/2025/08/07/trump-private-equity-executive-order Gen Z’s Debt Dilemma. Nearly half of Gen Zers run out of money each month, and fewer than 25% feel financially stable, according to a Step survey reported in Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/gen-z-debt-money-financial-stability-2091675

If you’ve followed me for a while, you might know me as a "finance guy” but it may not be clear just from my videos/podcasts what I actually do? So I’m hitting the reset button to clear up the confusion. I’ll explain what my real job is (spoiler: it’s not just making podcasts) and how I help Christians prepare for a confident, purposeful retirement.

Young Americans are facing a housing crisis - understanding the 3-fold tragedy that brought us to this point.https://www.derekthompson.org/p/how-the-housing-market-for-youngGen Z trades stocks like they gamble. And it's not going to end well. https://sherwood.news/markets/gen-z-trades-stocks-the-same-way-it-gambles/The largest ever study of 4-day workweeks just concluded and 90% of companies are sticking with it!https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/biggest-trial-of-four-day-workweek-finds-workers-are-happier-and-feel-just/Expert tips on how to stretch your travel budget to get the best dealshttps://bakadesuyo.com/2025/07/save-money-on-travel/How is it that people make 6 or 7 figures and still don't fee financially free? Why lifestyle inflation is sneaky, and how to combat it. https://www.justinwelsh.me/newsletter/lifestyle-inflation-kills-freedom

One wrong turn can cost a marathon runner the race. And one wrong financial decision can cost you years of hard work. I've learned the sometimes the most valuable thing a financial planner can do is help you avoid the BIG mistake at a crucial decision point.

Congress just passed a massive 870-page bill with sweeping changes to taxes, healthcare, and more. But what does it mean for your wallet? In this episode, I break down the key takeaways on how this new bill may affect YOU.

- Common Myth-Conceptions: things you grew up believing that aren't so- Millions of Millionaires: the US added more than a thousand new millionaires every day in 2024- Retirement Savings (Good News/Bad News) - Vanguard reports shows that retirement savings AND 401k hardship withdrawals at all time highs- Pentagon Pizza Orders Theory: increased pizza orders near the Pentagon can predict international conflicts or times of crisis. - 6 Questions to Make An Advisor Squirm: get to the truth of what an advisor can and can't do for you- 10th President John Tyler's Grandson Died This Year: RIP to one of my favorite history factoids

Are you making smart money moves? In this episode, we’re busting 17 of the most common money myths that could be holding you back.

"It's all about the Benjamins!"Cash gives you something that investments can't: immediate freedom. But how much is too much - or too little?

Here's an "ask me anything" episode I did last year at this time. How often should I reevaluate my investment strategy? (1:30)How much can I safely withdraw from my retirement account? (6:48)Can churches give a tax-free gift to their pastor at retirement? (15:50)Law of diminishing returns in your personal finances (21:56)When is it ok to withdraw from my IRA? (32:34)Thoughts on IULs (indexed universal life insurance) (38:18)Links:https://www.clergyfinancial.com/is-a-pastors-retirement-gift-taxable/https://pastorswallet.com/are-gifts-to-retired-ministers-taxable/https://www.honestmath.com/iul

When do you know that you have "enough" money? Our culture equates success with accumulation, but what if real peace comes not from having it all but from knowing when you have enough?

- How spending time with the people you love is one of the wisest ways to invest your money- Sports betting is significantly affecting Americans' ability to save- Who is really footing the tax bill in America? Time to separate rhetoric from reality.- Slate Auto hopes to capture EV market share by taking the anti-Tesla approach- Americans believe real estate and gold are the best long-term investments. Are they right?- New startup lets investors borrow money to invest in their 401k

Republicans inch closer to finalizing Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill". But will it get us any closer to paying down the National Debt? Will it even narrow the gap between our revenue and spending? Here's what you should know about the newest spending bill and our national budget.

Is buying a home really the best investment you'll ever make? In this episode, I make the case for why homeownership is often overhyped and why the real value might have more to do with lifestyle than return on investment.

Tired of setting financial goals that fizzle out? Learn how to use the SMART framework to turn your aspirations into clear, achievable goals that actually move you forward.