Wealth Redefined®

Practical insights on money with a modern approach to building wealth. Hosted by Michael Reynolds, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and Principal of Elevation Financial.

E284: Key Financial Numbers for 2026 – What Changed and What It Means for You

Staying ahead of the numbers that affect your financial planning can save you money and stress. As we move into 2026, several important contribution limits, tax brackets, and thresholds have been adjusted for inflation.

12-03
09:43

E283: What is a Roth Conversion (and How Do I Use It)?

A Roth conversion can be a powerful tool in your financial planning toolkit. But like most financial strategies, it's not right for everyone, and the timing matters considerably.

11-26
23:42

E282: How to Use the "Rule of 55" for Early Retirement

Most people believe their retirement accounts are completely off-limits until age 59½. But there are several ways to access your retirement funds earlier, including something called the Rule of 55.

11-19
10:49

E281: How Donating Appreciated Stock to Charity Can Save You Thousands in Taxes

If you're charitably inclined and have investments in a taxable brokerage account, you might be leaving significant tax savings on the table. Most people automatically reach for their checkbook or credit card when making charitable donations, but there's a more tax-efficient strategy that could save you thousands of dollars over time.

11-12
14:42

E280: Should I Use My HELOC as an Emergency Fund?

Using a HELOC as an emergency fund isn't always inherently wrong, but it's also not the straightforward optimization it might appear to be on the surface.

11-05
12:18

E279: 3 Ways to Invest in Crypto (and My Preferred Method)

Cryptocurrency has moved from the fringes of finance to a mainstream investment option. If you're considering adding crypto to your portfolio, you have several ways to gain exposure.

10-29
15:39

E278: Debunking the Most Common Personal Finance Lies on TikTok

Scroll through TikTok (or YouTube and similar platforms) for five minutes, and you'll find no shortage of confident voices promising to unlock the secrets of wealth building. Some claim you can retire by 30 with one simple trick. Others insist traditional financial advice is a scam designed to keep you poor. Let's examine some of the most popular and prevalent personal finance "tips" on social media that are actually myths or at best, misleading.

10-15
35:56

E277: Dollar Cost Averaging vs. Lump Sum Investing – Which Strategy Wins?

When you have a significant amount of cash to invest, you face a sometimes tough decision: should you invest it all at once or spread it out over time?

10-08
09:53

E276: How to Navigate Market Volatility Without Losing Your Cool

Volatility is a natural part of investing. It’s the “price of admission” that we pay in exchange for the opportunity to grow wealth over time. But when markets start swinging wildly, especially to the downside, it’s easy to let emotion take the wheel.

10-01
10:35

E275: The Truth About the Future of Social Security

So what is the actual state of Social Security based on the most recent data and analysis? And what does this mean for your financial future?

09-24
09:18

E274: Should I Invest in a Target Date Fund? Weighing the Pros and Cons

Target date funds are convenient, popular, and designed to do the hard work for you. But does that mean a target date fund is the best choice for your financial future?

09-17
12:24

E273: 3 Ways to Generate Income from a Lump Sum of Money

If you've come into a lump sum of money, whether from a business sale, inheritance, settlement, or years of disciplined saving, you may be asking: "How can I turn this into reliable income?"

09-10
09:25

E272: When Should I Get Life Insurance?

Life insurance can feel like one of those financial products that people think they’ll "get around to eventually." But waiting until later often means higher costs or even the possibility of not qualifying at all.

08-27
11:47

E271: Does Dividend Investing Live Up to the Hype?

Let’s unpack where dividends come from, why investors are drawn to them, and how to think more strategically about total return and diversification.

08-20
08:15

E270: Should I Invest in Physical Gold to Hedge Against Disaster?

Gold has often been viewed as a store of value and a hedge against inflation or economic crisis. But when it comes to true disaster preparedness (natural disasters, infrastructure breakdowns, or system-wide economic failure) is gold the right asset to hold?

08-13
10:16

E269: Can an HSA Be Used to Pay for Medicare Premiums?

What happens when you transition to Medicare? Can you still use your HSA? And more specifically, can you use it to pay for your Medicare premiums?

08-06
06:52

E268: How to Find Unclaimed Money – A Step‑by‑Step Guide to Reclaim What’s Yours

Discover how to find and claim unclaimed money that may belong to you. Learn the steps to search state and federal databases for forgotten funds like old bank accounts, checks, and insurance payouts.

07-30
08:03

E267: Should You Invest in International Stocks?

It’s easy to be attracted to U.S. stocks, especially after a long period of great performance. However, when we step back and look at the bigger picture, the case for international diversification becomes clearer and more compelling.

07-23
08:59

E266: How Decluttering Your Finances Can Improve Your Life

Feeling overwhelmed by your financial life? Learn how decluttering your finances can reduce stress, improve cash flow, and help you align your money with your values.

07-16
12:32

E265: Should I Invest the Funds in My HSA?

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are often misunderstood. Many people think of them as simply a place to park money for upcoming medical expenses. But HSAs can be much more powerful—especially when you consider the option to invest the funds.

07-09
08:11

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