Wondering if AI can help you manage your money smarter? We’re talking about how AI tools like ChatGPT can boost your financial life, and where they’re likely to steer you wrong. Learn practical ways to use AI for tasks like budgeting, organizing your accounts, and saving time, while still knowing when you need a real human advisor to look out for your best interests. Plus, we’ve got some bonus insider intel from Sim’s husband, who’s worked in AI for years, for a behind-the-scenes look at what this technology can (and can’t) do. If you’ve wondered whether AI can replace a financial planner — or how to use tech to boost your own money decisions — this one’s for you.

Key moments:

(04:35) To be more likable, ChatGPT started flattering users with answers, even when they weren’t true or helpful
(10:52) You can’t rely solely on AI since it’ll answer confidently, even when it’s wrong
(13:48) Where AI shines in finance: calculations, summaries, and organizing complex information
(22:16) AI can’t hold you accountable or coach your financial habits like a human can
(24:50) There’s no accountability if AI gives you terrible financial advice
(28:56) How we actually use AI tools in our financial planning work

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We’re not judging. But after digging into a few too many cluttered portfolios lately, we figured it’s time to talk about some common mistakes that could be quietly chipping away at your progress. If you’re juggling old 401(k)s, multiple target-date funds, and accounts that don’t talk to each other, it’s time to take a closer look. You’ll learn how to spot inefficiencies, clean up clutter, and actually understand what you own, so your investments are working with your goals, not against them.

Key moments:

(04:49) We want diversification, but that doesn't mean more funds

(10:51) Mixing aggressive and conservative funds can throw off your entire investment strategy

(15:35) Some funds charge more than people realize, which can cut into returns

(27:34) Switching jobs can leave behind forgotten 401(k)s that need attention

Link mentioned in this episode:

• Morningstar.com to lookup expense ratios

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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We need to talk about some major — and frankly, troubling — student loan news coming out of Congress. The House bill has been out for a little while now, and it wasn't so positive. But the Senate has just released its own student loan bill proposal, and it’s not so hot either. Learn what’s in the proposal, what it could mean for borrowers like you, and why it feels wildly out of touch with reality. We’re here to help you understand what’s in the bill and get candid about how these changes feel surprisingly tone-deaf in today’s student debt environment.

Key moments:

(08:26) Senate bill repeals affordable income-based repayment plans, cutting off a path to forgiveness

(12:17) It seems like part of a broader plan to disincentivize folks from getting an education

(18:27) Borrower protections vanish — no more loan cancellation if a school lies or misleads you

(28:49) Loan caps may push students toward risky private loans and worsen racial gaps in medicine

(33:38) Borrowers are left scrambling after planning for a system that’s suddenly been rewritten

Links mentioned in this episode:

Senate’s Higher Education Bill Proposal

Senate GOP Endorses Repeal Of Student Loan Forgiveness And IDR Plans

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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Got a taxable brokerage account… or thinking about opening one? Then this episode’s for you. We’re joined by Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, to explore what these accounts are, how they work, and why they can be a smart tool for building long-term wealth. Learn how they compare to IRAs and 401(k)s and when a taxable brokerage account might make the most sense, whether you’re saving for early retirement, preparing for a potential student loan tax bomb, or setting aside money for your kid’s future education. You’ll also learn how to make the most of your account by using strategies like tax-loss harvesting, asset location, and automation to help minimize taxes and grow your investments more efficiently.

Key moments:

(05:36) Ways people put taxable brokerage accounts to good use

(09:37) How to donate appreciated stock and use bunching to increase your deduction

(15:00) Avoid these common pitfalls when managing investments solo

(16:58) Tax-loss harvesting and tax-gain harvesting explained — how timing can help reduce your tax bill

(26:15) Long-term vs short-term goals: how risk tolerance shifts based on when you’ll need the money

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Altruist
• Betterment
• Fidelity
• Vanguard

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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Ever feel guilty for spending money, even when it’s on something meaningful? Like that family vacation you saved up for but still second-guessed? We’re calling out the inner critic that loves to say, “You should save more. You shouldn’t buy that.” There’s no one-size-fits-all budget, and it’s time to stop shaming yourself into one. Discover the hidden money rules you’ve picked up over the years and how they mess with your financial peace. You’ll learn how to spot those unhelpful “shoulds,” reframe them with intention, and start making money choices that actually feel good and align with your real priorities.

Key moments:

(03:24) How social conditioning, family, and media shape your beliefs about money and spending

(08:06) Feeling bad about money, even when you're doing everything right, is more common than you think

(09:01) Decision paralysis often comes from the fear of making the “wrong” money move

(12:45) A simple exercise to help you rewrite your internal money script more intentionally

(15:32) Ask what a purchase gives you, not if it’s “right,” to align spending with your goals

Link mentioned in this episode:

• Monarch Money

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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Merging lives often means merging finances, but how do you do it without stepping on toes? Jake Courtney, CFP®, CSLP®, from the SLP Wealth team, joins us to unpack common questions couples face when managing money together. From deciding whether to combine accounts to setting up smart bank structures that support your goals, we cover the practical steps and money conversations that can strengthen your relationship, how to set boundaries without starting fights, and which tools make budgeting as a couple way less painful.

Key moments:

(02:51) How Jake and Meagan approach money differently in their own relationships

(11:30) Using Monarch together can spark helpful conversations, even without merging actual bank accounts

(18:37) The hybrid model lets you combine finances without fully joining every dollar

(23:09) Automating finances reduces stress and makes joint money management much easier

(26:45) Set simple spending boundaries to avoid conflict and encourage open communication

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Monarch Money
• YNAB

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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When it comes to money, it's easy to get ahead of yourself. Sometimes that means prioritizing the wrong goal at the wrong time. We're playing a game of “This or That” — should you save or invest first? Pay off debt or grow your wealth? Contribute to an HSA or a Roth IRA? While the right answer always depends on your situation, we'll talk through how to think about your priorities, what foundational steps shouldn’t be skipped, and where flexibility makes sense. Learn how to think more clearly about what should come first, and why.

Key moments:

(04:29) Emergency savings may be boring, but it’s your first defense against taking on debt
(10:44) Investing while having high-interest debt is counterintuitive to building wealth
(17:05) Should you put more money into your 401(k) or max out a Roth IRA?
(23:14) What about adding to your 401(k) contributions vs. investing in a taxable brokerage account?
(28:58) College savings with a 529 is smart, but it might not always be the top priority

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth for $1, risk free!

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This week on the Financially Free Era podcast, we’re talking about retirement—not the dream version (palm trees, pickleball, and piña coladas), but the steps you should be taking today to actually make that dream happen.
Inspired by Meagan’s father-in-law officially retiring last week (!), this episode is your go-to retirement starter pack. Whether you’re 30 or 60, wondering if you’re behind or ahead, or just trying to figure out where to begin, this is for you.

We’ll cover:

• What it actually means to be “retirement ready”
• The mindset shift from saving for retirement to planning your version of retirement
• Why Monte Carlo simulations matter (and no, it’s not gambling)
• Key financial buckets to focus on (401(k), Roth, HSA, taxable brokerage)
• How much to save and what “your number” really means
• Common mistakes people make—and how to avoid them

Whether you’re a dentist, doctor, teacher, or anyone with a 401(k) and questions, this episode gives you a clear game plan to start building retirement confidence now.

Resources Mentioned:

• SLP Wealth Retirement Planning Services
• Have a question about your retirement path? Email us: admin@slpwealth.com

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