This week on Mitten Money, hosts Will Zank and Kevin Scorsone dive into the realities of holiday gift-giving and how to keep the season joyful and financially manageable. From planning ahead to avoiding that last-minute December panic, they talk through how they budget for gifts, balance birthdays that fall near the holidays, and keep spending in check without sacrificing meaningful moments. They even unpack the popular “five-gift rule,” the art of stocking stuffers, and why personalized or sentimental gifts can go further than anything flashy.

Will and Kevin also share their experiences with shopping early, hunting for deals throughout the year, and the importance of supporting local businesses. Whether you’re a strategic planner or someone who usually scrambles at the end of the month, this episode offers practical tips, relatable stories, and a reminder that giving thoughtfully matters more than spending big.

Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

In this week’s Mitten Money episode, Will and Kevin open with conversation about Denver rent, kids’ soccer, and Halloween traditions before shifting into the core topic: preparing your portfolio for year-end. They break down why this is the ideal time to reassess your financial plan, review upcoming cash needs, and decide whether to set aside funds in money markets or short-term municipal options.

The discussion covers key strategies like tax-loss harvesting, managing capital gains distributions from mutual funds, staying mindful of Medicare IRMAA limits, planning RMDs and QCDs, and how to spread gains across multiple tax years to avoid unnecessary surprises.

Kevin and William also stress the importance of evaluating portfolio performance, checking for style or allocation drift after strong market years, and rebalancing to keep risk aligned with long-term goals.

Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

In this episode of Mitten Money, hosts Will Zank and Kevin Scorsone dive into the most common financial mistakes people make, like credit card debt, lifestyle creep, and overspending on travel or cars, and share smart ways to avoid them. From personal stories and travel hacks to practical budgeting tips, this conversation is full of relatable insights and real-world advice.

Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

Midlife doesn’t have to mean mid-crisis. In this week’s episode of Mitten Money, Will Zank and Kevin Scorsone dig into what a “midlife money squeeze” really looks like. Between college tuition, rising insurance costs, and trying to save for retirement, it can feel like your finances are always being pulled in every direction.

Will and Kevin share practical, real-world advice on how to course-correct your financial plan, balance competing priorities, and keep your goals in focus. They talk about managing debt, tackling lifestyle habits, and finding ways to save without sacrificing the moments that matter most.

Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

On this episode of Mitten Money, Will & Kevin take a deep dive into what it really means to plan for retirement. It’s not just about the numbers; they talk about how setting priorities before goals can shape your future, why health and purpose matter just as much as savings, and how flexibility is key when life changes.

They share real-life client stories, practical travel hacks (like saving on parking and when it’s worth driving two cars), and the role hobbies and social interaction play in making retirement fulfilling.

Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

In this episode of Mitten Money, host Kevin Scorsone sits down with Marketing Associate and college graduate Abby Welsh to talk about the real price of college. From FAFSA frustrations and student loans to hidden costs, scholarships, and refund checks, Abby shares her firsthand experience navigating higher education. Kevin reflects on how different college costs looked in his day, while Abby offers insights, regrets, and hacks for today’s students.

Whether you’re a parent planning for your child or a student facing these challenges yourself, this episode is all about navigating college financially.

Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

Get ready for hot take roulette! In this episode, Will & Kevin spill their financial hot takes.

Will challenges the common belief that buying a home is always better than renting, pointing out how high interest rates and rising costs make renting a smarter, more flexible choice, especially if you’re not planning to settle long term. Kevin dives into the booming world of Buy Now, Pay Later services like Klarna and Afterpay, discussing how these easy micro-loans can help, but also lead to debt stacking if you’re not careful.

Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

In this episode of Mitten Money, Will and Kevin explore the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and whether it’s truly achievable for most people. They discuss lean FIRE, fat FIRE, and barista FIRE, reflecting on what early retirement might look like in real life.

The conversation covers how retirement is changing, the importance of purpose and social connection, and how to strike a balance between saving and enjoying life. With stories from their own busy family schedules, Will and Kevin highlight the personal side of financial planning.

Whether you're aiming to retire early or just want to take better control of your money, this episode offers practical insights to think about!

Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.