Jesse fields six wide-ranging listener questions that dig into the heart of financial planning and investing. He opens with a challenge to the idea that age alone dictates portfolio strategy, emphasizing instead that time horizons, goals, and diversification determine the right balance between growth and preservation. From there, Jesse advises a listener who recently inherited $1 million on how to integrate the windfall into an early retirement plan through detailed cash flow projections, withdrawal strategies, and careful consideration of pensions and Social Security. Next, he unpacks the difference between risk tolerance and risk capacity—framing them as willingness versus ability to take risk—and illustrates how these concepts vary depending on age, assets, and future income. A question about bonds leads to a deep dive on duration, interest rate sensitivity, and why bond funds and individual bonds behave more alike than many investors assume, with practical guidance on structuring fixed income for retirement needs. Shifting to income growth, Jesse shares seven strategies for boosting earnings over time, from negotiating raises and pursuing certifications to building businesses, climbing the career ladder, and gaining equity participation. Finally, he closes with a clear primer on Bitcoin, explaining blockchain, mining, and the role of trust in money, while stressing that investors don’t need cryptocurrency in their portfolios—but should at least understand what it is and why it matters.

Key Takeaways:
• Investment strategy should be based on goals and timelines, not just age.
• A $1 million inheritance should be planned with the same rigor as any other asset, while respecting any personal or emotional ties.
• Risk tolerance reflects your willingness to endure volatility, while risk capacity measures your financial ability to recover from losses.
• Bond funds and individual bonds are functionally similar, especially when held to maturity.
• Negotiating with employers or job hopping can be effective short-term paths to higher pay. Building side businesses or securing equity participation can create outsized wealth growth over time.
• Investors don’t need crypto in their portfolios, but understanding how it works helps in today’s financial landscape.

Key Timestamps:
(01:58) – Question #1: Understanding Risk and Reward in Investing
(15:01) – Question #2: David's Early Retirement Strategy
(22:21) – Question #3: Karen's Question on Risk Capacity
(31:09) – Question #4: James' Concern About Bond Funds
(42:39) – Question #5: Tips for Increasing Your Income
(48:20) – Strategic Career Climbing
(53:47) – Question #6: Introduction to Cryptocurrency
(01:00:33) – The Role of Trust in Money and Bitcoin
(01:09:16) – Bitcoin Wallets and Blockchain Explained
(01:13:27) – Cryptographic Puzzles and Proof of Work
(01:24:37) – Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes

Key Topics Discussed:
The Best Interest, Jesse Cramer, Wealth Management Rochester NY, Financial Planning for Families, Fiduciary Financial Advisor, Comprehensive Financial Planning, Retirement Planning Advice, Tax-Efficient Investing, Risk Management for Investors, Generational Wealth Transfer Planning, Financial Strategies for High Earners, Personal Finance for Entrepreneurs, Behavioral Finance Insights, Asset Allocation Strategies, Advanced Estate Planning Techniques

Mentions:
https://bestinterest.blog/risk-and-reward/
https://bestinterest.blog/stocks-for-wealth-bonds-for-sanity/
https://bestinterest.blog/winning-the-game-retiring-at-57-with-4-million/
https://bestinterest.blog/raises-negotiations/
https://bestinterest.blog/explaining-bitcoin-in-simple-terms/

More of The Best Interest:
Check out the Best Interest Blog at https://bestinterest.blog/
Contact me at jesse@bestinterest.blog
Consider working with me at https://bestinterest.blog/work/

The Best Interest Podcast is a personal podcast meant for education and entertainment. It should not be taken as financial advice, and is not prescriptive of your financial situation.

Today, Jesse is joined by Hanna Horvath—Certified Financial Planner, managing editor at Bankrate, and author of the Your Brain on Money newsletter—for a deep dive into the psychology behind our financial decisions and why money is never just about numbers. Together, they explore how unconscious “money scripts” formed in childhood shape lifelong habits, why emotional discipline matters more than willpower, and how anxiety shows up even for people who have “won the game” financially. Hanna explains how retirement brings not just financial questions but also an identity shift, making purpose and values as important as portfolio allocation. They discuss strategies for reframing our relationship with volatility, using fire-drill style planning to prepare for downturns, and creating small gaps between emotions and actions to avoid costly mistakes. Throughout, Jesse and Hanna remind listeners that building lasting wealth is less about chasing fads or quick wins and more about cultivating awareness, resilience, and intentionality in both mindset and money.

Key Takeaways:
• Money is never just about math—it’s deeply tied to psychology, emotions, and unconscious beliefs.
• Emotional discipline means creating space between feelings and actions, not trying to eliminate emotions altogether.
• Retirement isn’t just a financial transition—it’s a major identity shift that can create anxiety even for those who are financially prepared.
• “Fire drills” for your financial plan can prepare you emotionally and practically for downturns before they happen.
• Social media and sensational financial headlines amplify fear, making discernment and discipline even more critical.
• Retirement satisfaction depends on aligning money decisions with personal values, whether that means family, travel, community, or freedom.

Key Timestamps:
(00:00) – The Psychology of Money: Fads and Mimetic Desire
(15:35) – The Hedonic Treadmill and Financial Contentment
(21:41) – Understanding Behavioral Loss Tolerance
(32:03) – The Spectrum of Risk Tolerance
(38:51) – Money Scripts and Financial Behavior
(42:33) – The Importance of Emotional Discipline
(47:31) – Identity Shift in Retirement
(01:04:53) – DIY Investing and Self-Compassion

Key Topics Discussed:
The Best Interest, Jesse Cramer, Wealth Management Rochester NY, Financial Planning for Families, Fiduciary Financial Advisor, Comprehensive Financial Planning, Retirement Planning Advice, Tax-Efficient Investing, Risk Management for Investors, Generational Wealth Transfer Planning, Financial Strategies for High Earners, Personal Finance for Entrepreneurs, Behavioral Finance Insights, Asset Allocation Strategies, Advanced Estate Planning Techniques

Mentions:
Website: https://yourbrainonmoney.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanna-riley-horvath/
Mentions:
https://bestinterest.blog/fad/
https://bestinterest.blog/eat-drink-and-be-content/
https://bestinterest.blog/behavioral-loss-tolerance/

More of The Best Interest:
Check out the Best Interest Blog at https://bestinterest.blog/
Contact me at jesse@bestinterest.blog
Consider working with me at https://bestinterest.blog/work/

The Best Interest Podcast is a personal podcast meant for education and entertainment. It should not be taken as financial advice, and is not prescriptive of your financial situation.