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  • DIY Financial Planning: Can You Really Do It All Yourself?

    DIY Financial Planning: Can You Really Do It All Yourself?
    2025/07/25
    This week on The Pete the Planner Show, we tackle a question from a listener couple in their 30s who’ve nailed the basics—no debt (besides the mortgage), a healthy emergency fund, steady retirement savings, and even monthly money check-ins that end in high fives, not fights. So… do they really need a financial planner? We dive into when DIY is good enough—and when a second set of (professional) eyes might help you uncover what you don’t know you don’t know. Whether you love spreadsheets or break into a cold sweat at the word “fiduciary,” this episode will help you figure out if it’s time to level up your planning—or if you’re already crushing it on your own. You’ll learn: The tipping point between DIY and delegation What a financial planner can (and can’t) do for you How to avoid blind spots even when you're doing everything "right" It's a practical, honest conversation for anyone who's ever wondered: Do I need help, or am I just fine?
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    1 時間 11 分
  • Let’s Talk About the Thing No One Wants to Talk About -- Funerals

    Let’s Talk About the Thing No One Wants to Talk About -- Funerals
    2025/07/18
    This week’s episode begins with a heartfelt listener question that cuts to the core of a topic we all tend to avoid—death, and the financial planning that surrounds it. Pete, Kristen, and Damian explore whether prepaying for funeral arrangements is a sound financial decision—or an expensive emotional shortcut. With compassion and clarity, the team breaks down the pros (like locking in today’s prices and reducing stress on loved ones), cons (think: lack of flexibility and risk of mismanaged funds), and alternatives (including payable-on-death accounts and funeral trusts). We also explore Medicaid planning implications and what to watch for if you're in a state like Indiana with specific caps. Then in Segment 2, it’s Estate Planning 101—without the intimidating legalese. What documents matter most? Why is this an act of love, not just a legal to-do list? The trio walks through wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and the often-overlooked step of updating beneficiaries. Finally, we wrap with the emotional labor of planning ahead. Why is it so hard to talk about money and mortality with family? How do you start the conversation without freaking everyone out? We offer gentle scripts, relatable stories, and encouragement to be the planner your future self—and your family—will thank. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and—if we do our job—you’ll make at least one meaningful step toward peace of mind.
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    1 時間 11 分
  • You down with OBBB?

    You down with OBBB?
    2025/07/11
    Congress just dropped the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (yes, that’s really what they’re calling it), and it could reshape everything from your paycheck to your student loans. In this fast-moving episode, Pete, Kristen, and Damian unpack what OBBB actually is—and more importantly, how it affects you. Segment 1 sets the stage: from expiring 2017 tax cuts to new SALT caps, we simplify the headlines and help you emotionally prepare for what’s coming at tax time. Segment 2 dives into the biggest student loan shake-up in a generation: new repayment plans, forgiveness tweaks, and tighter borrowing limits that could change how families approach college altogether. And in Segment 3, we highlight the under-the-radar changes: boosted child tax credits, deductions for tipped workers, Social Security tax relief, and new Medicaid work rules you need to know. Whether you’re a student, a parent, a retiree, or just trying to keep up—this episode is your guide to navigating the chaos with clarity (and a few laughs along the way). Call to Action: What’s the one part of your financial life you hope this bill improves—or doesn’t mess up? Let us know!
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    1 時間 6 分
  • How to trust your portfolio over the long haul

    How to trust your portfolio over the long haul
    2025/06/27
    When the market is a rollercoaster and headlines won’t stop screaming, even the savviest investors can start second-guessing everything. In this episode, Pete, Damian, and Kristen unpack what confidence in investing actually means—and how to build it, rebuild it, and protect it when doubt creeps in. Segment 1 kicks off by normalizing the fear that even seasoned investors feel, especially in today’s world of economic whiplash and geopolitical uncertainty. Then in Segment 2, the team breaks down the four pillars of a trustworthy portfolio—clarity of purpose, evidence-based design, behavior as the engine, and regular (not obsessive) reviews. Finally, Segment 3 offers practical tools to reset your mindset when confidence takes a hit. Whether you’re a hands-on investor or someone who treats their 401(k) like a haunted house, this episode will help you shift your focus from predicting the market to trusting your plan. Because calm isn’t magic—it’s a skill.
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    1 時間 6 分
  • Are the Rules for Teaching Kids About Money Different Now?

    Are the Rules for Teaching Kids About Money Different Now?
    2025/06/20
    Summer break is here—which means your kids are home, your fridge is empty, and your wallet is… nervous. In this episode, Pete, Kristen, and Dame explore whether the old rules of teaching kids about money still hold up, or if today’s world demands something new. From toddler toy budgets to teen summer job paychecks, we break down how to raise money-smart kids without turning into a lecture machine (or losing your mind). You’ll learn how to: Use summer moments as money teaching tools Talk to kids at different ages without getting eye-rolls Help teens manage their own money—without a meltdown Equip them for real life, not just allowance life Plus, the team shares their favorite (and most hilarious) wins and fails from teaching their own kids about money.
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    1 時間 1 分
  • Are You Actually Making Financial Progress… or Just Busy With Money?

    Are You Actually Making Financial Progress… or Just Busy With Money?
    2025/06/13
    In this episode, we tackle a sneaky problem: confusing financial motion with actual progress. Just because you’re constantly doing money-related tasks—paying bills, checking balances, moving money around—doesn’t mean you’re getting ahead. Pete opens with a gym analogy that hits a little too close to home, then brings in Kristen and Dame to break down why so many people feel stuck despite their efforts. We explore what real progress looks like—both on paper and emotionally. From Power Percentage and savings rate to the peace of mind that comes with financial confidence, we’re separating the signal from the noise. And with the year halfway over, we wrap with a "mid-year compass check" to help you course-correct before it’s too late. If January’s goals are now a blurry memory, this is your wake-up call. Don’t wait for December to figure out whether you made progress—let’s find out now.
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    1 時間 8 分
  • Navigating Now: How do market bubbles pop?

    Navigating Now: How do market bubbles pop?
    2025/06/12
    The markets are soaring, the economy is expanding, and everyone's wondering—are we in a bubble? In today’s CalmCast, Pete breaks down the difference between market momentum and market mania, explores what real economic growth looks like, and helps you focus your energy on what matters most: your personal financial vision. Whether you’re tempted to chase hot stocks or just trying to make sense of the noise, this episode will help you zoom out, calm down, and plan forward.
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    11 分
  • Understanding the markets's tell -- Volume

    Understanding the markets's tell -- Volume
    2025/06/10
    Sometimes the markets have confidence, well at least their investors do. And sometimes the market struggles to find conviction. What helps you understand the difference between the two? Volume. In this episode of Navigating Now, Pete helps you understand what you can learn from volume. Additionally, he'll chat through the trade deficit and then touch on net worth as well.
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    11 分