Is hiring a financial planner worth it in 2026? 🤔

In this episode of Through the Pines, we break down 7 compelling reasons to work with a financial advisor in today's complex and evolving financial landscape. From navigating changing tax laws and RMD rules to behavioral coaching during volatile markets, we cover why professional guidance can help you maximize returns, reduce stress, and prepare for major life transitions.

You'll learn about:

✔️ Tax-efficient strategies like Roth conversions and backdoor Roth IRAs

✔️ The power of fiduciary advice vs. commission-based models

✔️ How advisors help prevent emotional investing mistakes

✔️ Personalized retirement, 529, and business planning strategies

✔️ Preparing for retirement, inheritance, marriage, and other life changes

If you're wondering whether AI can replace a financial advisor—or if expert guidance still matters—this episode gives you practical insights to help you decide.

Welcome to a Financial Planning Podcast with a down to earth vibe Sasquatch listens while shoveling his driveway, this is Through the Pines.

Our Advisors for this episode, we welcome back Rex Baxter and Brandyn Smith from planwithbaxter.com

2023, 2024 & 2025 Forbes Best in State Wealth Management Teams For Utah -

Advisor Hub Fastest Growing Advisors to Watch under 1 Billion -

Receivers of the Ameriprise Client Experience Award -

Financial Advisors: Baxter, Smith & Associates

Contact: rex.m.baxter@ampf.com

Website: planwithbaxter.com

🔔 Subscribe for more financial planning, retirement strategy, and wealth-building conversations.

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This podcast was produced by The Banyan Collective and recorded in our camp trailer studio located inside the Monarch Building inside the 9 Rails Arts District on Historic 25th Street in Ogden, Utah.

***Find value in this podcast, consider supporting us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/banyanmedia

WATCH & SUBSCRIBE to us on YouTube @throughthepines

Through the Pines - Reminding you to use Yesterday's Dollars to Finance Tomorrow's Dreams.

****

This episode includes financial advice from professionals. Visit the financial planners in this podcast at www.planwithbaxter.com The Banyan Collective & Host, R. Brandon Long are not the financial professionals - podcast pro's, maybe - money men, not so much.

Through the Pines Podcast Copyright, The Banyan Collective - 2026

#podcast #money #wealth #retirement #financialplanning #finances #networth

Pines Ep. 94 - Questions Financial Advisors Love vs. Hate

🎙️The Banyan Collective Podcast Family: http://www.thebanyancollective.com/

➡️ Van Sessions: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@vansessionspod⁩

➡️ Ascent Life: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@ascentlifenow⁩

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➡️ Ogden Arts & Adventure: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@ogdenartsandadventure⁩

On this episode of Through The Pines we'll cover the questions Financial Advisors LOVE vs. HATE including questions like…

• What are the biggest risks to my retirement plan?
• What return can I expect from this?
• How should I be thinking about taxes over my lifetime?
• Should I put money into gold or crypto?
• What decisions today will matter 10-15 years from now?
• My friend did this, should I do the same?
• How will our strategy change once I retire?
• Should I move everything into cash until things "calm down?"
• How do we define success if it's not just investment returns?
• Is now a good time to invest?

Welcome to a Financial Planning Podcast with a down to earth vibe Sasquatch listens while prepping his tax returns, this is Through the Pines.

Our Advisors for this episode, we welcome back Rex Baxter and Brandyn Smith from planwithbaxter.com

2023, 2024 & 2025 Forbes Best in State Wealth Management Teams For Utah -

Advisor Hub Fastest Growing Advisors to Watch under 1 Billion -

Receivers of the Ameriprise Client Experience Award -

Financial Advisors: Baxter, Smith & Associates

Contact: rex.m.baxter@ampf.com

Website: planwithbaxter.com

____________________________________

This podcast was produced by The Banyan Collective and recorded in our camp trailer studio located inside the Monarch Building inside the 9 Rails Arts District on Historic 25th Street in Ogden, Utah.

***Find value in this podcast, consider supporting us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/banyanmedia

WATCH & SUBSCRIBE to us on YouTube @throughthepines

LIKE our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pinespodcast

Follow our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pines_podcast/

Through the Pines - Reminding you to use Yesterday's Dollars to Finance Tomorrow's Dreams.

****

This episode includes financial advice from professionals. Visit the financial planners in this podcast at www.planwithbaxter.com The Banyan Collective & Host, R. Brandon Long are not the financial professionals - podcast pro's, maybe - money men, not so much.

Through the Pines Podcast Copyright, The Banyan Collective - 2026

Through The Pines Ep. 93 - 2026 Financial Landscape & How to Navigate

On this episode of Through The Pines we'll cover the 2026 Financial Landscape when I comes to…

• Investing
• AI
• Interest Rates & Monetary Policy
• Inflation & Tariff Impacts
• Geopolitical & Policy Shifts
• Global Diversification & Emerging Markets
• Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets
• Private Markets & Alternatives
• Labor Market & Consumer Resilience
• Cybersecurity, Fraud, and Regulatory Evolution

Welcome to a Financial Planning Podcast with a down to earth vibe Sasquatch listens while combing out his glorious lochs of fur, this is Through the Pines.

Our Advisors for this episode, we welcome back Rex Baxter and Brandyn Smith from planwithbaxter.com

2023, 2024 & 2025 Forbes Best in State Wealth Management Teams For Utah -

Advisor Hub Fastest Growing Advisors to Watch under 1 Billion -

Receivers of the Ameriprise Client Experience Award -

Financial Advisors: Baxter, Smith & Associates

Contact: rex.m.baxter@ampf.com

Website: planwithbaxter.com

____________________________________

This podcast was produced by The Banyan Collective and recorded in our camp trailer studio located inside the Monarch Building inside the 9 Rails Arts District on Historic 25th Street in Ogden, Utah.

***Find value in this podcast, consider supporting us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/banyanmedia

WATCH & SUBSCRIBE to us on YouTube @throughthepines

LIKE our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pinespodcast

Follow our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pines_podcast/

Through the Pines - Reminding you to use Yesterday's Dollars to Finance Tomorrow's Dreams.

****

This episode includes financial advice from professionals. Visit the financial planners in this podcast at www.planwithbaxter.com The Banyan Collective & Host, R. Brandon Long are not the financial professionals - podcast pro's, maybe - money men, not so much.

Through the Pines Podcast Copyright, The Banyan Collective - 2025

#podcast #money #wealth #retirement #financialplanning #finances #networth

Pines Ep. 92 - Saving For Your Kids' Future

On this episode of Through The Pines we'll cover Saving For Your Kids' Future, including

• Trump Accounts - What are they, features & contributions
• 529 Plans
• Custodial Accounts
• Roth IRA's for Kids
• Investment Strategies

Welcome to a Financial Planning Podcast with a down to earth vibe Sasquatch listens while writing his New Year's Resolutions, this is Through the Pines.

Our Advisors for this episode, we welcome back Rex Baxter and Brandyn Smith from planwithbaxter.com

2023, 2024 & 2025 Forbes Best in State Wealth Management Teams For Utah -

Advisor Hub Fastest Growing Advisors to Watch under 1 Billion -

Receivers of the Ameriprise Client Experience Award -

Financial Advisors: Baxter, Smith & Associates

Contact: rex.m.baxter@ampf.com

Website: planwithbaxter.com

__________________________________________________________________________

This podcast was produced by The Banyan Collective and recorded in our camp trailer studio located inside the Monarch Building inside the 9 Rails Arts District on Historic 25th Street in Ogden, Utah.

***Find value in this podcast, consider supporting us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/banyanmedia

WATCH & SUBSCRIBE to us on YouTube @throughthepines

LIKE our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pinespodcast

Follow our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pines_podcast/

Through the Pines - Reminding you to use Yesterday's Dollars to Finance Tomorrow's Dreams.

****

This episode includes financial advice from professionals. Visit the financial planners in this podcast at www.planwithbaxter.com The Banyan Collective & Host, R. Brandon Long are not the financial professionals - podcast pro's, maybe - money men, not so much.

Through the Pines Podcast Copyright, The Banyan Collective - 2026

#podcast #money #wealth #retirement #financialplanning #finances #networth

On this episode of Through The Pines we'll cover transitioning into retirement.

Welcome to a Financial Planning Podcast with a down to earth vibe Sasquatch listens while changing the oil in his vintage Land Rover Defender, this is Through the Pines.

Our Advisors for this episode, we welcome back Rex Baxter and Brandyn Smith from planwithbaxter.com

2023, 2024 & 2025 Forbes Best in State Wealth Management Teams For Utah -

Advisor Hub Fastest Growing Advisors to Watch under 1 Billion -

Receivers of the Ameriprise Client Experience Award -

Financial Advisors: Baxter, Smith & Associates

Contact: rex.m.baxter@ampf.com

Website: https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/baxter-nelsen-associates

Our Guests today…

John Diehl, Senior Vice President, leads the Applied Insights Team at Hartford Funds

Been with Hartford Funds 37+ years

Leads Hartford Funds research efforts with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, as well as other subject matter experts, which he will talk about in a moment.

John has been quoted in many consumer and industry publications including the Wall Street Journal, Financial Planning and others. He has also been a featured guest on CNBC and Bloomberg Television, sharing his views on the future of retirement planning.

________________________________________

This podcast was produced by The Banyan Collective and recorded in our camp trailer studio located inside the Monarch Building inside the 9 Rails Arts District on Historic 25th Street in Ogden, Utah.

***Find value in this podcast, consider supporting us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/banyanmedia

WATCH & SUBSCRIBE to us on YouTube @throughthepines

LIKE our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pinespodcast

Follow our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pines_podcast/

Through the Pines - Reminding you to use Yesterday's Dollars to Finance Tomorrow's Dreams.

****

This episode includes financial advice from professionals. Visit the financial planners in this podcast at www.planwithbaxter.com The Banyan Collective & Host, R. Brandon Long are not the financial professionals - podcast pro's, maybe - money men, not so much.

Through the Pines Podcast Copyright, The Banyan Collective - 2025

On this episode of Through The Pines we'll cover your year-end financial planning checklist!

• Maxing out Retirement Contributions
• Harvest Investment
• Taking Required Minimum Distributions
• Charitable Gifts
• Deferring Income
• Roth Strategies
• Spending FSA Funds
• Portfolio Rebalancing
• Evaluating Business Retirement Plans
• Updating Estate Plans
• Reflecting on Financial Goals

Welcome to a Financial Planning Podcast with a down to earth vibe Sasquatch listens while buffing his vintage Porsche 911 Speedster, this is Through the Pines.

Our Advisors for this episode, we welcome back Rex Baxter and Brandyn Smith from planwithbaxter.com

2023, 2024 & 2025 Forbes Best in State Wealth Management Teams For Utah -

Advisor Hub Fastest Growing Advisors to Watch under 1 Billion -

Receivers of the Ameriprise Client Experience Award -

Financial Advisors: Baxter, Smith & Associates

Contact: rex.m.baxter@ampf.com

Website: planwithbaxter.com

On this episode of Through The Pines we'll pit AI versus certified financial planners, and the biggest issues affecting both including…

• Will AI Steal Financial Planners Jobs
• Fiduciary Duty
• Cost
• Emotional/Personal Touch
• Complex Tax & Estate planning
• Speed and Access
• Bias & Conflicts
• Behavioral Coaching
• Regulatory Issues

Welcome to a Financial Planning Podcast with a down to earth vibe Sasquatch listens while raking the leaves, this is Through the Pines.

Our Advisors for this episode, we welcome back Rex Baxter and Brandyn Smith from planwithbaxter.com

2023, 2024 & 2025 Forbes Best in State Wealth Management Teams For Utah -

Advisor Hub Fastest Growing Advisors to Watch under 1 Billion -

Receivers of the Ameriprise Client Experience Award -

Financial Advisors: Baxter, Smith & Associates

Contact: rex.m.baxter@ampf.com

Website: https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/baxter-nelsen-associates

This podcast was produced by The Banyan Collective and recorded in our camp trailer studio located inside the Monarch Building inside the 9 Rails Arts District on Historic 25th Street in Ogden, Utah.

***Find value in this podcast, consider supporting us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/banyanmedia

WATCH & SUBSCRIBE to us on YouTube @throughthepines

LIKE our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pinespodcast

Follow our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pines_podcast/

Through the Pines - Reminding you to use Yesterday's Dollars to Finance Tomorrow's Dreams.

****

This episode includes financial advice from professionals. Visit the financial planners in this podcast at www.planwithbaxter.com The Banyan Collective & Host, R. Brandon Long are not the financial professionals - podcast pro's, maybe - money men, not so much.

Through the Pines Podcast Copyright, The Banyan Collective - 2025

Creating Financial Independence (FIRE) for Any Age: What It Actually Takes

The Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement is a strategy for achieving financial freedom, allowing individuals of any age to retire early, work optionally, or pursue passions without financial stress. FIRE involves accumulating enough wealth to cover living expenses indefinitely, typically through a combination of high savings rates, strategic investing, and intentional lifestyle choices.

FIRE Levels

• Lean FIRE: Minimalist lifestyle ($20,000–$40,000/year).
• Fat FIRE: Comfortable or luxurious lifestyle ($80,000+/year).
• Barista FIRE: Partial independence with part-time work to supplement income.
• Coast FIRE: Saving enough early to let investments grow without additional contributions.

FIRE is achievable at any age, though the approach varies. Younger individuals have time to leverage compounding, mid-career workers can accelerate savings with higher incomes, and older adults can refine plans to bridge to early retirement.

On this episode of Through The Pines we'll cover steps to create financial independence or (FIRE - Financial Independence, Retire Early) including…

• FIRE Levels
• Calculating Your FIRE Number
• Maximizing Savings
• Investing Wisely
• Optimizing Costs
• Designing a Purposeful Lifestyle
• Protecting Your Plan (Risk Management)

let's dive in!

Welcome to a Financial Planning Podcast with a down to earth vibe Sasquatch listens while asking AI how to cook an apple pie, this is Through the Pines.

Our Advisors for this episode, we welcome back Rex Baxter and Brandyn Smith from planwithbaxter.com

2023, 2024 & 2025 Forbes Best in State Wealth Management Teams For Utah -

Advisor Hub Fastest Growing Advisors to Watch under 1 Billion -

Receivers of the Ameriprise Client Experience Award -

Financial Advisors: Baxter, Smith & Associates

Contact: rex.m.baxter@ampf.com

Website: https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/baxter-nelsen-associates

This podcast was produced by The Banyan Collective and recorded in our camp trailer studio located inside the Monarch Building inside the 9 Rails Arts District on Historic 25th Street in Ogden, Utah.

***Find value in this podcast, consider supporting us here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/banyanmedia

WATCH & SUBSCRIBE to us on YouTube @throughthepines

LIKE our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pinespodcast

Follow our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pines_podcast/

Through the Pines - Reminding you to use Yesterday's Dollars to Finance Tomorrow's Dreams.

****

This episode includes financial advice from professionals. Visit the financial planners in this podcast at www.planwithbaxter.com The Banyan Collective & Host, R. Brandon Long are not the financial professionals - podcast pro's, maybe - money men, not so much.

Through the Pines Podcast Copyright, The Banyan Collective - 2025