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PODCAST

Real Personal Finance

Your REAL personal finance questions answered by CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals, Scott Frank and Nick Covyeau. With all of the misinformation and jargon in the financial industry, it"s no wonder most people are confused about how to best manage their money. Scott and Nick are here to give clear answers to the important questions they hear most often. If you"re ready to use your finances to create a more secure financial future, this show is for you.

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All Episodes

27:19

Can You Retire Early With Two Million Dollars?

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/12/25

Curious about your retirement savings? Our How Much Do I Need To Retire? quiz gives you an idea of where you stand and a starting point to think about your long-term planning. — Retiring early sounds simple when you only look at the balance sheet… until it doesn’t. In this episode of Real Personal Finance, Scott and Nick walk through why the real question isn’t “Is two million enough?” but “What does your life actually cost?” They use a clear and approachable framework to cover the spen...

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17:02

The Simple Automations That Can Actually Boost Your...

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/12/11

It’s wild how fast a year goes by, and when you finally look back, the gap between what you meant to do and what actually happened is bigger than anticipated. The trick is that most financial progress relies less on skill and more on removing willpower from the equation. In this episode of Real Personal Finance, Scott and Nick sit down to talk through the small systems that can move your money in the right direction, even on the busiest weeks. They walk through the everyday automations that m...

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19:47

A Simple Guide to Smarter Giving

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/11/27

The holidays have a way of bringing money and meaning into the same conversation. In this episode of Real Personal Finance, Scott and Nick lean right into that. Between family gifting, charitable giving, donor-advised funds, and changes to deduction rules, this episode walks you through the most practical ways to support the people and causes you care about. It’s a great moment to pause, think about what matters, and check in on how generosity fits into your financial life. Key Takeaways &nbs...

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25:47

Your Financial To-Do List Before December 31st

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/11/13

Most people wait until tax season to think about taxes, but by then, the window’s closed. Scott and Nick talk about how the best planning happens now, when there’s still time to adjust what’s already in motion. They get into some of the details that help shape your future: RMD timing, Roth conversions in the “golden window,” how bunching charitable gifts really works, and what happens when you accidentally nudge your income above a Medicare bracket. A friendly reminder that a little attention...

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24:16

It’s Open Enrollment Season: How to Avoid Leaving...

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/10/30

A lot of people are under-utilizing their corporate benefits, unintentionally leaving money on the table. Open enrollment is a great opportunity to review your company’s benefits plan to ensure that you’re taking full advantage of everything they offer. In this episode, we walk through some of the most common areas you can optimize your benefits, such as HSAs, FSAs, life insurance, disability, ESPPs, and more. Curious about your retirement savings? Our How Much Do I Need To Retire...

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16:38

What Business Owners Need to Know About the OBBBA

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/10/16

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has some pretty great enhancements for business owners, but you have to know what you’re looking for in order to get them. Whether it’s the extension of Qualified Business Income, the 100% Bonus Depreciation, or Enhanced Qualified Small Business Stock, the bill has something for businesses of any size. In this episode, we walk you through six key provisions of the OBBBA that every business owner should be aware of, then we look at how you can take action now to ...

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16:03

There’s More to Saving for Retirement Than Knowing...

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/09/12

“How much money do I need to save in order to retire – what’s my number?” It’s one of the most common questions financial advisors get, and we understand why. People want a goal, something they can work toward to help them feel more at peace about how they’re saving. As is often the case in financial planning, when people ask for their number, the answer goes deeper than dollars and cents. It’s not just how much you save, but where you save and what you prepare for. Tune in as we look beneath...

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17:33

Pre-Tax, After-Tax, Roth: How Should You Distribute...

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/08/29

People often think of their 401(k) as the set-it-and-forget-it retirement account. You set your contribution amount, get your employer match, and leave it alone. But what if your company gives you pre-tax, after-tax, and Roth IRA options? It’s a nice problem to have, but things can get complicated pretty quickly. In this episode, we’re answering a listener question from someone in just such a predicament, which is pretty common in the world of tech. Listen in as we get practical and break dow...

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23:32

A Meaningful Conversation About Money with Former NYT...

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/08/15

Whether you know him as “The Sketch Guy” from his decade-long run as a NY Times columnist or you’ve heard him on a podcast, if you’re interested in the world of finance, you probably know who Carl Richards is. He has also written multiple books, including The Behavior Gap, The One-page Financial Plan, and his forthcoming book of sketches, titled simply Your Money. In this episode, we sit down to talk through a few of Carl’s favorite sketches, how he came up with the ideas, and what he h...

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21:06

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the OBBBA

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/08/01

With the OBBBA now signed into law, we’re sitting down to walk through the good, the bad, and the ugly. The biggest takeaway is that the new bill has opened the door to some great tax planning opportunities, but you have to act soon! Most of the OBBBA’s changes expire in four years, so you have a little time and space to consider doing a Roth conversion or realize some capital gains. We explore the impact on tax rates, estate and gift tax, deductions, tax credits, and more. After that, ...

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30:02

Am I Behind? Rethinking Retirement Catch-Up Strategies

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/07/17

Do you ever feel like you're behind on retirement? A 41-year-old listener with over $230,000 saved and a 50%+ savings rate, certainly did. In this episode, we explain why starting late doesn't mean finishing last, especially when you're making such incredible strides! We dive into the numbers, the idea of being "behind" and the importance of the right mindset during this prep-for-retirement journey. You will hear a little debate about Roth versus traditional 401(k), how your tax bracket shoul...

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25:43

Are You Saving Money in the Right Order?

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/07/03

We all know we should probably save some more, but when we pass the piggy bank phase and have larger amounts of money, things get a little more complicated than just dropping some coins every once in a while. In this episode of Real Personal Finance, Scott and Nick get into a little detail that most people skip: “where” and “how” matter as much as “how much” when it comes to saving. Key takeaways: The emergency fund is not optional; it’s the foundation of savingThe 401K match is free money yo...

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26:09

From Saver to Spender: How to Ease the Emotional...

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/06/05

Retirement is supposed to be the reward after decades of hard work, but for many, the hardest part is learning how to actually spend the money they’ve saved. In this episode, we explore why that transition feels so uncomfortable and how creating a retirement paycheck can help make spending feel safe and sustainable. We talk through the natural phases of retirement spending, the risks of being too conservative, and how to align your money with what really matters to you. Key takeaways: Retirem...

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18:19

Rethinking Your Retirement Timing

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/05/22

Why do some people delay retirement when they’re more than ready, while others want out the moment they hit the financial edge? In this episode, we explore the emotional weight behind retirement decisions, from the fear of losing identity to the overlooked value of early, healthy retirement years. You’ll hear how flexible paths like consulting or “dialing down” can offer purpose and freedom without the pressure of full-time work. If you’ve ever asked yourself whether to push through one more ...

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12:49

What’s the Purpose of Your Money?

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/05/08

What should you do with extra cash when markets feel shaky? In this episode, we break down why your savings rate is the real engine of wealth, and how understanding the purpose behind your money brings clarity to every financial decision. You’ll learn why market downturns can be golden opportunities, but only if your foundation is solid and your timeline matches the risk. We also share how investment certainty grows with time, helping you shift your mindset from fear to long-term confidence. ...

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24:00

Liberation Day, Trade Wars, and Your Portfolio: What...

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/04/24

Is market volatility really all about tariffs? In the wake of the unexpectedly aggressive “Liberation Day,” headlines would have you believe so. But the bigger culprit isn’t trade policy—it’s uncertainty. While U.S. markets have taken a noticeable hit, international developed markets are down only about 1.3% as of this recording. So what’s really going on? In this episode, we break down what investors need to keep in mind when the market gets shaky, including: Why portfolio diversification is...

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20:51

The Art of Knowing When to Save or Spend

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/04/10

Balancing today’s lifestyle with tomorrow’s goals isn’t easy, but it’s doable. In this episode, we answer a listener's question about 401(k) contribution limits and employer matching, which opens up a broader conversation about financial flexibility and smart savings strategies. We break down 2025 contribution limits, including catch-up provisions for those over 50, and clarify what counts toward those limits. Nathan, who works in higher ed and saves 21% of his income, offers a great example ...

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20:19

Try Before You Buy: How to Test-Drive Big Life...

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/03/27

Major financial transitions don't have to be binary choices – testing your assumptions before making big moves can prevent costly mistakes and regrets. In this episode, Nick and Scott talk about test-driving potential life transitions to help guide your decisions. • Looking at buying a home? Try setting aside the difference between rent and projected homeownership costs • Practice living on expected retirement income while still employed • Try extended stays in potential retirement loca...

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24:21

Taking Control of Your Financial Future: Planning,...

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/03/13

In the face of the uncertainty of life, it’s difficult knowing that many things are out of your control. Focusing on your financial well-being can often feel daunting, especially with the unpredictability of markets. In this episode, we discuss aspects of your financial journey that you can control, like… - The importance of having a structured financial plan - Cash flow: savings, spending, debt, and taxes - Strategies for managing investments and understanding risk - An emergency fund in you...

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19:39

How To Spend More In Retirement With a Dynamic...

Real Personal Finance ·

2025/02/27

This week, we welcome new co-host Nick Covyeau, a Certified Financial Planner and owner of Swell Financial Partners, to discuss safe retirement spending strategies. We talk about the different approaches to withdrawal rates and the factors that can impact these decisions including retirement timing, portfolio balance, navigating market changes and planning for big purchases. We cover all this and more to give you the tools for a worry-free, fulfilling retirement! Ready to learn more? Sc...

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237 results

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