Episodes

In this episode, we’re back with another special guest! This time, to talk about some real-life stories with Property and Casualty (Home, Auto, Umbrella, etc.) Insurances. Olivia dives deep into several great topics with us in this episode, including: What most people are looking for with their insurance policies? Understanding when coverage does, and doesn’t make sense Real stories of claims, both good and bad! An $8 MILLION case from walking a dog!? Debunking myths about car insurance S...

Many times we see advertisements for “how you can save money on your home, auto, and personal insurance”. While most of us have these coverages, how do you know if you have enough? Is price the most important thing when shopping for insurance? Listen to this episode to find out! In this episode, we discuss: The different coverages and what to look for (Home, Auto, Renters, Umbrella, etc.) Understanding how limits work What various coverages do and how they work Are you underinsured? What do...

In this episode, we welcome our first guest to the show! Tony Steuer, CLU, CPFFE joins us to talk a bit more about the nuance of Life Insurance, when it makes sense, and when it doesn’t. Tony has a wealth of experience on this topic, and Elliott and Matt (well… due to tech issues, mostly Elliott!) chat with Tony about the following topics. Understanding Permanent Life Insurance Different types of Permanent Life Insurance The Pitfalls of Permanent Life Insurance Importance of regular/frequen...

In this “semi-breaking news” episode of Me & Money, Matt and Elliott chat a bit about what the election results could mean for some of the larger planning topics in Personal Finance. While there are surely to be mixed feelings depending on who you voted for, it’s a great time to focus on the big picture whether you’re optimistic or not about the next 4 years. Will the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018 expire? Will we go back to the old tax brackets? Will we get an entirely new tax bracket system?...

While we don’t sell it, we believe insurance is an incredibly important aspect of a well-rounded financial plan. In our time working with clients, we’ve seen great plans, and some that leave us scratching our head. In this episode, we discuss: Different types of life insurance (term, whole life, cash value) Do you REALLY need life insurance? What does it pay for? How much does it cost? Have a question for a future show topic? Matt Fizell, CFP® can be reached by email at matt@planwithharmon...

It’s that time of the political cycle again, the election is near! Regardless of who you support, plan on voting for, or what their agenda may be, we wanted to give you a few words of wisdom for this upcoming election cycle when it pertains to your investments. In this episode, we discuss: What impact elections have had on investments, historically Proposed policy doesn’t mean anything will change Taxes, the tax code, and it’s impact on the market Why you may see volatility on or near Elect...

Last time, we talked about the “why” behind investing. While we think it’s the most important, investment selection is the next key step. While there’s not a specific recommendation being made in this episode, we want to share a few helpful tips to think about while you think about how to structure your investments. In this episode, we discuss: Understanding your Investment Timeline Why discipline can lead to success Finding the balance of risk and return Ignoring the headlines, focusing on...

Investments are always in the headlines. So many times we hear about what we should be investing in, what the “hot stocks” are, and how to pick the next big thing. In this episode, we talk about the reasons why we need to invest, and why time may just be more important than knowing what the next big winner is. Here’s a few topics we discuss in this edition of ME & Money: Why you can’t stuff money “under the mattress” The power of compounding interest Why housing is usually seen as a “good in...

Usually when you see those financial advertisements, it’s all about “save, save, save”… but what if you don’t really need to? What if you have something you want to pursue NOW? In this episode we discuss: Planning for cash needs in the near future Retirement is important, but should it always be the top priority? Balancing saving while having debt Creating accountability for yourself if you do decide to stop saving Have a question for a future show topic? Matt Fizell, CFP® can be reached b...

The housing saga and conversation continue in this episode of ME & Money. Elliott Appel, CFP® is still on the search for a house, and he’s still weighing the pros and cons of renting versus buying. In this episode, we discuss: Do you have a renter or owner lifestyle? Is renting “really throwing money out the window?” Can renting give you more flexibility in retirement? A live calculator walkthrough with things to consider Have a question for a future show topic? Matt Fizell, CFP® can be re...

We’re back to talk more about homes, and the pieces of owning a home that are commonly missed, or just not spoken about while going through the home purchase process. Listen to Matt and Elliott as they share their stories of owning a home, and what has changed or been discovered as time has gone on. In this episode we discuss: Inspections and Repairs Property Taxes Home Insurance Why it’s important to have cash on hand for your house Have a question for a future show topic? Matt Fizell, C...

Today, we’re digging into the homebuying process with some key items to be aware of while going from looking at homes, to submitting an offer. With the housing market being in a very competitive state, it can be daunting to know “how far you should go” when looking at how much you may have been approved for by a lender versus what may be comfortable. In this episode, Matt and Elliott cover: Risks Involved With Home Purchases The Pre-Approval Process How Interest Rates Impact Monthly Payment...

In this inaugural episode of ME & Money, your co-hosts Matt Fizell, CFP® and Elliott Appel, CFP® share why they wanted to start a podcast. Hear a bit more about what you can expect in the coming episodes. The episodes will generally be posted every month, but there may be some “special episodes” posted when major current events are taking place. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share so you don’t miss an episode! Have a question for a future show topic? Matt Fizell, CFP® can be reached by emai...