August 29, 2026: Debt, Discounts, & Donations

How much national debt is too much? We start with a listener question inspired by an economics lesson from the 1970s, comparing the nation’s debt with the size of the economy and discussing what could signal that the debt burden is becoming harder to sustain. We also examine the bond market’s role in keeping government borrowing in check and what could eventually threaten the U.S. dollar’s status as the world’s dominant reserve currency.Then, Henssler Mortgage Advisors’ Shanna Squires joins us to break down mortgage rate buydowns. From paying points for a permanently lower rate to temporary buydowns and seller concessions, we look at what buyers are actually paying for, what goes in to calculating your break-even point, and why plans to sell or refinance can change the equation.Finally, a listener considering a sizable charitable gift asks whether it makes more sense to donate cash or highly appreciated stock. We explore the potential tax advantages of donating appreciated securities, why selling the stock first can change the outcome, and whether donating the shares and then buying the investment back could provide an opportunity to reset cost basis while maintaining market exposure.Join hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, and Kelly-Lynne Scalice, a seasoned communicator and host, on Henssler Money Talks as they explore key financial strategies to help investors navigate market uncertainty. Henssler Money Talks August 29, 2026  |  Season 40, Episode 35Timestamps and Chapters6:51: $40 Trillion in Debt: How Worried Should We Be?25:16: Buying Down Mortgage Rates: Worth It or Waste?38:01: Turning Stock Gains into Charitable GivingFollow Henssler:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HensslerFinancial/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/HensslerFinancial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/henssler-financial/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hensslerfinancial/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hensslerfinancial?lang=en X: https://www.x.com/hensslergroup “Henssler Money Talks” is brought to you by Henssler Financial. Sign up for the Money Talks Newsletter: https://www.henssler.com/newsletters/ Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.See important disclosures at Henssler.com