The Life Planning 101 Podcast
by Angela Robinson
Join Angela Robinson of Smart Money Group and Kennedy Financial Services for Life Planning 101. Sharing over 40 years of experience to help you with financial planning, investment planning, tax planning, estate planning, legacy planning, retirement planning...and much more.
Episodes
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The Time Value of Success: Why Waiting to Plan Can Cost You More Than Money
This week Angela explores 'the time value of success issues'—how unaddressed financial, tax, insurance, and legal problems compound over time as wealth grows. She explains why fragmented specialist advice creates gaps and overlaps, and walks through her firm's three-step holistic planning…
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Saving for Retirement: A Different Take on Discipline (Rebroadcast)
This week Angela discusses the role of self-discipline in retirement saving, offering a practical strategy to overcome common financial habits. She shares anecdotes and a final story to illustrate the importance of small, consistent actions. The episode emphasizes that lack of discipline, not...
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What Do You Want Your Story to Be?
This week Angela discusses the importance of living life on purpose by reflecting on one's own story and obituary. She shares a humorous obituary, encourages listeners to imagine their ideal life story, and offers tools like a life scorecard and writing your own obituary to align daily actions…
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This Week in the Market - Episode 105 (10-16-26)
In this episode, Aaron, Sam, and Kade discuss recent market volatility driven by AI-related debt concerns, particularly the financial troubles of CoreWeave, and the broader implications for the tech sector. They also touch on Tesla's flying car demonstration and emphasize the importance of...
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Cybersecurity Tips (Rebroadcast)
This week we take a dive into our archive for this gem. In 2021, Angela interviewed IT specialist Mike Ahern from Kennedy Computer Solutions about cybersecurity threats and best practices. They discuss the rise in cyberattacks since COVID-19, password security, email phishing, and physical access...
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This Week in the Market - Episode 104 (10-9-26)
In this episode, Aaron, Sam, Tanner, and Kade discuss current stock market conditions, earnings reports, and the impact of AI on market concentration. They analyze market predictions, bond investment strategies, and the potential for future interest rate changes.
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Protecting Your Parents (Rebroadcast)
Angela discusses the serious issue of elder abuse, sharing a real client story and practical steps to protect aging parents. She highlights the prevalence of abuse, common tactics used by perpetrators, and actionable measures for prevention. Key Takeaways 💡 Elder Abuse Prevalence: An estimated...
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Your Estate Plan
This week, Angela discusses estate planning during Estate Planning Awareness Month, focusing on the differences between will-based and trust-based plans. She emphasizes the importance of having a comprehensive estate plan to avoid complications for heirs and highlights the potential pitfalls of...
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Saving for Your Grandchildren (Rebroadcast)
This week, Angela discusses strategies for grandparents to save for their grandchildren, emphasizing the power of compound interest and the importance of starting early. She explores various investment vehicles and encourages listeners to think beyond traditional accounts to impart values like...
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This Week in the Market - Episode 103 (9-18-26)
This week, Aaron, Sam, and Kade discuss the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate hike, rising energy prices and their inflationary impact, and the market's reaction. They also cover the strategic petroleum reserve, AI regulation, and notable earnings reports from companies like AutoZone,...
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Do You Have Something to Retire To?
This week on the show, Angela discusses the importance of having something to retire to beyond financial planning. She shares a story about a 105-year-old woman who lifts weights, introduces the concept of writing your own obituary, and provides a worksheet called 'Approaches to Retirement...
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This Week in the Market - Episode 102 (9-11-26)
In this episode, Aaron, Sam, Tanner, and Kade discuss the recent market downturn, attributing it to rising oil prices due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and explore the impact of inflation on investments. They also delve into the role of AI and memory chip demand in the tech sector,...
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Do You Really Have Enough Life Insurance?
On this week's episode, Angela discusses the importance of life insurance and addresses common misconceptions about its cost and coverage. She emphasizes the need to assess whether individuals are adequately insured, especially considering that many Americans are either uninsured or underinsured....
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Do You Have an I Love You Plan? (Rebroadcast)
In this episode, Angela discusses the concept of an 'I Love You Plan'—a comprehensive estate and financial plan that expresses love and care for family members. She highlights alarming statistics about the lack of wills, life insurance, disability coverage, and long-term care planning, and urges...
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This Week in the Market - Episode 101 (8-28-26)
In this episode, Aaron, Kade, Sam, and Tanner discuss the current market's lack of direction, the influence of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh on interest rates, and the potential for rising rates. They also explore the growing electricity demand from AI data centers…
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Live with Purpose (Rebroadcast)
Angela discusses the concept of living with purpose and finding true happiness. She draws insights from Gary Keller's book 'The One Thing' and shares personal stories and practical advice on how to align daily actions with a meaningful life. Key Takeaways 💡 Happiness is Fleeting: Angela shares…
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This Week in the Market - Episode 100 (8-21-26)
Aaron, Sam, and Kade discuss the volatile market quarter, the impact of AI on productivity and investments, and global economic events such as the Japanese yen carry trade and Iran's economic situation. They also touch on cattle economics, inflation, and the rise of gold and Bitcoin as hedges.
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Understanding the Complexity of Life Insurance
This week, Angela discusses the complexity of life insurance and the importance of understanding your policy to ensure it meets your family's needs. She shares a cautionary story about a couple whose permanent policies were set to run out before age 83 and she offers a comprehensive list of...
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Are You Planning All Alone?
This week, Angela discusses the importance of both spouses being involved in financial planning, sharing a cautionary tale of a man who left his wife unprepared after his sudden death. She explores the psychological reasons people avoid financial conversations and emphasizes the need for holistic...
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6 Lessons from an Estate Litigator (Rebroadcast)
This week, Angela discusses the importance of estate planning to ensure family harmony after death. She shares six lessons from an estate litigator to help listeners avoid common pitfalls that lead to family conflict. The core message is that a goal without a plan is just a wish, and a good plan…
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Downsizing for Retirement
This week, Angela discusses the concept of downsizing in retirement, challenging the notion that it is always the right choice. She shares personal stories and client examples to illustrate the pitfalls of downsizing without a clear purpose, emphasizing the importance of retiring to something...
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The Real 80/20 Rule: Why Progress Beats Perfection
This week, Angela discusses the real 80/20 rule, contrasting the commonly misapplied Pareto principle with two practical 80/20 rules for living life on purpose. She introduces a list of 80/20 rules for areas like health, wealth, and relationships, and then presents a second rule about goal...
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Retirement Blunders (Rebroadcast)
Angela discusses five major blunders retirees and pre-retirees often make. She emphasizes the importance of planning for retirement beyond just finances, including having a purpose and managing taxes and social security. Key Takeaways 💡 Windfall Mentality: Many retirees, especially ranchers,...
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The Secret to Multiply Your Success
This week, Angela discusses the true meaning of success, emphasizing that it's not about money but about focusing on what matters most, like faith and family. She shares insights from a coaching program called Strategic Coach, which encourages shifting from 'have-to's' to 'want-to's' and living…
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What Are the 8 Life Planning Issues?
In this episode, Angela discusses the concept of 'preventative financial care' to avoid common financial pitfalls. She emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help early, rather than waiting until a crisis occurs. The episode outlines eight key life planning issues that serve as a...
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Is Your Credit Score Important in Retirement? (Rebroadcast)
This week, Angela discusses the importance of maintaining a good credit score in retirement. She explains why credit remains relevant even after paying off debts and provides strategies to keep credit active and healthy. The episode covers five reasons credit matters in retirement and five tips…
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This Week in the Market - Episode 99 (6-18-26)
This week, Aaron, Kade, Sam, and Tanner discuss the recent resolution of the conflict in Iran, the opening of a key oil strait, and the market's positive reaction. They also analyze SpaceX's highly anticipated IPO, cautioning about high valuations, lockup periods, and historical post-IPO...
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Is Your Life Dehydrated? (Rebroadcast)
This week, Angela discusses the concept of 'life dehydration' versus living life on purpose. She draws parallels between physical dehydration and spiritual or emotional depletion caused by busyness, obligations, and overconsumption of news and social media. The episode encourages listeners to...
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Can I Still Retire? (Rebroadcast)
This week, Angela discusses the significant impact of inflation on retirement planning. The conversation emphasizes the importance of proactive financial planning to ensure individuals can not only retire but also remain retired successfully despite rising costs. Key Takeaways 💡 Inflation's…
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Should You Have a Family Meeting?
In this episode Angela discusses the importance of having family meetings, especially as children grow older and move out. She emphasizes the need for proactive communication within families to address important life decisions, end-of-life wishes, and potential conflicts that may arise after a...
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The Finance of Remarriage (Rebroadcast)
Angela discusses the financial complexities of remarriage. The conversation emphasizes the importance of proactive financial planning, estate management, and open communication to navigate potential conflicts and ensure the well-being of all family members involved. Key Takeaways 💡 The Reality…
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This Week in the Market - Episode 98 (5-15-26)
This week, Aaron and Kade discuss the historical patterns of market anxiety and investment opportunities. They highlight how current economic fears echo those from past decades, emphasizing that despite recurring crises, the market has historically shown an upward trend over the long term. They...
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Decompress from Stress (Rebroadcast)
Angela discusses financial, business, and life stress. She uses 'mom-isms' and personal anecdotes to illustrate how modern life, particularly technology, has increased stress by filling every moment. The episode emphasizes the importance of getting back to basics and organizing one's life to…
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Family Disaster Planning (Rebroadcast)
This week, Angela discusses the importance of estate planning, reframing it as "family disaster planning." She emphasizes that true estate planning goes beyond just legal documents and financial distribution; it's about preparing for family dynamics and potential conflicts after one's passing.…
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Your Next Vacation - Retirement (Rebroadcast)
This week Angela discusses the importance of intentional retirement planning compared to the time people spend planning vacations. She highlights the irony that people often invest far more time planning short vacations than their entire retirement, emphasizing the need for early and purposeful...
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This Week in the Market - Episode 97 (4-24-26)
In this episode, Aaron, Kade, and Sam discuss the current market conditions, focusing on the impact of geopolitical events like the war in Iran and the rapid advancements in AI. The guys emphasize the importance of understanding risk tolerance for long-term investment success and provide insights...
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Life After Graduation - What Your Kids Should Know
This week, Angela discusses essential life skills for young adults after graduation. The episode focuses on practical advice for parents to help their children successfully launch into independent life, covering financial literacy, practical life hacks, credit building, legal documents, and…
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Working with Wisdom (Rebroadcast)
This week, we feature an interview with Angela and Jim. They discuss the importance of wisdom in financial planning. They use anecdotes and real-life examples to illustrate how experience, proactive planning, and understanding the 'why' behind financial decisions are crucial for a secure future....
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The Insurance Insider
This week, we feature an interview with insurance instructor Rodney Schultz. He talks about common misconceptions in insurance coverage. He discusses why focusing solely on price can be a costly mistake and how a lack of proper coverage, especially umbrella policies, can have significant…
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Finding Peace in Turbulent Times (Rebroadcast)
This week, Angela discusses how to find peace amidst turbulent times. The episode explores the impact of rapid change and uncertainty on the brain's stress response and offers strategies for maintaining focus and purpose. Key Takeaways 💡 The 'Interesting Times' Curse: The phrase 'may you live in...
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Why Every Business Owner Needs an Exit Plan (Rebroadcast)
This episode features Certified Exit Planning Advisor Rich Hall. He discusses the importance of preparing businesses for sale. The conversation focuses on the challenges business owners face when selling their companies, the need for proper exit planning, and strategies to ensure a successful...
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The Power of Action
This episode features an interview with Dr. John Terry, who shares insights from his journey from being bullied to becoming a three-time martial arts hall of fame inductee. He discusses leadership principles, overcoming self-doubt, the importance of belief, and financial responsibility. Key...
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Do You Cut and Paste Your Money Decisions? (Rebroadcast)
This week, Angela discusses the pitfalls of 'cut and paste' financial and life planning advice, emphasizing that a holistic approach is necessary because one size does not fit all. The discussion covers the 8 Life Planning Issues and stresses the importance of being proactive rather than reactive...
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Your Retirement Hinges on Your Younger Self
In this episode, Tom Hegna, retirement expert and author of "Tom Hegna's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire", is the special guest. He discusses the importance of financial planning for younger generations and shares strategies for achieving financial wellness and a comfortable retirement. Hegna...
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Financial Fitness
This week, Angela discusses the importance of getting in financial shape and sticking to financial goals. She emphasizes that achieving financial health requires discipline and prioritizing it, and that people often delay taking action until the pain of not changing becomes unbearable. She offers...
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Estate Planning Lessons Learned from Celebrity Mistakes
In this episode, Angela interviews attorney Eido Walny about estate planning lessons learned from the mistakes of celebrities. Walny emphasizes that despite their fame and wealth, celebrities face similar estate planning challenges as everyone else, and their mistakes can offer valuable lessons…
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Music for Your Soul
In this episode, David Blake talks about his work with the Kanikapila Project, an organization that brings music and ukuleles to people in need. David discusses the importance of giving back and how music can be a therapeutic tool for emotional healing, especially in communities that have...
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This Week in the Market - Episode 96 (2-6-26)
In this episode, Aaron, Sam, Kade, and Tanner discuss the recent market volatility and the impact of AI on software companies and the job market. They explore the psychological resistance to change and the potential for AI to reshape productivity and the economy. The guys also touch on the...
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Finding Your Purpose
In this episode, Angela discusses the importance of addressing personal 'messes' that hinder progress and living life on purpose. She explores the concept of focusing on the present and making positive changes in one's life, drawing inspiration from a song and a book about doing business God's…
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Have You Outgrown Your Advisor? (Rebroadcast)
This week, Angela discusses how to determine if you've outgrown your financial advisor. She shares anecdotes and insights to help listeners evaluate their current advisory relationships and understand the importance of holistic financial planning. The episode emphasizes the need for advisors who...
About this show
Join Angela Robinson of Smart Money Group and Kennedy Financial Services for Life Planning 101. Sharing over 40 years of experience to help you with financial planning, investment planning, tax planning, estate planning, legacy planning, retirement planning...and much more.
Hosted by
Angela Robinson