Our 2 Cents cover art

All Episodes

Our 2 Cents — 265 episodes

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Title
1

Episode 265: Pets, Probate, & Planning

2

Episode 264: Game, Set, Money

3

Episode 263: Following the Market Breadcrumbs

4

Episode 262: Summer Financial Hangover

5

Episode 261: Building Your Investment Philosophy

6

Episode 260: Your Financial Pain Points

7

Episode 259: You've Got a Financial Friend in Me

8

Episode 258: What the Knicks Can Teach Investors

9

Episode 257: Your Investment Strategy Checkup

10

Episode 256: Financial Class Superlatives

11

Episode 255: Un-Bee-Lievable Money Lessons

12

Episode 254: Can AI Build A Confident Portfolio?

13

Episode 253: Are Money Scripts Sabotaging Your Finances?

14

Episode 252: What This Tax Season Taught Us

15

Episode 251: Where to Park Your Cash

16

Episode 250: From Gas Prices to AI: What It Means for Your Money

17

Episode 249: The Retirement Risk Most People Overlook

18

Episode 248: Derisky Business

19

Episode 247: The State of Your Estate: Planning Basics (Part 2)

20

Episode 246: The State of Your Estate: Planning Basics (Part 1)

21

Episode 245: Financial Celebrity Hot Takes

22

Episode 244: Gold Medal Retirement Planning

23

Episode 243: Super Bowl Financial Predictions

24

Episode 242: Your Financial Calendar

25

Episode 241: Orbiting the Economy

26

Episode 240: Financial Snow Day

27

Episode 239: How to Think About Your Money in 2026

28

Episode 238: Retirement, Reflection, and the Close of 2025

29

Episode 237: Gifts That Keep on Giving (and Saving)

30

Episode 236: Shiny Object Syndrome

31

Episode 235: Financial Thankfulness

32

Episode 234: Money Pearls: Practical Reflections for Financial Clarity

33

Episode 233: Keep Your Mind Sharp and Your Money Safer

34

Episode 232: The Golden Number: What’s Truly Life-Changing?

35

Episode 231: Your Halloween Costume’s Financial Personality

36

Episode 230: How Smart Planning Beats Bad Luck

37

Episode 229: Spiders, Stocks & Shutdowns — Oh My!

38

Episode 228: The Silent Surcharge Retirees Forget About

39

Episode 227: Is Downsizing in Retirement the Right Move?

40

Episode 226: What Gas Station Sushi Can Teach Us About Retirement

41

Episode 225: Fuzzy Market Math

42

Episode 224: Health and Wealth Lessons for Retirement

43

Episode 223: Are You Top of the Class in Retirement Planning?

44

Episode 222: Wimbledon Winnings & Wealth Wisdom

45

Episode 221: Bonds, Crypto, & Beyond

46

Episode 220: Bonds 101: Understanding the Basics

47

Episode 219: Inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

48

Episode 218: Can You Pass This Financial Literacy Test?

49

Episode 217: Spoiler Alert: That Advice Might Be Bad

50

Episode 216: The Mind Behind the Money

51

Episode 215: Private Equity in 401(k)s: A New Era or a Red Flag?

52

Episode 214: Grads, Goals, and Government Bills

53

Episode 213: Money Lessons for Young Minds

54

Episode 212: Behavior, Budgets, and the World’s Oldest Human

55

Episode 211: Jedi Economics

56

Episode 210: Tidying Up Your Finances

57

Episode 209: A Gentle Guide Through Market Moves

58

Episode 208: Tariffs, Tumbles, & Timing Your Retirement

59

Episode 207: IRS-istibly Happy

60

Episode 206: Stock Picks and Slam Dunks

61

Episode 205: The Grandparent's Guide to Asset Gifting

62

Episode 204: Finfluenced: The Rise of Social Media Money Gurus

63

Episode 203: The Taxes Game Plan

64

Episode 202: The Tariff Tango

65

Episode 201: Avoiding Portfolio Pitfalls

66

Episode 200: The 200th Episode Spectacular 🎉

67

Episode 199: Mastering Money Transformations

68

Episode 198: New Year, New Money Mindset

69

Episode 197: Jingle All the Way to Financial Growth

70

Episode 196: Financial Stocking Stuffers

71

Episode 195: Reimagining Relationships in Early Retirement

72

Episode 194: Cash Prizes and Financial Surprises

73

Episode 193: Wish Upon a Roth

74

Episode 192: Financial Advisors' Wishlist

75

Episode 191: Ask the Magic 8 Ball of Finance

76

Episode 190: What the Election Means for Your Finances

77

Episode 189: Financial Lessons from the Rich and Famous

78

Episode 188: Finding Your Financial Risk Comfort Zone

79

Episode 187: Behind the Numbers: How Financial Advisors Get Paid

80

Episode 186: Facing Your Financial Fears

81

Episode 185: Rocking Your Retirement Jersey

82

Episode 184: Retirement Regrets & Revelations

83

Episode 183: Going for the Gold in Financial Safety

84

Episode 182: Stocks, Stress, and Smiles

85

Episode 181: Lobsters and Longevity: Debunking Financial Fibs

86

Episode 180: Pension Perils and Cash Trap Escapes

87

Episode 179: Furry Friends and Financial Freedom 🎆

88

Episode 178: Cooling Off RMDs

89

Episode 177: Navigating Homeownership with a Curveball

90

Episode 176: The "Brooding" Truth about Financial Planners

91

Episode 175: Inflation-Busting Summer Getaways

92

Episode 174: Bucket Your Way to Simpler Investment Decisions

93

Episode 173: Money Wisdom for All Ages

94

Episode 172: What's the Real Magic Retirement Number?

95

Episode 171: Money Mindfulness: Cultivating Financial Peace

96

Episode 170: Retirement Wellness: Financial Checkup & Tips

97

Episode 169: Working 9 to 5 'til 95?

98

Episode 168: Island Living and IRAs

99

Episode 167: Money and Madness

100

Episode 166: Harnessing Fear to Build Wealth

101

Episode 165: The Impact of the Latest Inflation Data

102

Episode 164: Breaking Down Bitcoin ETFs & "Lazy Money"

103

Episode 163: Strategies to Pay Zero Taxes on Social Security

104

Episode 162: Your Money Resolutions for 2024

105

Episode 161: 2024 Interest Rate Predictions & Retirement Changes for the New Year

106

Episode 160: Merry Retirement Facts & Stock Market Commentary

107

Episode 159: The Benefits of Delaying Gratification

108

Episode 158: Must-Know Long-Term Care Statistics

109

Episode 157: Talking Turkey and Tax Planning

110

Episode 156: Conquering the Retirement Mountain

111

Episode 155: A Spooktacular Halloween Special

112

Episode 154: Retirement Planning Challenges for the Wealthy

113

Episode 153: Money Mistakes to Learn From

114

Episode 152: Exploring Care Opportunities in Retirement

115

Episode 151: Retirement Outlook - Is the Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

116

Episode 150: Uncovering Universal Retirement Truths

117

Episode 149: Demystifying RMDs - The Basics to Know

118

Episode 148: Revealing Retirement Plan Frustrations

119

Episode 147: No Regrets! Don't Make These Estate Planning Mistakes

120

Episode 146: Part 2: Financial Tension Between Couples

121

Episode 145: Resolving Financial Tension Between Couples

122

Episode 144: Mastering Your Retirement Income Planning

123

Episode 143: Winning Your Financial Independence

124

Episode 142: Are You Guilty of Bad Money Habits?

125

Episode 141: A Retirement Burden for Gen X

126

Episode 140: Splurge-Worthy: Yay or Nay? & Cleaning Up Your Portfolio

127

Episode 139: 2023 Retirement Confidence Survey & Summer Travel Planning

128

Episode 138: Financial Decisions Through the Ages & Stages

129

Episode 137: Unrest in the Banking Industry & A Heart-Healthy Retirement

130

Episode 136: The Future of Social Security & Bed, Bath & Gone

131

Episode 135: The Role of Wisdom in Financial Planning

132

Episode 134: VORB Goes Bust & I Bond Updates

133

Episode 133: Rate Hike Déjà Vu & "Airbnbust"

134

Episode 132: The SVB Collapse & Investor Personalities - Part 2

135

Episode 131: Understanding Investor Personalities - Part 1

136

Episode 130: Spring Cleaning for Your Finances

137

Episode 129:The Monte Carlo Part 2: Different Income Planning Ideas

138

Episode 128: This 'Lazy Way' of Financial Planning Should Be Banned

139

Episode 127: Medicare 101 + A Bit of Some Fun

140

Episode 126: How Long Will $1 Million Last?

141

Episode 125: The Debt Ceiling & A New Year Planning Checklist

142

Episode 124: 4 Retirement Numbers Savers Should Know

143

Episode 123: Wrong or Right? 2022 Market Forecasts Review and Secure 2.0

144

Episode 122: The Financial Truths in Grandma's Wisdom

145

Episode 121: Year-End Planning Checklist

146

Episode 120: Retirement Fact or Fiction

147

Episode 119: Preparing for the Retirement Marathon

148

Episode 118: Is the Grass Greener?

149

Episode 117: Financial Warning Indicators

150

Episode 116: Sharing Stories: When Emotions Impact Your Planning

151

Episode 115: The Rollercoaster Ride

152

Episode 114: What's Hiding in the Fine Print?

153

Episode 113: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

154

Episode 112: Capital Market Assumptions & Elements of Satisfaction

155

Episode 111: Marketing Manipulation

156

Episode 110: The Inflation Reduction Act - Part 2

157

Episode 109: The Procrastination Problem

158

Episode 108: The Inflation Reduction Act: How It Could Impact You

159

Episode 107: What They're Saying: Grading the Gurus

160

Episode 106: Contingency Planning: Unexpectedly In Between Jobs

161

Episode 105: Pop Quiz! Can You Score an A+?

162

Episode 104: Warning: Advisor "Red Flags" Ahead

163

Episode 103: The Fed's Aiming for a "Soft Landing"

164

Episode 102: The Downsides of Retirement

165

Episode 101: That's Debatable

166

Episode 100: 100th Episode Extravaganza!

167

Episode 99: The Market is Doing What the Market Does

168

Episode 98: We're Living in Turbulent Times

169

Episode 97: Fixing Unhealthy Financial Habits

170

Episode 96: The Many Uses of Life Insurance

171

Episode 95: The Murkiest Issues in Retirement Planning

172

Episode 94: Lessons to Score a Home Run Retirement

173

Episode 93: The "Money Voices" in Your Head

174

Episode 92: The Market is Reacting, But No Need to Panic

175

Episode 91: Planning for Life's Unpredictable Events

176

Episode 90: Economic Predictions and Happiness Indicators

177

Episode 89: Don't Fumble in the Retirement Red Zone

178

Episode 88: "The Great Resignation" is Upon Us

179

Episode 87: 2022 Money Resolutions List - Part 2

180

Episode 86: 2022 Money Resolutions List - Part 1

181

Episode 85: Retirement Planning is Like Building a House

182

Episode 84: Unreasonable Requests and Strange Taxes

183

Episode 83: The Infrastructure Bill & Year-End Tax Planning

184

Episode 82: The Planning Pyramids and Supply Chain Chaos

185

Episode 81: The Roman Empire of Financial Planning

186

Episode 80: Are You Bridging the Gaps?

187

Episode 79: Want a Better Retirement? Spend More of Your Money!

188

Episode 78: Is Your Income Plan Old & Outdated?

189

Episode 77: Life Lessons from the Yacht

190

Episode 76: 5 Words for "Life After Career"

191

Episode 75: Is Age the Price of Wisdom?

192

Episode 74: Do You Have a License to Spend?

193

Episode 73: Heads Up! This is Not Your Father's Retirement

194

Episode 72: "Market Jitters" & Getting More for Less

195

Episode 71: Is Your Advisor Speaking in Code?

196

Episode 70: Listener Questions Extravaganza!

197

Episode 69: The "Crypto-Influencer" & More Money, More Problems?

198

Episode 68: Is $1 Million Enough Where You Live?

199

Episode 67: $28 Trillion and Counting...

200

Episode 66: The Retirement "Shot Clock" & Fact or Fiction?

201

Episode 65: Financial Decisions and the "Quarantine 15"

202

Episode 64: Your Stimulus Check and Tax Time Quick Hits

203

Episode 63: Revealing the Dirty Secrets of Finance

204

Episode 62: Money & Marriage: Keeping Your Spouse Financially Involved

205

Episode 61: The Secret Life of Alternatives

206

Episode 60: Roth IRA's are Like a Fine Bottle of Wine

207

Episode 59: Don't Be Another Financial Statistic!

208

Episode 58: New Year - New Plan - New Resolutions!

209

Episode 57: The Stock Market's Hall of Fame Crashes & What Drives Advisors Bonkers!

210

Episode 56: "Things You Never Hear People Say" & Choosing Your Ideal Retirement Lifestyle

211

Episode 55: Retiring Solo & Long-Term Care Coverage Options

212

Episode 54: Variable Annuities-Are They Worth it? Plus Estate Planning Essentials

213

Episode 53: Post-Election Commentary and 15 Top Places to Retire

214

Episode 52: Five Questions - Self-Health Financial Assessment

215

Episode 51: COVID-19 Resurgence & The Upcoming Election

216

Episode 50: 50th Episode Special & 5 Financial No-No's

217

Episode 49: October "Deep Dive"- 401(k) FAQ's and Your Retirement

218

Episode 48: Illinois Fair Tax Act & The Markets Reaction to the Election

219

Episode 47: Love It or List it - Fitting Your Home into Your Retirement Plan

220

Episode 46: 5 Financial Rules of Thumb Debunked!

221

Episode 45: 7 Steps to a Secure Retirement

222

Episode 44: What's in a Mid-Year Plan Review? And What's the Big Deal With Longevity Risk?

223

Episode 43: Better Cash Alternatives & Protecting Yourself from Financial Scams

224

Episode 42: Overcoming Sticker Shock - Paying for Financial Advice & Capital Gains

225

Episode 41: Two Classic Planning Blunders to Avoid

226

Episode 40: Election-Year Investing Ideas, 'Corona Purchases' & Getting to Know Steve & Gabriel

227

Episode 039: If you Meet these 5 Milestones - You Might Be Ready to Retire

228

Episode 038: Tax Free Income & Curious Investor Behavior

229

Episode 037: Are You Up to Speed on All the Financial Lingo?

230

Episode 036: Coronavirus Market Crash - What Should You Do Now?

231

Episode 035: The Coronavirus, The Market, & Tips for Finding the Right Advisor

232

Episode 034: Affordability Crisis in America and the National Debt

233

Episode 33: "The Deep- Dive" - Your Budget is the Key to Your Financial Success

234

Episode 032: Market Forecasting Myths & Mysteries and Revisiting with Tax Deductions

235

Episode 031: The SECURE Act Updates and what it means for your 401ks, IRAs and RMDs

236

Episode 030: Reviewing Your Retirement Income Plan

237

Episode 029: Effects of the Impeachment Trial on the Markets and Budgeting for this Holiday Season

238

Episode 028: Overcharged for Investment Fees and NCAA Athletes Cashing In

239

Episode 027: Chances of a recession hit 27% and how Behavioral Finance plays a role

240

Episode 026: Pensions are Freezing, October's Market Hits & Funding Retirement vs. College Tuition

241

Episode 025: FSAs vs. HSAs, Economic Effects of the Rate Cuts and The Showdown between Men vs. Women's Retirement Savings

242

Episode 024: SGL's Monthly Market Updates, Twitter to the Mystery Index and Saving Your Brain

243

Episode 023: SGL Labor Day Surprises, 38 Ideas to your New Side Hustle and the Best Fall Getaways

244

Episode 022: Economy Edging Closer to a Recession, Days of Haggling Cable are Over and a Muddy Mess from Google Maps

245

Episode 021: The Federal Budget, Equifax Breach Settlement, Caller Question & Lightfoot's New Casino

246

Episode 020: Are Your Kids Wrecking Your Retirement, Amazon Prime Day and How to Read a Trust

247

Episode 019: 4th of July Facts and Sales, Financial Therapy & Avocado Prices

248

Episode 018: Iran's Torpedo Headed for the Stock Market, Investing in Cannabis and What the National Debt Means for You

249

Episode 017: Last Minute Gifts for Father's Day, How to pay for Long Term Care and The Robots are Back!

250

Episode 16: A Retirement Reform Bill, #CancelMyDebt and a New Change for the Chicago Cubs

251

Episode 015: Debating Suze Orman, Reverse Mortgage Highlights and Side Hustles for Extra Cash

252

Episode 014: Trump's Trade War, Buying a Timeshare and America's Biggest Money Wasters

253

Episode 013: America's Strongest Workforce, Managing Your RMD's, G.O.T. Spoiler Alert and the Costs for Medicare

254

Episode 012: Warren Buffets One Sentence Advice, Pritzker's Toilets & Taxes and Retiring Without Borders!

255

Episode 011: Potential Savings by Filing this Appeal, Chicago Popcorn Drama & More!

256

Episode 010: What's the #1 Searched Retirement Question & A Potential Recession Indicator?

257

Episode 009: 10 'Retirement Killers', Powerful Personal Finance Habits and Are Employer Pensions Actually Guaranteed?

258

Episode 008: Looking to Retire Early? Don't Leave This Out of Your Plan! What is Modern Portfolio Theory & The Big Lotto Winner's Question

259

Episode 007: Rescinded Admissions, a Class-Action Suit: Fallout From College Scandal Spreads

260

Episode 006: Personal Finance Expert Warns Women: 'We Are Sabotaging Our Financial Security'

261

Episode 005: Your Two Most Important Retirement Planning Decisions

262

Episode 004: Listener Q&A, Stock Market Indicators & Buffett's Take on Bitcoin

263

Episode 003: Romance Scams, Preparing for Retirement & Moving to Mars

264

Episode 002: U.S. Economy Blows Away Jobs Expectations

265

Episode 001: How To Avoid Becoming A Victim Of Tax Scams