There aren’t enough homes. Homes are too expensive. And mortgage rates are too high.

In Episode 103 of One for the Money, I break down how the U.S. housing crisis was created, why it persists, and what realistic solutions could actually improve affordability.

This episode goes beyond headlines and politics to diagnose the root causes of the crisis—using plain economics, real-world examples, and historical context. We also share practical guidance for anyone considering buying a home in today’s challenging market.

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Why the housing crisis is fundamentally a supply-and-demand problem
2. How the early 2000s housing boom and NINJA loans set the stage for collapse
3. Why the Great Recession permanently reduced housing supply
4. How zoning laws and building regulations increased home prices
5. The role ultra-low interest rates played in fueling demand
6. How COVID-19 accelerated housing inflation at historic levels
7. Why inflation and Fed rate hikes froze the housing market
8. The “rate lock-in” effect keeping homeowners from selling
9. Why younger generations are being priced out of homeownership

🏡 Data Points Discussed

1. U.S. home prices rose 40–50% between 2020–2022
2. Average long-term home appreciation (1990–2023): ~4.4% annually
3. Mortgage rates jumped from the mid-3% range to mid-6%
4. Median age of first-time homebuyers rose from 32 (2000) to ~40 (2025)

💡 Solutions Explored

1. Why 50-year mortgages would likely make the problem worse
2. The potential of portable (assumable) mortgages to unlock supply
3. Targeted rate incentives for first-time buyers
4. Why boosting supply—not demand—is the key to fixing housing

🧠 Tips, Tricks & Strategies Segment

Practical advice for anyone thinking about buying a home:

1. Why your primary residence should not be treated as an investment
2. Why staying in a home at least 10 years often makes the math work
3. When relocating may make financial sense
4. How to choose a home that allows you to grow and age in place

The stock market can feel like a rollercoaster—especially when the drops are steep. Declines of 20% or more are known as bear markets, and while they can be frightening, they’re also a normal part of investing.

In this episode, I explain why bear markets shouldn’t be feared, how often they really occur, and—most importantly—what actions investors should (and shouldn’t) take when they happen. Drawing on history, personal experience, and real-world examples, we’ll explore how emotional decisions can derail long-term success and how proper planning can help you stay on track.

You’ll also hear a powerful story from my own past investment mistakes during the 2007–2009 financial crisis, and why staying invested matters more than trying to time the market.

In the Tips, Tricks, and Strategies segment, I’ll share a practical bear market investment strategy designed to help you make good things happen—even when markets feel overwhelming.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. What defines a bear market and how often they occur
2. Why bear markets are a normal (and necessary) part of investing
3. The biggest mistake investors make during market downturns
4. How time horizon impacts bear market strategy
5. Why planning before a downturn is critical
6. A simple framework to approach bear markets with confidence

Bear markets may be scary—but with the right plan, they can also be opportunities.

Thank you for listening. Now, on with the show. 🎙️

Happy New Year, and welcome to episode 101 of the One for the Money podcast!

This episode airs on January 1st—a perfect moment for financial resolutions and fresh starts. If getting back on track with your money is one of your goals for the new year, this episode will help you make one of the most important decisions in your financial life: whether to hire a financial advisor, and how to choose the right one.

In This Episode

I’ll share the 10 essential questions you should ask when interviewing a financial advisor, including:

1. Whether the advisor is a true fiduciary
2. How they are compensated
3. How often you’ll meet
4. How many clients they serve
5. Their education, experience, and credentials
6. Whether they review your tax return and estate documents
7. How they manage their own finances
8. And more insights that help you avoid conflicts of interest and ensure you’re hiring someone who will put your interests first

I’ll give personal examples from my own practice at Better Planning Better Life, as well as real stories of people who tried to “DIY” their finances and paid the price.

Why This Matters

Financial mistakes are often invisible at first… but they compound over time. And while many of us hesitate to discuss money, the consequences of mismanaging it can follow us for decades. A great advisor can help you avoid costly errors, stay on track, and make informed decisions with confidence.

Tips, Tricks & Strategies

In the final segment, I’ll explain a simple but powerful cash-management strategy to protect your purchasing power from inflation—the silent thief.

You’ll learn:

1. How much cash to keep in reserves
2. Where to keep it for maximum yield
3. When to consider higher-yield instruments
4. Why doing nothing with your cash can quietly cost you thousands

Episode Highlights

1. The danger of default 401(k) mistakes
2. Why relying only on the company match is rarely enough
3. How financial “invisibility” leads people to miss opportunities
4. What transparency from an advisor should look like (including how I show clients my own plan)

Who This Episode Is For

1. Anyone considering hiring a financial advisor
2. Anyone unhappy or uncertain about their current advisor
3. DIY investors wondering if they’re missing something

Episode 100 — A License to Spend: How to Use Your Money to Create Compounding Memories

Overview

Welcome to the 100th episode of the One for the Money podcast! In this milestone episode, we explore the driving force behind our work with clients: giving them permission—a license—to spend intentionally so they can create a richer, more meaningful life.

While compound interest is powerful, the compound effect of memories is even greater. We discuss why now—not someday—is the time to invest in the experiences that matter most. From family road trips to sabbaticals, from national parks to international adventures, this episode dives into the intersection of money, time, and health, and how better planning leads to a better life.

In the Tips, Tricks, and Strategies segment, we break down six research-backed ways money can buy happiness—when used intentionally.

What You’ll Learn

• Why memories compound better than money
• The importance of spending earlier, not later
• How health, time, and money intersect—and why waiting until retirement is often too late
• How experiences become lifelong “dividends” to your future self
• Insights from Die with Zero by Bill Perkins
• Why Americans struggle to take vacation—and why that needs to change
• Six evidence-based ways money can truly enhance happiness
• How better planning gives you a “license to spend”

Key Takeaways

• Memories compound over time and are often worth more than the dollars saved.
• You can’t get your health or your kids’ childhood back. Use your money when you have both time and vitality.
• Spending intentionally—especially on experiences—yields long-term happiness.
• A financial plan exists to help you live well, not simply to help you accumulate more.
• Don’t wait until retirement to enjoy life. Balance smart saving with purposeful spending.

Resources Mentioned

• Book: Die with Zero by Bill Perkins
• Article: “6 Ways Money Can Buy Happiness” — Ronald Sier on Kitces.com
• Podcast inspiration: Tim Ferriss Show (question on most-gifted book)
• Concept: “Sharpen the Saw” — Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Six Research-Backed Ways Money Can Buy Happiness

1. Spend on others, not just yourself
2. Spend to buy time and reduce stress
3. Spend now, enjoy later — the power of anticipation
4. Spend on experiences, not things
5. Spend on small pleasures more often
6. Spend to support fundamental human needs — growth, connection, purpose

Quotes From This Episode

• “Memories compound better than money.”
• “A financial plan is not just about avoiding running out of money—it’s about avoiding running out of time.”
• “Life is a choice. Choose consciously. Choose wisely. Choose memories.”

🎧 Episode 99: I Got 99 Problems, But a “B” (as in Budget) Shouldn’t Be One

📝 Episode Summary

In this episode of One for the Money, we tackle one of the most important — and misunderstood — topics in personal finance: budgeting. Whether you call it a “budget” or a “spending plan,” having a strategy for where your money goes is the difference between drifting financially and sailing toward your goals with purpose.

But budgeting isn’t about restriction — it’s about freedom. You’ll learn how to make your money work for you, avoid common pitfalls, and even hear real-life stories (from family lessons to famous fortunes lost) that drive home the power of a plan.

💡 In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• Why budgeting is the rudder of your financial life — and how to steer your money with confidence.
• The difference between a budget and a spending plan — and why the latter feels a lot better.
• How to apply the 20/50/30 Rule (and why paying yourself first changes everything).
• A smart adjustment if you’re tackling high-interest debt — the 5/50/40 method.
• The emotional and relational benefits of budgeting, including how money communication can strengthen marriages.
• Cautionary tales from high earners like Antoine Walker and Johnny Depp — proof that more money doesn’t fix bad money habits.
• A simple system to review and adjust your budget so it actually works in real life.
• The Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand analogy — your new framework for prioritizing spending.
• How to know if your budget’s off course (and how to fix it fast).

💬 Memorable Quotes

“A budget is the rudder on your financial ship. Without it, you’re just drifting — hoping the current takes you somewhere nice, preferably with Wi-Fi and low property taxes.”

“Don’t save what’s left after spending. Spend what’s left after saving.” – Warren Buffett

“Good things don’t happen to good people — they happen to people who do good planning.”

“You can have 99 problems in life, but a B — as in no Budget — shouldn’t be one.”

⚙️ Tips, Tricks & Strategies

• Automate everything you can — savings, retirement contributions, and bills.
• Review your budget regularly — weekly if you’re partnered, monthly if solo.
• Pay yourself first — even if it’s just 5%, build the habit.
• Budget for adventures, not just retirement. Life’s too short not to make memories along the way.
• Watch your “sand” spending (those small daily luxuries) so you have room for the big rocks.

🔍 Quick Budget Gut-Check

It might be time for a reset if:

• You carry credit card debt month to month,
• You lack a 3-month emergency fund,
• You’re saving less than 10–15% for retirement.

📈 Key Takeaway

Budgeting isn’t about deprivation — it’s about direction.

A well-designed budget gives you more choices, more peace, and a better life.

📚 Resources & Mentions

• Better Planning, Better Life framework
• Warren Buffett’s philosophy on saving
• Antoine Walker’s financial literacy foundation (for athletes)
• The 50/30/20 rule (and how to adapt it to 20/50/30 or 5/50/40)

🎯 Episode Challenge

Take 20 minutes this week to review your own “rudder.”

Ask...

🎧 Episode 98 — What's Your Plan For After You Are Gone?

📝 Episode Summary

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” In this episode of One for the Money, we’re tackling one of those certainties: death—and more specifically, what happens to your assets and loved ones after you pass.

While we can't answer the big question of where we go when we die, we can answer the important question of what happens to your estate. This episode covers why estate planning is not just for the wealthy, but for everyone who wants to protect their family, preserve their legacy, and avoid unnecessary legal headaches.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What an estate plan actually is (and what it includes)
• The default estate plan you already have—whether you like it or not
• Why probate court is costly, slow, and public—and how to avoid it
• Real-life cautionary tales of celebrities who died without a plan
• Why women are disproportionately impacted by poor estate planning
• The 5 domains of financial planning and how estate planning fits in
• The four key benefits of having a comprehensive estate plan:
• ✅ Control
• ✅ Family protection
• ✅ Avoiding intestacy
• ✅ Incapacity planning
• The essential estate documents everyone should have
• Common benefits of trusts—privacy, speed, control, and tax efficiency
• A powerful mindset shift: think legacy, not death

💡 Tips, Tricks & Strategies Segment

In the second half of the episode, we share a critical tip:

🧠 The biggest risk of not having an estate plan isn’t legal—it's emotional.

Estate plans aren't just about legal documents—they're about maintaining family unity. Hear real-life stories of how families were torn apart due to poor or unclear planning, and learn how to avoid becoming a cautionary tale.

📌 Resources & References

• Kiplinger: Widows Move Forward on Their Own—But Not Alone
• Fidelity: Estate Planning Basics
• LegalZoom: 10 Famous People Who Died Without a Will

📣 Call to Action

If you don’t have an estate plan—or haven’t updated it in a while—this episode is your wake-up call. Talk to a trusted estate attorney and work with a Certified Financial Planner to ensure your family is protected and your legacy preserved.

Episode Summary

In this episode of One for the Money, we explore a common misconception that holds too many people back from reaching their full financial potential: believing that having accounts equals having a financial plan.

I share my personal financial journey — including real-life challenges, eye-opening lessons, and hard-won insights — to demonstrate why a collection of IRAs, 401(k)s, and 529s doesn’t constitute a plan.

You'll also learn about the five essential domains of financial planning, and why aligning these with your ideal life is the key to long-term success and fulfillment.

Whether you’re nearing retirement, building wealth, or just starting out, this episode will challenge the way you think about your money and help you take the first steps toward better planning and a better life.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why most Americans mistake accounts for a financial plan — and the risks of doing so
• The five critical areas every true financial plan must address
• How to align your money with your life’s most important goals
• Real client stories that reveal costly — and avoidable — financial mistakes
• How to avoid being among the 60% of retirees who wish they could do it over
• One actionable strategy to kick-start your personal planning journey today

Tips, Tricks & Strategies Segment

This week’s actionable strategy:

Envision your ideal life, then build your financial plan around it.

Learn how to prioritize your goals, assess alignment with your current financial picture, and determine whether you're on the most efficient path to achieving what matters most. Spoiler alert: It starts with clarity and ends with intentional planning.

The 5 Domains of a Complete Financial Plan

1. Income – Your cash flow strategy (now and in retirement)
2. Investments – Your portfolio allocation and growth strategy
3. Insurance – Risk management and protection for your family
4. Taxes – Lifetime tax planning to maximize after-tax wealth
5. Estate Planning – Directing your legacy with wills, trusts, and powers of attorney

Memorable Quotes

“We don’t rise to the level of our dreams — we fall to the level of our planning.”

“A 401(k) is not a plan. A Roth IRA is not a plan. A bunch of accounts is not a plan.”

“Better planning leads to a better life. Especially when it’s based on your best life.”

Want More?

Subscribe to One for the Money on your favorite podcast platform.

Ready to plan your ideal retirement? Schedule a free consultation with our team.

• https://BetterPlanningBetterLife.com
• Connect with Jonny on LinkedIn

Episode 96 — Debunking Social Security Myths (Part 2)

Episode Summary

In this second installment of our two-part Social Security series, we continue busting the most common — and costly — myths surrounding Social Security.

From the misconception that Social Security alone can fund a comfortable retirement, to the idea that everyone automatically qualifies for benefits, these misunderstandings can lead to financial shortfalls that are hard to recover from.

We’ll unpack the math, explore real-life examples, and explain why personalized retirement planning is essential. We’ll also share a valuable strategy for those claiming spousal benefits — and how to avoid leaving money on the table.

Remember: Social Security is important, but it’s just one part of your retirement plan.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why contributing to Social Security isn’t the same as saving for retirement
• How much income Social Security really replaces — and for whom
• The truth about who qualifies for benefits (and who doesn't)
• Why some retirees are shocked by how little they receive
• How Australia’s retirement system compares to Social Security
• When (and when not) to claim spousal Social Security benefits

Key Takeaways:

• Social Security is not a retirement plan. It's a supplement — not a substitute — for personal savings like IRAs or 401(k)s.
• Claiming early reduces benefits, and delaying only helps if it’s your own benefit — not a spousal one.
• Spousal benefits cap out at 50% of your spouse’s full benefit and do not increase after your FRA.
• Only those who’ve paid into the system for 10+ years qualify — and even then, benefits are based on your 35 highest-earning years.
• Under-the-table wages hurt your future benefits. Report income accurately to protect your retirement.
• A holistic retirement strategy — including taxes, income sources, longevity, and goals — leads to better outcomes.

Referenced Resources:

• Listen to Episode 95 – Debunking Social Security Myths (Part 1)
• Social Security Administration Benefit Calculator: ssa.gov
• AARP: Understanding Social Security’s Progressive Benefit Formula

Want More?

Subscribe to One for the Money on your favorite podcast platform.

Ready to plan your ideal retirement? Schedule a free consultation with our team.

• https://BetterPlanningBetterLife.com
• Connect with Jonny on LinkedIn

🎯 Closing Reminder

Social Security decisions are too important to leave to guesswork or general advice. Get the facts, make a plan, and as always — remember:

A better life begins with better planning.

Thanks for listening to One for the Money!