Common Sense Financial Podcast

Are you part of that 68% of people who would like to have a personalized financial plan, but aren’t sure where to find a financial advisor?

What should you pay attention to when trying to get a financial planning expert to help you, and you’re evaluating different options?

In this new episode of the Common Sense Financial Podcast, host Brian Skrobonja shares six factors you should keep into consideration and look at when going thro...

You feel healthy so everything is okay, right? Have you ever thought that health planning should be part of your retirement planning efforts?

If you’ve answered ‘yes,’ pay close attention to Regan Archibald!

Regan joins host Brian Skrobonja to discuss how people should approach health planning, the world of preventive care, the role of nutrition, and why longevity medicine is something you should be mindful of.

• Regan Archibald...

In this milestone 100th episode of the Common Sense Financial Podcast, host Brian Skrobonja delves into the critical topic of managing taxes in retirement. The episode focuses on strategies for minimizing tax liabilities, especially for retirees with tax-deferred accounts facing potential hefty tax bills.

Brian emphasizes the importance of sustainable income creation during retirement and the role of tax optimization in this proces...

Brian Skrobonja breaks down 11 small business tax tips that could help you keep more of what you earn. He explains how the wealthy leverage these strategies, ways to apply them to your own business, and how being proactive now can save you thousands down the road. Tune in to discover practical steps you can take today to reduce your tax burden, boost your bottom line, and build long-term financial security.

• Brian starts by rev...

Life when you’re gone… an uncomfortable conversation most people prefer to avoid.

Why isn’t that a good idea? How can estate planning help you ensure that things are taken care of once you aren’t around anymore?

Listen to learn about big mistakes people make, the different elements that make up the estate plan puzzle, the three primary areas of cash flow, and the type of plan you should have in place.

• When it comes to end of l...

Did you know that a good part of American households haven’t thought about retirement planning?

When it comes to planning for retirement, there are some key concepts to understand and three traps you should do your best to avoid.

Listen to learn why a money increase doesn’t always equal a lifestyle enhancement, the three things people often look at but that come back to bite them later on, and how you can effectively plan for retir...

Emergencies and retirement. This is what we're taught to save for. But what if you created a different system, which allowed you to pay for the expenses you will incur between now and retirement age – without losing the ability to build wealth?

Find out why you may need to rethink your financial planning approach and what you should do about the “Missing Middle.”

• According to popular opinion, sound financial planning advice ty...

Brian Skrobonja talks about the true meaning of purpose in retirement. He shares why aligning your financial strategy with your life’s purpose is key to a fulfilling retirement and how purpose, not just money, impacts your longevity and satisfaction. Tune in to discover practical insights on creating a retirement plan that empowers you to live with confidence, clarity, and meaning.

• Brian starts by explaining why the modern app...

What comes to mind when you think about retiring? Is it enjoying your "golden years?"

That's an outdated approach, says today's guest Dean Jackson!

He joins host Brian Skrobonja to discuss a new way to think about retirement – and how doing things this way will change your life – the concept of "pre-tiring," two types of economy, and what "money hobby" and self-managing companies are all about.

• The idea of the conversation wit...

In this podcast episode, Brian Skrobonja takes us on a thought-provoking journey through the evolving concept of retirement. As we dive into the past, present, and future of retirement, Brian helps us unravel the complexities of this modern-day concept which, though deeply ingrained in our society, is relatively new in human history.

This episode is essential for anyone planning for retirement, offering a fresh perspective on how t...

You can live without saving money, and you can live with debt, but you cannot live without cash flow. In fact, if you want your personal finance to flourish, cash flow is a key element you need to focus on – passive income too. Why is that the case?

Find out about critical personal financing missteps you should avoid making, what to focus on to measure financial progress and happiness, and the key traits you can learn from the happ...

Brian Skrobonja answers some of the most frequently asked questions about finances and investing.

He covers how successful people approach liquidity, why traditional emergency funds may not be the best strategy, and how to store money with a purpose. Tune in to hear him challenge common financial myths, share smarter wealth-building strategies, and explain what financial freedom really means—so you can take control of your money wi...

In this podcast episode, Brian shares his remarkable journey from his parents' middle-class immigrant background to achieving financial freedom through decades of learning and building businesses.

He recounts his early aspiration for an opulent lifestyle and the pivotal moment when he realized the importance of creating income-producing assets. Through content creation, including three books and the Common Sense Financial Podcast, ...

In this episode we talk about the importance of using key performance indicators beyond just investment performance to gauge the health of one's retirement plan.

There are five crucial data points that form the foundation of a successful retirement strategy: passive income, effective tax rate, cash flow ratio, banking capacity, and horizontal asset allocation. By focusing on these metrics, you can adopt a comprehensive approach to ...

In this episode on Certificates of Deposit (CDs) as investments, we talk about the nuanced decision-making involved in purchasing CDs and whether or not CDs are good investments, particularly in a rising interest rate environment, and we explain why interest rates are the only factor you need to consider.

Wealth creation isn't solely dependent on CD rates, and we need to consider the impact of inflation and interest rates to gain a...

In this episode, we delve into the link between overall retirement quality and the confidence you have in your financial plan. We emphasize how a well-designed retirement strategy tailored to your needs, not solely reliant on market performance, is pivotal for boosting confidence and making your retirement plan a reality you can rely on.

Addressing common fears, exploring emotional extremes, and understanding the evolving landscape...

Brian Skrobonja breaks down the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). 

He covers how retirees can strategically use their lump sum to create long-term financial stability, the impact of the repeal on spousal and survivor benefits, and the broader financial strain on the Social Security system. 

Tune in to hear essential insights into how to adapt your financial strategy and take...

The complexity of Social Security calculations can cause some confusion around when someone eligible should file and claim their benefit. There are a lot of variables to consider and acronyms to decipher that can make Social Security feel like a confusing hedge maze.

Let’s cut through some of the noise and clarify some of the most pressing questions around Social Security benefits and what questions you need to consider to determin...

If you tune into social media, there are a lot of influencers and gurus peddling one-size-fits-all financial advice and unfortunately plenty of investors base their strategies on what these people recommend.

Find out why basing your investment decisions on what’s trending on TikTok is short sighted and discover the seven indispensable steps of building wealth that are the most common among our most successful clients.

• Conventi...