Common Sense Financial Podcast

Brian Skrobonja talks about the real cost of college—and why most families are dangerously unprepared. Tune in to learn how to fund your child’s education without sacrificing your retirement. Expect to hear eye-opening numbers, smarter strategies than 529 plans, and a flexible approach that keeps you in control, no matter what path your child takes.

• Brian starts by explaining how to avoid being blindsided by college costs. Mos...

In this episode, Brian Skrobonja breaks down ways to save, grow, and invest your money.

He sheds light on what a well-diversified portfolio looks like, the true definition of financial freedom, and why you need different mindsets for spending versus investing money.

• We all want the same thing when it comes to money--we all desire to make money, grow money, and use the money that we have.
• However, most people have a belief syst...

The concept of investing is often associated only with money and the pursuit of wealth, but this fails to capture the true essence of investing.

An ideal future isn’t encapsulated by a stack of $100 bills.

The true essence of investing is not about building wealth, but about building the atmospheric conditions that align with your ideal future self.

Listen to the latest episode of the podcast to learn why a relentless focus on accu...

Many people accumulate their wealth in a bank or a long-term investment, and this may create problems.

But there is a different strategy.

In this new episode of the Common Sense Financial Podcast, host Brian Skrobonja goes over the Build Banking strategy and how you can consider a different banking paradigm using specially designed life insurance policies that allow you to start banking on yourself.

• Most people know that banks...

Brian Skrobonja talks about the essentials of building a multi-generational legacy that lasts. He breaks down a blueprint rooted in time-tested principles and inspired by the same structural thinking used by families like the Rockefellers. Tune in to hear the assumptions that leave heirs rudderless, the mistakes that breed entitlement, and why conventional financial tools often fail under the weight of multi-century ambitions.

Whet...

Time is your most precious resource, but how you use it is up to you.

The shift from earning to retirement can be quite challenging, as you have to thread the needle between income, growth, and time.

In this new episode of the Common Sense Financial Podcast, host Brian Skrobonja goes over the most important mindset shift people need to make in order for their retirement plan to succeed.

• It is possible to retire without growth,...

In this episode, Brian Skrobonja sheds light on the complex and often overwhelming process of managing an estate after the loss of a loved one. This is a step-by-step guide from the initial steps you need to take after a loved one passes, to the intricate details of settling an estate.

Brian offers valuable advice and practical tips to navigate this difficult time with grace and efficiency.

• Having a clearly defined process in ...

“The more money you have, the bigger the mistakes,” someone once told Brian…

How does that translate into retirement planning? And how can you help ensure you approach your financial planning for your “golden years” in the best possible way?

In this new episode of the Common Sense Financial Podcast, host Brian Skrobonja goes over five retirement mistakes that you should stay away from at all costs, as well as what retirement is act...

Brian Skrobonja breaks down two retirement curveballs that most people don’t see coming until it’s too late. He covers how your Social Security decisions can make or break your retirement, and what really happens to your income when your spouse passes away. From the math behind claiming early versus waiting, to the hidden tax traps that arise when one spouse passes away, this episode walks you through the real-life scenarios that c...

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...