Common Sense Financial Podcast

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That's an outdated approach, says today's guest Dean Jackson!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

Most business owners come into the financial game as the quarterback. They’re telling their CPA and financial advisor what they need and when they need it instead of working as a team to plan out a cohesive strategy.

This needs to change.

Listen to the latest episode of the podcast to learn why your business needs a financial team that works together, and how to incorporate tax planning strategies into your operation, so you’re not...

Brian Skrobonja discusses the crucial role a well-defined investing strategy plays in making smarter financial decisions.

He covers ways to create an investing framework you can follow, why blindly taking investing risks is a recipe for disaster, and ways to navigate financial decisions with confidence and clarity.

• Brian starts by highlighting the crucial role a well-defined investing framework plays in securing your financial...

Entrepreneurs by nature are continuously occupied with running their business and wearing multiple hats throughout the day just to keep things running smoothly. Unfortunately, that leads entrepreneurs into making a number of common mistakes.

Mistakes that damage the long-term success and potential of their business.

Listen to the latest episode of the podcast to learn about the four most common financial mistakes entrepreneurs make...

High income professionals face a unique situation when it comes to their retirement. You have the dual challenge of having your money tied up in your investments and also looming tax burdens once you retire.

Listen to the latest episode of the podcast to learn about a Specially Designed Life Insurance policy, also known as a life insurance retirement plan, and how it could be the wealth preservation tool you’ve been looking for.

The concept of investing is often associated only with money and the pursuit of wealth, but this Annuities are a popular thing these days… why is that the case?

And are they a valid option for those planning their retirement?

In this new episode of the Common Sense Financial Podcast, host Brian Skrobonja explores the world of annuities – from what they are and the three types of annuities all the way to four common myths, Brian’s “...

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...

Brian Skrobonja goes through the five questions you need to answer to gauge how prepared you are for retirement.

He covers the benefits of having a detailed income plan, how to design a comprehensive tax strategy, and what it takes to enjoy your retirement without constantly second-guessing your financial decisions.

• Brian starts the conversation by explaining why retirement is more than just a financial milestone. It's a compl...