Mindful Money

In this episode of Mindful Money, we’ll explore how to choose the right financial planning approach—DIY, digital advisors, or human advisors—based on your needs, goals, and preferences. We’ll highlight key questions to ask, common risks, and the value of consistency and mindfulness in navigating your financial journey with confidence.In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:09) - Changes coming in 2025 (04:33) - Honoring my brother’s legacy (08:12) - Deciding if you need a financial advisor (08:59) - Understanding different types of financial advice (10:51) - The three key financial decisions (13:01) - Exploring digital advisors (14:15) - Benefits of human advisors (18:59) - Questions to ask potential advisors (26:41) - Conclusion and next steps Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.

George Kinder is an author and international thought leader. Known in the financial industry as the father of Life Planning, George authored three books on money as he revolutionized client-centered financial advice through experiential trainings for thousands of advisors from more than 30 countries across six continents.In this episode, I talk with George about his latest book, The Three Domains of Freedom, which explores achieving freedom through mindfulness, purposeful living, and societal change. We dive into the power of contemplative practices, the balance between financial necessity and personal growth, and the need for a fiduciary standard across all institutions to foster truth, democracy, and sustainability. George challenges us to embrace mindfulness as a tool for moment-to-moment mastery and discusses how intentional life planning can unlock true freedom. We also address systemic issues like economic inequality and environmental crises, offering hopeful solutions rooted in shared responsibility and ethical leadership. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:04) - George’s background and life journey (05:16) - The financialization of life and its impact (09:30) - The importance of mindfulness and contemplative practices (17:15) - The Three Domains of Freedom (21:43) - Reflecting on life’s final moments (22:34) - The importance of relationships and legacy (24:00) - Exploring the third domain of freedom (27:21) - The fiduciary concept and its impact (29:42) - Global standards and the prisoner’s dilemma (32:18) - Revolutionizing corporate responsibility (39:20) - Personal reflections and final thoughts Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney.

Jordan Grumet found the spark to become a doctor after a deeply personal event reshaped his life's trajectory. The unexpected loss of his father, an oncologist, ignited a passion within him to practice medicine and instilled a unique vantage point that later melded seamlessly with his financial expertise. This convergence of roles has spurred him to explore profound notions like wealth, abundance, and financial independence with a thoughtful and critical lens.In this episode, I talk with Jordan about the shift from chasing societal ideals to building true purpose. Jordan shares insights from his new book, The Purpose Code, emphasizing how embracing community and aligning with personal anchors of joy can lead to a fulfilling life. We also discuss the psychological impact of social media, generational trauma vs. generational growth, and the challenges of defining a moral and ethical life.In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:24) - Jordan's early life and career (07:44) - The mirage of wealth (12:06) - Purpose and community (13:55) - Lack of authenticity, purpose, and economics (15:28) - Little "p" purpose vs. big "P" purpose (20:34) - Purpose and impact (24:11) - Generational trauma vs generational growth (29:17) - Discovering Purpose Anchors (32:17) - How to engage in your chosen purpose (33:21) - Jordan's social media habits (37:11) - The ultimate question of morality (38:56) - Connect with Jordan Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Brian Herriot writes and speaks about the power of time freedom. As a financial coach and founder of Choosy Consultant, he helps mid-career professionals escape the corporate grind. His frameworks for personal growth and financial success all start with taking back control of our one truly limited resource: time.In this episode, I talk with Brian about finding freedom and balance in your career. Brian shares insights from his journey as a consultant and founder of Choosy Consultant, where he helps mid-career professionals design lives that prioritize time over money. Emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, Brian advocates for “lifestyle freedom”—the ability to define and pursue personal success without succumbing to conventional career pressures. We discuss strategies for avoiding burnout, reimagining financial goals, and aligning one’s career with core values. Brian also touches on “the smile curve” of happiness and how he restructured his life to enjoy summers at a lakeside cabin, inspiring others to envision work as a means to support meaningful living.In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:02) - Meet Brian Harriot (03:37) - The path to entrepreneurship (06:36) - The importance of time and lifestyle freedom (07:35) - Career arc and founding Choosy Consultant (10:57) - Balancing financial and professional freedom (17:49) - The Smile Curve: Understanding life’s happiness arc (21:50) - Navigating midlife transitions (24:55) - Creative financial solutions (25:45) - Breaking conventional thinking (28:04) - Understanding the corporate grind (30:05) - Balancing entrepreneurship and personal life (41:02) - Investment strategies (43:17) - Personal reflections Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this final episode of our Modular Financial Planning series, we’ll explore “portfolio optimizers”—strategies that add a bit of extra return potential to a well-diversified portfolio. These steps, like managing taxes, flexible trading, and securities lending, can enhance outcomes but aren’t essential if you’ve followed our previous nine steps. If you’re already saving, investing, and rebalancing consistently, you’ve done enough. For those seeking a little boost, these optimizers may be worth exploring with your advisor. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:09) - Portfolio optimizers (03:54) - Reducing expenses (05:00) - Tax management (07:48) - Investment factors (12:53) - Securities lending (14:18) - Flexible trading (16:04) - Conclusion and next steps Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this episode of Mindful Money, we break down the essentials of mindful investing within the larger modular financial planning framework. We’ll focus on three foundational practices: asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing. These simple yet powerful steps can guide you to a successful long-term portfolio without succumbing to market predictions or emotional reactions. We’ll also discuss mindfulness exercises, like box breathing and body scans, to help manage the impulses of fear and envy in investing. By staying present and committed to these principles, you can navigate the market’s ups and downs with confidence and peace of mind.In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:27) - The importance of managing investments and people (06:21) - Core practices of mindful investing (07:34) - Asset allocation explained (10:55) - Diversification and its benefits (12:40) - Rebalancing your portfolio (18:49) - Mindfulness practices for better investing (23:17) - The benefits of mindfulness on your investments Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this episode of Mindful Money, we explore the choice between paying off low-interest debt and building taxable savings. While paying down high-interest debt is crucial, once that’s done, the focus should shift toward maximizing retirement savings and investing in taxable accounts. We'll discuss how the power of compounding can make investing more beneficial than paying off low-interest debt. We'll also touch on the flexibility that taxable accounts provide, especially in retirement, where they allow for tax-efficient withdrawals. Ultimately, financial planning is about building a life well-lived, not just accumulating wealth.In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:27) - Reaching financial basecamp (04:18) - Three steps on the way to the summit (04:36) - Debt management vs. investment (06:08) - Optimizing your financial decisions (09:03) - The power of compounding (10:33) - Investing vs. paying off debt (12:09) - Taxable accounts and their benefits (13:12) - Tax strategies for retirement Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this episode of Mindful Money, we explore strategies for retirement planning. We’ll dive into the critical topics of saving, investing, retirement income, retirement age, Social Security, living arrangements, and more. We’ll also discuss investment strategies like maintaining a low withdrawal rate, diversification, and having a balanced portfolio, as well as practical advice on retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, and asset allocation. The goal is to help you make mindful financial decisions to ensure a secure retirement and build a lasting legacy.In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:15) - Defining financial independence (02:15) - Variables in retirement planning (03:07) - Social Security and healthcare considerations (04:27) - The need for early retirement planning (07:15) - Mind the gap: calculating retirement needs (08:56) - Withdrawal rates and portfolio management (10:49) - Creating a legacy and setting savings goals (11:45) - Choosing the right retirement account (12:04) - Employer-sponsored plans and IRAs (14:46) - Investment basics and compounding (15:56) - Types of investments: owners vs. loaners (18:40) - Building a diversified portfolio Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this episode of Mindful Money, we talk about the critical step of eliminating high-interest debt, a common financial burden that hinders progress toward financial freedom. We’ll discuss the importance of identifying high-interest debt, the impact it has on your finances and health, and strategies for tackling it effectively through debt snowball and debt avalanche methods. We’ll also discuss the balance between debt repayment and investing, and the benefits of handling debts wisely to achieve a happier, financially stable life.In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:58) - Understanding and tackling high-interest debt (02:03) - Strategies for debt elimination (07:30) - Balancing debt repayment and investing (09:26) - Low-interest debt and financial strategy Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

In this episode of Mindful Money, we dive into the importance of building an emergency fund as the foundation of a successful financial plan. The purpose of an emergency fund is to cover unexpected expenses and provide peace of mind. We'll discuss guidelines on how much to save based on different life stages, from young adults to retirees, and explore practical steps for calculating and building your emergency savings. An emergency fund is a crucial safety net to protect against financial setbacks and ensure long-term financial stability.In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:07) - Building your emergency fund (02:11) - What is an Emergency Fund? (03:14) - How much should you save? (04:51) - Emergency fund by life stages (08:23) - Calculating your minimum emergency fund (09:25) - When to use your emergency fund Get full show notes and links at https://mindful.money. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindfulMoney. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy