

Rich Habits Podcast
Austin Hankwitz and Robert Croak
Introducing the Rich Habits Podcast — a financial literacy podcast for anyone ready to take back control of their money by implementing new habits.
Join Robert Croak and Austin Hankwitz every Monday, Thursday, and Friday as they demystify the financial habits of the rich, share their own mistakes and shortcomings, and lay out the blueprint for you to succeed with money.
Robert is a decamillionaire with 30+ years of business experience and $200M+ of company exits under his belt, while Austin is an entrepreneur in his 20s eager to learn.
Join Robert Croak and Austin Hankwitz every Monday, Thursday, and Friday as they demystify the financial habits of the rich, share their own mistakes and shortcomings, and lay out the blueprint for you to succeed with money.
Robert is a decamillionaire with 30+ years of business experience and $200M+ of company exits under his belt, while Austin is an entrepreneur in his 20s eager to learn.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 30, 2025 • 43min
Q&A: Cashing Out The College Fund, Discretionary 401(k) Match, & Shopping Financial Advisors
This Q&A session dives into the intricacies of managing educational savings and retirement funds. Discover strategies for cashing out a 529 plan when college plans change. Learn the importance of researching company stock before accepting a 401(k) match. Tips on transitioning from high-fee financial advisors to fiduciaries are explored. Finally, hear advice on investing wisely at a young age, including the benefits of low-cost ETFs and understanding the Roth 401(k) advantages.

Oct 27, 2025 • 46min
141: The 5 Financial Accounts You Need to Set up BEFORE 2026
Hosts explore the five essential financial accounts to set up before 2026 to maximize tax benefits. They highlight the importance of a High-Yield Savings Account for emergencies and offer insights on retirement accounts like 401(k)s and Roth IRAs. A Health Savings Account with triple tax advantages is discussed, along with the benefits of a taxable brokerage account for flexible investing. Additionally, they cover the advantages of 529 plans and the new Roth rollover rule. The episode wraps up with investment tips and a Q&A segment addressing financial concerns.

16 snips
Oct 24, 2025 • 36min
Amazon’s Robot Plans, Trump’s Stock Picks, & Tesla’s Inflection Point
The discussion dives into Amazon's ambitious plan to replace 600,000 jobs with robots while simultaneously raising wages. Trump’s latest stock picks come under scrutiny, revealing potential market shifts. Tesla's push for full self-driving cars and the intriguing concept of robo-taxis are highlighted, alongside Elon Musk's comments on the humanoid Optimus. The episode also touches on AI’s growing impact on the workforce and technological disruptions reshaping industries.

Oct 23, 2025 • 42min
Q&A: Portfolio Adjustments, Starting an Ice Vending Business, When NOT To Use A 529
This Q&A session dives into starting an ice vending business and emphasizes building a strong financial foundation first. The hosts offer insights on using rental sale proceeds for home improvements and investments. They discuss the best strategies for allocating $300K from selling a property, highlighting tax-efficient investing. Listeners learn the pros and cons of 529 accounts compared to brokerage accounts for saving for kids' education. Lastly, practical side hustle ideas for college students steal the spotlight!

Oct 20, 2025 • 46min
140: EXCLUSIVE NYSE Updates On The ETF Boom w/ Bilal Little
Bilal Little, Director of Exchange Traded Products at the NYSE and host of the Central ETF podcast, shares his extensive expertise on ETFs. He discusses powerful advantages for retail investors, including lower fees and tax efficiency. Bilal emphasizes the importance of understanding the risks associated with thematic ETFs and advocates for true diversification through uncorrelated assets. He also speculates on future ETF innovations, like hyper-customization and AI-driven solutions, providing listeners with actionable insights for smarter investing.

6 snips
Oct 17, 2025 • 34min
A $1.5 TRILLION Bet on America, Bull Market Anniversary, & Sports Media Rights
Discover the latest insights on the bull market as it approaches its fourth year, along with Jamie Dimon's ambitious $1.5 trillion resiliency plan focused on reshoring and manufacturing. Delve into the hype surrounding Apple's upcoming tabletop smart home device and what it could mean for investors. The hosts also cover a whirlwind of tech headlines, including silver shortages and Netflix's sports media spending. Plus, valuable advice for small businesses on pricing strategies and effective delegation without burnout.

5 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 45min
Q&A: Investing OR Paying Off Mortgage, Passing Wealth To Children, & Paying For College
The hosts dive into the nuances of retirement accounts, breaking down options for self-employed individuals. They tackle the dilemma of investing extra mortgage payments versus paying down the loan, showcasing investment benefits. The discussion shifts to the importance of emergency funds and the difference between those and sinking funds for predictable expenses. Parents are advised on the balance of supporting college costs while securing their own retirement. Finally, listeners get practical tips on monetizing marketing skills as a flexible income source.

Oct 13, 2025 • 51min
139: The Easiest Way To Lower Your Tax Bill - Direct Indexing with Public
Stephen Sykes, COO of Public and former SoFi investment products lead, dives into the world of direct indexing and its potential for everyday investors. He breaks down how direct indexing differs from ETFs, emphasizing tax-loss harvesting benefits and lowering investment minimums to $1,000. Stephen also highlights how this innovation democratizes access to sophisticated strategies previously reserved for the affluent. He shares insights on user experience, fees, and the importance of tax optimization, making investing more personalized and manageable.

14 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 36min
OpenAI's $100B Deal w/ AMD, 2026 Tax Brackets, & Rising Foreclosures
Dive into the shocking $100B partnership between OpenAI and AMD, exploring the deal's implications for AI technology and competitors like NVIDIA. Discover the latest 2026 tax brackets, including inflation adjustments and how they’ll benefit many households. The conversation takes a surprising turn with a spike in foreclosures—what does it mean for buyers and renters? Plus, quick bites on teen spending trends, rising gold prices, and ethical influencer strategies keep the insights flowing!

Oct 9, 2025 • 41min
Q&A: Finances For A Growing Family, Quantum Computing, & Post-Grad Jobs
In a lively Q&A session, experts tackle diverse financial queries. They discuss smart strategies for reallocating profits from quantum computing gains and the best options for rolling over a Government TSP. Listeners learn how to wisely invest a $1.2M settlement and whether to formalize a side mechanic business as an LLC. Tips for managing a $60K allocation and tackling $40K debt are shared, emphasizing the importance of reducing expenses and pursuing side hustles. Plus, insights on transferring Roth IRAs to lower fees make for a well-rounded financial guide.


