Modern Family Finance Podcast

In today’s episode, we’re diving into estate planning—one of the most essential and most often overlooked parts of building a secure financial future. It’s not just about what happens when you're gone—it’s about protecting the people you love and making sure your wishes are honored when it matters most.For women, LGBTQ+ families, singles, and unmarried couples, the stakes can be even higher. The default rules don’t always reflect our lives or our values—which makes thoughtful, proactive planning all the more important.That’s why I’m so excited to welcome Jaime Santos of Santos Walding to the podcast. Jaime is a seasoned estate planning attorney based in the San Francisco Bay Area. A proud East Bay native and a graduate of Berkeley Law, she brings over 20 years of experience in estate planning, business law, and tax strategy. She does it all—and what drives her is helping people protect their families and their futures.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a critical question: What do you do when you don’t have children—or family nearby—to advocate for you as you age?Whether you’re single, child-free, part of the LGBTQ+ community, or simply navigating complex family dynamics, this episode is for you. My guest is Mia Owsley, a licensed professional fiduciary and founder of Mia’s Fiduciary Services which serves the San Francisco Bay Area. Mia is a true advocate for those needing financial management, estate planning, and care coordination, ensuring that her clients wishes are honored, even when they cannot advocate for themselves.Show notes: https://www.modernfamilyfinance.com/how-to-plan-for-the-future-when-youre-on-your-own-or-without-family-nearby/

In this engaging discussion, time management coach Alexis Haselberger shares her journey from personal challenges, including ADHD, to helping others master productivity. She emphasizes balancing ambition with well-being, offering practical tips for prioritizing tasks and setting realistic goals. Alexis highlights the importance of outsourcing tasks and shares innovative strategies for better work-life balance. Listeners will gain insights into developing routines that support independence in teenagers while enhancing their own efficiency and satisfaction.

In this episode of the Modern Family Finance podcast, we talk Bay Area real estate with Dan Risman-Jones of Ascend Realty. Dan is an incredible resource with deep expertise in the San Francisco Bay Area housing market, specializing in San Francisco, Alameda County, Marin, and San Mateo. In today’s episode, we’ll dive into everything from Bay Area market trends and navigating mortgage rates to retirement planning and financial strategies for modern families.

In this episode of the Modern Family Finance podcast, I’m diving into the exciting world of international living. As a financial planner based in the San Francisco Bay Area, I love helping women and LGBTQ professionals navigate their financial goals. Having lived in Europe and Asia for years at a time myself, I’m a huge advocate for the benefits of international living—not just for the adventure, but also as a way to reach financial independence faster. I often hear from clients who want to live abroad but aren’t sure how to secure residency or citizenship in another country. That’s why I’ve invited Jon Green, director at Latitude Consultancy, to join me. Latitude has helped over 6,000 people obtain second passports or residency permits in 20 countries, and Jon is here to share his expertise.

Today, we have the pleasure of discussing tax-saving tips for high-income earners with Gio Bartolotta. Gio is the co-founder of GoJo Accountants and is pioneering a tech-savvy tax advisory firm. What's particularly fascinating about Gio is that he defies the stereotype of a traditional CPA. He has masterfully integrated his professional practice with his personal lifestyle, allowing him to pursue his passion for traveling around in his RV with his wife. Show notes: https://bit.ly/tax-strategies-for-high-income Website: www.modernfamilyfinance.com

In this episode, we focuses on career and life transitions, addressing questions like discovering one’s true calling, reclaiming identity after a career break, and making significant career changes. We have a great conversation with Tracy Crothers, a former public interest attorney who transitioned to a life coach. Tracy shares her journey of discovering her true calling and how she now helps others navigate life’s transitions with resilience and purpose. Show notes: https://bit.ly/show-notes-empowering-transitions

In this podcast episode I talk about money and relationships with one of my favorite couples, John and David Auten Schneider. My wife and I have had the pleasure of becoming friends with them after getting to know them through their content at the Debt Free Guys website and the Queer Money podcast.  John and David help LGBTQ people and their allies live fabulously, not fabulously broke. Today’s podcast centers around the topic of “Money with your Honey” as relationships and finances are undoubtedly intertwined. We discuss how couples can effectively manage their finances while strengthening their bond.  Show notes: https://www.modernfamilyfinance.com/money-with-my-honey-how-to-manage-finances-as-a-couple/ 

As a financial planner in the Bay Area, I get a lot of people who want to talk to me about getting their finances in order because they’re preparing to buy a home. But in today’s real estate market, it can be hard to figure out what to do. So in today’s webinar, we’re going to talk with my friend, Brook Baird. Brook is a Bay Area native and she’s had a real estate license since 2005. She works with a lot of single women, alternative family households, and entrepreneurs. Last year, we did a popular webinar together called How to Buy a Home in the Bay Area Without a Gazillion Dollars, in which she shared with us different alternative financing programs for first time buyers. Join me for a Q&A with Brook, followed by my insights on financial ratios for determining if a home is affordable for you. Show notes: https://www.modernfamilyfinance.com/2024-update-how-to-buy-a-home-in-the-bay-area/

When I used to work in Silicon Valley as a tech employee, I received restricted stock units (RSUs) that helped fuel our financial journey. If you’re a tech employee who aspires to live and work on your terms, your equity based compensation could have the potential to accelerate your path to financial independence. But we know it can feel complicated, especially around taxes.  My go-to guru when it comes to tax is Bay-Area native Kirsten Pfenning, a CPA serving individuals and small business owners with 15+ years of experience.   Show notes: https://www.modernfamilyfinance.com/how-to-use-equity-comp-to-fuel-your-financial-independence/