Money Sense

With Americans carrying over $1.27 trillion in credit card debt, understanding how credit actually works and how it impacts homeownership is more important than ever.

In this episode of Money Sense, Kristina Schnuckel, wealth advisor and director of client experience at Ellenbecker Investment Group, is joined by Ben Revak, senior loan advisor at ProVisor Inc., for a practical conversation about credit scores, consumer debt and buying a home.

They break down common myths around credit card debt, explain what truly affects a credit score, and discuss why having debt does not automatically disqualify someone from homeownership. The episode also explores the difference between good and bad debt, how to prepare financially before buying a home, and what buyers should consider when thinking about mortgage rates and timing the market.

00:00 Why Credit Scores Matter
01:40 Credit Card Debt & Homeownership Myths
07:33 What Really Makes Up a Credit Score
15:55 Good Debt vs. Bad Debt (Mortgages Explained)
20:35 How to Prepare for Buying a Home
30:15 Mortgage Rates, Timing the Market & What to Know Now 

New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations about aligning your money with what matters most.

#MoneySense #Homeownership #CreditScoreTips #DebtEducation #MortgageBasics #FinancialWellBeing #FirstTimeHomebuyer #MoneySensePodcast #FinancialPlanning

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: ellenbecker.com

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

How can generosity fit seamlessly into your financial plan and maximize tax efficiency?

In this episode of Money Sense, wealth advisors Jamie Williams and Heather Deaton explore how charitable giving can fit into a well‑rounded financial plan. They discuss how generosity can be both personal and strategic, while still supporting long‑term family and financial goals.

The conversation is grounded in the Five T’s of Philanthropy: time, talent, treasure, ties, and testimony. Using real examples, they highlight the many ways individuals and families can give back beyond writing a check.

00:00 Why Philanthropy Is Core to the EIG Culture
03:40 Defining Your “Why” in Charitable Giving
07:30 The Five T’s of Philanthropy
12:45 Volunteering & Real‑World Impact
18:10 Securities, DAFs & Tax Efficiency
28:50 QCDs, RMDs & Retirement‑Based Giving
34:40 Legacy Giving, Estate Planning & Beneficiaries
41:20 Final Takeaways

#MoneySensePodcast #CharitableGiving #FinancialPlanning #Philanthropy #LegacyPlanning #TaxEfficientGiving #ValuesBasedPlanning

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: ellenbecker.com

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group

How do you raise kids who feel confident making money decisions?

In this episode, wealth advisors Kristina Schnuckel and Heather Deaton share how their own families have approached allowances, saving, and early financial decisions, alongside what they see working with clients and their kids.

00:00 Raising Money-Confident Kids
05:00 Allowances, Chores, and Teaching Kids Financial Responsibility
09:15 Savings vs. Spending and Building Impulse Control
13:00 Teaching Kids About Charitable Giving and Family Values
14:10 Helping Kids Understand Money Through Cash Flow and Spending Awareness
26:00 Savings, Investing, and Financial Accounts for Kids
36:45 Launching Kids into Adulthood with Financial Confidence

#MoneySensePodcast #FinancialPlanning #MoneyLessonsForKids #KidsAndMoney #TeachingKidsAboutMoney #RaisingMoneyConfidentKids #FinancialParenting

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: ellenbecker.com

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

Mortgage rates may be higher than what many homeowners and buyers have grown used to in recent years, but thoughtful planning can still open the door to smart opportunities.

In this episode, wealth advisors Jamie Williams and Tammy Niemann explore today’s mortgage landscape and how it fits into your overall financial plan, drawing on Tammy’s deep lending background and Jamie’s planning‑first perspective.

Mortgage Lending Then vs. Now

Understanding Today’s Interest Rate Environment

Mortgage Options and Borrowing Strategies

Credit, Income, and Mortgage Approval

Specialized Lending: Second Homes, Construction, and Renovations

Home Equity Lines of Credit

Integrating Mortgage Decisions into Financial Planning

#MoneySensePodcast #MortgagePlanning #FinancialPlanning #RealEstateStrategy #FiduciaryAdvice #WealthPlanning #Homeownership #InterestRates #SmarterBorrowing #EllenbeckerInvestmentGroup

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: https://www.ellenbecker.com/

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

Early 2026 opened with optimism around AI, but rising oil prices and geopolitical tension quickly shifted sentiment. Mike Roth explains what changed, why rate cuts may be fewer than expected, and where volatility creates both risk and opportunity.

00:00 Welcome to Money Sense
02:04 Q1 2026 Market Overview
06:34 Why AI Is Driving Market Volatility
15:55 Iran, Oil Shocks & Global Market Impact
21:03 The Fog of War: Headlines vs Reality
23:32 Interest Rates & Fed Cuts in 2026
24:46 AI Winners, Losers & Valuation Shifts
29:39 Understanding Private Credit
37:47 How Today’s Economy Affects Everyday Life

#MarketOutlook #EconomicUpdate #Inflation #InterestRates #FederalReserve #Geopolitics #OilPrices #AIInvesting #ArtificialIntelligence #StockMarket #WealthManagement #FinancialPlanning #PrivateCredit #MarketVolatility #MoneySensePodcast

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.
Website: ellenbecker.com

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.