Money Sense

Taxes are often something people think about once a year. Gather the documents, file the return, and move on. But what if that approach is causing you to miss valuable opportunities?

In this episode of Money Sense, Wealth Services Advisor Nik Kibardin sits down with Richard Wolosek, CPA and Tax Planning Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, to break down the critical difference between tax preparation and tax planning. While tax preparation focuses on reporting what already happened, tax planning helps shape what happens next.

Nik and Richard explore how proactive tax strategies can impact every stage of life, from accumulating wealth and preparing for retirement to leaving a tax-efficient legacy for future generations. They also share real-world examples of how thoughtful planning can help reduce taxes, avoid costly Medicare premium increases, maximize charitable giving strategies, and create more flexibility throughout retirement.

00:00 Tax Preparation vs. Tax Planning: What's the Difference?
04:06 How Tax Planning Creates More Financial Options
08:42 Tax Strategies During Your Working Years
15:18 Retirement Tax Planning Opportunities
20:22 Legacy Planning, Inheritance, and Taxes
21:41 Real Client Stories
33:20 Final Takeaways

 New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations that connect financial education with real life decisions.

#MoneySense #TaxPlanning #TaxPreparation #RetirementPlanning #RothConversion #FinancialEducation #PersonalFinance #TaxStrategy #WealthManagement #RetirementIncome #FinancialPlanning #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 or organizations do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

Pets are family, but they also come with financial responsibilities that many owners don't fully anticipate.

In this episode of Money Sense, Wealth Services Advisor Courtney Witthuhn is joined by Ellenbecker Investment Group Director of Marketing Sara McGuire to discuss the true cost of pet ownership, how to financially prepare for a pet, and the community resources available to help families keep their beloved companions healthy and at home.

From pet insurance and emergency vet expenses to fostering, volunteering, and affordable care programs, this conversation offers practical guidance for current and future pet owners. Whether you're considering adding a pet to your family or looking for ways to better plan for your furry friend's future, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

00:00 Why Pet Planning Matters
01:57 The Real Cost of Pet Ownership
08:55 Preparing Financially for a Pet
15:00 Budgeting, Pet Insurance & Emergency Expenses
22:10 Alternatives to Ownership: Fostering & Volunteering
25:58 Community Resources & Estate Planning for Pet

New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations that connect financial education with real life decisions.

#MoneySense #PetCareCosts #PetInsurance #FinancialPlanning #PetOwnership #WisconsinHumaneSociety #AnimalRescue #VeterinaryCare #PetBudgeting #EstatePlanning #PersonalFinance #FinancialWellness

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.

Markets rarely move in straight lines and Q2 2026 was a powerful reminder of that.

In this week’s episode of Money Sense, Karen Ellenbecker is joined by long-time market voice Mike Roth and Wealth Services Advisor Nik Kibardin to unpack a volatile yet resilient quarter.

From geopolitical tensions and oil shocks to a remarkable market rebound, this conversation breaks down what really drove performance and what investors should pay attention to moving forward. The group explores the balance between strong economic fundamentals and headline-driven noise, and how both shaped investor sentiment.

They also discuss inflation trends, shifting Federal Reserve expectations, the growing influence of AI, and how everyday investors can interpret what is happening through the lens of gas prices, rates, and portfolio decisions.

01:28 Q2 Market Resilience Explained
03:00 Geopolitics, Oil Shock & Market Reaction
06:15 Why Markets Rebounded (AI, CapEx & Confidence)
15:40 Strong Economy & Consumer Spending Trends
28:24 Inflation, Fed Policy & Market Outlook
35:30 Elections, Market Cycles & What Comes Next

New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations that connect financial education with real life decisions.

#MoneySense #MarketUpdate #Q22026 #InvestingInsights #EconomicOutlook #InflationTrends #InterestRates #AIandInvesting #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #InvestorEducation #StockMarket #LongTermInvesting

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.

Insurance is something many people have, but not always something they revisit or fully understand.

In this week’s episode of Money Sense, Amy Bremmer, Wealth Services Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, sits down with Jody Leonhardt, Accounts Manager and Agent at American Advantage Insurance, to walk through the basics of property and casualty insurance in a clear and practical way.

Together, they talk through how coverage works, how to think about protecting what you’ve built, and why regular check-ins matter as life evolves. From auto and homeowners insurance to umbrella policies, this conversation offers helpful perspective for making more informed decisions about your coverage.

00:00 Why Understanding Your Coverage Matters
02:05 Agent vs Broker and Finding the Right Fit
05:10 Auto Insurance Basics and Coverage Limits
09:15 Aligning Coverage with Your Assets
12:40 Homeowners Insurance and Shared Risk
17:55 Replacement Cost vs Actual Cash Value
22:30 Everyday Liability Risks at Home
27:40 Umbrella Insurance and How It Works

New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations that connect financial education with real life decisions.

#MoneySense #InsurancePlanning #FinancialEducation #WealthProtection #RiskManagement #PersonalFinance #HomeownersInsurance #AutoInsurance #UmbrellaPolicy #FinancialPlanning #LiabilityProtection

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.

College athletics is evolving fast. What used to center on scholarships and school pride now includes contracts, branding deals, and real income before athletes even step on campus.

In this episode of Money Sense, Heather Deaton sits down with Chellee Siewert, Founder and President of Capture Sports Entertainment, to unpack what the pay-for-play (NIL) era means for athletes, families, and the future of college sports. From building a trusted team to navigating contracts, taxes, and personal branding, this conversation explores both the opportunities and the risks.

They also zoom out to examine how NIL is reshaping team dynamics, recruiting, and the long-term landscape of college athletics.

00:00 The Shift to Pay-for-Play in College Sports
02:12 What NIL Really Means for Athletes Today
04:05 Building the Right Team Around an Athlete
06:45 Early Deals, Contracts, and Hidden Risks
08:58 Schools Paying Athletes Directly Explained
11:30 Athletes as Brands: Identity Beyond the Game
15:00 Financial Planning and Managing Sudden Income
18:10 Team Dynamics, Transfers, and Recruiting Changes
22:05 What Comes Next: Rules, Risks, and the Future of NIL

New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations that connect financial education with real life decisions.

#MoneySense #CollegeAthletics #NIL #PayForPlay #StudentAthletes #FinancialEducation #WealthPlanning #SportsBusiness

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.