Money Sense

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.

Take the mystery out of legacy planning, no matter your age or stage. Estate planning attorney Erick Fabyan breaks down the conversations, documents, and decisions families should consider before they matter.

From wills and trusts to beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, family conversations, and end‑of‑life instructions, this episode offers a practical roadmap for beginning—or updating—your estate plan. Jamie and Eric also share real stories and clear examples that reveal why planning early matters, how to avoid common mistakes, and the small steps that provide major peace of mind.

What We Cover:
✅ Why every adult needs basic estate planning documents
✅ The difference between wills and trusts (and why most families benefit from a trust)
✅ How beneficiary designations work—and the pitfalls to avoid
✅ Choosing powers of attorney for financial and medical decisions
✅ Keeping your documents current and aligned with your wishes
✅ Planning for funeral expenses and ensuring liquidity
✅ How to structure family conversations that prevent conflict
✅ Digital legacy planning (passwords, online accounts, phone access & more)

Whether you're planning for your own future or helping aging parents, this conversation will help you take the next right step with confidence.

#EstatePlanning #LegacyPlanning #FinancialPlanning #EndOfLifePlanning #TrustsAndWills #BeneficiaryDesignations #PowersOfAttorney #FamilyFinances #FinancialWellbeing #MoneySensePodcast #EIG #EllenbeckerInvestmentGroup #FinancialEducation

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.

Tax planning plays a critical role in financial success. In this episode of Money Sense, Karen Ellenbecker sits down with Sandra Geisler, Director of Tax Planning at Ellenbecker Investment Group, to explore how thoughtful tax decisions today can strengthen your retirement, reduce surprises, and help your money work smarter for you.

Karen and Sandra break down 2026 tax law changes, the importance of planning ahead, and the strategies retirees often overlook. They also share how to strategically manage Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), use Roth IRAs and tax‑efficient accounts to your advantage, and apply gifting rules to protect your estate and support the causes you care about.

Why does this matter? Because without proactive planning, you risk higher taxes and a less efficient path toward the legacy you hope to leave.

#TaxPlanning #TaxStrategy #RetirementPlanning #TaxAdvice #SocialSecurityPlanning #RMDPlanning #QCDs #2026TaxChanges #WealthManagement #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.

If the mortgage process feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Wealth Advisor Kristina Schnuckel and Loan Officer Ben Revak join Money Sense to simplify rates, lenders, and the steps every buyer should understand before making an offer.

Together, they break down the key differences between purchases and refinances, why transparency from your lender matters, how rate locks actually work, and the questions every borrower should ask to avoid last‑minute stress at closing. Ben also shares his educational approach, the importance of selecting the right loan officer, and the biggest mistakes he sees homebuyers make, plus how to prevent them.

Connect with Ben Revak at [email protected] or provisor.com/team/ben-revak.

#MortgageEducation #HomebuyingTips #MortgageAdvice #MoneySensePodcast #EIG

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.

In a market where nothing seems available, this episode breaks down how people are still finding the right home and the strategies that make it possible.

Karen Ellenbecker sits down with Shorewest Realtor Beth Jaworski for a conversation about today’s housing reality: tight inventory, a shortage of condos, and the wave of apartment development that’s reshaping options for buyers and downsizers alike. Beth explains what’s driving the shortage and why so many would‑be sellers feel “stuck,” then shares practical ways to create flexibility like using a home‑equity line of credit to buy first and sell second, staging for maximum return, and timing your move to reduce stress.

You’ll learn what buyers prioritize today, the simple updates that make the biggest difference, and the offer strategies that help you compete in a fast‑moving market. We also talk about building the right team, from decluttering support to contractors and lenders, and why preparation is the key to successful buying and selling in any season.

Connect with Beth Jaworski at [email protected] or visit bethjaworski.com for additional resources and listings.

#RealEstateTips #HousingMarket2026 #HomeBuyingAdvice #DownsizingJourney #WisconsinRealEstate #MoneySensePodcast #EIG #HomeSellingTips

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.