Behind The Designs
Ever wonder what financial advisors have to say about money related topics? Join us every other Tuesday for a sneak peek into our internal conversations at Financial Design Studio. If you want to better understand the whys behind the complex designs of taxes, insurance, planning, retirement, or investments, then subscribe! … because this podcast is for you! Hosted by Michelle Smalenberger. Co-Hosts featuring members of the Financial Design Studio team. Recorded, Edited, and Produced by Anna Lewis. DISCLAIMER : All content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of FDS, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to other parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.
Episodes
63 episodes
Hack Your Travels with Credit Card Points with Ism Shovan
Luxurious, regular travels might be more possible than you realize. Ism Shovan is a digital nomad that slow travels the world with his family using credit card points. In this episode, he talks about the travel lifestyle, how he plans his trips...
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Season 1
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Episode 63
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1:09:09
How to Plan for RMD Taxes
If you have a retirement account, one day you will face Required Minimum Distributions. And the sooner you plan for these the better it will be for your taxes! In this episode, we walk you through how RMDs work, how to plan for them in advance,...
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Season 1
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Episode 62
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57:51
A Crash Course on Equity Compensation
How can executives make the best use of their company stock? In this episode, we break down a few common forms of granting stock, and strategies for how to exercise them in a tax efficient way. But that's not all, so take a listen for a crash c...
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Season 1
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Episode 61
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1:08:53
The True Cost of Healthy Living with Rachel Staycheff-Hamm
The cost of healthy living be an expensive commitment. But you might find its worth it for your retired self. In this episode, our guest, Rachel Staycheff-Hamm shares how a diagnosis changed how she lives. She shares the ways she focuses on hea...
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Season 1
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Episode 60
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1:12:51
The Anti-Consumerist Manifesto
More isn't always better. Maybe living more really means living with less. In this episode, Anna breaks down the history of consumerism and where the dangers lie, as well as ways that you can chose to live differently.
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Season 1
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Episode 59
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58:49
How to Get Involved and Make a Difference
Living a full life isn't about what you keep, it's about what you give. In this episode, we interview Marsha McClary who knows how to get involved, from her local town politics to international non-profits, like Feed My Starving Children. She s...
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Season 1
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Episode 58
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52:52
The Secret to Holiday Hosting with Chris and Kathy
Memorable gatherings leave you with stories for years. And this is what Chris and Kathy work to accomplish through their legendary parties, and their decor, themes, and guest lists. In this episode, these seasoned hosts share how they do holida...
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Season 1
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Episode 57
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1:17:12
Start with Why: Steve's Story
In this episode, we interview Steve Smalenberger, the CFO and tax specialist at FDS. Get to know the man behind the scenes as he talks about his expereinces caddying, starting his own company, and training new accountants.
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Season 1
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Episode 56
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56:26
What the Election Results Mean for Your Money
The 2024 presidential election results are in. Whichever candidate you voted for, we want to look at the next four years from a purely financial standpoint. In this episode, we talk though the market's historical trends, how potential initiativ...
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Season 1
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Episode 55
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1:13:23
So, You Want to Start a Business
What do you need to know before taking a hobby full time or launching a start up? In this episode, we break down the financial side of how to start a business. From finding funding, to deductions and distributions, and tax implications, we shar...
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Season 1
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Episode 54
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1:18:48
Healthcare for Aging Parents with Leah McNamara
Providing healthcare for aging parents (or yourself!) can be the most expensive part of your financial plan. In this episode, Leah McNamara, an ICU nurse, shares her story and the options you have for finding the right care for both your family...
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Season 1
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Episode 53
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1:09:16
How to Lower Your High Insurance Costs, with Ryan Delp
Expensive insurance seems to be the new normal. In this episode, Ryan Delp, an insurance agent, talks with us about why that is the case, ways you can look to lower your own high insurance costs, and what we might see going forward.
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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56:16
What Can I Do With My Mortgage with Tom Cramer
I have a mortgage but . . . whether you want to refinance, purchase a second home, or are getting divorced, you have a lot of options. In this episode, Tom Cramer, a mortgage officer at Wintrust, explains what is currently effecting the l...
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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48:22
Changes to Estate Tax Exemptions with Heather Walser
Estate planning can be as much about taxes as it is about beneficiaries. With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 sunsetting in 2025, there are going to be significant changes to the Estate Tax Exemptions. In this episode, our guest Heather Walse...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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48:55
Making the Most of Your Life Insurance Policies
Young families, professionals, and retirees will come to us with questions about their life insurance policies. Do they have enough coverage? Should they keep this old policy? And how can they can actually be used? We talk through each of these...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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41:02
Where Does Your Money Go?
You probably have questions about your money. We think most of the answers depend knowing where your money actually goes. So, in this episode we help you figure that out. By understanding your personal cash flow, you analyze how you spend and b...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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46:00
Start with Why: Rob's Story
In this episode, we interview the CIO of FDS! Rob shares what he learned from his parents, how he went from meteorology to investing, and his journey from corporate America to entrepreneur.
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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1:00:39
How to Steward Your Inheritance Well
In this episode, we pick up from episode 45 on how to steward your inheritance well. Once the money is in your account, how to do process the emotions and decide where to put that money now?
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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42:27
Understanding the Inheritance Process
Whether you are preparing to structure or leave an inheritance, we want to help you build, not destroy, relationships. In this episode, we discuss the roles involved and how they work in each stage of the inheritance process.
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50:11
Should You Rent or Buy (or Build)?
In this episode, we talk about whether you should rent or buy a home, and even when it might be time to build one instead. We talk with Rob who explains the 2024 housing market, his own experiences as a buyer and seller, and things to consider ...
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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1:10:41
2023 Tax Review & 2024 Tax Planning
After preparing almost 200 tax returns, our team shares what we noticed about the 2023 tax season . . . and what to know for 2024 taxes. We cover everything from charitable gifts, IRA contributions, rental properties, and child credits. I...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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53:58
Start with Why: Trevore's Story
In this episode, we interview the COO of FDS! Trevore shares how he started his first business, how he discovered what he cares about, and the importance of focus to maintain balance.
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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45:42
How to Set Goals (if you're already succeeding)
We want to take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way. That's why coach Sarah Fincher shares why doing "the right things" isn't always enough. In this episode we talk about how defining what you want matters for how to set goals.&nb...
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54:07
Target Date Funds: Are They the Right Choice?
Sometimes target date funds, or age based funds, are your only choice. Where should they fit into your investment portfolio strategy? In this episode, we explain what target date funds are, their pros and cons, and when the might be an importan...
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38:44