SML Planning Minute
SML Planning Minute podcasts provide timely and thought-provoking financial ideas and concepts for individuals, families and business owners. Be sure to listen in! Simply click on a topic below to access a podcast. You can also subscribe to one of the many service providers to listen on the go.

Teaching Your Kids What You Wish You Had Learned With Hannah Kesler
Episode 348 – Are there things you wished you had learned about money when you were a kid? In today’s episode, special guest Hannah Kesler talks about some of her ideas on how to raise children to become financially savvy adults. Continue Reading Teaching Your Kids What You Wish You Had Learned With Hannah Kesler

Are You an Independent Contractor?
Episode 347 – The U.S. Department of Labor’s constantly changing rules on classifying workers as either independent contractors or employees is creating confusion among employers. What’s the current status? Continue Reading Are You an Independent Contractor?

Does It Make Sense to Reject an Inheritance?
Episode 346 – Does it ever make sense to reject an inheritance? On some occasions, a “qualified disclaimer” can give you a chance to do the right thing, or to avoid a major headache. Continue Reading Does It Make Sense to Reject an Inheritance?

Six Big Mistakes People Make with Their Wills Revisited
Episode 345 – Just having a will is not enough. You need to get the details right. Here are 6 big mistakes we see people making when they structure their wills. Continue Reading Six Big Mistakes People Make with Their Wills Revisited

One Big Beautiful Bill and What It Means to You
Episode 344 – The One Big Beautiful Bill, or OBBB, is now law. The OBBB extended many provisions created in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or TCJA. We’ll review and summarize some of the key aspects of the OBBB as it pertains to extended TCJA provisions impacting individuals, families and businesses.ration or LLC? What type is best for you? Continue Reading One Big Beautiful Bill and What It Means to You

What Happens When You Get Audited?
Episode 343 – No one enjoys receiving a letter from the IRS, especially when they open it and realize that their return is being reviewed. The odds are longer than most people realize, but what should you do if this happens to you? Continue Reading What Happens When You Get Audited?

Thinking of Collecting Social Security Early? Not So Fast.
Episode 342 – Thinking of collecting your Social Security at age 62? Watch out for the “Excess Earnings Test.” It’s a bit more complicated than you may realize. Continue Reading Thinking of Collecting Social Security Early? Not So Fast.

Practical Estate Planning Ideas for “Middle Tier” Families
Episode 341 – News flash: Estate planning is not for just the wealthy. Here are some ideas put forward in a recent article by renowned estate attorney Jonathan Blattmachr, especially for what he describes as “middle tier clients,” which he defines as people whose wealth does not exceed the available exemptions. Continue Reading Practical Estate Planning Ideas for “Middle Tier” Families

Want to Be an Effective Business Leader? Learn How to Listen.
Episode 340 – Actively listening to what someone else is saying can be incredibly hard, but it comes with enormous benefits. How do effective leaders manage it? Continue Reading Want to Be an Effective Business Leader? Learn How to Listen.

Thirteen Celebrity Estate Planning Lessons Revisited
Episode 339 – The rich and famous are prone to estate planning mistakes. Today we look at some real world examples, and the lessons we can all learn from all of them. Continue Reading Thirteen Celebrity Estate Planning Lessons Revisited

Six Reasons Single People Need Life Insurance Too
Episode 338 – Do single people really need life insurance? Here are six good reasons why they might. Continue Reading Six Reasons Single People Need Life Insurance Too

The Epidemic of Gray Divorce
Episode 337 – The rate of gray divorce—defined as divorce after the age of 50 following a long-term marriage—has increased in recent years. The financial impact can be especially difficult for women. Continue Reading The Epidemic of Gray Divorce

Financial Considerations When You Become an Empty Nester
Episode 336 – Being an empty nester undoubtedly creates challenges you might never have thought of. Here are some tips about what you may encounter, and how to deal with them. Continue Reading Financial Considerations When You Become an Empty Nester

Four Trending Scams to Stay Ahead of
Episode 335 – Financial criminals are a crafty bunch. Just when you figure out what they are doing, they change tactics. Here are four trending scams to stay ahead of. Continue Reading Four Trending Scams to Stay Ahead of

Selecting the Right Entity for Your New Business
Episode 334 – Just starting a business? Do you understand the differences between a sole proprietorship, partnership, C corporation, S corporation or LLC? What type is best for you? Continue Reading Selecting the Right Entity for Your New Business

Eight Reasons Why Young People Need Life Insurance
Episode 333 – Do young people need life insurance? Here are eight good reasons why they might. Continue Reading Eight Reasons Why Young People Need Life Insurance

Planning for Retirement
Episode 332 – Most Americans are very concerned with the adequacy of their retirement savings, and whether rising health care costs and inflation will adversely affect their retirement. Many are also concerned with the availability of Social Security. There are many resources and tools available to help you plan. Continue Reading Planning for Retirement

Understanding Opportunity Cost
Episode 331 – Opportunity cost is an often-overlooked factor that has an effect on every financial decision you make. Understanding this concept can have a significant impact on how you approach even the most basic of financial decisions. Continue Reading Understanding Opportunity Cost

New Challenges for a Long Retirement
Episode 330 – The prospect of increased longevity should make all of us smile, but it creates issues that prior generations rarely had to face. Are you ready to deal with the consequences? Continue Reading New Challenges for a Long Retirement

Debunking Common Myths About Retirement
Episode 329 – With retirement planning, as with most financial principles, every situation is different. That said, we all need a few guidelines to see if we are going in the right direction. But these basic ideas evolve over time as demographics, life expectancy, tax laws and available products all change. Here are a few ideas that could use a good debunking. Continue Reading Debunking Common Myths About Retirement