Balance Your Wealth

Welcome back to Balance Your Wealth! As we step into a brand new year, it is the perfect time to reset, refocus, and realign your financial life. In this episode, Ryan is joined by Bob, Nick, Tyler, and Adam to break down the essential checklist for starting the year with financial clarity. The team moves beyond generic resolutions, discussing how to set specific, measurable financial goals and why you need to stop having boring "budget meetings" with your spouse. They also dive deep into advanced planning, including the emerging "Trump Accounts" for children, why you need to update beneficiaries now, and the major investment themes—like AI and power infrastructure—that will drive the market in 2026. In This Episode You’ll Learn: [00:29] – Transforming Resolutions into Results: Bob explains why you need to treat your finances like a fitness plan using Specific, Measurable, and Attainable goals. [03:21] – The "Money Date": Nick’s advice on how to discuss finances with your significant other without making it a chore. [05:16] – Modern Budgeting Tools: Utilizing apps like Monarch Money to simplify cash flow tracking. [07:42] – The Emergency Fund: Adam shares a personal story on why liquid cash is vital during unexpected life events. [08:26] – Estate Planning Update: Why having a new baby or a child turning 18 changes your legal and beneficiary requirements. [11:10] – "Trump Accounts" Explained: What we know about the proposed $5,000 contribution accounts for kids starting in 2026. [13:29] – Portfolio Rebalancing: Why a 60/40 portfolio might look like a 70/30 portfolio today and why you need to re-assess risk. [15:17] – Thematic Investing: Nick breaks down the "Mega Trends" for the next few years, including AI, robotics, and the power plants needed to run them. [20:11] – The Dad Rant: Tyler on the transition from zone defense to "survival mode" with baby number three. "Don't just go into your 401k or 403b and pick the best performer from last year to put your money into, because that could be the worst performer the coming year." – Bob — 📺 Watch now and take control of your financial freedom and future: Subscribe for more balanced conversations around wealth and life. We drop new episodes the 2nd and 4th Wednesday every month, so make sure to tune in! Also, don't forget to leave a comment with your mid-year financial goals --- This material is purely intended to be general and educational in nature, and should not be construed as specifically-tailored investment, financial planning, tax, legal, or other professional advice. Information and data contained herein is as-of the date of publication, and may be subject to change in the future without notice. Any investment performance referenced is purely past performance, which is no guarantee of any future performance. Nothing contained herein should be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or other financial product or investment strategy. All investment, tax, and financial planning strategies involve risk that you should be prepared to bear. You are highly encouraged to consult with professionals of your choosing before taking any action based on this material.