Wealth Redefined®
Business & Finance
About
Practical insights on money with a modern approach to building wealth. Hosted by Michael Reynolds, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and Principal of Elevation Financial.
Episodes
- E301: Are 529 Plans Still Worth It? Why I Think the Answer Is Yes (Probably)
Host discusses the common question from parents about the continued value of 529 plans, concluding that they likely remain worth funding.
- E300: Why Market Downturns Could Be an Opportunity (And How to Stop Letting Fear Rob You)
In Wealth Redefined® E300, the episode discusses how pausing investments during market downturns is a frequent and detrimental error for investors. It highlights that this action can prevent opportunities for growth and suggests ways to ma…
- E299: How to Break Up With Your Financial Advisor (Without the Awkwardness)
This episode of Wealth Redefined® provides guidance on how to end your relationship with a financial advisor, outlining the necessary steps and considerations.
- E298: So You're Late Filing Your Taxes. Now What?
This episode of Wealth Redefined® addresses the situation of filing taxes late. It notes that missing the April 15th deadline is common and not catastrophic, emphasizing the importance of knowing the subsequent steps to take.
- E297: Filing a Tax Extension Is Not a Big Deal (Here's Why It Might Actually Help You)
This episode of Wealth Redefined® addresses the misconception that filing a tax extension signals a red flag to the IRS. It explains that this fear is unfounded and that filing an extension does not typically trigger an audit.
- E296: Why the Financial News Cycle Is Working Against You
Daily financial news is designed to keep you watching, not to help you invest better. Here's how long-term investors can manage the noise and protect their portfolios from emotional decision-making.
- E295: What Is a Trump Account? A Parent's Guide to the New Savings Vehicle for Kids
If you have a child or grandchild born in 2025, 2026, 2027, or 2028, there is a new savings tool worth knowing about. Trump accounts, created under the One Big Beautiful Bill and governed by new Internal Revenue Code Section 530A, are tax-…
- E294: How Do I Set Up a Retirement or Investment Account for My (Minor) Child?
If you have kids, you have probably thought about how to give them a financial head start. The good news is that there are several solid options available to you. The less good news is that they each come with trade-offs, and picking the r…
- E293: Should You Buy the Dip? What This Strategy Really Costs You
Thinking about buying the dip in the stock market? Learn what this popular strategy actually costs you and why dollar cost averaging is usually the smarter move.
- E292: Why the "Hard-Stop" Retirement is Losing Its Appeal (And How to Design Your Flex Retirement)
The flex retirement isn't a fallback plan. For the right person, it's a genuinely better way to exit a career, one that preserves financial flexibility, maintains a sense of purpose, and allows for a much more gradual adjustment to a new c…
- E291: The Money Date – A Simple Checklist for Couples Who Want to Get on the Same Page Financially
Managing money as a couple is one of the most important things you can do for your relationship and your financial future. Yet most couples rarely sit down together to actually talk about it in a structured way. That's where the money date…
- E290: The Most Costly Bookkeeping Mistakes Small Business Owners Make (And How to Fix Them)
Poor bookkeeping is one of the most common ways small business owners sabotage their own success.
- E289: UGMA and UTMA Accounts – What Parents Need to Know Before Opening One
If you're looking for ways to save and invest money for your child's future, you've probably come across UGMA and UTMA accounts. These custodial accounts have been around for decades and remain popular options for parents who want to build…
- E288: SIPC Insurance – What It Is and How It Protects Your Brokerage Account
If you keep money in a bank, you're probably familiar with FDIC insurance. It's that guarantee that keeps your deposits safe up to $250,000 even if your bank fails. But what about the money and investments in your brokerage account? That's…
- E287: Why Filing Your Business Entity Report Matters (And What Happens If You Don't)
Don't let your business fall out of good standing over a simple administrative filing. The consequences are too significant and the prevention is too easy.
- E286: How Taxes Work in a Brokerage Account and How to Manage Them
If you’ve ever wondered how brokerage accounts are taxed, you’re not alone. It can be confusing, but understanding it can save you money and stress.
- E285: My Three Words for 2026 – Setting Intentions for the New Year
I love this exercise because it avoids the head trash that can result from the pass/fail nature of goal-setting. Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place for setting goals. But for me, setting three words is much more effective when d…
- E284: Key Financial Numbers for 2026 – What Changed and What It Means for You
Staying ahead of the numbers that affect your financial planning can save you money and stress. As we move into 2026, several important contribution limits, tax brackets, and thresholds have been adjusted for inflation.
- E283: What is a Roth Conversion (and How Do I Use It)?
A Roth conversion can be a powerful tool in your financial planning toolkit. But like most financial strategies, it's not right for everyone, and the timing matters considerably.
- E282: How to Use the "Rule of 55" for Early Retirement
Most people believe their retirement accounts are completely off-limits until age 59½. But there are several ways to access your retirement funds earlier, including something called the Rule of 55.
- E281: How Donating Appreciated Stock to Charity Can Save You Thousands in Taxes
If you're charitably inclined and have investments in a taxable brokerage account, you might be leaving significant tax savings on the table. Most people automatically reach for their checkbook or credit card when making charitable donatio…
- E280: Should I Use My HELOC as an Emergency Fund?
Using a HELOC as an emergency fund isn't always inherently wrong, but it's also not the straightforward optimization it might appear to be on the surface.
- E279: 3 Ways to Invest in Crypto (and My Preferred Method)
Cryptocurrency has moved from the fringes of finance to a mainstream investment option. If you're considering adding crypto to your portfolio, you have several ways to gain exposure.
- E278: Debunking the Most Common Personal Finance Lies on TikTok
Scroll through TikTok (or YouTube and similar platforms) for five minutes, and you'll find no shortage of confident voices promising to unlock the secrets of wealth building. Some claim you can retire by 30 with one simple trick. Others in…
- E277: Dollar Cost Averaging vs. Lump Sum Investing – Which Strategy Wins?
When you have a significant amount of cash to invest, you face a sometimes tough decision: should you invest it all at once or spread it out over time?
- E276: How to Navigate Market Volatility Without Losing Your Cool
Volatility is a natural part of investing. It’s the “price of admission” that we pay in exchange for the opportunity to grow wealth over time. But when markets start swinging wildly, especially to the downside, it’s easy to let emotion tak…
- E275: The Truth About the Future of Social Security
So what is the actual state of Social Security based on the most recent data and analysis? And what does this mean for your financial future?
- E274: Should I Invest in a Target Date Fund? Weighing the Pros and Cons
Target date funds are convenient, popular, and designed to do the hard work for you. But does that mean a target date fund is the best choice for your financial future?
- E273: 3 Ways to Generate Income from a Lump Sum of Money
If you've come into a lump sum of money, whether from a business sale, inheritance, settlement, or years of disciplined saving, you may be asking: "How can I turn this into reliable income?"
- E272: When Should I Get Life Insurance?
Life insurance can feel like one of those financial products that people think they’ll "get around to eventually." But waiting until later often means higher costs or even the possibility of not qualifying at all.
- E271: Does Dividend Investing Live Up to the Hype?
Let’s unpack where dividends come from, why investors are drawn to them, and how to think more strategically about total return and diversification.
- E270: Should I Invest in Physical Gold to Hedge Against Disaster?
Gold has often been viewed as a store of value and a hedge against inflation or economic crisis. But when it comes to true disaster preparedness (natural disasters, infrastructure breakdowns, or system-wide economic failure) is gold the ri…
- E269: Can an HSA Be Used to Pay for Medicare Premiums?
What happens when you transition to Medicare? Can you still use your HSA? And more specifically, can you use it to pay for your Medicare premiums?
- E268: How to Find Unclaimed Money – A Step‑by‑Step Guide to Reclaim What’s Yours
Discover how to find and claim unclaimed money that may belong to you. Learn the steps to search state and federal databases for forgotten funds like old bank accounts, checks, and insurance payouts.
- E267: Should You Invest in International Stocks?
It’s easy to be attracted to U.S. stocks, especially after a long period of great performance. However, when we step back and look at the bigger picture, the case for international diversification becomes clearer and more compelling.
- E266: How Decluttering Your Finances Can Improve Your Life
Feeling overwhelmed by your financial life? Learn how decluttering your finances can reduce stress, improve cash flow, and help you align your money with your values.
- E265: Should I Invest the Funds in My HSA?
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are often misunderstood. Many people think of them as simply a place to park money for upcoming medical expenses. But HSAs can be much more powerful—especially when you consider the option to invest the funds.
- E264: How Do Gift Taxes Work?
Gift taxes are one of the most misunderstood areas of the U.S. tax code.
- E263: Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage Plans Explained
As you approach age 65, one of the most important—and often confusing—financial decisions you face is how to structure your Medicare coverage. Understanding the differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans is essentia…
- E262: Home Equity Loan vs. HELOC – What’s the Difference and Which One Is Right for You?
Tapping into your home’s equity can be a helpful way to access funds for major expenses. However, choosing between a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can be confusing.
- E261: How to Pick a Health Insurance Plan – Questions to Help You Choose
Navigating health insurance can feel overwhelming. With so many plans available (and only a limited window during open enrollment to make changes) it’s important to choose a plan that aligns with your needs, preferences, and financial situ…
- E260: What Is an S-Corp and How Do You Set One Up?
S-corps can offer significant tax advantages, but they also come with rules, responsibilities, and deadlines you need to understand.
- E259: Should I Buy a Duplex?
Thinking about buying a duplex? Learn the pros and cons, from financing and maintenance to tenant management and resale value, to decide if it's the right investment for you.
- E258: Medicare Enrollment 101 – A Guide to Help You Sign Up for Medicare
We’ll review the basic parts of Medicare, enrollment deadlines, how to enroll, and some common costs you can expect.
- E257: What is a Buffered ETF and How Does It Work?
Buffered ETFs offer downside protection with capped gains, making them an attractive option for cautious investors. Learn how buffered ETFs work and when they might fit into your portfolio.
- E256: So You Started a Business – Now What?
You’ve taken the leap and started your own business. First, congratulations! It takes courage to step out on your own and build something from scratch. But now that you’re officially in business, what comes next?
- E255: 3 Ways to Improve Your Tax Filing Process Next Year
Tax season can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re scrambling to pull everything together at the last minute. Whether you file your own taxes or work with a tax professional, an organized approach can help reduce stress and improve y…
- E254: 10 Budgeting Myths That Keep People from Using a Budget
Creating and following a budget is one of the most powerful ways to gain control over your finances. But despite its benefits, many people avoid budgeting altogether. Why?
- E253: How to Claim Your Tax Credits for Adoption Expenses
Adoption can be one of the most meaningful experiences in life—but it's no secret that it can also come with significant costs. Fortunately, the IRS offers adoption tax benefits designed to offset some of these costs. If you’re planning to…
- E252: Should I Repair or Replace My Car?
If you've ever owned an older car, you've probably faced the tough choice: Should you spend the money to repair it, or is it finally time to buy something newer? This is a common situation, and it's totally normal to feel a bit torn betwee…