What does being financially independent mean to you? Those chasing FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) are choosing to live frugally now to achieve early retirement. FIRE is a means to unlock a life where work is optional and the freedom of choice reigns supreme. Scott Frank, founder of Stone Steps Financial, and Meg Bartelt, founder of Flow Financial Planning, LLC, discuss the movement's evolution and how people are applying FIRE principles to their daily lives.

With the concept of Coast FIRE, early retirement is more attainable than it seems—even for those starting later in life. The conversation explores the spectrum of financial independence, sharing how different stages of life can strive towards obtainable goals. As you grow, your level of autonomy should move with you. Achieving your version of FIRE requires more than just an understanding of numbers and compound interest; it requires understanding the life you want to live.

Ready to learn more?

• Scott Frank on LinkedIn
• Meg Bartelt on LinkedIn
• Stone Steps Financial

Money can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Are you ready to align your money with your ideal life? Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial.

Does your anxiety spike every time tax season rolls around? The possibility of receiving an unexpected tax bill can bring a sense of dread to the entire month of April. We all have to pay taxes, but we don’t have to stress about them. Scott Frank, founder of Stone Steps Financial, is joined by Meg Bartelt, founder of Flow Financial Planning, LLC, to simplify conversations around money and tax planning.

Conquer your tax season anxiety and avoid the shock of unexpected tax bills through Scott and Meg’s insight and tips. Accurate reporting, strategic planning, and increasing your withholding rates are all steps to place you in a proactive financial mindset. The conversation explores optimizing your retirement contributions and the ins and outs of estimated tax payments, particularly after life-changing financial events.

Don’t worry—you don’t have to take on next tax season alone. Scott and Meg share the importance of adding a tax professional to your team. Join the conversation as we turn the stress of taxes into a streamlined process.

Ready to learn more?

• Scott Frank on LinkedIn
• Meg Bartelt on LinkedIn
• Stone Steps Financial

Money can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Are you ready to align your money with your ideal life? Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial.

Scott and James thank all of the fans for years of support for listening to the podcast and review where you can find them if you're looking for customized advice when it comes to maximizing your finances.

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Scott and James discuss how to balance a home purchase with saving for retirement.

Listener Question:

We want to stay in manhattan and want to be home owners but can’t make the math work. Our current rental 2 bed 2 bath just went up to $4400/mo. A comparable condo would sell around $1.3-$1.5m. That would put the mortgage at around $7,000 with another $2,000-$3,000 in maintainable and taxes a month. Rent does keep increasing and I don’t want to keep getting squeezed but does buying in Manhattan just not make sense?

Planning Points Discussed

• Utilizing Time Efficiently
• Capital Appreciation
• Purchasing Power
• Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)

Timestamps:

2:30 - Priorities

5:25 - Various Goals

8:12 - Life & Math Don't Always Match

11:15 - Investment Concerns

12:30 - How Much Home Can You Afford?

16:05 - Aligning Your Financial Goals

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James

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Scott

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Scott and James discuss what to do if you make too much to contribute to a Roth IRA.

Listener Question:

I am currently 33 years old, single, and am nearing a $129,000 annual salary. I have been investing in a Roth IRA and realize the phaseout limits for single taxpayers are from $129k - $144k. My question is, how do I lower my income, besides contributing to my traditional 401k, so I can keep contributing the max $6000/year into my Roth IRA as my income rises over the years?

Planning Points Discussed:

• Utilizing Time Efficiently
• Capital Appreciation
• Purchasing Power
• Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)

Timestamps:

2:30 - Introduction

6:17 - Phaseouts

8:13 - Roth IRAs

11:05 - Aligning Your Financial Goals

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James

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Scott

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Scott and James discuss whether or not an MBA is worth it.

Planning Points Discussed

• Utilizing Time Efficiently
• Capital Appreciation
• Purchasing Power
• Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)

Timestamps:

2:30 - Listener Quesiton

5:30 - Why MBA?

7:46 - Pros/Cons of MBAs

8:30 - Debt v. Investing

16:05 - Aligning Your Financial Goals

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James

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Scott

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Scott and James discuss the tax implications of withdrawing income from various accounts in retirement.

Listener Question:

Can you talk about how some of the main retirement accounts are taxed upon withdrawal?

Example topic: Are withdrawals just subject to Federal taxes, or FICA taxes as well? And how / if withdrawing from retirement accounts affects eligibility / taxes you have to pay on social security?

Can you talk about how after tax brokerage accounts are taxed both while investing and when you start to withdraw? And what withdrawals from that look like when you are retired (whether or not you are at ‘retirement age’ or not).

Planning Points Discussed

• Utilizing Time Efficiently
• Capital Appreciation
• Purchasing Power
• Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)

Timestamps:

2:30 - Introduction

6:17 - Accounts Aren't Equal

11:15 - Tax Overview

14:46 - Maximizing Your Finances

16:05 - Aligning Your Financial Goals

LET'S CONNECT!

James

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Scott

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Scott and James discuss how to reduce costs inside of your company's 401(k).

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Listener Question:

What is a good expense ratio for a retirement account? Is this something you can control with an employer sponsored plan? I want to make sure my money is working for me and I am maximizing my returns

Planning Points Discussed

• Utilizing Time Efficiently
• Capital Appreciation
• Purchasing Power
• Other issues (IRAs, Inflation, Financial Goals, etc.)

Timestamps:

2:30 - We're on YouTube HERE!

6:17 - Expense Overview

11:15 - Planning Options

14:46 - Individual Choices

16:55 - Business Size

21:05 - Aligning Your Financial Goals

LET'S CONNECT!

James

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Scott

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Don’t miss an episode, subscribe via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Play.