Money is going to be part of almost every long-term relationship, whether you enjoy talking about it or not. But avoiding the topic because you're afraid to start an argument, you're embarrassed by past decisions, or you think your approaches will differ doesn't make it any easier. And when established money rules you've inherited from your parents or society don't match, it gets even trickier. In this episode, Mac and Andrew challenge some of the defaults around couples and money, sharing key conversations to tackle before merging finances, when something disrupts your joint plan, and when becoming suddenly single may mean learning how to manage finances alone for the first time. From defining what "fair" looks like in the relationship to ensuring both partners can answer the big financial questions (e.g., Where are our accounts? What do we own?), the goal isn't a conventional financial household, but one that fosters understanding and supports what you're actually building together. What money conversations have you been avoiding with your spouse or partner?

What happens when your life doesn't follow a traditional path? Most traditional financial planning is geared toward couples with children. From widows to the childless by choice and members of the LGBTQ+ community, many paths may not include the conventional spouse, 2.5 kids, and 30-year mortgage. While managing wealth as a single person brings with it some unique considerations, it's also an invitation to design with intention. Having the final vote on how you spend, invest, and build your legacy is extremely freeing. It also requires diligent decision-making when you don't have built-in support systems and supplemental income to fall back on. In this episode, we discuss special planning considerations for those building wealth solo, from creating your own version of a retirement to setting goals that reflect your values, not society's expectations.  

If you passed tomorrow, would your wishes be clear to your family? Most estate plans check the legal boxes but few cover the human ones. You may have been taught you should never talk about money — or death. But if you've avoided both topics, your family may be left with more questions than answers after you pass. In this episode, we challenge the misconception that estate planning is just about passing on the biggest inheritance to the next generation. What if you're not dying with too little but too much — and how are those traditional assumptions affecting your life today?  We've found open planning conversations with family help create clarity, preparing heirs before they need it. More than what you'll leave behind, a thoughtful estate plan becomes your permission slip, a tool to live your life today while creating support for the people you care about in the future. What are the uncomfortable conversations you've been avoiding?

Whether retirement is around the corner or decades away, people generally have a good idea of what they're retiring FROM: a successful career, cherished colleagues, and professional identity. But have you considered what you're retiring TO?  Traditional retirement planning, or what we like to call "default retirement mode," tells us that our Golden Years are a time to just relax, travel a little bit, and maybe pick up golf or crochet. What if your spouse is still working, so you can't travel like you would like to? What if your identity is rooted in your work, either because you truly love it, or because you never got around to building the life you really wanted for yourself? The people who thrive in retirement aren't necessarily the ones with the most money or the most time on the golf course; they're the ones with the clearest sense of purpose, strong relationships, and a vision of what they want their next chapter to look like. This is why simply spending your retirement "not working" is not enough. In this episode, Andrew Wong, CFP®, joins the conversation to discuss how retirement planning should be about more than just money and the outcome of which will vary widely based on a retiree's lifestyle, goals, and expectations. What are you retiring to? Don't forget to subscribe to be the first to hear new episodes.

Is your business — the very thing you built to have more freedom — consuming all of your wealth, energy, and identity? While early-stage entrepreneurs can easily lose the flexibility they sought in the endless pursuit of "the next level," late-career business owners face their own strange contradictions. Everything looks great on paper, but personally, the thought of stepping away is both exciting and disorienting. Successful exits aren't just about creating bigger piles of money or boundless free time.  Regardless of the phase you're in today, successful entrepreneurship is about addressing the complexity of planning a new life and identity, redefining structure, connection, and meaning. In what ways are you investing in your future today to make your next phase feel more meaningful, not just financially secure?  SK Wealth Partner Mac Richards and CEO Jason Archambault walk through the lifecycle of a business owner — the emotional, identity-driven, lumpy, non-linear experience — from laying the foundation and scaling to the eventual exit. Listen as they explore the hidden tensions most business owners carry, like "Am I building personal wealth or just a bigger company at an unsustainable pace?" and "If I don't have my business, who am I?" Don't forget to subscribe to be the first to hear new episodes.

Does your estate plan reflect your actual values, or is it an amalgam of what you think an estate plan "should" be? When you're following someone else's blueprint (whether it's your neighbor's, your parents', or society's), you risk building a plan that looks right on paper, but doesn't reflect what matters to you. In this episode, SK Wealth Partner Mac Richards and Client Relationship Manager Andrew Cayer introduce the concept of intentional estate planning. You'll learn what it is and come away asking yourself the question that really matters: "Am I building a plan that reflects my values, or one I inherited unknowingly?" Don't forget to subscribe to be the first to hear new episodes.  

The price of gold per troy ounce has more than doubled since the start of the pandemic. What's driving this dramatic shift in gold valuation, and what does this mean for your portfolio? SK Wealth's Chief Investment Officer, Matthew Neyland, sits down with Aakash Doshi, Head of Gold Strategy at State Street Investment Management, to discuss the geopolitical forces influencing the gold market, explore gold as an asset class, and understand how it can be deployed in an investment portfolio. Subscribe to be among the first to know about future episodes.

Despite political and regulatory challenges, ESG investing remains a popular option for investors who want to combine their commitment to intentional living and pioneering investment strategies.  In this episode, first released in July 2024, Matt explores how to use ESG data effectively to align investment strategies with your values. Learn about the impact of ESG on both risk management and long-term performance, and discover strategies for incorporating ESG principles into your investment approach to make a positive impact. The discussion remains relevant today and will continue to resonate with those who want to activate their values within their portfolios. New episodes of the SK Wealth podcast are released monthly, so don't forget to subscribe.  

There's a new savings account for kids getting a lot of attention right now, and you've probably already heard the name. But are Trump Accounts actually better than the savings options that already exist? This week, Mac and Jason break down exactly what Trump Accounts are, how they work, and where they may fall short compared to existing tools. Don't forget to subscribe for more practical advice from the SK team!

Financial scams are more sophisticated than ever, but understanding how modern scammers operate can help you protect your wealth and peace of mind. This week, Mac and Jason break down the most common types of financial scams, explain the psychological tactics scammers use, and share practical steps you can take when something feels off.