Open Enrollment can feel like a high pressure time to try to understand your company's benefits and figure out how to make the most of them. In this episode, Zach and Ben talk through the common benefits they review during open enrollment and a few ways to make the most of your health, life, and disability benefits through work.Do you have suggestions for episodes? Reach out to Zach or Ben with your question at:[email protected]@GuideFP.comThe Dollar Derail is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice or as a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security. Zach is the founder of Reach Strategic wealth and Ben is the founder of Guide Financial Planning, 2 unaffiliated fee only Registered Investment Advisors.

     We're back! After a short break we are here to have more quick conversations to help change your financial train of thought.     Do you ever put off getting projects or repairs done because you think you should be doing it yourself? Are you strapped for time with the family but also have a long list of chores to do (or wish were done)? Today we're talking through how we, as professional financial advisors, view assigning value to your time and a few ways to help make decisions you can feel good about when it comes to paying for work or doing it yourself.Do you have suggestions for episodes? Reach out to Zach or Ben with your question at:[email protected]@GuideFP.comThe Dollar Derail is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice or as a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security. Zach is the founder of Reach Strategic wealth and Ben is the founder of Guide Financial Planning, 2 unaffiliated fee only Registered Investment Advisors.

As we've discussed in previous episodes we think there is a strong case for doing your regular spending on a credit card. However, between points, cash back, and intro offers, shopping for a credit card can feel as overwhelming as managing your budget itself. In this episode Zach and Ben discuss how to make the most of your credit card's benefits and, possibly more importantly, when to stop caring and go about your business as usual. Do you have suggestions for episodes? Reach out to Zach or Ben with your question at:[email protected]@GuideFP.comThe Dollar Derail is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice or as a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security. Zach is the founder of Reach Strategic wealth and Ben is the founder of Guide Financial Planning, 2 unaffiliated fee only Registered Investment Advisors.

Most of the people that we work with are generous but the decision to give money away isn't the same as the decision of how  to give money away. In this episode Zach and Ben unpack this complex topic to explore ways you may be able to optimize your charitable giving for both your family and the causes you want to support. Do you have suggestions for episodes? Reach out to Zach or Ben with your question at:[email protected]@GuideFP.comThe Dollar Derail is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice or as a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security. Zach is the founder of Reach Strategic wealth and Ben is the founder of Guide Financial Planning, 2 unaffiliated fee only Registered Investment Advisors.

How you build your portfolio reflects your goals and your beliefs. The decision to invest in precious metals may stem from an opinion on portfolio design, a perspective on future events, or some combination of the two. In this episode, Zach and Ben discuss the reasons that drive including gold in a portfolio and why it may or may not make sense for you.Do you have suggestions for episodes? Reach out to Zach or Ben with your question at:[email protected]@GuideFP.comThe Dollar Derail is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice or as a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security. Zach is the founder of Reach Strategic wealth and Ben is the founder of Guide Financial Planning, 2 unaffiliated fee only Registered Investment Advisors.

If you're hung-up on how to begin saving for retirement remember, the key is to get started! On the other hand, once you've committed to saving for the long-term, choosing between a Roth and Traditional IRA can be surprisingly nuanced. In this episode, Zach and Ben break down the differences in a straightforward way so that you can make better choices for yourself and your family on your path to building wealth.Do you have suggestions for episodes? Reach out to Zach or Ben with your question at:[email protected]@GuideFP.comThe Dollar Derail is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice or as a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security. Zach is the founder of Reach Strategic wealth and Ben is the founder of Guide Financial Planning, 2 unaffiliated fee only Registered Investment Advisors.

The phrase "retirement plan"  isn't all that helpful in describing how we should think about our money and what we should do with it to prepare for work becoming optional. In this episode Zach and Ben talk through a better starting point for thinking through retirement planning and the importance of having ambition for your retirement years. Listen in to learn why having a Spending Plan may be crucial to your retirement success.Do you have suggestions for episodes? Reach out to Zach or Ben with your question at:[email protected]@GuideFP.comThe Dollar Derail is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice or as a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security. Zach is the founder of Reach Strategic wealth and Ben is the founder of Guide Financial Planning, 2 unaffiliated fee only Registered Investment Advisors.

Mastering your budget is a truly foundational step on your path to financial success. Does that mean that you have to cut spending and put off doing things you're excited about? We don't think so. In this episode Zach and Ben break down exactly why budgeting is important and what strategies can help you take control while staying excited about your money.Do you have suggestions for episodes? Reach out to Zach or Ben with your question at:[email protected]@GuideFP.comThe Dollar Derail is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice or as a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security. Zach is the founder of Reach Strategic wealth and Ben is the founder of Guide Financial Planning, 2 unaffiliated fee only Registered Investment Advisors.

Your home is likely to be the most expensive thing you own but how should you go about enjoying it and taking care of it? In today's episode Zach and Ben talk through the conversations they have with clients about paying for house projects, both big and small. You will hear about how to balance the financial questions with your vision for your dream house and come away with some tips for weighing the options around both. Do you have suggestions for episodes? Reach out to Zach or Ben with your question at:[email protected]@GuideFP.comThe Dollar Derail is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice or as a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security. Zach is the founder of Reach Strategic wealth and Ben is the founder of Guide Financial Planning, 2 unaffiliated fee only Registered Investment Advisors.

Whether you call it F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence/Retire Early), early retirement, work optional, or just a hope and dream, there is a lot of focus on how and when people can get out of their jobs. In this episode, Zach and Ben have a candid conversation on their thoughts, as financial professionals, around retiring early. Listen in as they breakdown the exciting parts of planning and goal setting and the big pitfalls that could derail your F.I.R.E. goals.Do you have suggestions for episodes? Reach out to Zach or Ben with your question at:[email protected]@GuideFP.comThe Dollar Derail is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice or as a recommendation for the purchase or sale of any security. Zach is the founder of Reach Strategic wealth and Ben is the founder of Guide Financial Planning, 2 unaffiliated fee only Registered Investment Advisors.