Investing Smart: How to Avoid Hidden Fees & Find the Right Advisor
Release Date: 02/20/2025
Gifts of Grace: Reclaiming Simplicity During the Holidays
Beyond Budgets Podcast
The holidays are here, and with them come emotions ranging from joy to overwhelm. In this heart-centered episode, host Deb Meyer shares a timely message to help parents slow down, align spending with values, and create lasting peace during the Christmas season. She opens with a beautiful rendition of the Shaker hymn “’Tis the Gift to Be Simple” and explores how the simplicity it speaks of can serve as a financial and spiritual guidepost through the noise of Black Friday, gift-giving pressure, and packed family schedules. In this episode, you’ll learn: (10:36) A values-based...
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The Parent’s Guide to Rewriting Money Scripts
Beyond Budgets Podcast
How do you move from financial survival mode to long-term stability when you're raising kids and navigating constant demands? In this episode of Beyond Budgets, Deb Meyer is joined by financial educator Chelsea Williams to explore how our earliest experiences shape our lifelong relationship with money and what parents can do about it. You’ll learn why financial change is 80% mindset and only 20% technical, and how understanding your money story can unlock new possibilities for your family’s future. Chelsea shares a practical framework that helps families create healthy financial...
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Money, Mistakes, and Milestones: 50 Lessons from Deb Meyer
Beyond Budgets Podcast
🎉 It’s a celebration! In this milestone 50th episode of the Beyond Budgets® podcast, Deb Meyer takes a seat on the other side of the mic while her husband, Bryan Meyer, steps in as guest host. This heartfelt and insightful episode explores how Beyond Budgets® came to be, what Deb has learned along the way, and what’s ahead for the podcast and the families it serves. From her earliest days running and writing to launching this podcast, Deb shares her motivation to help parents build wealth aligned with faith, family, and personal values. 💡 You’ll hear ...
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Family, Fraud, and Financial Literacy: Life Lessons from Tim Smith
Beyond Budgets Podcast
What if your kids graduated from college knowing how to budget, invest, and avoid getting scammed? In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode, Deb Meyer sits down with Tim Smith, Certified Financial PlannerTM, founder of , and co-host of podcast. They explore the critical (and often missing) elements of financial education for young adults, especially creatives and entrepreneurs navigating money on their own. But the conversation doesn’t stop there. Tim opens up about a massive fraud case he witnessed firsthand — involving $15 million stolen under his watch — and how that...
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New Tax Breaks for Parents: What the One Big Beautiful Act Means for Your Family
Beyond Budgets Podcast
Are rising prices stressing your family budget? You're not alone, and there's some good news on the tax front. In this solo episode, host Deb Meyer breaks down the most family-friendly tax updates from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1) and how they could impact your wallet starting in 2025. This episode is a must-listen for parents looking to maximize tax savings, understand new credits, and unlock new opportunities for education savings, childcare, and even family car purchases. Deb spotlights five major tax updates that could create real opportunities for families: ...
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Big Hat, No Cattle: Rethinking Wealth with Carl Richards
Beyond Budgets Podcast
What if the best money conversations aren’t really about money? In this episode of Beyond Budgets, Deb Meyer sits down with Carl Richards, author of Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in Simple Sketches, to explore how we can think more clearly and speak more kindly about money in our relationships. Carl shares why our views of money often clash with those closest to us, how comparison gets in the way of contentment, and what it means to align our values with financial decisions. This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to bring more clarity and calm into their financial life,...
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Why Big Leaps Can Backfire (and What to Do Instead)
Beyond Budgets Podcast
What do whitewater rafting, cross-country moves, and early retirement all have in common? They’re thrilling, intimidating, and full of unknowns. In this episode, Deb Meyer shares a personal (and slightly embarrassing) rafting story to open up a deeper conversation about navigating life’s biggest transitions—without losing your footing. Whether you’re planning a retirement, taking a sabbatical, switching careers, or moving states, Deb encourages a slower, smarter approach. She walks through emotional and financial readiness, real-life family examples, and why rushing into change...
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Is It Moral to Be Wealthy?
Beyond Budgets Podcast
Is financial prosperity a blessing or a spiritual trap? In this thought-provoking episode, Deb Meyer sits down with Deacon Christopher Warner to explore the moral and spiritual dimensions of wealth, giving, work, and responsibility. Whether you're Catholic, Christian, or simply curious about aligning money with your faith, this conversation offers deep insights into the tension between financial abundance and spiritual purpose. Discover how principles like subsidiarity, stewardship, and virtue can shape your family’s financial life. Also, learn why budgeting and charitable giving are...
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Wellness as Wealth: Functional Medicine, Family Nutrition & Travel with Rita Johnson
Beyond Budgets Podcast
In this empowering episode, Deb Meyer talks with holistic health advocate Rita Johnson about how physical wellness impacts financial strength. They dive into functional medicine, family nutrition on a budget, simple food swaps, and how Rita’s family of eight travels internationally without breaking the bank. Episode Highlights (04:38) Functional medicine basics – How to bridge the gap between feeling “off” and needing a diagnosis. (06:45) Nutrition hacks – Prioritize protein, reduce hidden sugars, and try DIY staples. (12:10) Feeding picky eaters – Mix of...
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Rethinking Success and Exit Strategy with Justin Goodbread
Beyond Budgets Podcast
What does it look like to steward your business and family with intentionality, especially when it's time to plan an exit? Entrepreneur and author Justin Goodbread joins host Deb Meyer to talk candidly about sacrifice, scaling, and what too many business owners get wrong when it's time to let go. Whether you’re years away from selling or just starting to think about legacy, this conversation blends practical wisdom and deep faith in a way that resonates with purpose-driven parents and entrepreneurs alike. Exit planning isn’t just about spreadsheets; it’s about soul work. Whether...
info_outlineDid you know that half of investment advisor clients think they’re getting comprehensive advice, but only 11% actually are? In this episode, Deb Meyer sits down with Stephen Tanenbaum, founder of Rainbook, a platform dedicated to bringing transparency to financial advising. Stephen shares how Rainbook helps parents evaluate their advisors, uncover hidden fees, and make sure they’re getting real value from their financial relationships.
They also discuss:
✅ The difference between fiduciary advisors and commission-based brokers
✅ Common hidden fees in financial advising (and how to spot them)
✅ Why transparency matters in both finances and relationships
✅ Practical financial tips for families balancing work, kids, and budgeting
✅ The role of financial advisors beyond just managing investments
Whether you're working with an advisor now or considering hiring one, this episode will help you ask the right questions and make smarter financial decisions.
Episode Highlights
(05:40) Fiduciary Advisor on 529 Plans
(10:05) Understanding Financial Advisor Fees
(16:47) Financial Advisor Fees and Services
(25:13) Personal Finance and Budget Planning
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
📌 Rainbook’s Advisor Analyzer Tool – A free tool to evaluate your financial advisor’s fees and credentials.
📌 FINRA BrokerCheck – A resource to research financial advisors and brokers.
📌 National Association of Personal Financial Advisors – A network of fee-only fiduciary advisors.
Connect with Stephen Tanenbaum
Learn more about Rainbook: rainbook.com
Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-tanenbaum-9596706/
Connect with Deb Meyer