The Shocking Cost of College: How to Be Smart and Avoid a Tuition Trap
Common Sense Financial Podcast
Release Date: 08/13/2025
Special Announcement: 3 Insights Every Investor Needs to Help Secure Their Financial Future
Common Sense Financial Podcast
Brian Skrobonja closes out the year with a milestone episode that marks the final episode of 2025 and the conclusion of this version of the show. He shares the gratitude he feels for the listeners who have supported the mission, the team whose work brought each idea to life, and the recognition the podcast received from Forbes as one of the top shows by financial advisors. Tune in to hear Brian reflect on why he started this podcast, how the mission has been accomplished, and why this moment isn’t an ending but the beginning of a bigger vision that will unfold in 2026. He also shares the...
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Tax Deferred to Tax Free: Navigating Taxes in Retirement - Replay
Common Sense Financial Podcast
In this milestone 100th episode of the Common Sense Financial Podcast, host Brian Skrobonja delves into the critical topic of managing taxes in retirement. The episode focuses on strategies for minimizing tax liabilities, especially for retirees with tax-deferred accounts facing potential hefty tax bills. Brian emphasizes the importance of sustainable income creation during retirement and the role of tax optimization in this process. Most people envision their retirement to be built from predominantly tax-free income, but after many years of deferring taxes, retirees are facing a sizable tax...
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Are You Prepared for the Evolution of Retirement? - Replay
Common Sense Financial Podcast
In this podcast episode, Brian Skrobonja takes us on a thought-provoking journey through the evolving concept of retirement. As we dive into the past, present, and future of retirement, Brian helps us unravel the complexities of this modern-day concept which, though deeply ingrained in our society, is relatively new in human history. This episode is essential for anyone planning for retirement, offering a fresh perspective on how to approach this significant life stage in the context of rapid societal shifts, economic developments, and increasing human longevity. We start off by exploring the...
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The Three Retirement Mindsets That Could Have A Negative Impact On Your Retirement Plans - Replay
Common Sense Financial Podcast
In this episode, Brian Skrobonja goes over the three main retirement mindsets that could negatively impact your retirement plans. He sheds light on what most retirees get wrong about retirement planning, why being confident doesn’t eliminate investment risks, and what to consider when hiring a financial planner. Brian goes over three retirement mindsets that have the potential to derail even the best-laid retirement plans. He starts by explaining that there is more to the conversation around retirement than just having a permanent vacation. Retirement is not a destination; it’s a...
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Investing with Guardrails: The Rise of Defined Outcome ETFs and Structured Income Notes
Common Sense Financial Podcast
Brian Skrobonja sits down with Phon Vilayoune to unpack buffered ETFs and income notes. Phon is the Founder and CEO of VETA Investment Partners, where they currently oversee over $5.5 billion in assets. They discuss the benefits of positioning your portfolio for growth and safety, how to protect your nest egg in volatile markets, and practical strategies for optimizing gains while limiting downside risk. Tune in to hear professional insights on ETFs, income notes, and actionable frameworks for navigating today’s complex market cycles. Phon explains how he entered the investing world and now...
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My Story - Replay
Common Sense Financial Podcast
In this podcast episode, Brian shares his remarkable journey from his parents' middle-class immigrant background to achieving financial freedom through decades of learning and building businesses. He recounts his early aspiration for an opulent lifestyle and the pivotal moment when he realized the importance of creating income-producing assets. Through content creation, including three books and the Common Sense Financial Podcast, Brian's financial wisdom and expertise have garnered recognition and awards, providing valuable insights into wealth, financial freedom, and the pursuit of life's...
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The 5 Key Performance Indicators To Help Measure The Health Of Your Retirement Plan - Replay
Common Sense Financial Podcast
In this episode we talk about the importance of using key performance indicators beyond just investment performance to gauge the health of one's retirement plan. There are five crucial data points that form the foundation of a successful retirement strategy: passive income, effective tax rate, cash flow ratio, banking capacity, and horizontal asset allocation. By focusing on these metrics, you can adopt a comprehensive approach to retirement planning that factors in various financial variables and bridges the gaps in your financial plan. Business owners use KPIs or key performance indicators...
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Certificates of Deposit: What to Consider and How to Use Them - Replay
Common Sense Financial Podcast
In this episode on Certificates of Deposit (CDs) as investments, we talk about the nuanced decision-making involved in purchasing CDs and whether or not CDs are good investments, particularly in a rising interest rate environment, and we explain why interest rates are the only factor you need to consider. Wealth creation isn't solely dependent on CD rates, and we need to consider the impact of inflation and interest rates to gain a comprehensive financial perspective. The episode also explores how government strategies to combat inflation by adjusting interest rates impact not only investors,...
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The Midlife Shift: How To Go from Surviving to Thriving
Common Sense Financial Podcast
Brian Skrobonja talks about the hidden trap of survival mode: that quiet, familiar mindset that keeps you safe but small. He explains why so many people in midlife mistake control for security, and how shifting from a scarcity mindset to a mentality of abundance changes everything about how you earn, spend, and live. Tune in to hear what it really takes to move from survival to strategy, from managing scarcity to creating abundance, and why your next level of wealth starts in your mind, not your bank account. Brian starts by explaining how time sneaks up on us. One day you’re in your 20s,...
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Exploring Alternative Investments and Building a Long Term Vision - Replay
Common Sense Financial Podcast
In this episode, Brian Skrobonja explains what alternative investments are and why they are the fastest route to growing your assets or retirement savings. He sheds light on how the most successful investors in the world keep getting wealthier and how to use an endowment like strategy to position your retirement assets. Brian explores alternative investments opportunities. He goes over what larger investors are doing to diversify away from the public market in an effort to help clients protect downside risks. The shift in investment philosophy amongst the largest investors is something...
info_outlineBrian Skrobonja talks about the real cost of college—and why most families are dangerously unprepared. Tune in to learn how to fund your child’s education without sacrificing your retirement. Expect to hear eye-opening numbers, smarter strategies than 529 plans, and a flexible approach that keeps you in control, no matter what path your child takes.
- Brian starts by explaining how to avoid being blindsided by college costs. Most parents assume they’ll have time until the first invoice shows up. And when it does, it doesn’t just hit your wallet—it hits your entire financial life.
- Understand why “college tuition” is just one part of the picture. The real cost includes everything else: housing, books, transit, lab fees, and incidentals. And those extras can add up to more than tuition itself.
- Brian explains how college costs can quietly destroy retirement plans. You want to help your child, but helping without a plan can wipe out decades of savings.
- How to ensure college costs don’t catch you by surprise.
- Learn why a 529 plan is helpful—but also restrictive. It only works if your child follows a specific path and goes to college.
- Brian describes why flexibility should be a priority when planning for college. What if your child takes a gap year? What if they don’t go to college at all? You need a funding tool that moves with life—not against it.
- Why a 529 plan can hurt your financial aid eligibility. Every dollar in that account shows up on the FAFSA. And that could mean less aid, more loans, and more stress.
- How cash value life insurance creates breathing room. It doesn’t show up on aid forms, and you can use the money for anything—college or not. That kind of freedom changes how you plan.
- Brian explains how life insurance can do what college savings accounts can’t: tax-deferred growth, tax-free access, and zero usage restrictions.
- Learn why not all life insurance is designed for this. Some policies are built for death benefits—not cash value. You need the right structure, the right funding, and the right guidance.
- How to plan for college without sabotaging your lifestyle. Tuition shouldn’t mean pausing your retirement or downsizing your life. According to Brian, smart planning means both futures can coexist.
- Understand the real power of liquidity in college planning. For Brian, savings are great. But if they’re locked up when the bills arrive, they’re just numbers on paper.
- Brian reveals why thinking in lump sums is the wrong mindset. College is a cash flow challenge, not just a savings goal. You don’t need $200K on day one—but you do need to know where every semester’s payment will come from.
- Brian describes what real planning actually looks like. It’s not just picking an account—it’s designing a strategy. One that flexes, protects, and puts you in control, no matter what life throws your way.
Mentioned in this episode:
Common Sense Financial Podcast on YouTube
Common Sense Financial Podcast on Spotify
References for this episode:
https://capstonewealthpartners.com/11192015cash-flow-is-king/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.parents.com/parents-are-sacrificing-to-pay-for-college-11761247?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN12024
Alternative investments may be subject to less regulation than other types of pooled investment vehicles. Alternative Investments may impose significant fees, including incentive fees that are based upon a percentage of the realized and unrealized gains and an individual’s net returns may differ significantly from actual returns. Such fees may offset all or a significant portion of such Alternative Investment’s trading profits.
Incorporating alternative investments into a portfolio presents the opportunity for significant losses including in some cases, losses which exceed the principal amount invested.
Also, some alternative investments have experienced periods of extreme volatility and in general, are not suitable for all investors. Asset allocation and diversification strategies do not ensure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
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BUILD Banking™ is a DBA of Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC. Benefits and guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company. Not FDIC insured. Results may vary.
Any descriptions involving life insurance policies and its use as an alternative form of financing or risk management techniques are provided for illustration purposes only, will not apply in all situations, may not be fully indicative of any present or future investments, and may be changed at the discretion of the insurance carrier, General Partner and/or Manager and are not intended to reflect guarantees on securities performance.
The term BUILD Banking™, private banking alternatives or specially designed life insurance contracts (SDLIC) are not meant to insinuate that the issuer is creating a real bank for its clients or communicating that life insurance companies are the same as traditional banking institutions. This material is educational in nature and should not be deemed as a solicitation of any specific product or service. BUILD Banking™ is offered by Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC only and is not offered by Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. nor Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC.
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This content is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation.
Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC are not permitted to offer and no statement made during this presentation shall constitute tax or legal advice. Our firms are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any governmental agency. The information and opinions contained herein provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed by Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC.