The 7 Indispensable Steps in Building Your Wealth Strategy - Replay
Common Sense Financial Podcast
Release Date: 10/01/2025
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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_outlineIf you tune into social media, there are a lot of influencers and gurus peddling one-size-fits-all financial advice and unfortunately plenty of investors base their strategies on what these people recommend.
Find out why basing your investment decisions on what’s trending on TikTok is short sighted and discover the seven indispensable steps of building wealth that are the most common among our most successful clients.
- Conventional wisdom such as paying off mortgages, quickly maxing out 401(k)'s or buying only Term Life insurance can be short sighted.
- Wealth isn't created by following rules of thumb, random one-size-fits-all fixes, or chasing trendy financial tips. Wealth is created by developing a custom-tailored strategy that facilitates wealth creation and prepares you for the future.
- The wealthiest people aren't doing the same things as the other 99%.
- Avoid rushing and applying random tidbits of information without first creating a comprehensive wealth strategy. We all have to take a long-term strategic view of wealth creation.
- There are seven key steps in building wealth that are common amongst all of our most successful clients.
- The first step is understanding cash flow.
- Cash Flow isn't about monthly budgeting. It's a 12-month roadmap that outlines where your money will go including savings, investments, and day-to-day expenses.
- Effective cash flow management is about abundance and a focus on wealth creation.
- Budgeting operates from scarcity and measures success by such things as paying off debt or simply making ends meet. Wealth doesn't just magically form out of scarcity.
- Step two is really understanding your investment risk tolerance.
- Many investors carry far too much risk for their stated tolerance levels but have really no way of gauging what risks they're carrying.
- It's crucial to know where you fall on the risk spectrum and to work with a professional to help you tailor your investment strategy.
- Complete the questionnaire on our website to discover your risk tolerance and know where to start that conversation.
- Step three is to learn your tax allocation.
- Knowing how to help mitigate tax liabilities is an essential aspect of building and keeping wealth.
- Tax deferral methods like 401 K's can be useful in some situations, they are not what we would consider comprehensive tax strategies. A deferral is not a savings.
- Knowing how to allocate assets to mitigate tax liabilities requires an understanding of your entire financial picture.
- A professional trio of maybe a certified public accountant, CPA, certified private wealth advisor, CPW, or a tax attorney, is essential for making the most of the opportunities available to you.
- Step four is to understand investment verticals.
- The more public market investments that are acquired such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds, the deeper the portfolio vertically grows, but adding more of the same to your portfolio doesn't necessarily mitigate the exposure to the risk you're trying to diversify away from.
- Horizontal opportunities are outside of the same vertical such as real estate businesses, private equity, and life insurance annuities, and they don't share in the same risk pools that each vertical may be exposed to.
- Effectively diversifying reduces the risk in a portfolio overall and forms a stable foundation to build on.
- Don't put all your eggs into one vertical basket.
- Step five is establishing multiple streams of income.
- Relying on a single source of income, like your job or a single investment is a risky proposition.
- Businesses, royalties, passive income investments, or other consulting or freelance opportunities are all ways to create more than one stream of income.
- More sources of income mean your financial situation is more robust during economic storms and you have more capacity to take advantage of opportunities.
- Number six is to adopt financial delegation.
- There's usually an element of cost and trust when managing financial decisions in a DIY fashion. There comes a tipping point when the perceived savings of doing things on your own becomes an opportunity cost.
- The complexities involved with wealth management require specialized support from professionals.
- The cost of working with a professional can be seen as an investment when it opens up new opportunities and it allows you to focus on your strengths.
- Delegate specific financial tasks to professionals like accountants, lawyers, and financial planners. This allows you to focus your time and effort on enjoying the benefits of having the help and the division of labor helps ensure that all aspects of your financial life are managed optimally.
- Step seven is finding your purpose.
- Scroll social media and you'll find that there are countless examples of miserable wealthy people.
- Money certainly makes things easier and helps you afford some privileged experiences but happiness is derived from inside of ourselves. You'll never have enough money and there's always something more to achieve.
- Answering the question of what you would do or commit your life to if money was not the motivation can offer insight into what you feel like your purpose is.
- Building wealth is not about quick fixes or following the herd. It's about strategic informed decision making that requires an opportunity that looks at cashflow, risk tolerance, tax allocation, diverse investments, multiple income streams, financial delegation, and purpose.
Mentioned in this episode:
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