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My Story - Replay

Common Sense Financial Podcast

Release Date: 11/26/2025

Special Announcement: 3 Insights Every Investor Needs to Help Secure Their Financial Future show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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...

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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 true riches.

Join us as we explore Brian's wealth-building principles, the significance of faith, family, and relationships, and the pursuit of genuine financial freedom.

  • It was over 30 years ago when Brian got started in business and he’s spent this time building his knowledge while building teams and companies.
  • Brian begins by telling the story of his parents and how they came over from Croatia and lived a middle-class life.
  • His father worked evenings and weekends as a lab engineer while also running a business on the side. His work ethic greatly inspired Brian as he grew up.
  • As a teen, he always dreamed of having expensive things, but his only model for getting that done involved trading time for money, which is exactly what he did throughout his early 20’s. This led to him working harder to keep up with his increasingly expensive lifestyle.
  • After doing it wrong for years, Brian had an epiphany where he realized he needed to create income-producing assets that would pay for his lifestyle.
  • He set out to create a passive income stream to support his lifestyle and successfully accomplished it. That’s when his focus for what he was really trying to do for his clients came into clarity.
  • Brian began producing content back in 2010. And out of that came three books: Common Sense, Generational Planning, and Retirement Planning, which can all be found on Amazon.
  • This led to the beginning of the Common Sense Financial Podcast, which has since been recognized by Forbes as a top 10 podcast by financial advisors. Brian also became a regular contributor for Kiplinger magazine locally in St. Louis. He’s gone on to win numerous awards for his work.
  • After 30 years of helping clients create the passive income they need to create real financial freedom, Brian regularly hears clients say that his process has really opened their eyes about how money works and how to think about wealth.
  • In his personal life, Brian has been married to his wife Carrie for 30 years and has three kids, who have also grown up and had families of their own.
  • Throughout their lives, Brian and his wife have taught their children two main things. First, most importantly, for them to pursue a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to live out their faith in their daily walk. Second to that, is to understand that a worthy pursuit in life is the things money can't buy: building relationships, investing, and creating memories and experiences with people that you love.
  • A key lesson that took Brian a long time to figure out is that the pursuit of things never brings satisfaction.
  • Real wealth is not found in things but in the freedom to live your life free from having to work for a paycheck or trade your time for money, which is another lesson he tries to impart to his kids as well as his clients.

 

 

Mentioned in this episode:

BrianSkrobonja.com

Common Sense Financial Podcast on YouTube 

Common Sense Financial Podcast on Spotify

SkrobonjaFinancial.com

SkrobonjaWealth.com

BuildBanking.com

Common Sense: YOUR Guide to Making Smart Choices with YOUR Money by Brian Skrobonja

Generational Planning by Brian Skrobonja

Retirement Planning: Have A Plan So You Can Live Your Life by Brian Skrobonja

 

 

Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. This 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.

Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA &SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Skrobonja Wealth Management (SWM), a registered investment advisor. Tax services offered only through Skrobonja Tax Consulting. MAS does not offer Build Banking or tax advice. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Tax Consulting, and Build Banking are not affiliated with MAS.

Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

The firm is a registered investment adviser with the state of Missouri, and may only transact business with residents of those states, or residents of other states where otherwise legally permitted subject to exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training.