– Wins and Losses for New & Growing Families and Parents from the One Big Beautiful Bill
Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner
As a busy parent trying to manage your family and career, do you even have time to understand what he new One Big Beautiful Bill will mean to you? Today, I am going to explore the winds and losses through the “One Big Beautiful Bill” during this pivotal life stage of career and family growth. Drawing from my own experience as a parent of triplets (plus one!), I dive into the financial and emotional challenges parents face when juggling careers, raising children, and planning for the future. I break down what recent legislation means for families in this life stage, including significant...
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What Parents and Young Adults Should Know About the New One Big Beautiful Bill
Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner
What does the new One Big Beautiful Bill mean to parents and young adults? I am kicking off the "Big Beautiful Bill" series by breaking down what the new legislation means for those just starting their financial journeys—think high schoolers, college students, and anyone landing their first job. I deep dive into the bill's highlights, including the extension of marginal tax rates, increased standard deductions, and hot topics like deductions for reported tips, overtime pay, and vehicle interest—clearly outlining who benefits, the real dollar impact, and the fine print you need to know. I...
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Finding Satisfaction Beyond Winning: Enjoying the Journey in Life, Sports, and Finances - Dr. Jennifer Dragonette
Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner
"That's something that I wrestle with on a daily basis. It's like showing up at the Masters every year; it's like why do I want to win this golf tournament so badly? Why do I want to win the Open Championship so badly? I don't know because, if I win, it's going to be awesome for two minutes." That is a quote from the world's top golfer, Scottie Scheffler, before he tees it up to try and win another major golf tournament. Scottie's point is also the topic of conversation today with our resident psychologist expert, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette. Dr. Jen and I explore how...
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How to Spot and Avoid IRS Tax Scams
Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner
According to The Kaplan Group, tax scams have resulted in 2025 YTD reported financial losses of $5,742,463.91. Monthly tax scam reports rose 62% year-over-year, from 227 in 2024 to 368 in 2025, and have increased by 323% since 2020. So what can you do to protect yourself? To help you stay safe, here are three key takeaways: The IRS will almost always contact you by MAIL first. If you get a text, email, or surprise phone call demanding personal information or payment, it's almost certainly a scam. Phishing and "smishing" are at an all-time high. Scammers try to lure you...
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Time is the Ultimate Planning Killer
Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner
Time is the most valuable asset we have. But unlike money, you can’t earn more of it. And once it’s gone, it’s gone. In this episode, I talk about something I see every day, with clients and in my own life: how a lack of time becomes the excuse for putting off financial decisions. The irony is, delaying those decisions often creates more stress and complexity down the road—costing us even more time. I share a few stories, including my own, about why we procrastinate, what that delay costs us emotionally, and what changes when we finally decide to act. Not out of motivation—that comes...
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Just Wait: Fuel for Financial and Emotional Anxiety
Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner
Have you ever caught yourself just waiting for the next economic downturn, a family milestone, or the "right moment" to act? Just wait for the market to crash. Just wait until your kids hit middle school, or high school—or college—and then just wait for the real challenges to begin. I hear it constantly in the financial world and in conversations with fellow parents. And I've come to realize this phrase—"just wait"—is one of the sneakiest ways we let anxiety and fear rob us of the joy in front of us. I'm diving into why "just waiting" is often a trap—whether it's about what...
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How Different Communication Styles Impact Marriage, Money, and Emotional Wellbeing
Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner
Ever notice how you and your partner seem to "think out loud" differently—or not at all? Our resident therapist expert, Dr. Jennifer Dragonette, is back to talk about how differences in processing and communication styles can shape our relationships (and even our financial decisions!). You'll hear us share stories from our own families (yes, even the awkward silences and eye rolls), explore why venting isn't always an invitation for advice, and break down the nonverbal cues that can say so much more than words. Dr. Jen offers some incredible, practical tips on how to name our patterns,...
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Finding Harmony in Life, Work, and Family: Reflections on 200 Episodes
Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner
I recently spent some time away on vacation, which got me thinking deeply about retirement, purpose, and the ongoing challenge of finding meaning in our everyday lives. While watching some older couples spend hours together on their boats, I found myself questioning not just what they talked about, but also how I view my own future and the idea of slowing down. From leaving a corporate career I couldn’t stand to building a financial advisory firm that truly fulfills me, I share my ongoing struggle with the gap between knowing we want change and actually taking the necessary steps. I’ve...
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Time Wealth Versus Time Debt: Lessons from Parenting and Planning
Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner
I'm diving into a topic that's been on my mind lately: the idea of "time wealth"—and, just as importantly, "time debt." After coming off a busy stretch like tax season, I often find myself trying to catch up on everything I put on hold, only to realize I'm paying for it in stress, exhaustion, and those lost moments I wish I'd shared with my family. Inspired by insights from Greg McKeown and Ann Laure Lecomte, I reflect on the many faces of time anxiety—from the frantic rush of daily life to worries about the future to that existential feeling that time with my kids and wife is slipping...
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Inside the Family Office: A Family's Journey Working with a Financial Advisor
Emotional Balance Sheet with Paul Fenner
Ever wonder what really happens when you decide to work with a financial advisor for the first time, especially when life already feels like a full-time juggling act? I sat down with Marisa Lonic—author, coach, and founder of Mama Work It—to talk about the emotional side of money, career pivots, and raising four kids, including twins. We dive into what it's like to navigate big life changes like moving states, the vulnerability that comes with opening up about your finances, and why timing and trust matter so much when you're leaning on experts. Marisa also shares a powerful personal...
info_outlineWe live in a world obsessed with what’s new. The latest tech, the next headline, tomorrow’s market forecast. But beneath all that noise, some things stay the same. And maybe—just maybe—that’s where the real wisdom lies.
Born out of a moment of reflection after a volatile April in the financial markets, I found myself returning to Morgan Housel’s work, especially his book Same as Ever. It reminded me that the most important lessons aren’t about predicting the next move—they’re about understanding the truths that don’t change.
In this episode, I highlight five timeless ideas that I believe are always worth remembering: the constancy of human emotion, the quiet power of compounding, the weight of expectations on our happiness, the surprise of risk, and the challenge of holding two competing ideas—like optimism and pessimism—in balance. These aren’t hot takes. They’re not meant to be. They’re principles that have held up over decades and likely will hold up for decades more.
So, if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by all that’s shifting, I invite you to slow down with me—and focus on what never changes.
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Resources Featured in This Episode:
Same as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes