Advice on Building Wealth & Retirement Planning - A/B Conversations: CFP® Your Way Out Of It

Hosted by Benjamin Haas I Haas Financial Group

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Episodes

166

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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EN-US

About the show

A/B Conversations: CFP® Your Way Out Of It is a podcast where Certified Financial Planners™ break down everyday money questions, offering expert insights on financial planning, investing, retirement, and wealth-building strategies. Get the CFP® perspective on what truly matters in securing your financial future. FAQ – What You’ll Get From This Podcast: - What is financial planning, and why does it matter? - How can I build wealth and secure my retirement? - What are the biggest money mistakes to avoid? - How do CFP® professionals think about investing and financial psychology? - What strategies can help me navigate market ups and downs?

Listen to episodes

60 recent

July 29, 202619 min

Ep #164 - What Warren Buffett's Estate Plan Can Teach Every Family

What can Warren Buffett teach us about estate planning? In this episode of A/B Conversations, Adam Werner and Ben Haas explore why estate planning is more than legal documents—it's about protecting your family, communicating your wishes, and creating a plan that evolves as your life changes. Learn how thoughtful planning today can help prevent confusion, conflict, and costly mistakes tomorrow. Ticket #T011197 Thanks for listening! If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can: Subscribe to the Show For more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.com Contact Us: Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.com Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Haas Financial Group are separate entities. This is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax or legal professional for specific information and advice.

July 16, 202618 min

Ep #163 - Bobby Bonilla Wasn't Crazy: A Financial Lesson in Delayed Gratification

What can a baseball contract teach us about financial planning? In this episode of AB Conversations, Adam and Ben break down the famous Bobby Bonilla Day story to explore the time value of money, the power of compounding, and the trade-offs behind every financial decision. From retirement savings and Roth conversions to paying off debt and planning for the future, learn how today's choices can create dramatically different outcomes down the road. Ticket #T011010 Thanks for listening! If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can: Subscribe to the Show For more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.com Contact Us: Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.com Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Haas Financial Group are separate entities. This is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax or legal professional for specific information and advice.

July 1, 202619 min

Ep #162 - The Importance of Uncomfortable Conversations in Financial Planning (Part 2)

What happens when good financial planning requires uncomfortable conversations? In this episode of A/B Conversations, Adam Werner and Ben Haas discuss the challenges of navigating emotional investment decisions, retirement spending concerns, estate planning discussions, and family dynamics. Learn why honest conversations, thoughtful guidance, and long-term perspective are essential for making confident financial decisions. Ticket # T010977 Thanks for listening! If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can: Subscribe to the Show For more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.com Contact Us: Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.com Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Haas Financial Group are separate entities. This is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax or legal professional for specific information and advice.

June 17, 202620 min

Ep #161 - The Importance of Uncomfortable Conversations in Financial Planning (Part 1)

Some of the most important financial planning conversations are also the most difficult. In this episode of A/B Conversations, Adam Werner and Ben Haas discuss why avoiding uncomfortable topics—such as retirement readiness, estate planning, family dynamics, and financial risks—can lead to costly consequences down the road. Learn how honest conversations, proactive planning, and addressing challenges head-on can help create a stronger financial future and greater peace of mind. Ticket #T010942 Thanks for listening! If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can: Subscribe to the Show For more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.com Contact Us: Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.com Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Haas Financial Group are separate entities. This is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax or legal professional for specific information and advice.

June 3, 202615 min

Ep #160 - The Hidden Challenges of Downsizing the Family Home in Retirement

In this episode of A/B Conversations, Adam and Ben tackle a massive, often emotional part of retirement planning: the family home. They discuss how the default assumption of "aging in place" can sometimes backfire if a spouse passes away, maintenance becomes a burden, or health challenges force a sudden move. The hosts explore the reality that downsizing isn't always the financial windfall people expect, the importance of communicating with adult children before assuming they want to inherit the house, and the potential tax traps that can arise when needing upfront cash to move into senior living. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of "putting your own life vest on first"—making the housing choices that serve you best, and proactively planning your next move before a curveball forces your hand. #T010913 Thanks for listening! If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can: Subscribe to the Show For more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.com Contact Us: Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.com Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Haas Financial Group are separate entities. This is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax or legal professional for specific information and advice.

May 22, 202614 min

Ep #159 - Simplifying Financial Complexity: Consolidation, Coordination, and Peace of Mind

In this episode, Ben and Adam discuss how life and finances can feel overwhelming as accounts, policies, passwords, and paperwork accumulate over time, often from job changes or intentional “safety net” complexity that eventually stops serving people. They describe how too many accounts create burdens around beneficiary designations, estate settlement, withdrawals, taxes, required minimum distributions, and major purchase decisions, and how complexity can shift work onto executors and beneficiaries because each institution requires its own claims process. The hosts emphasize the value of coordination—having someone “playing point guard”—to help clients see everything, consolidate where appropriate, and follow through on implementation. They recommend proactively assessing and organizing finances before major transitions like illness, dementia, or death, using moving and unpacking as an analogy for making clear instructions and reducing stress for heirs and for personal peace of mind. Listen in as they break down how to declutter your financial life. Ticket #T010880 Thanks for listening! If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can: Subscribe to the Show For more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.com Contact Us: Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.com Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Haas Financial Group are separate entities. This is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax or legal professional for specific information and advice.

April 22, 202619 min

Ep #158 - The Cost of Waiting: Why Doing Nothing Is Still a Decision

Most financial plans don’t fall apart because of bad advice. They fall apart because good advice never gets acted on. In this episode, Adam and Ben explore why even the most successful people struggle to follow through on financial decisions from time to time. From cash sitting on the sidelines to delayed Roth conversions, outdated estate plans, and missed opportunities, they unpack how inaction quietly becomes one of the biggest risks in a plan. They also talk about the real reasons behind procrastination; feeling overwhelmed, being fearful of outcomes, and the desire to avoid regret are just a few. Listen in as they share how thoughtful planning can help break the cycle of inaction. Ticket #T010639 Thanks for listening! If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can: Subscribe to the Show For more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.com Contact Us: Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.com Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Haas Financial Group are separate entities. This is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax or legal professional for specific information and advice.

March 26, 202622 min

Ep #157 - Longevity Is a Gift. It’s Also a Planning Problem.

Wouldn’t it be stressful to feel like you’re going to live longer than your plan was built for? In this episode, Adam and Ben explore longevity risk through a different lens. Not just the math of running out of money, but the mindset of spending, the uncertainty that comes with a 30+ year retirement, and the challenge of balancing security with actually enjoying life. They walk through how retirement really unfolds over time, why spending isn’t linear, and how thoughtful planning can create a dynamic portfolio withdrawal plan. From guardrails and income floors to the role of long-term care, this conversation is about building a plan that adapts as life changes. Because a good plan shouldn’t just help your money last. It should help you live. Ticket #T010547 Thanks for listening! If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can: Subscribe to the Show For more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.com Contact Us: Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.com Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Haas Financial Group are separate entities. This is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax or legal professional for specific information and advice.

March 11, 202616 min

Ep #156 - Second Marriages, Adult Children, and Thoughtful Estate Planning

Second marriages are about new beginnings and a fresh start. They also bring financial complexity. In this episode, Adam and Ben talk through the estate planning dynamics facing blended families with adult children. How do you merge financial lives while honoring what each of you built separately? How do you protect your new spouse without unintentionally disinheriting your children? And how do you prevent conflict down the road? Listen in as they explore the conversations that need to happen, the estate planning structures that matter, and the small details that can have big consequences. Ticket #T010480 Thanks for listening! If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can: Subscribe to the Show For more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.com Contact Us: Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.com Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Haas Financial Group are separate entities. This is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax or legal professional for specific information and advice.

February 27, 202617 min

Ep #155 - Illiquid Investments: Smart Strategy or Expensive Mistake?

Have you ever been pitched an “alternative” investment opportunity that felt exclusive, different, or just a little too compelling to pass up? In our latest episode, Adam and Ben unpack the real planning dynamics behind private placements and illiquid investments. Why are we drawn to them? How do we convince ourselves it’s a good idea to invest even when something feels slightly off? And what separates legitimate alternative investing from fraud? Listen in as Adam and Ben share real-world examples, red flags to watch for, and who alternative investments may actually be appropriate for and who they’re not. Ticket #T010444 Thanks for listening! If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can: Subscribe to the Show For more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.com Contact Us: Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.com Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Haas Financial Group are separate entities. This is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax or legal professional for specific information and advice.