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

162

Latest episode

Jun 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

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.#T010913Thanks for listening!If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can:Subscribe to the ShowFor more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.comContact Us:Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.comInvestment 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 #T010880Thanks for listening!If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can:Subscribe to the ShowFor more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.comContact Us:Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.comInvestment 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 #T010639Thanks for listening!If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can:Subscribe to the ShowFor more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.comContact Us:Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.comInvestment 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 #T010547Thanks for listening!If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can:Subscribe to the ShowFor more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.comContact Us:Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.comInvestment 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 #T010480Thanks for listening!If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can:Subscribe to the ShowFor more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.comContact Us:Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.comInvestment 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 #T010444Thanks for listening!If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can:Subscribe to the ShowFor more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.comContact Us:Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.comInvestment 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 11, 202619 min

Ep #154 - When Your Wealth Doesn’t Give You a Paycheck

Some of the wealthiest people we meet don’t have portfolios that send them a monthly paycheck. Their wealth lives in businesses, real estate, farmland, or valuable art and collectibles. They don’t have a net worth problem, they have a liquidity problem. In retirement, the question becomes “How do I actually turn this into income?” In this episode, Adam and Ben unpack the planning challenges of illiquid wealth. When should you sell? How do you manage taxes? How do you turn a one-time liquidity event into a reliable income stream without losing your identity in the process?Ticket #T010411Thanks for listening!If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can:Subscribe to the ShowFor more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.comContact Us:Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.comInvestment 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.

January 28, 202620 min

Ep #153 - The Behavioral Biases That Cost Clients the Most

Most long-term financial outcomes aren’t determined by picking the right investments. They’re determined by how people behave under stress, uncertainty, and emotion. Listen in as Adam and Ben discuss the very human and common biases that, when left unchecked, can derail plans. They’ll share how they view their roles as planners how they try to help with stress, uncertainty and emotion. Ticket #T010264Thanks for listening!If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can:Subscribe to the ShowFor more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.comContact Us:Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.comInvestment 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.

January 15, 202620 min

Ep #152 - Your Estate Plan Probably Needs a Refresh. Here’s Why

Most people think estate planning is something you “finish.” In reality, it’s something you maintain as life, laws, assets, and relationships change. In this episode Adam and Ben reframe estate planning as a living, human document, not just a legal one. By the end, you’ll want to pull out your documents, look at the dates, look at the names and ask yourself: does this still match my life?Ticket #T010241Thanks for listening!If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can:Subscribe to the ShowFor more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.comContact Us:Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.comInvestment 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.

December 17, 202519 min

Ep #151 - Modeling Generosity for the Next Generation

When we think about leaving a legacy, we should think about what that means holistically. Because a legacy is not just what we pass down financially, but what we model every day through generosity, values, and habits. In this episode, Adam and Ben share client stories and practical examples of how parents and grandparents can invite kids and grandkids into giving, from simple family traditions to more intentional tools, and why those moments often leave a bigger impact than dollars alone.Ticket #T010161Thanks for listening!If you want to be notified when the next episode will be released, you can:Subscribe to the ShowFor more insights on everyday financial planning questions, go to www.haasfinancialgroup.comContact Us:Email us at info@haasfinancialgroup.comInvestment 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.