Check Your Balances

Hosted by Ross Anderson, CFP® and Daniel Messeca, CFP®

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Episodes

295

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Managing your money doesn't have to be boring. Check Your Balances is your weekly financial co-pilot, hosted by two experienced financial planners. We deliver straight-talk strategies and expert-level advice to help you save, invest, and finally feel 100% in control on your journey to financial independence.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 28, 2026Episode 30125 min

Getting a Raise? Here’s What to Do with Your Money Immediately

Got a promotion or a bump in pay? Congratulations! But before you upgrade your apartment or start mindlessly spending that extra cash, there are a few critical moves you need to make to ensure that raise actually builds your long-term wealth. Tune in to make sure your next paycheck goes further! Send us Fan Mail Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

October 21, 2026Episode 30036 min

What the Latest Treasury Data Reveals About Household Finances

The Department of the Treasury released fresh macro data examining where American household balance sheets stand today. In this episode, Ross and Ross break down the key findings—from real wage trends and consumer spending resilience to elevated debt costs and shifting household liquidity. We discuss what these top-line economic figures actually mean for your personal financial plan, savings strategy, and long-term portfolio allocation. Read the report here: https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/scf26.pdf Send us Fan Mail Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

October 14, 2026Episode 29930 min

Squeezing Into 0% Capital Gains & The Non-Deductible IRA Trap

Can you lower your income on purpose to hit the 0% capital gains bracket? Should you pull the trigger on Roth conversions while still making peak salary? And is there ever a good reason to make a non-deductible Traditional IRA contribution if you aren't doing a Backdoor Roth? On this mailbag episode, Dan and Ross answer three tactical listener questions about managing tax brackets, avoid the IRS pro-rata rule, and time income strategies before retirement. Send us Fan Mail Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

October 7, 2026Episode 29834 min

The High-Rate Reality Check

Interest rates are in the headlines again, but what does a higher-rate environment actually mean for your money? In this episode, we look at the shifting landscape through four critical lenses: Are cash savers g? How are home buyers and borrowers supposed to navigate a mortgage market where cheap money is a distant memory? Is fixed income finally back as a serious contender for bond investors, and how is the stock market adjusting to a world where money isn't free anymore? Tune in as we break down the questions every investor needs to be asking right now. Send us Fan Mail Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

September 30, 2026Episode 29731 min

Priced Out: Who Is Long-Term Care Insurance Even For?

Long-term care insurance used to be a staple of a conservative retirement plan, but spiraling premiums and shifting policies have completely rewritten the rules. In this episode, Ross and Dan break down whether traditional coverage has officially priced itself out of relevance. If you have under $1 million in assets, the cost of protection can easily derail your broader strategy—yet high-net-worth investors often have the scale to self-insure. So where does that leave everyone else? Tune in as the team debates who actually needs this product today, alternative ways to manage late-life care risks, and how to avoid falling into the middle-class coverage trap. Send us Fan Mail Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

September 22, 2026Episode 29622 min

Sleep Deprivation and Your Portfolio

In this episode, Dan breaks down the unexpected parallels between sleep training a toddler and managing your personal finances. From overcoming the emotional urges when plans get rocky to recognizing why "knowing what to do" is only half the battle, the team explores why execution, patience, and structure matter far more than finding a secret shortcut. Send us Fan Mail Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

September 16, 2026Episode 29528 min

When You Have More Than Enough: Mid-Retirement Gifting & Legacy

What happens when you reach mid-retirement and realize you have more wealth than you’ll ever be able to spend? While it sounds like a good problem to have, managing excess wealth comes with a unique set of personal and financial decisions. This week on Check Your Balances , we dive into the complexities of high-net-worth retirement planning. We discuss the nuances of gifting to adult children—including how to avoid altering their drive and independence—and strategies to ensure you pass on your wealth thoughtfully without compromising your own long-term financial security. Send us Fan Mail Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

September 8, 2026Episode 29428 min

Pre-Tax vs. Roth 401(k) & Listener Back-to-School Feedback

On this mailbag edition of Check Your Balances , Ross and Dan tackle three distinct listener questions: Traditional vs. Roth 401(k): Is it worth switching to Roth if higher taxes mean you can't max out your total savings? Roth Withdrawals for Education: The rules, tax traps, and penalty exceptions for using Roth funds to pay for college or grad school. Back to School Recap: What you thought of our Back to School 101 foundational refresher, plus listener takes on high-level strategy vs. financial basics. Send us your questions to be featured on an upcoming show! Send us Fan Mail Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

September 2, 2026Episode 29331 min

Back to School: Personal Finance 303+

What actually belongs in an "advanced" personal finance class? Ross and Dan debate whether advanced planning means mastering the fundamentals or tackling niche, high-level career scenarios. Even if a complex financial milestone doesn't apply to everyone, it matters immensely when it hits your desk. Tune in this week to get prepared for the things you might face. Send us Fan Mail Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

August 26, 2026Episode 29227 min

Back to School: Personal Finance 202

Personal Finance 101 is simple: clear, timeless lessons that fit on a bumper sticker. But Personal Finance 202 is where things get messy. Concepts that feel like second nature to seasoned investors can sound like a foreign language the first time you hear them. Take the classic advice: "Just invest in index funds." That single sentence actually hides three or four distinct concepts you have to navigate before executing a single trade. In this episode, Ross and Dan skip the oversimplified shortcuts and unpack the real-world mechanics—giving you the nuance you need without losing the clarity. Send us Fan Mail Send your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram

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