Mitten Money

Hosted by Tri-Star Trust

Business Investing Management

Website RSS feed

Episodes

114

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and, in fact, make up 99% of all businesses in the United States. Yet only 50% of them will survive their fifth year in business. Mitten Money host William Zank will focus on helping Michigan-based business owners find answers to the tough questions that will help them succeed. How do I expand my business? What options do I have for retirement? How do I move forward when I feel stuck? Having worked with small business owners throughout his career, William Zank of Tri-Star Trust uses his strong analytical skills to unearth answers to these questions and more on Mitten Money. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Amazon

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 18, 202629 min

No Financial Question is Off-Limits

In this episode of Mitten Money , Will and Kevin tackle some of the financial questions clients may be hesitant to ask their advisors. They discuss responsible credit card use, managing debt, evaluating portfolio performance, and how couples can approach joint and separate finances. The conversation also covers adjusting investment strategies as retirement approaches and the considerations that go into paying off a mortgage. They dive into estate planning, gifting during your lifetime, and how parents can balance helping their children with funding college while protecting their own financial future. Throughout the episode, they reinforce that there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to financial decisions. Understanding your goals, risk tolerance, and long-term plan is key to making confident financial choices. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

July 21, 202629 min

Renting vs. Buying

This episode of Mitten Money explores one of the biggest financial decisions many people face: renting versus buying a home. Will and Kevin discuss the hidden costs of homeownership, including maintenance, repairs, property taxes, insurance, closing costs, and the time commitment that comes with owning a home. They also explain why buying isn't always the best financial move, especially if you expect to move within a few years or aren't prepared for unexpected expenses. The conversation emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all answer and encourages listeners to weigh both the financial and lifestyle factors before making a decision. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

June 23, 202624 min

The Freedom to Spend ft. Mason Sarosi

In this episode of Mitten Money, Kevin & Relationship Manager Mason Sarosi discuss an important question: Are you using your money the way you intended? While saving and investing are key to financial success, they explain why true financial planning is about finding the balance between preparing for the future and enjoying life today. Through real client experiences, they explore the challenges of both overspending and being too afraid to spend after years of disciplined saving. The conversation highlights how a personalized financial plan can provide the confidence to make meaningful financial decisions, whether that's traveling with family, helping loved ones, or investing in experiences that improve quality of life. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

May 19, 202630 min

Combining Profit & Purpose ft. Rob Clark

In the latest episode of Mitten Money, Kevin is joined by Rob Clark to chat about how companies can look beyond the bottom line and give back through conscious capitalism. Rob breaks down corporate community engagement into three pillars: philanthropy, volunteerism, and thought leadership. He explains that real impact happens when you move past simple sponsorships and build true partnerships. They discuss how getting out into the community can be a strong team-building tool that boosts morale, with a key takeaway being that community work should never be done for credit. When it’s done for the right reasons, business growth tends to follow naturally. They also share updates on Tri-Star’s growth in the Great Lakes Bay region, including a new 4,000-square-foot office opening this fall in downtown Bay City, as well as exciting news about co-host Will Zank, who is welcoming his third child! Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

April 21, 202625 min

Building Generational Wealth That Lasts

In this episode of Mitten Money , hosts Will and Kevin use Michigan’s never-ending pothole problem as a metaphor for generational wealth, showing how what is ignored today can become costly later. They explain that generational wealth is not just for the ultra-wealthy, and can range from simple estate planning to larger trusts designed to support families or communities over time. Through real-life examples, they highlight how poor planning and lack of communication can quickly erode wealth, while clear intentions, strong financial guidance, and family transparency help it last for generations. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

March 24, 202632 min

Succession Planning: What Business Owners Should Know ft. Ben Bakken

On this episode of Mitten Money, Will & Kevin sit down with special guest Ben Bakken to talk through one of the most important, yet often overlooked, parts of running a business: succession and exit planning. They break down why planning ahead can create more flexibility and opportunity, and how understanding your business’s value goes beyond just revenue and profit. From building a strong team to creating systems that support long-term success, this episode highlights the key factors that can strengthen your business over time. Have questions regarding your business? Reach out to Ben at ben.bakken@tristartrust.com Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

February 24, 202629 min

Building a Financial Life Together

Money isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s shaped by childhood experiences, family dynamics, stress, habits, and the stories we’ve carried with us for years. And when two adults build a life together, those money stories don’t disappear, they merge. In this episode of Mitten Money, Will and Kevin explore what our relationship with money looks like in adulthood and how it impacts couples. From different spending triggers to navigating joint versus separate accounts, they unpack why financial tension is common and completely normal. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

January 20, 202625 min

Scams & Staying Protected

Will & Kevin are kicking off the year with a timely conversation about how scams are becoming harder than ever to spot. With AI-generated voices, fake videos, and messages that look like they’re coming from trusted institutions, fraud is evolving fast. Will & Kevin share real-world examples, including a close call with a highly sophisticated scam, and explain how urgency and fear are often used to pressure people into quick decisions. They also discuss simple but effective ways to protect yourself, from slowing down and verifying requests to using multi-factor authentication and account alerts. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

December 2, 202525 min

Gift Giving

This week on Mitten Money, hosts Will Zank and Kevin Scorsone dive into the realities of holiday gift-giving and how to keep the season joyful and financially manageable. From planning ahead to avoiding that last-minute December panic, they talk through how they budget for gifts, balance birthdays that fall near the holidays, and keep spending in check without sacrificing meaningful moments. They even unpack the popular “five-gift rule,” the art of stocking stuffers, and why personalized or sentimental gifts can go further than anything flashy. Will and Kevin also share their experiences with shopping early, hunting for deals throughout the year, and the importance of supporting local businesses. Whether you’re a strategic planner or someone who usually scrambles at the end of the month, this episode offers practical tips, relatable stories, and a reminder that giving thoughtfully matters more than spending big. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.

November 18, 202526 min

Year-End Portfolio Adjustments

In this week’s Mitten Money episode, Will and Kevin open with conversation about Denver rent, kids’ soccer, and Halloween traditions before shifting into the core topic: preparing your portfolio for year-end. They break down why this is the ideal time to reassess your financial plan, review upcoming cash needs, and decide whether to set aside funds in money markets or short-term municipal options. The discussion covers key strategies like tax-loss harvesting, managing capital gains distributions from mutual funds, staying mindful of Medicare IRMAA limits, planning RMDs and QCDs, and how to spread gains across multiple tax years to avoid unnecessary surprises. Kevin and Will also stress the importance of evaluating portfolio performance, checking for style or allocation drift after strong market years, and rebalancing to keep risk aligned with long-term goals. Comments made are not to be considered endorsements of Tri-Star Trust or its employees. All viewpoints expressed herein belong solely to the commentators, whether or not they are employees or clients, and remain uninfluenced and uncompensated by Tri-Star Trust or any of its affiliates.