Money Sense

Hosted by Ellenbecker Investment Group

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388

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Money Sense is your trusted guide to building true wealth—beyond just money. Hosted by Karen Ellenbecker, founder and senior wealth advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), this weekly podcast helps you make confident decisions about your finances, health, and legacy. For over 35 years, Karen and the EIG Wealth Advisors have combined financial planning expertise with insights from economists, attorneys, authors, tax professionals, and other thought leaders. Each episode explores how to align your money with your values, create a life you love, and leave a lasting impact. Whether you’re planning for retirement, navigating taxes, or simply looking for financial clarity, Money Sense delivers practical strategies and inspiring conversations to help you live with purpose. New episodes every Tuesday. Subscribe now and start building wealth that makes sense—for your life and your legacy.

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June 16, 202630 min

College Athletics in a Pay-for-Play Era

College athletics is evolving fast. What used to center on scholarships and school pride now includes contracts, branding deals, and real income before athletes even step on campus. In this episode of Money Sense, Heather Deaton sits down with Chellee Siewert, Founder and President of Capture Sports Entertainment, to unpack what the pay-for-play (NIL) era means for athletes, families, and the future of college sports. From building a trusted team to navigating contracts, taxes, and personal branding, this conversation explores both the opportunities and the risks. They also zoom out to examine how NIL is reshaping team dynamics, recruiting, and the long-term landscape of college athletics. 00:00 The Shift to Pay-for-Play in College Sports02:12 What NIL Really Means for Athletes Today04:05 Building the Right Team Around an Athlete06:45 Early Deals, Contracts, and Hidden Risks08:58 Schools Paying Athletes Directly Explained11:30 Athletes as Brands: Identity Beyond the Game15:00 Financial Planning and Managing Sudden Income18:10 Team Dynamics, Transfers, and Recruiting Changes22:05 What Comes Next: Rules, Risks, and the Future of NIL New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations that connect financial education with real life decisions. #MoneySense #CollegeAthletics #NIL #PayForPlay #StudentAthletes #FinancialEducation #WealthPlanning #SportsBusiness ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.Website: ellenbecker.com This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

June 9, 202638 min

EIG Behind The Scenes: Operations & Systems

“EIG Behind the Scenes” is a new Money Sense series designed to highlight the people and perspectives behind Ellenbecker Investment Group. In this first episode, Karen Ellenbecker sits down with Brett Engelking, Director of Operations and Systems, to explore what it really takes to build and sustain a boutique firm. Karen reflects on her more than 40 years in the industry and the intentional decisions behind building a firm grounded in personalized service, long-term relationships, and thoughtful growth. Brett shares how operations and systems work behind the scenes to bring that vision to life while adapting to an increasingly complex, fast-moving environment. They also discuss how technology supports, but never replaces, human connection, and explore what the rise of AI could mean for the future of the industry. 0:00 EIG Behind The Scenes Introduction 1:50 How the Industry has Evolved Over 40 Years4:30 What Operations and Systems Actually Do7:30 From Manual Processes to Modern Technology11:30 What “Boutique” Really Means Today15:30 Relationships, Trust, and Legacy Planning21:30 Technology, AI, and Risk Awareness29:30 The Future of Advice and The Firm #MoneySensePodcast #EIGBehindTheScenes #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #ClientExperience #FinancialEducation #BoutiqueFirm #InvestingInsights #LegacyPlanning #AIinFinance #BehindTheScenes ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations. Website: ellenbecker.com This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group

June 2, 202629 min

Why Delayed Gratification Matters for Investors

What if the hardest part of investing is not finding the right strategy but sticking with it? In this episode of Money Sense, Kristina Schnuckel sits down with fellow Wealth Advisor Nik Kibardin to explore how behavioral finance shapes the way we save, spend, and invest. From the classic marshmallow experiment to real world market cycles, they break down why delaying gratification can be one of the most powerful decisions an investor makes. They unpack market timing, the temptation to chase short term wins, and offer practical strategies to help investors stay grounded, disciplined, and focused on long term goals. You will also hear a compelling side by side example that shows how time in the market can matter more than timing the market. 00:00 Why Behavioral Finance Matters 02:15 The Marshmallow Test and What It Teaches Investors 05:10 FOMO, Market Highs, and the Risk of Chasing Returns 08:30 Why Market Downturns Feel So Much Worse 11:40 The Power of Compound Growth with a Real Example 16:20 Time Horizon, Risk, and Smarter Decision Making 21:45 Why You Cannot Time the Market 24:30 Building Habits, Diversification, and Staying Invested New episodes of Money Sense drop every Tuesday. Subscribe for more conversations about aligning your money with what matters most. #MoneySense #BehavioralFinance #DelayedGratification #InvestingWisely #FinancialPlanning #LongTermInvesting #WealthBuilding #FinancialEducation ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations. Website: ellenbecker.com This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

May 26, 202638 min

Make Your Most Thoughtful Financial Decisions During Divorce

Making thoughtful financial decisions during divorce starts with understanding your options. In this episode of Money Sense, Julie Ellenbecker sits down with Susan Hansen, collaborative attorney and mediator at Hansen & Hildebrand, to walk through how to approach divorce thoughtfully from the very first steps through long-term financial impact. They emphasize the importance of education and choosing the right process for your situation. Susan outlines the different paths available including mediation, collaborative divorce, traditional litigation, and do-it-yourself approaches, along with the tradeoffs of each. Susan also highlights a major update in Wisconsin law that allows couples to finalize a divorce without appearing in court, offering a more streamlined and lower-stress option for many families. 00:00 Divorce Planning and Financial Decisions01:20 Preparing for Divorce and Getting Organized04:30 Divorce Options12:30 No-Court Divorce and New Wisconsin Law19:45 Building Your Divorce Team24:00 Financial Planning During Divorce31:30 Divorce Mistakes to Avoid New episodes of Money Sense drop every Tuesday. Subscribe for more conversations about aligning your money with what matters most. #MoneySense #DivorcePlanning #DivorceAdvice #WisconsinDivorce #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #GrayDivorce #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #FinancialWellness ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations. Website: ellenbecker.com This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

May 19, 202630 min

How to Make Your Kid Rich on $1 a Day

What if just $1 a day could set your child up for long-term wealth? In this episode of Money Sense, Amy Bremmer, Wealth Services Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, is joined by Faith Reiter from the EIG Marketing Team, who is expecting her first child, to break down a simple but powerful strategy built on the time value of money. Together, they explore how small, consistent contributions, whether from parents, grandparents, or loved ones, can grow over a lifetime. From UTMA accounts to Roth IRAs, this episode walks through a step-by-step approach to turning early investing into generational wealth. They also discuss the realities of modern parenting costs, how to prioritize investing amid competing financial goals, and why starting early, even with a small amount, can make all the difference. 00:00 Welcome & Why This Topic Matters02:05 The Cost of Raising a Child Today04:15 What $1 a Day Really Means 06:20 UTMA Accounts Explained 10:45 $365 vs. Lump Sum Strategy16:30 The Roth IRA Strategy19:50 From $1/Day to Millions New episodes of Money Sense drop every Tuesday. Subscribe for more conversations about aligning your money with what matters most. #MoneySense #FinancialPlanning #GenerationalWealth #InvestingForKids #RothIRA #ParentingFinance #WealthBuilding #TimeInTheMarket ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations. Website: https://www.ellenbecker.com/ This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

May 12, 202629 min

Author Spotlight: Jen Marr on "Lifting Up"

What does it mean to show up as a leader, especially in times of crisis, uncertainty, and burnout?In this special #AuthorSpotlight episode of Money Sense, we’re joined by Jen Marr, founder and CEO of Showing Up and author of Lifting Up. Through the “showing up” framework, Jen breaks supportive leadership down into clear, actionable behaviors leaders can apply in real time to reduce burnout, strengthen trust, and improve team connection. Jen shares her deeply personal journey, shaped by proximity to the Sandy Hook tragedy and the Boston Marathon bombing, and how those experiences sparked decades of research into human behavior, stress, and support. From the concept of the “awkward zone” to practical, repeatable micro-skills leaders can use right away, this conversation goes far beyond theory and into action. 00:00 Why Showing Up Matters 01:15 Jen Marr’s Story 05:40 Stress, Disruption & the “Awkward Zone” 10:40 The Showing Up Leadership Framework 15:50 Practical Tools Leaders Can Use Today 26:30 Steady Leadership, AI, & How to Connect with Jen ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jen Marr is the founder and CEO of Showing Up and the author of “Lifting Up”. Through research, training, and real-world application, Jen helps leaders build supportive cultures that reduce burnout, increase trust, and strengthen human connection, especially during times of stress and uncertainty. Book: "Lifting Up" is available on Amazon and major book retailers. Website: showing-up.com Personal Site: jenmarr.com ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations. Website: ellenbecker.com This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

May 5, 202631 min

Why Dividend Growth Matters in Today’s Market

How can portfolios pursue growth while managing volatility and generating reliable income? In this episode of Money Sense, wealth advisor Jamie Williams sits down with Mary Brown, president and portfolio manager at Campbell Newman Asset Management, to explore why dividend growth investing continues to play a critical role in long‑term portfolio construction. Mary shares the history behind Campbell Newman and explains how dividend‑growing companies can signal financial strength, disciplined capital allocation, and management confidence, especially during volatile or uncertain markets. Together, they discuss how dividends contribute to total return, help dampen volatility, and fit into a broader active management strategy alongside diversification, quality, and risk control. Listen to Money Sense wherever you get your podcasts. #MoneySense #DividendGrowth #LongTermInvesting #ActiveManagement #PortfolioConstruction #MarketVolatility #WealthManagement #FinancialPlanning #StockMarketEducation ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations. Website: ellenbecker.com This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

April 28, 202635 min

Credit Scores, Debt, and Buying A Home

With Americans carrying over $1.27 trillion in credit card debt, understanding how credit actually works and how it impacts homeownership is more important than ever. In this episode of Money Sense, Kristina Schnuckel, wealth advisor and director of client experience at Ellenbecker Investment Group, is joined by Ben Revak, senior loan advisor at ProVisor Inc., for a practical conversation about credit scores, consumer debt and buying a home. They break down common myths around credit card debt, explain what truly affects a credit score, and discuss why having debt does not automatically disqualify someone from homeownership. The episode also explores the difference between good and bad debt, how to prepare financially before buying a home, and what buyers should consider when thinking about mortgage rates and timing the market. 00:00 Why Credit Scores Matter01:40 Credit Card Debt & Homeownership Myths07:33 What Really Makes Up a Credit Score15:55 Good Debt vs. Bad Debt (Mortgages Explained)20:35 How to Prepare for Buying a Home30:15 Mortgage Rates, Timing the Market & What to Know Now New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations about aligning your money with what matters most. #MoneySense #Homeownership #CreditScoreTips #DebtEducation #MortgageBasics #FinancialWellBeing #FirstTimeHomebuyer #MoneySensePodcast #FinancialPlanning ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations. Website: ellenbecker.com This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

April 21, 202645 min

Charitable Giving and Your Financial Plan

How can generosity fit seamlessly into your financial plan and maximize tax efficiency? In this episode of Money Sense, wealth advisors Jamie Williams and Heather Deaton explore how charitable giving can fit into a well‑rounded financial plan. They discuss how generosity can be both personal and strategic, while still supporting long‑term family and financial goals. The conversation is grounded in the Five T’s of Philanthropy: time, talent, treasure, ties, and testimony. Using real examples, they highlight the many ways individuals and families can give back beyond writing a check. 00:00 Why Philanthropy Is Core to the EIG Culture 03:40 Defining Your “Why” in Charitable Giving 07:30 The Five T’s of Philanthropy 12:45 Volunteering & Real‑World Impact 18:10 Securities, DAFs & Tax Efficiency 28:50 QCDs, RMDs & Retirement‑Based Giving 34:40 Legacy Giving, Estate Planning & Beneficiaries 41:20 Final Takeaways #MoneySensePodcast #CharitableGiving #FinancialPlanning #Philanthropy #LegacyPlanning #TaxEfficientGiving #ValuesBasedPlanning ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations. Website: ellenbecker.com This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group

April 14, 202640 min

Setting Kids Up for Financial Success

How do you raise kids who feel confident making money decisions?In this episode, wealth advisors Kristina Schnuckel and Heather Deaton share how their own families have approached allowances, saving, and early financial decisions, alongside what they see working with clients and their kids. 00:00 Raising Money-Confident Kids 05:00 Allowances, Chores, and Teaching Kids Financial Responsibility 09:15 Savings vs. Spending and Building Impulse Control 13:00 Teaching Kids About Charitable Giving and Family Values 14:10 Helping Kids Understand Money Through Cash Flow and Spending Awareness 26:00 Savings, Investing, and Financial Accounts for Kids 36:45 Launching Kids into Adulthood with Financial Confidence #MoneySensePodcast #FinancialPlanning #MoneyLessonsForKids #KidsAndMoney #TeachingKidsAboutMoney #RaisingMoneyConfidentKids #FinancialParentingELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations. Website: ellenbecker.comThis podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

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