The Millionaire Insider Podcast

Hosted by Annette Bau, CFP®

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187

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Oct 2026

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About the show

The Millionaire Insider® Podcast is about much more than money. Each episode blends practical strategies, real-world guidance, and powerful mindset shifts to help you create a secure financial future and a retirement you truly love. You will learn how to turn your paycheck into a guaranteed income stream so you can worry less and spend your time as you wish. Your host, Annette Bau, CFP®, and founder of The Millionaire Insider®, brings over 36 years of experience advising individuals and studying the habits of the upper echelon of millionaires. She shares proven insights, thoughtful planning strategies, and the inner and outer game of wealth so you can make confident decisions about your money and your life. Ready to take the next step? Click here if you need personal guidance: https://themillionaireinsider.com/5q If you want a financial checkup, start here: https://themillionaireinsider.com/financial-checkup. You can fast-track to a successful retirement with our Retirement Readiness Quiz. This quiz will show you what stage of retirement preparedness you are at and what you should do next. You can access it here: https://themillionaireinsider.com/rrq The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide investment, tax, or financial advice. Before implementing any strategy, you agree to consult your team of professional advisors regarding your individual situation. You agree to hold The Millionaire Insider, Estate & Retirement Strategies, LLC, Annette Bau, and all affiliates harmless from the material contained in these episodes. To learn more about our advisory services and disclosures, visit: https://themillionaireinsider.com/ers-disclosure

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October 28, 2026Episode 18618 min

Where I Am Spending and Saving My Money

Have you ever wondered where successful people spend and save money? Some of the strategies I've learned have saved me thousands of dollars. And many of them are surprisingly simple changes you can make, too. The goal isn't to save every dollar and never enjoy your wealth. It's to spend intentionally on what matters most to you while staying on track toward your financial goals. In this week's episode of The Millionaire Insider®, I'm sharing where I choose to spend and save my own money. Then, I'll teach practical lessons to help you make smarter decisions with yours. If you've ever wondered whether you're spending money on the right things—or where you could save more without sacrificing what matters—this episode is for you. In this week's episode of The Millionaire Insider®, I'm sharing where I'm spending and saving my own money—and some of the decisions behind those choices. In this episode, you will learn: >> (1:38) How I save money on food >> (5:49) How to save thousands on a home remodel >> (8:43) Where I save money on skincare >> (13:01) Where I choose to spend my money more freely >> (16:04) Where I choose to spend more on skincare >> (16:45) How to decide where to spend and where to save One of the most important lessons I've learned is that spending wisely isn't about depriving yourself. Rather, spending wisely is about making intentional choices that align with your values and support the life you want. Every time you say yes to something, you're also saying no to something else. Choose your yeses wisely. Enjoy the episode! Are You Ready For Retirement? When you replace uncertainty with facts, including your income, your spending, and your strategy, everything changes. You move from guessing… to knowing. Retirement readiness isn't just financial; it's your life and future. Take the quiz: https://themillionaireinsider.com/rrq Links Referenced in the Show: Have Questions? Need Support? https://themillionaireinsider.com/sr Show notes and more information: https://themillionaireinsider.com/186 This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or planning advice.

October 21, 2026Episode 18526 min

When Adult Children Ask for Money

Giving money to an adult child who asks for it can feel like the natural thing to do. You love them, you want to help, and if you have the money, you may not give helping them a second thought. But helping your children financially isn't always as simple as writing a check. The more important question is whether helping them in this way supports their future or jeopardizes your own financial security and independence. Without clear boundaries, ongoing financial support can affect your retirement, create resentment, and even prevent your children from learning important money lessons. In this episode of The Millionaire Insider®, I share how to navigate these difficult conversations, determine when financial help makes sense, and set boundaries without guilt. In this episode, you will learn: >> (12:26) What to say when asked for money >> (17:12) Strategies to avoid conflict when your kids ask for money >> (20:46) Avoiding the comparison game >> (21:12) The power of saying no >> (22:32) The ultimate goal >> (24:06) A great statement when you say no Helping your adult children isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes you may want to help with an emergency, education, a home, or another opportunity that can improve their future. Before you say yes, think about it. Decide what you can afford, what you are willing to fund, and whether your help moves your child toward greater independence or creates more dependence. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is say no. Instead, offer a different kind of support and allow your adult child to solve the problem themselves. When your financial house is in order, you have more freedom to say yes when it makes sense—and no when it doesn't. Enjoy the episode! Are You Ready For Retirement? When you replace uncertainty with facts, including your income, your spending, and your strategy, everything changes. You move from guessing… to knowing. Retirement readiness isn't just financial; it's your life and future. Take the quiz: https://themillionaireinsider.com/rrq Links Referenced in the Show: Have Questions? Need Support? https://themillionaireinsider.com/sr Show notes and more information: https://themillionaireinsider.com/185 This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or planning advice.

October 14, 2026Episode 18421 min

Retirement and Tax Questions You Should Ask Part 2

In Part 2, we continue the conversation about taxes in retirement. We will explore important questions that can help you identify potential tax-related risks and opportunities before they become costly mistakes. Financial preparation for retirement is an ongoing process. Retirement and tax planning involve much more than looking at how much you owe in taxes each year. Rather, it should look at the bigger picture. A decision that saves you money today could cost you much more later. How and when you withdraw money, your retirement income, Roth conversions, Social Security, Medicare premiums, and even what happens after the first spouse dies can all affect your financial future. That is why the goal isn't to make one tax decision at a time. It is to create a coordinated plan and to understand how the different pieces work together. Seeing the big picture lets you make more informed decisions throughout retirement. In this episode, you will learn: >> (2:05) Critical insight you need to know >> (3:48) Ways to save through gifting strategies >> (7:31) What happens when a spouse dies >> (8:55) The problematic widow tax >> (13:44) Tax scenarios to help you determine your best strategy >> (16:16) One of the most important tax tips Retirement tax planning isn't about finding loopholes or simply paying the least tax in a given year. The goal is to ask the right questions at the right time and coordinate your estate planning decisions. When you understand how the pieces work together, you can make more informed decisions today while preparing for what may happen tomorrow. Enjoy the episode! Are You Ready For Retirement? When you replace uncertainty with facts, including your income, your spending, and your strategy, everything changes. You move from guessing… to knowing. Retirement readiness isn't just financial; it's your life and future. Take the quiz: https://themillionaireinsider.com/rrq Links Referenced in the Show: Have Questions? Need Support? https://themillionaireinsider.com/sr Show notes and more information: https://themillionaireinsider.com/184 This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or planning advice.

October 7, 2026Episode 18322 min

5 Retirement and Tax Questions You Should Be Asking Part 1

Most people spend decades saving and investing for retirement. But far fewer spend enough time planning how they will withdraw that money or considering how taxes will affect what they actually keep. Poor planning can lead to costly mistakes. Many factors can affect how much you pay in taxes throughout retirement. Examples include which accounts you withdraw from, the timing of those withdrawals, Medicare premiums, Roth conversions, and other financial decisions. The goal isn't simply to pay the least tax this year. It's to create a coordinated retirement and tax plan that helps you keep more of your money over your lifetime. In this week's episode, I share important retirement tax questions you should be asking before—and throughout—retirement. In this episode, you will learn: >> (0:59) One of the biggest mistakes retirees make >> (10:25) The ultimate goal and a major opportunity >> (15:06) Examples of actions you can take now >> (17:11) Roth conversion considerations Retirement tax planning isn't about finding a loophole or chasing the latest tax strategy. It's about asking the right questions early enough to still have time and flexibility to adjust your plan. The decisions you make before and during retirement ultimately affect how much money you have available to enjoy your life. A coordinated plan can help you see the potential impact of different choices and give you greater confidence that your decisions will support the retirement and life you want. Enjoy the episode! Are You Ready For Retirement? When you replace uncertainty with facts, including your income, your spending, and your strategy, everything changes. You move from guessing… to knowing. Retirement readiness isn't just financial; it's your life and future. Take the quiz: https://themillionaireinsider.com/rrq Links Referenced in the Show: Have Questions? Need Support? https://themillionaireinsider.com/sr Show notes and more information: https://themillionaireinsider.com/183 This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or planning advice.

September 30, 2026Episode 18226 min

You've Built Wealth, But You Don't Want to Manage It

For years, you worked hard to manage money and build your wealth. But as you approach retirement, you may realize you no longer want to spend your time managing every account, investment, tax decision, and financial detail. Building wealth and managing it in retirement are very different. As your working years end, your focus shifts from accumulation to creating retirement income, managing risk, planning withdrawals, reducing unnecessary taxes, and coordinating your estate plan. It's easy to feel overwhelmed because your tax strategies often change significantly in retirement. The key is to have a financial plan that drives your investment decisions—not the other way around. Your money should support your retirement income needs, goals, risk tolerance, tax strategy, liquidity needs, and legacy plans. And if managing it all has become a full-time job, you don't have to do everything yourself. You can simplify your financial life, build the right team, and delegate without giving up control. In this episode, you will learn: >> (6:28) The bottom-line decision >> (12:06) An easy way to simplify your finances >> (18:32) One common and expensive mistake to avoid >> (20:09) A compromise to managing it all >> (21:23) How to build the right team >> (22:27) How financial planners charge for services >> (23:37) The ultimate decision Most people build wealth to create choices and freedom—not to spend their retirement managing every aspect of their money. Financial freedom lets you enjoy your life and feel less stress and worry. The goal isn't to disengage from your finances. It's to simplify, create a coordinated plan, decide what you want to manage yourself, and delegate the rest to qualified professionals. The key is to delegate tasks, not abdicate responsibility. This lets you remain informed and in control while spending more time enjoying what your wealth makes possible. Enjoy the episode! Are You Ready For Retirement? When you replace uncertainty with facts, including your income, your spending, and your strategy, everything changes. You move from guessing… to knowing. Retirement readiness isn't just financial; it's your life and future. Take the quiz: https://themillionaireinsider.com/rrq Links Referenced in the Show: Have Questions? Need Support? https://themillionaireinsider.com/sr Show notes and more information: https://themillionaireinsider.com/182 This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or planning advice.

September 23, 2026Episode 18122 min

When Should I Use AI for Money and Life?

Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, research, plan, and make decisions. I use AI in my business and personal life, and it has saved me a lot of time. AI tools can help you organize information, research ideas, ask better questions, and think through your options. But AI has another side that can't be ignored. AI isn't always right. Sometimes, it gives answers that don't make sense. Unfortunately, when it comes to your money, retirement, health, taxes, or estate plan, acting on inaccurate or incomplete information can have serious consequences. The key is knowing when AI can be a valuable tool—and when you shouldn't rely on it. In this week's episode of The Millionaire Insider®, I share how you can use AI to help with your money and life—and where you need to be cautious. >> (2:04) A great way to use AI >> (6:19) When to be cautious >> (9:57) How to use AI for planning and when to skip it >> (10:55) One of the best situations to use AI >> (17:32) My favorite way I am using AI for my health (This has been a game-changer!) AI is changing quickly, and the opportunities are incredible. But knowing how to use AI isn't enough. You also need to know when to use it—and when not to. Because when it comes to your money, retirement, health, taxes, or estate plan, the wrong answer can have consequences. In this episode, I share how I'm using AI, where I've found it most valuable, and a few situations where you may want to think twice before relying on its answers. Some of the best ways to use AI may not be the ones you expect. Enjoy the episode! Are You Ready For Retirement? When you replace uncertainty with facts, including your income, your spending, and your strategy, everything changes. You move from guessing… to knowing. Retirement readiness isn't just financial; it's your life and future. Take the quiz: https://themillionaireinsider.com/rrq Links Referenced in the Show: Have Questions? Need Support? https://themillionaireinsider.com/sr Show notes and more information: https://themillionaireinsider.com/181 This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or planning advice.

September 16, 2026Episode 18035 min

How Millionaires Think: The Mindset Behind Success

Wealth isn't the destination. A life you love is. And creating that life often starts with how you think. After more than 35 years of advising and researching millionaires, I have learned that wealth is rarely just about how much someone earns. Some of the highest-income people I have met struggle financially, while others quietly build significant wealth and a life they love. One of the biggest differences is how they think, the decisions they make, and the actions they consistently take. Successful millionaires aren't fearless, and they certainly don't make the right decision every time. They experience fear, setbacks, uncertainty, and failure just like everyone else. The difference is how they respond. They understand that mistakes and setbacks are learning opportunities, not stopping points on the path to creating a life they love. In this episode, you will learn: >> (11:27) Insight to take action when you're terrified >> (18:13) A million-dollar lesson on what you need to know >> (21:58) A critical step to achieving wealth >> (25:10) The real goal which isn't a goal >> (32:28) What society rewards and why most people focus on a result One of the biggest lessons? The goal isn't simply to make more money. It's to build wealth that gives you choices—and ultimately helps you create a financially secure, fulfilling life you love. Enjoy the episode! Are You Ready For Retirement? When you replace uncertainty with facts, including your income, your spending, and your strategy, everything changes. You move from guessing… to knowing. Retirement readiness is not just financial; It's your life and future. Take the quiz: https://themillionaireinsider.com/rrq Links Referenced in the Show: Have Questions? Need Support? https://themillionaireinsider.com/sr Show notes and more information: https://themillionaireinsider.com/180 This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or planning advice.

September 9, 2026Episode 17930 min

Not Enough Time? How to Get the Right Things Done

Do you ever end your day exhausted, knowing you were busy all day but wondering what you actually accomplished? It is a common problem, especially for successful people. Your calendar is full, your phone is constantly demanding your attention, and there is always one more thing on your plate that needs to get done. The problem often isn't that you need more time. It is that too much of your time goes to activities that don't produce the results you want and need. That is where the Power Hour can be a game-changer. Instead of trying to do more, the goal is to identify the right actions, eliminate distractions, and focus your energy on what will actually move you closer to your goals. >> (7:00) What is a power hour? >> (8:15) The different categories of power hours >> (10:30) The impact of multi-tasking and productivity >> (13:43) One habit that is critical to your success >> (17:42) The 6 Step Power Hour Process successful people use >> (26:27) Additional success tips Time is one of your most valuable resources. Regardless of your wealth, career, or success, you cannot create more of it. What you can control is how intentionally you use the time you have. The Power Hour is not about squeezing more work into an already busy life. It is about getting clear on what matters, eliminating distractions, and consistently taking the right action. Today's episode will show you how. And the best news, the right plan plus the right action creates amazing results. Enjoy the episode! Are You Ready For Retirement? When you replace uncertainty with facts, including your income, your spending, and your strategy, everything changes. You move from guessing… to knowing. Retirement readiness is not just financial; It's your life and future. Take the quiz: https://themillionaireinsider.com/rrq Links Referenced in the Show: Have Questions? Need Support? https://themillionaireinsider.com/sr Show notes and more information: https://themillionaireinsider.com/179 This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or planning advice.

September 2, 2026Episode 17829 min

Digital Assets: What Happens to Your Online Life When You Die

Most of us continue to grow our online presence. From email accounts and social media to online banking, photos, passwords, and even cryptocurrency, these digital assets can become some of the most valuable or problematic elements of an estate plan. Without clear instructions and the proper legal provisions, your trustee or executor may face delays, frustration, or even be unable to access important accounts after your death. In this episode of The Millionaire Insider® Podcast, I interview Susan Swinehart about what happens to your digital life when you die. We discuss how to plan for access to your digital assets, how current laws may affect your heirs, and practical steps you can take now to make the process easier for the people you love. In this episode, you will learn: >> (1:52) What counts as a digital asset—and why it matters to your estate plan >> (3:07) The critical steps that can help your heirs access your phone after your death >> (5:21) How the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act may affect your estate plan and heirs >> (6:10) Which estate planning documents should address digital asset access—including one that is often overlooked >> (9:18) Five digital planning strategies that can make the process easier for your family >> (16:37) The steps you can take now to help your trustee, executor, and professional team >> (23:15) Additional ways to help protect and provide access to your digital assets and data Your estate plan may cover your home, investments, and financial accounts. But what about the digital life you have spent years building? Without a plan, valuable information, sentimental photographs, and even financial assets can become difficult or impossible for your loved ones to access. A little preparation today can make an enormous difference later. By organizing your digital assets, documenting access appropriately, and coordinating the details with your estate, financial, legal, and tax planning, you can make it easier for the people you trust to carry out your wishes. You'll also give yourself and your family greater peace of mind. Enjoy the episode! Are You Ready For Retirement? When you replace uncertainty with facts, including your income, your spending, and your strategy, everything changes. You move from guessing… to knowing. Retirement readiness is not just financial; It's your life and future. Take the quiz: https://themillionaireinsider.com/rrq Links Referenced in the Show: Have Questions? Need Support? https://themillionaireinsider.com/sr Show notes and more information: https://themillionaireinsider.com/178 This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or planning advice.

August 26, 2026Episode 17725 min

Choosing the Right Trustee

Most people spend months deciding how their beneficiaries should inherit their assets, and yet only minutes deciding who will coordinate their estate plan. This decision will have a lasting impact on your family. A trustee is responsible for carrying out your wishes and ensuring your trust is administered properly. Today, you will learn what makes a great trustee. We will also discuss options that may help protect your wishes if the person you initially choose is no longer the best person for the role. >> (3:57) The characteristics that can make or break a trustee >> (6:48) The biggest trustee-selection mistakes I've seen families make >> (9:04) Key questions to ask before naming your trustee >> (14:44) Individual vs. corporate trustees: which may be right for you? >> (16:58) Co-trustees: added protection or a recipe for conflict? >> (18:01) How to add additional safeguards to ensure your wishes come to fruition >> (18:34) The questions that can help you choose the best trustee for your family Choosing the right trustee may be one of the most important and overlooked decisions in your estate plan. The right person can help carry out your wishes and protect the legacy you have spent a lifetime building. Take the time to review your choice today, because the person who looks right may not always be the person best equipped to serve when your wishes. Enjoy the episode! Are You Ready For Retirement? When you replace uncertainty with facts, including your income, your spending, and your strategy, everything changes. You move from guessing… to knowing. Retirement readiness is not just financial; It's your life and future. Take the quiz: https://themillionaireinsider.com/rrq Enjoy the episode! Links Referenced in the Show: Have Questions? Need Support? https://themillionaireinsider.com/sr Show notes and more information: https://themillionaireinsider.com/177 This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or planning advice.

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