Divorce Isn’t Just Emotional—It’s Financial
Managing Associate Melanie Wells, CFP®, CDFA®, joins the show to discuss what earning the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® designation adds to financial planning during divorce. Using a real-world style case study, we examine how retirement accounts, pensions, stock options, real estate, and even debt are evaluated — and why in divorce planning, “fair” doesn’t always mean “equal.”
Good Intentions Aren’t Enough: How to Structure a Charitable Legacy
A “Henssler Money Talks” listener wants to create a trust to leave a legacy to his college fraternity but wonders how to structure annual 10% distributions without trustee fees eating up the gift. We explore the tradeoffs between giving vehicles and why the fraternity’s tax status could significantly shape the strategy.
Have Markets Become the ‘Safe’ Asset
In a recent Wall Street Journal article, “Gen Z, Locked Out of Home Buying, Puts Its Money in the Market,” a 23-year-old renter said she feels her money is safer in the stock market than in a house. To borrow a Gen Z phrase, we were a little “shook.” But it led us to ask […]
$650+ Billion on AI: Strategic Investment or Excess?
Big Tech is opening the checkbook for AI. Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft are on track to spend nearly $650+ billion in 2026 alone, even if it means absorbing short-term pressure on free cash flow. We’ll what is driving this spending surge, where the money is going, and what it could mean for earnings, valuations, and investors navigating the AI boom.
When the Unexpected Happens, Insurance Can Help Protect What You’ve Built
Insurance is designed to provide protection—but over time, it can quietly become a drag on your financial plan. In this conversation, the “Henssler Money Talks” hosts examine common coverage decisions, how to evaluate which risks truly need to be insured, and when self-insuring may be a more sensible solution. We also walk through the different types of insurance and what coverage is essential for long-term peace of mind.
When Loyalty and Legacy Create Portfolio Risk
The “Henssler Money Talks” hosts explore why investors so often fall in love with certain companies—and how nostalgia, personal experience, and compelling stories can quietly override sound investment discipline. They discuss the real risks of concentrated single-stock positions, why familiarity frequently feels safer than it truly is, and why long-term investing success often requires behavior that runs counter to human instinct.
Is Front-Loading Your 401(k) a Smart Move—or a Cash-Flow Trap?
Front-loading retirement contributions can feel like a smart move—especially in volatile markets. But is it always the best strategy? The “Henssler Money Talks” hosts walk through when front-loading can help, when it can hurt, and why discipline and cash-flow planning matter just as much as time in the market.
Reacting to Headlines or Investing With Purpose?
A timely listener question also sparked a deeper discussion about how we evaluate market-moving headlines—and why news alone doesn’t automatically trigger changes to a well-constructed portfolio. The “Henssler Money Talks” hosts walk through the critical distinction between short-term trading and long-term investing. We explain how Henssler evaluates stocks using multi-point criteria and in-depth fundamental analysis, and why that approach aligns with our long-term financial planning philosophy, the Henssler Ten Year Rule.
Divorce Decisions Can Create Long-Term Financial Consequences
Divorce can bring emotional stress—and financial decisions made too quickly can have lasting consequences. Asset division, especially when real estate is involved, is more complex than it may appear. The “Henssler Money Talks” hosts address a question involving divorce, home equity, and family planning: What should you consider before transferring ownership of a house to an adult child?
Laying the Financial Groundwork for a Growing Family
A baby boom is currently underway at Henssler, prompting a poignant discussion about how welcoming a child changes your financial life and the important first steps every new parent should take. Topics include establishing the appropriate legal protections, reviewing insurance coverage, understanding new tax benefits, and determining when to start saving for college. This episode offers a clear financial starting point during one of life’s most significant transitions.