Podcast
Check Your Balances
Hosted by Ross Anderson, CFP® and Daniel Messeca, CFP® · EN
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.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Is the Coffee Really Blowing Your Budget?
Jun 300:22:36Tap to summarizeWe’ve all been told that skipping your daily latte is the secret to building wealth. But is sacrificing small joys actually moving the needle, or is it just a distraction from the real culprits?In this episode of Check Your Balances, we unpack a recent Business Insider article on "Wealth Traps" to reveal what’s really holding people back from financial freedom. Spoiler alert: It’s almost never your morning caffeine fix. Tune in to find out if we can find a more thoughtful way to teach young investors the impact of a creating financial discipline.Link to Article: What Wealth Managers Teach About Avoiding Spending Traps via Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.com/teach-wealth-management-avoid-these-spending-traps-save-money-invest-2026-5)Send us Fan MailSend your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
Transcribe →Is the Berkshire Shareholder Letter Still Required Reading?
May 2700:30:32Tap to summarizeFor decades, Warren Buffett’s annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders was the ultimate textbook for value investing. Packed with folksy wisdom, sharp market critiques, and fundamental business truths, it was considered mandatory reading for anyone serious about finance.But with Greg Abel officially taking the helm as CEO, the landscape has shifted. Is the letter still worth your time?This week Ross and Dan break down Greg Abel's first letter and whether it still deserves a spot on your reading pile.Send us Fan MailSend your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
Transcribe →How Easy Is the Rule of 55 to Use? - Mailbag Episode
May 2000:34:34Tap to summarizeIt’s time to open up the mailbag! In this episode, Ross and Dan dive into your financial questions, tackling everything from early retirement strategies to the interpersonal dynamics of shared household finances.First up, we break down the Rule of 55. If you’re looking to retire or step away from your job early, this IRS provision sounds like a dream—allowing you to tap into your current 401(k) penalty-free before the magical age of 59½. But is it actually as simple as it sounds? We look at the fine print, the common traps people fall into, and why your employer’s specific plan documents hold all the power.We later transition from tax code to relationship dynamics. How much can you or your spouse spend without asking for permission? We discuss how to establish "no-questions-asked" spending limits, and whether a wheel of cheese could actually be a good investment.Send us Fan MailSend your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
Transcribe →1929: Is This Our Past or Our Future?
May 1300:26:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Check Your Balances, we dive deep into the haunting parallels between the modern financial landscape and the most infamous market collapse in history. We explore Andrew Ross Sorkin’s thoughtful insights and historical analysis surrounding the Great Crash of 1929.Is a century of economic "progress" enough to save us from ourselves, or are we just 1929 investors with faster internet? Let's get into it.Send us Fan MailSend your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
Transcribe →Episode 11: Talking Credit Cards with Sara Rathner from Nerd Wallet
Apr 14, 2021Tap to summarizeThe "Credit Card Queen," as we appointed her, Sara Rathner from Nerd Wallet joins the show this week to talk all things credit cards! We also dive into the importance of bringing nuance to financial media.Email us at checkyourbalances@outlook.com for questions or topics you want us to cover on our show!Send us Fan MailSend your questions for upcoming show to checkyourbalances@outlook.com @checkyourbalances on Instagram
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