What Are The Advantages Of Having Your Kids Work At Your Business?

Ever wondered how to turn family time into a masterclass in money, confidence, and character? We’re pulling back the curtain on what happens when your kids step into your business—not as spectators, but as contributors with real responsibilities and real payoff. From greeting clients and stamping envelopes to basic bookkeeping in QuickBooks, we show how age-appropriate tasks can spark public speaking skills, sharpen focus, and build a habit that changes futures: finish what you start.

We also get into the strategy that gets everyone’s attention: paying your kids a reasonable wage for legitimate work and channeling that earned income into a Roth IRA. With careful documentation and market-aligned pay, small contributions can compound for decades in broad-market index funds. We break down what “reasonable” looks like, how to track time or projects, and why records matter. You’ll hear how shifting income into a child’s lower tax bracket can create immediate savings, why the standard deduction is a big lever, and how to avoid the common traps—like inflated modeling rates without real deliverables.

Beyond the dollars, we talk values and community. Volunteer work, charity events, and hands-on service give kids a wider lens on what meaningful work looks like. Exposure to many careers—accounting, therapy, retail, product, and more—teaches that income follows skill, not a single path. That perspective fuels ambition with purpose, whether it’s saving for a first hotel or building a side hustle that sticks. We also touch on state-specific opportunities such as employer-linked 529 advantages and why a quick chat with a tax professional can unlock benefits you might miss.

If you’re ready to raise confident, capable kids who understand money and respect the process, this conversation is your playbook. Subscribe, share this with a parent or business owner who needs it, and leave a review with the first job you’d give your kid—we’ll feature our favorites in a future show.

To learn more about MyPocketFP visit:
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When And How Do Employees Fill In The W-4 Form For Tax Withholdings?

Deadlines are creeping closer, but your tax withholding doesn’t have to feel like a black box. We break down a simple, reliable way to set up your W4, sanity-check your payroll, and avoid giving the IRS an interest-free loan. Whether you just started a new job, picked up a side gig, or went through a big life change like marriage or a new child, this conversation gives you a step-by-step path to get your numbers right and keep more predictable cash flow all year.

We start with timing and the key triggers for updating your W4, then show how to calculate your effective tax rate from last year’s 1040 and use a quick pay stub check to see if your current withholding is on track. You’ll learn why “simple first, adjust later” beats overcomplicating deductions, how to use the extra withholding line to fine-tune results, and why aiming for break-even is often the smartest goal. We also clear up common confusion by comparing W2, W4, and W9—what each form does, who uses it, and how mix-ups lead to under-withholding. For small business owners, we cover pitfalls to avoid, secure storage best practices, and why outsourcing payroll can prevent costly mistakes.

Expect practical examples, plain-English explanations, and a repeatable process you can reuse every year. Download the current W4 from IRS.gov, keep it basic, and let your pay stub math guide small tweaks through the year. If you’ve ever asked “Why did I owe so much?” or “Why is my refund huge again?”, this guide helps you fix the root cause with confidence. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share it with a friend who just changed jobs, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

To learn more about MyPocketFP visit:
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What Do I Need To Know Before Launching A Small Business?

Big dreams need sturdy foundations. We sat down to map the clearest path from idea to launch, focusing on the money moves that keep founders safe, nimble, and ready for growth. From choosing an entity to keeping the IRS happy, we walk through the decisions that turn hustle into a healthy business, with real-world examples you can use right away.

We start with the essentials—an emergency fund that protects your personal life while revenue ramps, and a small advisor team that punches above its weight: a CFP to frame risk and cash flow, an accountant to design your tax strategy, and an attorney to shore up liability and contracts. Then we dig into structure choices like sole proprietorship, LLC, S Corp, and C Corp, translating how each affects taxes, payroll, and future funding. Along the way, we share simple systems to separate business and personal expenses so your deductions actually stick, and audits don’t wreck your year.

Research is the cheat code many skip. We explore how to interview owners outside a sale process to learn about hidden costs, staffing headaches, and seasonality. That insight feeds a business plan with best, base, and worst-case scenarios, realistic cash flow, and milestones you can track. We also make the case for hiring a bookkeeper early—why clean books save money at tax time, speed decisions, and prevent messy fixes. On the risk side, we talk partnerships and funding traps, spotting predatory terms, and building a network through associations to stay ahead of shifting regulations. Plus, a fun twist: Violet shares her vision for building a resort-style hotel from scratch, and what she’s already learning by talking to real owners.

If you’re planning a launch—or refining one already in motion—this conversation gives you a practical checklist: cash first, entity choice, clean books, honest research, smart advisors, and cautious partnerships. Subscribe, share this with a founder friend, and leave a review to tell us the one step you’re taking this week.

To learn more about MyPocketFP visit:
https://www.MyPocketFP.com
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Why Is Debt So Tricky To Pay Off—and How Can I Simplify It?

Debt doesn’t just drain your bank account; it drains your focus, confidence, and momentum. We brought clarity to a messy topic by breaking down why balances keep coming back, how to separate growth-focused borrowing from costly consumption, and what simple routines actually keep you paid off for good. Jason Taylor, CFP and creator of MyPocketFP, joins Julie Schwenzer to unpack delayed gratification, the psychology of spending, and the cash flow habits that make financial discipline feel easier, not harder.

We get specific about the difference between good and bad debt, with a plain-English framework: use borrowing for assets that grow or skills that raise income, and avoid loans on things that shrink in value. You’ll hear when rules of thumb fail, why interest rates dictate your next move, and how to prioritize payments without getting overwhelmed. Jason walks through two proven strategies for multiple debts—knock out the smallest balance for quick wins or attack the highest interest to save the most—and explains how to choose the method you’ll stick with over time.

We also tackle car decisions many people regret. Leasing can look sleek, but mileage caps, depreciation, and higher total costs can wreck cash flow. Jason lays out a practical path for staying out of the trap, plus no-nonsense credit habits: pay when you get paid, automate the essentials, and keep utilization naturally low. To keep motivation high, try his favorite mindset tools—visual cues tied to your goals, weekly money check-ins, and accountability that nudges action without shame.

If you’re ready to simplify debt, protect your cash flow, and build real traction toward a home, education, or entrepreneurship, this conversation gives you the steps to start today. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review to help more listeners take control of their money.

To learn more about MyPocketFP visit:
https://www.MyPocketFP.com
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How Do I Protect Myself Financially During Life Transitions?

Life doesn’t wait for your spreadsheet to catch up. Marriage, a new baby, a sudden job change, or a broken water heater can all test your finances at once, and we’re here to help you stay steady when everything shifts. Jason Taylor, CFP and creator of MyPocketFP breaks down a simple, durable approach: plan for the worst, automate the best, and adjust the rest.

We start with the foundation—how to map your essential expenses, choose the right savings targets, and decide what “enough” looks like for your emergency fund. From there we explore the real moments that force financial decisions: merging money as newlyweds, navigating divorce with clarity, rolling over accounts during a career move, and preventing lifestyle creep after a bonus or inheritance. Jason explains what makes a plan more complex (think rentals, business ownership, tax strategy, and estate planning) and why starting early saves time, money, and stress.

Insurance takes center stage as protection that keeps your plan alive when risk shows up. You’ll hear when term life is a smart move, why disability coverage might matter even more, and how to right-size your property policies so home disasters don’t derail long-term goals. We also get tactical: setting alerts for savings dips, tracking net worth, and using My Pocket FP to keep you accountable through transitions. Along the way we talk about money mindsets formed in childhood and how to teach kids the value behind a “yes” or “not now.”

If you want a resilient money system that works through weddings, layoffs, promotions, and surprise repairs, this conversation gives you the checklist and the confidence to act. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s in a big life change, and leave a review with your top takeaway—we read every one.

To learn more about MyPocketFP visit:
https://www.MyPocketFP.com
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How Do I Know If I’m Saving Enough?

Ever wonder if your savings are actually on track or if you’re just crossing your fingers and hoping? We dig into a practical way to answer that question with clarity, starting from your emergency fund runway and moving through the habits and math that make a real difference. Jason Taylor, CFP and creator of MyPocketFP, joins Julie Schwenzer to unpack why flat rules like “save 10 percent” miss the point and how a personalized savings rate gives you a smarter, simpler target you can steadily improve.

Together we break down lifestyle-driven retirement planning, where the number you need depends on how you want to live, not your age. You’ll hear how to translate travel dreams or minimalist goals into an annual spending target, then back into the savings rate that fits today’s income. We also tackle near-term milestones such as down payments and car replacements, showing how to set a monthly number, choose safer vehicles for short horizons, and sequence goals so you can make progress without burning out.

Debt gets a clear, no-shame review: what makes some borrowing “less bad,” how to prioritize high-interest balances, and why keeping a small but steady savings habit alive during payoff builds resilience. Jason also shares the psychological side of money—how early experiences shape our behaviors—and the simple systems that help you win anyway: automation, annual reviews, and tiny percentage nudges that compound over time. We wrap with a hands-on look at the MyPocketFP app, which centers everything on your savings rate so you can track, adjust, and celebrate visible progress.

If you want a calm, confident plan that matches your life, not someone else’s benchmark, this conversation is your roadmap. Listen now, then subscribe, share with a friend who’s setting goals, and leave a quick review to help more people make smarter, lower-stress money moves.

To learn more about MyPocketFP visit:
https://www.MyPocketFP.com
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Should I Invest In Crypto, Or Sit It Out?

Crypto might be everywhere right now, but that doesn’t mean it fits your plan by default. We dig into the real question people are asking: should you invest or sit it out? Jason Taylor, CFP and creator of MyPocketFP separates hype from strategy, unpack key risks that don’t show up on price charts, and share simple ways to approach crypto without blowing up your budget.

We start by challenging the “easy money” myth and explaining how crypto differs from stocks and bonds. Stocks tie to businesses that produce cash flow; crypto—especially Bitcoin—behaves more like a currency-like asset driven by network belief and scarcity. That distinction shapes expectations for returns, risk, and the role crypto can play alongside your core holdings. From there, we talk custody: exchange failures, hacks, lost keys, and why platform choice matters as much as the coin itself. If you can’t clearly explain where your crypto lives and how you’d recover it, you’re taking risks you may not realize you’re taking.

Looking for a practical entry point? We cover how ETFs can simplify exposure, make cashing out easier, and reduce operational headaches for smaller allocations. Jason lays out a clean rule of thumb: treat speculative positions like Vegas bets—money you don’t need now and won’t miss if it goes to zero. We touch on manias and cycles—tulips, beanie babies, and what happens when people who never invest suddenly want in—and we end with the quiet powerhouse of a real plan: diversification. Keep your core in broad, low-cost funds, size crypto modestly if it belongs at all, and use rebalancing to keep risk in check as markets move.

Want a portfolio that sleeps well at night while still leaving room for curiosity? Press play, learn how to place smarter bets, and decide whether crypto earns a seat at your table. If you find this helpful, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s crypto-curious, and leave a quick review so more listeners can build better money habits with us.

To learn more about MyPocketFP visit:
https://www.MyPocketFP.com
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How Can Couples Build A Money Strategy Together?

Ever wish money talks felt calm, clear, and actually productive? We bring a practical blueprint for couples who want fewer fights and more progress: align on joint goals, choose a simple account structure, and set a meeting rhythm that keeps decisions steady even when emotions run hot. No jargon, no lectures—just a system that respects both partners and makes day‑to‑day choices easier.

We start with the cornerstone: shared outcomes you both care about. From there, we map a hybrid setup that blends transparency and independence—joint checking for bills, joint savings for targets, and two personal accounts funded by monthly allowances. That balance creates freedom without secrecy and accountability without micromanagement. We also tackle the classic spender vs saver clash, why “secret” stashes can be healthy if they come from agreed allowances, and how to avoid traps like hiding money while carrying credit card debt.

Mindset shapes money more than math, so we get personal about upbringing, fear, and trigger words. If hearing budget shuts you down, try reframing the language around plan and priorities. We share a simple template for quarterly money meetings and the key topics to cover: progress on goals, current balances, upcoming expenses, and tradeoffs. You’ll hear how to normalize conversations about credit scores and debt before merging, align on big purchases, and use “money languages” to understand what safety and success look like to each person. Walk away with practical scripts and structures you can try tonight.

If this helped, follow the show, share it with your partner, and leave a quick review so more couples can build a calmer money life. Ready to put it into action? Download the MyPocketFP app and start your first joint planning session today.

To learn more about MyPocketFP visit:
https://www.MyPocketFP.com
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