In this episode, host Matthew Gray speaks with Aaron Cosner, Upper School Principal at Redeemer Classical School in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They delve into the complex topic of investing in education, both primary and secondary, discussing the nuances between public and private schooling. Aaron shares his personal journey through different educational landscapes and provides insights on how various educational approaches align with family values and future goals.

They also cover considerations for college applications, the evolving career landscape, the resurgence of trade professions, and practical steps for parents evaluating private school options. The episode concludes with actionable takeaways for parents.

00:36 Introducing Our Guest: Aaron Costner

00:54 The Value of Investing in Education

01:27 Aaron's Educational Journey

03:05 Public vs. Private Education

05:15 The Bigger Picture: Goals of Education

11:13 College Admissions Insights

18:17 The Changing Landscape of College and Trades

23:36 The ROI of Private School Education

35:58 Actionable Steps for Parents

38:02 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Resources

Redeemer Classical Website

Aaron's Profile

Cal Newport

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

In this episode of the Financially Fit Couple podcast, host Matthew Gray dives into the intricacies of financial planning for young married couples with guest Malachi Bontrager, a financial advisor at LD&B Financial. The discussion covers the principles of balancing immediate financial desires with long-term goals, emphasizing the importance of intentional planning and the concept of delayed gratification.

Key topics include effective tax planning strategies such as Roth IRAs and capital gains harvesting, practical advice for funding college education and navigating the housing market. The episode also explores actionable steps for saving, the emotional factors involved in financial decisions, and how to align financial planning with personal values and goals.

00:40 Introducing Malachi Bontrager

01:07 Balancing Now vs. Later in Financial Planning

05:40 Understanding the Debt Crisis

10:14 The Benefits of Paying Taxes Now

18:48 Roth Conversions and Tax Strategies

21:04 College Planning and Saving Strategies for Education

32:36 Navigating the Housing Market: Rent vs. Buy

35:36 Current Housing Market Trends

41:23 Balancing Financial and Emotional Decisions in Home Buying

44:19 Concluding Thoughts on Financial Planning

Resources

Tuition Tracker

Rent vs. Buying Home Calculator

Malachi Bontrager

https://www.ldbfinancialgroup.com/meet-our-team/

malachi@ldbfinancialgroup.com

540-437-1438

LPL Financial and LD&B Financial are separate entities.

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

In this episode of the Financially Fit Couple, host Matthew Gray talks with Bryce Rogers about his journey from being a professional drummer to owning multiple rental properties. Bryce shares his experiences, the resources he used to educate himself, the challenges and benefits of self-managing versus hiring a property manager, and how he and his wife have worked together in their investment endeavors. He provides valuable insights and advice for listeners considering real estate investing. Additionally, Bryce discusses the importance of setting financial parameters, building a support network, and managing fear when starting out. This episode offers a real-life look at the path to becoming a successful real estate investor.

00:42 Introducing Bryce Rogers

01:35 Bryce's Journey into Real Estate

04:34 First Steps: Resources and Learning

06:39 First Property Purchase and Management

12:25 Expanding the Portfolio: Second Property

15:33 Current Portfolio and Management Strategies

21:25 Advice for Aspiring Real Estate Investors

25:29 Conclusion and Contact Information

Episode Resources

Bigger Pockets Podcast

Rich Dad, Poor Dad Book

RentRedi Property Management App

Bryce Rodgers

brycerodgers@icloud.com

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

In this episode of the Financially Fit Couple podcast, host Matthew Gray is joined by disability insurance expert Grayson Owen. They discuss the importance of disability insurance, the types of coverage available, and how to determine the right plan for your needs. The conversation covers key factors like elimination periods, benefit duration, and premium costs, emphasizing the need for proactive financial planning. Listeners are encouraged to evaluate their current coverage, especially if they are self-employed or unsure about their employer-provided benefits. Grayson also addresses common misconceptions and provides practical steps for securing adequate disability insurance.

00:39 Introducing Grayson Owen: Disability Insurance Expert

01:29 Understanding Disability Insurance

07:56 Key Components of Long-Term Disability Insurance

19:33 Evaluating Your Coverage Needs

26:54 Action Steps for Ensuring Adequate Coverage

32:35 Final Thoughts and Professional Advice

Grayson Owen

Find Grayson on LinkedIn

grayson.owen@dibrokereast.com

The Income Protection Podcast

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

In this episode Matthew Gray is joined by Rick Williams, a seasoned real estate expert, to discuss the intricacies of the home buying process. They cover various aspects from determining readiness to engage with a realtor, the importance of pre-approval, to understanding buyer beware states. Rick also sheds light on the benefits of having a dedicated real estate agent, the timeline from offer to closing, and strategies for competitive markets. The episode concludes with insights into current market conditions and advice for potential buyers.

05:36 Getting Started: Preparing to Buy a Home

10:57 Understanding Realtor Relationships and Pre-Approval

20:51 Navigating the Home Search Process

30:23 Making an Offer and Negotiations

38:29 Closing the Deal and Final Steps

52:47 Final Thoughts

Rick Williams,

540-416-1040

Rick.Williams@KlineMay.com

http://realestatewithrick.net/

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

In this episode of the Financially Fit Couple podcast, host and CFP® Matthew Gray sits down with real estate financing expert Annie King to discuss various aspects of buying a home. They cover crucial topics including financing a first home, purchasing a second home or vacation property, and house hacking. Annie also explains the myths around the 20% down payment, the nuances of PMI, and the ins and outs of home equity loans and lines of credit. Additionally, they delve into scenarios like selling an existing home to build a new one, keeping your old house as a rental, and financing home renovations. The episode wraps up with practical advice for couples considering investment properties and the importance of early preparation in the home-buying process.

00:00 Welcome to the Financially Fit Couple
01:05 Annie King's Journey in Mortgage Lending
03:05 Understanding Loan Programs for First-Time Home Buyers
05:55 Debunking the 20% Down Payment Myth
08:48 Navigating the Process of Selling and Buying a New Home
12:54 Building a New Home: Land and Construction Loans
16:21 Exploring House Hacking
17:49 Understanding Down Payments for Second Homes
19:57 Financing Home Additions and Renovations
21:32 Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit Explained
27:11 Pros and Cons of Moving vs. Renovating
28:05 Getting Started with Investment Properties
31:22 Preparing for the Home Buying Process
33:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Annie King

540-437-7402

annie.king@pvfcu.org

https://www.pvfcu.org/mortgage/

Matthew Gray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-cfp%C2%AE-5a2144134/

https://schrockfin.com/

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC