More for Your Money

Episode 9: Questions to Ask Financial Advisors - 2/22/25

February 22nd, 2025  |  52 mins 54 secs

account management, advisor fit, family-run firm, fee-based advisor, financial advisor questions, financial guidance, financial literacy, how to choose a financial advisor, investment philosophy, investment strategy, janesville wisconsin, john berkley, krista berkley, local advisor, money confidence, portfolio strategy, retirement planning, risk tolerance, third-party managers, uci, uncommon cents investing, value investing, wealth management

John Berkley is joined by his daughter and fellow financial professional Krista Berkley for a conversational and insightful episode focused on empowering listeners with the right questions to ask when meeting a financial advisor. Whether you’re just getting started or considering switching firms, Krista and John share their perspectives on investment philosophy, risk tolerance, how accounts are managed, and why fit and communication matter more than flashy sales pitches. This episode is all about giving you more confidence when choosing who to trust with your money.

Episode 8: Retirement Withdrawal Strategies - 2/15/25

February 15th, 2025  |  52 mins 54 secs

4% rule, bucket strategy, financial literacy, flexible planning, income planning, janesville wisconsin, john berkley, long-term investing, market volatility, portfolio strategy, retirement goals, retirement income, retirement planning, retirement withdrawal strategies, roth ira, sequence of return risk, sheena hanson, tax efficiency, uncommon cents investing, value investing

How do you turn your nest egg into a reliable paycheck in retirement? This week, John Berkley is joined by Sheena Hanson, CEO and CCO of Uncommon Cents Investing, for a deep dive into withdrawal strategies that help retirees make the most of their hard-earned savings. They explore the 4% rule, tax-smart distribution tactics, bucket strategies, and how to avoid common pitfalls like sequence of return risk. Whether you’re approaching retirement or already there, this episode will help you understand how to take money out without running out.

Episode 4: The Debt, Inflation, and Your Future: How to Stay Grounded in a Shaky Economy - 1/18/25

January 18th, 2025  |  52 mins 54 secs

debt-to-gdp, economic policy, federal reserve, financial literacy, inflation, inflation history, investing in inflation, janesville wi, john berkley, kit carson, market performance, monetizing debt, national debt, personal finance, u.s. deficits, uncommon sense investing

In this week’s More for Your Money, John Berkley and Kit Carson tackle a topic that’s often in the headlines—but rarely explained in a way that makes sense: national debt and inflation. With warmth, wisdom, and a little Wisconsin winter humor, John breaks down what 36+ trillion dollars of federal debt actually means for us as investors, taxpayers, and future retirees.

They walk through the history of U.S. debt levels—from post-WWII to today—and how inflation, interest rates, and government spending have played a role in shaping the economy. What does this mean for your money? How should individuals prepare in a world of structural inflation, slow-moving tax reform, and the possibility of higher interest rates?

John gets practical with a key takeaway: We can’t fix the national debt ourselves, but we can make smart decisions to protect our own finances.