More for Your Money

Episode 12: Market Corrections, Risk, and Rethinking Retirement - 3/15/25

March 15th, 2025  |  52 mins 54 secs

behavioral investing, financial independence, financial planning, fire movement, investing mindset, ira strategies, janesville wi, john berkley, long-term investing, market update, more for your money, retirement strategy, risk tolerance, roth ira, sheena hanson, social security timing, stock market correction, uncommon cents investing, value vs growth, wealth building

John Berkley was joined by Sheena Hanson for an insightful and down-to-earth discussion on what recent market movements mean for long-term investors, and why strategy and mindset are more important than ever.

Episode 6: Tariffs, Gold, and the Debt: What History Might Teach Us About the Road Ahead - 2/1/25

February 1st, 2025  |  52 mins 54 secs

bond market, deflation, economic history, economic theory, gold prices, government spending, inflation, interest rates, janesville wi, lacy hunt, long-term investing, market cycles, national debt, personal finance, reaganomics, roth ira conversions, stock market, tariffs, uncommon cents investing, value vs growth

In this week’s episode of More for Your Money, John Berkley is joined by the Uncommon Cents Investing committee—Greg, Todd, and Carson—for a wide-ranging, fast-paced discussion on market trends, inflation, gold, government debt, and the evolving role of tariffs in economic strategy.

Drawing on insights from respected economist Lacy Hunt, the team explores whether deflation might be the next curveball for investors and how today’s policies echo some surprising historical parallels—like the Reagan era’s early pain and long-term gain. Along the way, they unpack the gold market, discuss the hidden cost of inflation on the middle class, and debate whether tariffs can be both a financial and geopolitical tool.

If you’re looking to connect the dots between interest rates, debt, inflation, and long-term investing, this one’s for you.

Episode 5: Roth IRA Conversions: The Why, the Why Not, and the Rest of the Story - 01/25/2025

January 25th, 2025  |  52 mins 54 secs

estate planning, irmaa, janesville wi, john berkley, market timing, medical deductions, personal finance, qualified charitable distributions, retirement planning, roth conversion, roth ira, roth vs traditional ira, savers credit, tax strategies, uncommon sense investing

This week on More for Your Money, John Berkley and Kit Carson dive deep into a topic that generates more questions than answers: Roth IRA conversions. Should you convert? When does it make sense—and when does it not? With John's decades of experience and Carson's sharp curiosity, the duo takes listeners through a thoughtful, nuanced look at one of the most misunderstood moves in retirement planning.

Using the classic Paul Harvey style—“the rest of the story”—John highlights the lesser-known risks and hidden pitfalls of converting, like the impact of future tax law changes, state residency, IRMAA brackets, medical expense deductions, charitable giving strategies, and even market timing. And yes, he also shares smart, strategic situations where a Roth conversion does make good sense.

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.

Episode 3: Tipping, Taxes & Timely Advice: 2025 Planning and Everyday Financial Wisdom - 1/11/25

January 11th, 2025  |  52 mins 54 secs

estate planning, family finance, financial advisor, financial education, investment strategy, ira contributions, janesville wi, john berkley, money tips, more for your money, required minimum distributions, retirement planning, roth ira, sheena hanson, tax planning 2025, uncommon cents investing

John Berkley returns to the More for Your Money studio this week with a full house—welcoming co-host Carson back from a short sick break, and special guest Sheena Hanson (his daughter and Principal at Uncommon Cents Investing). The trio covers everything from market updates and tipping trends to detailed 2025 tax planning changes.

John revisits his now-famous "15 Financial Life Lessons" list, Sheena gives insight into how Uncommon Cents conducts thoughtful, personal annual reviews with clients, and the team walks through the latest tax brackets, deduction limits, and planning considerations for the year ahead.

John, Sheena, and Carson break down 2025 tax updates, reflect on life and financial lessons, and explain why trust and communication matter when working with a financial advis