Growing Money with Sean Trace

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Joe Moss, founder of Advisor Techbook, to talk about a problem almost everyone has but few people solve, how to charge more money without feeling like a fraud. Joe breaks down a simple but mind-shifting idea, people invest in potential all the time, so your job is to get clear on what you are building, what you actually want to do, and how to back into the real value of your time. We get into the difference between earning what you want and becoming the person who can hold it, why distraction is quietly wrecking people’s income, and how tiny daily habits can unscrew the mess one turn at a time. I also share my own story of rebuilding after a serious health crisis, how my “why” snapped into focus when I saw my daughter’s ultrasound, and why I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep learning and teaching through these conversations. We end with two keys Joe lives by, one spiritual and universal, one super practical for online business builders, plus a real talk moment on why relationships, friendships, and the quality of your conversations might be the most underrated form of wealth.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Asher Dahlgren, a young entrepreneur and founder of Dahlgren Social, to talk about financial independence, financial literacy, and what it actually takes to build wealth early without pretending it’s complicated. We get into why schools still don’t teach money basics, how stigma and jealousy keep people quiet about finances, and why I believe money is just a tool, not a personality test. Asher breaks down his simple “three buckets” framework, earning, managing, and investing, and explains why getting good at two makes you wealthy, and getting good at all three can make you very well off. I share the mindset shifts that helped me stop reacting to bills and start building systems like separate buckets, profit-first thinking, and spending based on priorities instead of guilt. We also talk entrepreneurship, compounding, budgeting at any income level, and why financial freedom is really the ability to say no, to bad clients, toxic living situations, draining relationships, and anything that pulls you off your path. If you’re trying to start investing, build better money habits, grow your income, and create real financial empowerment, this conversation will give you a practical, motivating roadmap you can actually use.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Brian Carney, partner and founder of RiversEdge Advisors, an independent wealth management and registered investment advisory firm in Delaware, to talk about the side of money nobody can spreadsheet, the emotional, behavioral part that drives real decisions. Brian shares how he accidentally became a financial advisor after ditching a physical therapy path, and what it taught him starting in a world-shaking moment like September 11th, that trust and relationships matter before credentials, calculations, or perfect answers. We get into behavioral finance, market volatility, investing mistakes smart people still make, and why the most dangerous words in personal finance are “I don’t know,” because uncertainty creates anxiety that can lead to panic selling and expensive, irreversible decisions. I share stories from my own life, from hiring and staying calm under pressure to learning how a good advisor helps you do the financial work with you, not for you, and Brian explains what a healthy relationship with money looks like in real life, setting clear goals, building a cohesive plan across accounts, and creating a team where your financial planner, accountant, and attorney actually communicate. We also talk about cutting through influencer noise, why “fiduciary” is table stakes not a magic guarantee, how AI can give impressive looking plans that still create costly tax mistakes, and why the real path to long-term wealth is consistency, simplicity, and “get rich slow,” not the fantasy of timing the market or chasing a big strategic move.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Patrick, a CFP and the founder of Noor Financial Services, to talk about the real starting point for building financial security, awareness. We get into why so many people feel overwhelmed by personal finance, especially if they were never taught money at home or in school, and how simple daily habits like checking your accounts, reviewing bank and credit card statements, and spotting hidden subscription spending can create fast “aha” moments. Patrick shares how he approaches younger professionals navigating big life changes like marriage, kids, and career growth, and why goals come first, not hype about beating the market. We talk about money mindset, avoiding the shame spiral after mistakes, and the idea that you do not lose, you learn, then you use that lesson to make the next decision cleaner. We also dig into the noise on social media, get rich quick advice, the gambling vibe creeping into investing, and how staying grounded with a clear plan, diversification, and a balance between enjoying life now and protecting future you is the real flex. Patrick also shares why he launched his own firm, why fiduciary standards matter, and why he is hopeful about the future as more schools make personal finance education a graduation requirement.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with tax planner and financial pro Felicia Greenwald to talk about how to stop being reactive with money and start getting intentional, especially with taxes, spending, and retirement planning. We dig into why so many people fall for viral money tips and tax “hacks,” why “it’s a write off” can still be a terrible decision, and how simple habits like actually looking at your expenses can change everything. We also get real about financial anxiety, how it hits people at every income level, and why having a trusted guide like a CFP, tax planner, or advisor can help you turn the chaos into a clear plan. Along the way we talk Profit First, lifestyle creep, keeping up with the Joneses in the Instagram era, and how shifting your spending toward experiences and your real values can lower stress and build long term wealth without feeling deprived.

In this episode, I sit down with financial planner Taylor Stewart for one of the most honest conversations I’ve had about money, uncertainty, and what real financial planning should look like. We talk about the messy reality of life, diapers, dogs, spilled coffee, bad first dates, and why those imperfect moments actually mirror how most of us handle money. Taylor shares how growing up around financial planning gave him one vision of the profession, only to discover later that much of the industry is built around selling products instead of giving real advice. That realization pushed him to build a new approach to planning, write a book on embracing uncertainty, and even create software that helps advisors focus on action instead of pointless precision.We dig into why people get paralyzed trying to make perfect financial decisions, how optimization anxiety keeps us stuck, and why progress always beats perfection. Taylor explains why investments are overemphasized, liquidity is ignored, and why staying alive financially matters more than chasing home runs. We explore uncertainty as a necessary part of growth, from saying yes to scary opportunities to increasing the surface area for luck in life and business. Along the way, we talk credit cards, behavioral traps, gamified finance, building healthy money habits, and teaching kids financial principles through zombie apocalypse survival planning.This episode is for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by money, frozen by too many choices, or frustrated with traditional financial advice. It’s about stepping back, focusing on what you can control, and building a life where your money supports your goals instead of stressing you out.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with financial coach Hannah Newberry from Map Your Money to talk about the real foundation of personal finance, budgeting, debt payoff, saving, and starting to invest without getting sucked into market panic or the nonstop noise of social media. We break down why “confident advice” from friends or family can still be wrong, how to spot the difference between helpful guidance and loud opinions, and what it actually looks like to stay calm when your 401(k) drops or you feel crushed by a mountain of debt. Hannah shares practical ways to build financial resilience, including focusing on small wins, building consistent habits, using clear goals and visuals to stay motivated, and learning the rules of the money game, tax basics, and smart spending so you can make decisions with control instead of emotion. If you’re trying to get out of consumer debt, improve money management, and build long-term wealth through steady saving and investing, this conversation is a reset for your mindset and a simple path forward when everything feels chaotic.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Steven Fox, a former Marine turned CFP who built, scaled, and sold his financial planning firm, and is now reshaping how financial advice works. We dig into the uncomfortable truth behind traditional financial planning, why so many advisors are really salespeople in disguise, and how everyday people get stuck buying products they do not actually need. Steven breaks down what real financial planning should look like, why advice only models remove hidden incentives, and how to spot whether someone is truly helping you or just making money off you. We talk about money anxiety, decision making, life planning, and why most people are not as far behind as they think. This is a conversation about cutting through the noise, finding clarity with your finances, and building a money strategy that actually fits your life.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Michigan State finance professor and registered investment advisor Steve Schiestel to talk about personal finance basics that actually stick, especially saving habits, wants versus needs, building an emergency fund, and why most people do better being consistent savers than trying to be genius investors. We start with kid level money questions like what money is, how to save even a little, what to do with ten dollars, and how kids can earn money, then we zoom out into the real gaps in financial education, the psychology behind spending and investing, and why money behavior is often simple but not easy. I share a real dad moment trying to explain banks, limits, and saving to my daughter when she wants a gaming PC, and we get practical about budgeting rules of thumb, how much to save, housing cost targets, and why emergency funds can save a family when life hits. Steve breaks down common money mistakes like not saving early and trying to time the market, explains why low cost index investing and long term discipline beat chasing hype, and we connect it all to the casino style dopamine loops that make investing feel like a game. We close with a clear guide for choosing a financial advisor, including fiduciary duty, fees versus commissions, credentials like CFP, and the trust factor, plus Steve’s advice to his younger self about taking smart career risks while still building long term financial security.

In this episode of Growing Money with Sean Trace, I sit down with Steve Heinemann, a financial planner in Southern California who helps busy mid-career professionals and families create financial clarity, reduce money anxiety, and make confident decisions even when real life is messy. We talk honestly about how chaos at home can spill into your money life, why an emergency fund matters more than people think, and how high earners still get stuck when they do not have a clear view of cash flow and priorities. Steve breaks down how to stop drifting financially by keeping things simple, focusing on values first, and using practical check ins to make sure spending matches what you actually care about. I share my own journey paying off credit card debt, using credit cards as tools, and building a system that makes money management easier instead of overwhelming. If you want a straightforward way to build financial confidence, align your money with your values, and create flexibility for the storms you cannot predict, this conversation will help you take the first intentional step.