Tag: Financial Planning

The Difference Between Financial Literacy & Financial Wellness (Ep. 37)

The Difference Between Financial Literacy & Financial Wellness (Ep. 37)

What’s the difference between Financial Literacy and Financial Wellness? 

Hosts Jack Burnette and Alison Castellano discuss how financial literacy is understanding budgets, interest rates, credit scores, and insurance, a key first step to being money smart, but is often not enough to achieve true financial security. Financial wellness, on the other hand, is about feeling confident and in control of your financial future, allowing for reduced stress even when unexpected challenges arise. 

Discover more as this episode highlights: 

  • Understanding Financial Literacy vs. Financial Wellness [00:01:00]
  • The importance of Emergency Funds [00:07:52]
  • The Role of Financial Advisors in Crafting a Financial Game Plan [00:12:36]
  • How Couples Can Work Together Towards Financial Wellness [00:09:25]
  • And more!

Resources: 

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Financial Intimacy: Strengthening Your Relationship Through Financial Conversations (Ep. 36)

Financial Intimacy: Strengthening Your Relationship Through Financial Conversations (Ep. 36)

Are different money mindsets causing stress in your relationship? 

In today’s release of The BamCam Podcast, we want to help you learn how to turn financial challenges into opportunities for growth and deeper connection.

Join husband and wife team, Alison and Adrian Castellano, as they dive into the emotional complexities of financial planning within relationships. Money is more than just numbers; it’s tied to our upbringing, our fears, and our dreams. Listen as they explore how couples can navigate these complexities, offering practical advice on blending different financial philosophies. Alison and Adrian share personal experiences from their financial journey, from managing joint accounts to handling unexpected expenses like car repairs and home appliances. They emphasize the importance of open communication, setting shared goals, and building a strong emergency fund.

Key takeaways include:

  • Understanding each other’s money mindset and story for stronger partnerships [04:39]
  • Common challenges couples face, including different priorities and control dynamics [05:14]
  • Tips for navigating financial challenges with money dates and shared goals [06:54]
  • The significance of sharing financial responsibilities and respecting independence [09:59]
  • Building an emergency fund to weather life’s unexpected events [14:18]

Previous Episodes of Interest:

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How Human Behavior Impacts Your Financial Decisions with Brendan Frazier (Ep.35)

How Human Behavior Impacts Your Financial Decisions with Brendan Frazier (Ep.35)

Are you stuck in the cycle of procrastination, especially with your financial goals?

Jack Burnette and Alison Castellano welcome Brendan Frazier, the Chief Behavioral Officer at RFG Advisory, to explore the critical topic of procrastination, particularly as it relates to our financial well-being. Brendan shares his insights into why we procrastinate, especially when it comes to achieving New Year’s resolutions and financial goals, and helps us understand that we’re not alone in this struggle. 

Jack, Alison, and Brendan discuss: 

  • The psychology of procrastination in financial planning [00:03:10]
  • The emotional barriers to seeking financial advice [00:08:37]
  • Real-life examples of clients overcoming financial procrastination [00:11:21]
  • Action steps for addressing procrastination with your finances [00:19:18]
  • And more

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Financial Intimacy: Year-End Update with Alison and Adrian (Ep. 31)

Financial Intimacy: Year-End Update with Alison and Adrian (Ep. 31)

Adrian and Alison Castellano share their reflections from their Q3 Money Date where they discussed their finances and strategies on how to prepare for the holiday season. Highlights include celebrating financial wins, addressing challenges, and planning for future expenses with mindfulness and humor.

Celebrate with them as they announce exciting family news and share practical tips for a mindful holiday season, including budgeting, creating personalized gifts, and choosing experiences over material gifts.

Adrian and Alison discuss: 

  • Exciting news for 2025
  • How they reduced their spending by 45% from 2023
  • Their experience with work/life balance including managing an income shift 
  • An honest look at retail spending, specifically the ease of online shopping
  • And more

Previous Episodes of Interest:

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Looking Back & Moving Forward (Ep.27)

Looking Back & Moving Forward (Ep.27)

In this candid conversation, father and daughter, Jack Burnette and Alison Castellano emphasize the lessons that can be found in looking back on your mistakes. Come along as they recount some of Alison’s experiences in her twenties, from grappling with poor self-esteem in the age of social media to navigating impulse spending and managing credit card debt. 

As they celebrate Alison’s growth and achievements, they also underscore the importance of recognizing that it’s never too late to ask for help and turn things around.

Join them as they discuss:

  • How impulse purchases provided temporary joy but led to long-term financial stress
  • The importance of looking back at past mistakes to learn and grow
  • Accountability partners and how they can help transform your financial habits
  • And more

Previous Episodes of Interest:

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The Importance of Life Insurance for Young Families (Ep 25)

The Importance of Life Insurance for Young Families (Ep 25)

Did you know that most employer-provided life insurance policies only cover one to two times your annual salary? That might not be enough to protect your family’s future.

Hosts Jack Burnette, Adrian Castellano, and Alison Castellano dive deep into the nuances of life insurance, discussing everything from employer-provided policies to term and permanent life insurance options. They mention the benefits of working with an insurance broker and how they can help you find the best coverage for your needs.

Jack, Adrian, and Alison discuss: 

  • The importance of life insurance for young families with significant earnings potential
  • Differences between term life insurance and permanent life insurance
  • Key features and limitations of employer-provided life insurance
  • The significance of regularly updating your life insurance beneficiaries
  • And more

Resource:

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The Emotional & Financial Cost of Infertility with Alison and Adrian (Ep. 24)

The Emotional & Financial Cost of Infertility with Alison and Adrian (Ep. 24)

Today, Alison and Adrian share their emotional and financial struggle of growing their family. Listen as they reflect on the experiences of navigating fertility treatments, the emotional rollercoaster of hope and heartache, and their unwavering determination to build a family, no matter the cost or outcome.

Join them as they explore the twists and turns of their four-year-long journey (and it’s not over yet!) as they offer solidarity to those walking a similar path.

Understand the importance of resilience as Alison and Adrian highlight: 

  • Their personal experience with infertility including IUI and IVF procedures 
  • A look at the expenses associated with IVF and strategies they used to manage costs
  • The importance of further testing, possibly alerting family members to future obstacles for themselves 
  • The value of support and community when facing such challenges
  • And more

Resources:

 

If you or someone you know is struggling with infertility, please message Alison on Facebook or use the email address below. She will be more than happy to connect to offer support and compassion.

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Financial Intimacy: Tummy Bug Vs. Taco Truck (Ep. 22)

Financial Intimacy: Tummy Bug Vs. Taco Truck (Ep. 22)

Married couple, Alison and Adrian Castellano made a pact to have a quarterly Money Date, but recently, a tummy bug tried to derail their plans.

As part of the Financial Intimacy series, this episode shares how a 24-hour virus took hold of the Castellano household attempting to impact their quarterly connection. They embraced the ability to be flexible yet still committed as they pivoted from a fun night out at a local taco truck to pizza delivery in their pajamas. 

Gain insight and inspiration for your Money Date as Alison and Adrian discuss their finances, celebrate their wins, and continue their plans for the future of their family.

Highlights include:

  • How Money Dates can strengthen your financial and personal relationship 
  • Strategies to manage unexpected expenses
  • Examples of how they cut unnecessary spending 
  • Their plans to grow their family and the high costs associated with IVF
  • The importance of having a plan but also being flexible as situations change
  • And more!

Resources:

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How to Start Building Your Credit Score (Ep. 21)

How to Start Building Your Credit Score (Ep. 21)

Credit is something every adult needs at some point, whether it’s a credit card or a bank loan to buy a house. The real question is, do you understand credit enough to use it effectively?

Adrian and Alison Castellano unwrap the complexities of credit and how it intertwines with our financial well-being. Diving deep into what credit means, they cover listener queries, shed light on the significance of credit scores, and offer actionable advice to navigate credit responsibly. Whether you’re contemplating buying a house, as one listener from Tampa was, or simply aiming to bolster your financial health, this episode is packed with insights to guide you.

Adrian and Alison discuss: 

  • The nature and critical aspects of credit and how it influences financial wellness.
  • Breaking down credit scores: understanding what constitutes a good credit score and how it’s calculated.
  • Strategies to improve and maintain high credit scores for better financial opportunities.
  • Insights into common credit mistakes and how to avoid them for a healthier credit history.
  • And more

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Financial Wellness for the Next Generation (Ep.19)

Financial Wellness for the Next Generation (Ep.19)

There used to be a time when working with a Financial Advisor was just for the extremely wealthy. Those days are gone! Now, due to the increasing complexity of financial matters, combined with demographic shifts and a greater awareness of the value of personalized financial guidance, more people are working with advisors.

Join Jack Burnette, Alison Castellano, and Adrian Castellano as they delve into the journey of why they started Iter Financial Wellness and their focus on helping younger generations achieve financial success. They discuss the importance of accountability, providing emotional and tangible support, and the importance of setting realistic goals. 

Jack, Alison, and Adrian discuss: 

  • How financial planning can be tailored to meet the needs of various generations
  • The effect of social media when it comes to comparison and self-worth  
  • Information about their financial advice subscription model
  • And more

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