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Dollars&Sense Nelson Financial Planning

Dollars&Sense Nelson Financial Planning

Joel Garris of Nelson Financial Planning 389 Episodes Jun 15, 2026

Hosted by Joel Garris, a Certified Financial Planner and Fiduciary at Nelson Financial Planning, Dollars & Sense is one of Central Florida’s longest-running radio programs and a top 25 financial planning podcast. Each week, Joel and his team provide expert insights to help you make sense of all your financial decisions. The podcast covers a range of topics related to retirement planning, investments, and personal finance, aiming to educate listeners on achieving their financial goals.

Episodes

Discipline Over Drama: How Smart Investors Tune Out Hype Jun 15, 2026 2263 In this episode, we look at three forces that can shape—or sabotage—an investor’s long-term success: exciting investment stories, nonstop financial headlines, and everyday money habits. From the hype around companies like SpaceX to the emotional pull of market news, we discuss why compelling stories and breaking headlines don’t always translate into smart portfolio decisions. We also explore the q
Markets at Record Highs, Too Much Cash, and the Real Retirement Readiness Test Jun 8, 2026 2266 Are today’s market highs a sign of strength—or a reason for caution? In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Joel Garris breaks down what investors should pay attention to as stocks sit near record levels, inflation remains sticky, and interest rate uncertainty continues to shape the financial landscape.Joel also tackles one of the biggest quiet risks in personal finance right now: holding too muc
Smart Financial Moves for New Parents and the Common Costly Misunderstood Tax Rules Jun 1, 2026 2358 In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Kristin Kalley and Christina Lamb tackle two important financial topics that can have a big impact on your family’s future. First, they break down which accounts parents should prioritize when they have a baby, including 529 plans, custodial accounts, and newer savings opportunities that could help build long-term, tax-advantaged wealth for children. Then, t
7 Ways Retirees Accidentally Hurt Their Investments May 25, 2026 2261 What investment habits can quietly hurt your retirement plan? In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Chet and Rob break down 7 common investor behaviors that can create unnecessary risk for retirees—from holding too much cash and trying to time the market to ignoring taxes, chasing yield, skipping rebalancing, overreacting to headlines, and failing to adjust your strategy over time.  If you are r
The IRS Dirty Dozen & the Digital Shift: What Every Taxpayer Needs to Know May 18, 2026 2330 Tax season may be over, but tax scams are not. In this episode, Joel Garris and Christina Lamb break down the IRS’s annual “Dirty Dozen” list of the most common tax scams targeting taxpayers right now—from phishing texts and AI-powered phone scams to fake charities, ghost preparers, identity theft, and misleading social media tax advice.They also unpack the IRS’s ongoing digital shift and explain
10 Essential Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor May 11, 2026 2322 Join Joel Garris on this insightful episode of Dollars & Sense, where he explores the top questions you should ask your financial advisor, planner, or wealth manager.  Discover why it’s crucial to understand how your advisor is compensated, the importance of the fiduciary standard, and how to evaluate investment philosophy, communication practices, continuity planning, portfolio details, risk
Graduation Season: Launching Financial Success for Grads & Parents May 4, 2026 2293 Actionable Advice for New Grads and Their Families Ready to celebrate graduation season with a dose of real-world financial wisdom? 🎉 Join Certified Financial Fiduciaries™ Chet Cowart and Zach Keister for a lively, informative episode as they step in for Joel—who’s off attending his son’s college graduation in Boston. Whether you’re a proud parent or a fresh grad, this show is packed with practica
Your Will Doesn’t Decide Who Gets Your Money + Give More to Charity & Pay Less in Taxes Apr 27, 2026 2293 In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Joel Garris tackles two of the most misunderstood—and most impactful—areas of financial and estate planning.First, Joel breaks down a common myth: your will does not control where most of your money goes. Instead, beneficiary designations quietly determine who inherits retirement accounts, life insurance, annuities, and many investment and bank accounts. Wit
Tax Season Reality Check + Market Whiplash: What Your Refund (and Rate) Really Means Apr 20, 2026 2341 April 15 is in the rearview mirror—but what did we actually learn from this tax season? In this episode of Dollars & Sense, Joel Garris and CPA/CFP® Kristin Castello break down the biggest takeaways we saw on real tax returns, plus what the latest IRS/Treasury stats may be signaling for households heading into the rest of the year. 🧾💡  We also connect the dots to the markets: a reminder of how
Tax-Smart Moves, Powerful HSAs, and the New Retirement Apr 13, 2026 2324 This episode covers three topics that can have a big impact on your financial future: how to avoid a surprise tax bill next year, why a Health Savings Account (HSA) may be one of the most underutilized retirement assets, and how retirement planning has changed (it’s not your parents’ retirement anymore). In this episode: Why the IRS is a “pay-as-you-go” system—and what to change if you owed this y
Tax Mistakes, IRS Tips, Sports Gambling & Market Insights Apr 6, 2026 2287 Join Joel Garris and Rob Field for a lively Easter edition of Dollars & Sense! In this episode, we kick things off celebrating Easter and exploring its unique mix of Christian tradition and modern-day commercialization (think chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts). Then, with the tax deadline just days away, Joel and Rob share practical tips to avoid common IRS mistakes that could cost you ti
How Interest Rates Impact Tax Bill, Geopolitics and Investing, and Smart Portfolio Strategies Mar 30, 2026 2305 In this episode of Dollars & Sense with Joel Garris, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® at Nelson Financial Planning, we tackle some of the hottest financial topics of the week: IRS Interest & Penalties: Did you pay extra on your tax bill? Discover why IRS penalties are on the rise, how interest rates affect what you owe, and actionable steps you can take to avoid unnecessary costs. Market Corre

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