Stuff About Money They Didn't Teach You In School

Episodi

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  Is Financial Control an Illusion? 11.08.2026 16min

  How much control do we really have over our financial future? In this episode, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT explore the tension between external circumstances and personal responsibility. While economic conditions, inflation, taxes, and unexpected crises are outside anyone’s control, the conversation highlights the many financial choices that still remain firmly within reach. Using concepts like “internal locus of control” and “external locus of control,” they explain how mindset shapes behavior and outcomes. Erik shares practical examples of decisions people can control — saving, spending, insurance, debt management, and lifestyle choices — while Dr. Matt explains how a sense of agency creates resilience and confidence. The episode challenges listeners to stop wasting emotional energy on uncontrollable variables and instead focus on the habits and decisions that move them forward. Episode Highlights: Erik discusses the belief that financial success can feel dictated by external forces outside someone's control. (02:19) Understanding how much control you actually have over your finances is the focus of this episode, Dr. Matt shares. (03:13) Dr. Matt explains the psychological concept of an internal locus of control, describing it as being "the captain of your own ship." (04:44) Entrepreneurs often carry a strong sense of influence and control over their financial outcomes, Erik shares. (06:47) Erik shares a friend's rule that if you can't afford something twice, you can't really afford it, using a car purchase as an example. (09:22) Dr. Matt recounts helping under-resourced clients in New Orleans save small amounts toward $100 so they'd have money to evacuate during a hurricane. (10:36) Recognizing personal control over spending and impulses, rather than adopting a victim mindset, is key to financial success, Erik shares. (13:00) Key Quotes: “Money's emotional. It's tied to fear, identity, habits, and even relationships, and we've learned that long-term financial success is as much about behavior as it is math.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “Even the best financial plan can be undone by poor behavior, while good financial behavior has the potential to compound more powerfully than investment returns.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “We don't have control over the weather, but we do have control over saving a little money so we can get to a destination that might be safer.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Resources Mentioned: Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Dr. Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Love, Trust, and Money 28.07.2026 18min

  Money is rarely just about numbers inside a relationship. In this episode, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT unpack why financial conflict in marriages and partnerships is often rooted in deeper emotional needs like trust, security, control, communication, and vulnerability. Drawing from years of counseling couples and advising families, they discuss financial infidelity, power imbalances, differing money philosophies, and the emotional meaning attached to spending and saving. Rather than focusing solely on budgets and spreadsheets, the conversation centers on how couples can create healthier conversations around money — with more compassion, curiosity, and honesty. This episode helps listeners understand that strong financial partnerships are built less on perfect math and more on trust, communication, and shared purpose. Episode Highlights: Erik recounts the phone call years ago that sparked his ongoing collaboration with Dr. Dr. Matt Morris. (02:14) Financial infidelity surfaces in couples counseling as a serious, though less frequent, presenting issue. (03:23) Money problems in couples counseling are rarely about the money itself, but a disguise for deeper relationship issues. (07:34) Dr. Matt explains how people protect themselves financially in relationships with earning discrepancies, from squirreling away money to becoming controlling or people-pleasing. (08:59) Erik shares that even as a financial planner married almost 25 years, money has still been a point of pain in his own marriage. (10:44) Dr. Matt explains that financial planners should first determine whether a couple's conflict is a technical money issue or an emotional relational one. (12:14) Money conversations go further when approached with care, curiosity, and compassion instead of criticism. (14:56) Key Quotes: “We're going to have to learn to talk about money in new and different ways.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “Money is like this persistent stream that kind of runs in the background that impacts everything.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “As a financial planner, I think when a couple comes to you, you need to be thinking about is this a problem that relates to the technicalities of money management.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Resources Mentioned: Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Dr. Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Your Past Financial Mistakes Are Not Your Identity 14.07.2026 15min

  Everyone has financial regrets. In this episode, Erik and Dr. Matt tackle the emotional weight people carry from past financial decisions — debt, overspending, failed investments, divorce, financial scams, and seasons of instability. The real danger, they explain, isn’t the mistake itself; it’s allowing the mistake to become an identity. Dr. Matt introduces the difference between guilt and shame: “I made a bad decision” versus “I am bad with money.” Together, they explore how language, self-perception, and emotional patterns influence future behavior. Erik shares examples of clients who rebuilt their financial lives after major setbacks, proving that financial mistakes can become chapters of growth rather than permanent labels. The episode is ultimately about hope, ownership, and reclaiming the belief that your financial story is still being written. Episode Highlights: Dr. Matt discusses the range of financial mistakes he sees in his practice, including overspending and secret debt kept from a spouse. (03:11) Dr. Matt shares the costly timeshare he and his wife bought while on their honeymoon in Mexico. (04:38) A language strategy for separating personal identity from a past financial mistake. (07:52) Dr. Matt mentions that reframing a mistake as "a chapter, not the whole story" is a simple but powerful shift. (10:54) Erik shares an analogy about his CrossFit coach calling him an athlete and how that language shaped his choices. (12:01) Erik concludes that a past financial mistake doesn't determine your future and that it's never too late to build wealth. (14:19) Key Quotes: “There is a difference between a bad decision and feeling some regret about that decision versus shame over that decision.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “You want to start separating yourself from the problem. And the first way to do that is linguistically, using your language.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “If you make a small plan and you strategize on small wins and you celebrate those small wins as you go, that reinforces this idea that, hey, I can do this. I can overcome this, that that is a chapter. The story is still being written.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Resources Mentioned: Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Dr. Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Motivation Won’t Build Wealth. Habits Will 30.06.2026 23min

  Most people believe financial transformation starts with motivation. Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT argue the opposite: motivation fades, but habits compound. In this episode, they explain why relying on bursts of inspiration or willpower almost always leads to inconsistency — especially when it comes to money. Using stories from fitness, personal finance, and everyday life, they break down how systems and routines quietly shape long-term outcomes. From automating savings and debt payments to separating spending accounts and reducing decision fatigue, listeners learn practical ways to create financial habits that work even when emotions and motivation disappear. This episode reinforces one of the core themes of the series: long-term financial success is behavioral more than intellectual. Episode Highlights: Erik explains why motivation is a poor long-term financial strategy. (04:41) Dr. Matt shares that habits and systems are the real answer to lasting financial change. (05:49) Erik connects accountability and environment-building to showing up consistently, using his gym experience as an example. (08:27) Automating savings removes the need to make the same decision repeatedly. (09:14) Dollar cost averaging is explained and how automated investing helps combat emotional reactions to market swings. (10:42) Automating debt payments eliminates willpower battles when tempting expenses arise. (12:48) A one-week waiting rule is shared as a practical way to curb stress-driven impulse shopping. (13:52) Erik walks through his budgeting system of separating fixed expenses from variable spending into different accounts. (15:31) Dr. Matt reflects on how good financial systems become boring in the best way, eliminating repeated emotional decision-making. (17:26) Erik recommends keeping savings at a different bank to create friction and reduce the urge to raid savings impulsively. (19:00) Building systems tailored to your own tendencies works better than following generic budgeting advice. (20:01) Dr. Matt closes by reinforcing that willpower has limits and lasting financial progress comes from habits and systems. (21:09) Key Quotes: “Motivation deals with willpower, and generally speaking, we have willpower to do things in bursts, but anything that takes energy is really, really, really hard to sustain.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “You need habits. You need patterns. You will not rise to the level of your financial intentions. You will fall to the level of your financial systems.” - Dr. Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “It really helps to have a disinterested third party to help you think. We have blind spots, and oftentimes we don't know what we need to do.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Resources Mentioned: Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Dr. Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Emotions Are Signals, Not Instructions 16.06.2026 20min

  Money is emotional — and in this episode, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT explore why emotions have such a powerful influence on financial behavior. From market volatility and economic uncertainty to comparison, insecurity, and fear of failure, people rarely make purely rational financial decisions. Instead, emotions often drive reactions that conflict with long-term goals. Dr. Matt introduces a powerful framework: emotions are signals, not commands. Fear, anxiety, and stress may reveal that something matters deeply, but they should not automatically dictate behavior. Erik shares real examples from his work as a financial planner, explaining how emotional reactions during market downturns or financial stress can sabotage otherwise solid plans. The episode offers practical tools for slowing down emotional reactions, identifying what feelings are trying to communicate, and responding with intention rather than panic. Episode Highlights: Dr. Matt explains that emotions drive thoughts and behaviors, making it essential to pay attention to the feelings behind financial actions. (03:03) Dr. Matt clarifies that people tend to treat emotions as facts rather than signals worth examining. (04:44) Dr. Matt shares that emotions are good data points but not directives. (06:05) Erik recalls choosing to validate clients' fear during a market crisis rather than dismissing it with "don't panic." (07:52) Dr. Matt recounts calling Erik during a market drop and how Erik's grounding in market history helped calm his fear. (09:00) Erik discusses how social media and financial content creators trigger emotional responses that push people toward decisions inconsistent with their values. (10:48) Dr. Matt explains that financial fear often points to a deeper concern such as "Will I have enough?" rather than surface-level market activity. (14:24) Erik emphasizes that emotions have legitimacy and decisions should align with what matters most rather than being hijacked by emotion. (15:31) Dr. Matt recommends using an emotions wheel to name feelings precisely, which slows reactive thinking. (17:07) Erik believes that talking through high-stakes emotional moments with a professional, whether a therapist or financial planner, is especially valuable. (19:01) Key Quotes: “Emotions are good data but they're not directives. They're not marching orders.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT “Let's make sure that we make a good decision that's consistent with the things that are most important to you.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “We think about feelings as being signals that something is really important to you. And then we want to be able to connect that to the thing that's really important.” - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Resources Mentioned: Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Mindset: Your Financial Beliefs Driving Your Financial Decisions 02.06.2026 21min

  In the opening episode of The Psychology of Money series, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT explore one of the most overlooked drivers of financial success: mindset. Long before people learn how to invest, budget, or build wealth, they develop internal “money scripts” — subconscious beliefs shaped by childhood experiences, family dynamics, culture, and personal history. Together, Erik and Matt unpack how these invisible beliefs influence everything from spending habits and lifestyle expectations to fear, scarcity, ambition, and financial anxiety. Through relatable stories, humor, and real-world examples, they explain why wealth-building is often less about intelligence and more about the mental filters through which we interpret money. The episode challenges listeners to begin identifying the stories they carry about money — and whether those stories are helping or hurting their future. Episode Highlights: Erik explains how mindset functions as a constant background filter for the way people think about and approach money. (03:00) Dr. Matt discusses how scarcity mindset surfaces in couples when partners feel they will never have enough or get ahead. (08:50) Building awareness and changing behavior are the keys to rewiring a money mindset. (14:40) Erik shares how the most valuable client conversations focus on mindset and behavior rather than technical financial advice. (16:50) Dr. Matt shares a starting point for exploring money scripts by reflecting on what a family communicated about money. (18:20) Key Quotes: "Building wealth, having financial success has as much to do with behavior, with managing emotions, all that psychology stuff than it does with the technical stuff about money" - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ "There's a script running in the background. We don't just act rationally with money. We are acting out a story about our beliefs about money." - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT "We're using mindset and script synonymously, so take time to understand your money scripts. They probably came from your family of origin, so take some time. If you have a spouse, take some time to understand theirs also." - Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Resources Mentioned: Dr. Matt Morris, LMFT Matt Morris & Associates Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Episode 109: Time, Compounding, and the Truth About Building Wealth 21.05.2026 25min

  In this episode, Erik P. Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™, and Xavier J. Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, unpack a misunderstood truth about building wealth: real wealth takes time. Picking up from their earlier conversations on discipline, behavior, and consistency, they dive into the power of compounding—not just financially, but professionally and personally as well. Through stories, analogies, and practical examples, they challenge the myth that wealth is built overnight and instead show how patience, endurance, and staying invested are what truly create long-term success. From the famous “penny doubled every day” example to lessons about career growth, relationships, and reputation, this conversation highlights how the biggest rewards often come after years of unseen work. Erik and Xavier explain why consistency matters more than quick wins, why emotional discipline is critical during slow seasons, and how time rewards those willing to stay in the game. Whether you’re building financial wealth, developing skills, or growing a business, this episode is a reminder that compounding doesn’t reward urgency—it rewards endurance. Episode Highlights: Xavier frames time as the series' "final ingredient," the force that turns discipline into stability and consistency into growth. (01:45) Erik discusses compound interest as one of the most powerful forces in finance, noting that every Stuff About Money guest asked what they wish they'd known sooner points to the same answer. (05:20) Erik explains the penny-doubling example, showing how a single cent doubled every day for 30 days compounds into more than five million dollars. (08:24) Xavier discusses career compounding, a form of growth driven not by money but by skills and experiences that stack into advantages over time. (12:26) Xavier shares the principle he stresses to his mentees: always be mindful of the person next to you, because you never know when they'll be in a position to help. (18:54) Erik wraps the series by revisiting the three wealth-building myths and landing on the real formula: avoid bad behaviors, cultivate good ones, and do both consistently enough for long enough. (22:23) Key Quotes: “Time is what turns discipline into stability and consistency into growth.” - Xavier J. Angel, CFP®, ChFC® “You never know who you're going to meet and when they may be able to help you or when they give you an opportunity. So always be mindful of that person next to you.” - Xavier J. Angel, CFP®, ChFC® “Compounding doesn't reward urgency. It rewards endurance. By definition, compounding rewards those who stay in the game long enough.” - Erik P. Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Resources Mentioned: Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Episode 108: Consistency: The Hidden Engine of Wealth 05.05.2026 25min

  In this third episode of the series, Erik Garcia, CFP®, and Xavier Angel, CFP®, uncover what they call the hidden engine behind wealth: consistency. After breaking down the behaviors that destroy wealth and the ones that protect it, this episode answers the real question—what actually builds it. The answer isn’t intensity, timing, or even talent. It’s doing the right things over and over again, long after the excitement fades. As Erik puts it, most people don’t fail financially because they’re wrong—they fail because they stop. Drawing on Angela Duckworth’s research on grit, Erik and Xavier connect the dots between perseverance and financial success. They break down the three key areas where consistency shows up: saving, investing, and developing your skills. Along the way, they challenge common behaviors like present bias and emotional investing, while reinforcing a simple truth—wealth is built little by little. This episode is a reminder that showing up when it’s boring isn’t a weakness…it’s a competitive advantage. Episode Highlights: Erik introduces consistency as the hidden engine behind wealth building and why it matters more than talent or intensity. (03:36) Erik shares Angela Duckworth's grit research, revealing that it's the grittiest individuals, not the most talented or intelligent, who tend to succeed long-term. (05:24) Xavier connects the grit conversation to his daughter's four-year journey in competitive dance, crediting her growth to determination and grind over raw talent. (07:49) Erik uses the "plateau of latent potential" from Atomic Habits to show how consistent, unseen effort eventually compounds into visible results. (09:52) Xavier explains how consistent savers reverse the urge to spend now and save later by choosing to save first. (12:25) Erik discusses how dollar cost averaging and emotional discipline set 401k millionaires apart. (14:15) Erik explains how building expertise over time enables higher-level work and greater income potential. (17:03) Xavier reflects on the power of grinding it out, noting that those who stay in the game longer do so by learning from failures and redefining their approach along the way. (20:25) Erik cites Proverbs to reinforce that money made quickly disappears, while wealth gathered little by little grows and endures. (21:32) Xavier connects consistency to momentum, saying the magic happens when you hold the fire to it and keep showing up. (23:38) Erik encourages listeners to make consistent financial decisions that stack over time, because wealth gained little by little is what lasts. (24:38) Key Quotes: “In the context of money, most people are not failing because they don't know what to do. They're failing because they don't do it long enough.” - Erik Garcia, CFP® “You are failing along the way and you're learning from those failures and redefining what you're doing.” - Xavier Angel, CFP® “What's important is that wealth builders consistently build their base. They're consistently building their foundation.” - Erik Garcia, CFP® Resources Mentioned: Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors 
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  Episode 107: 3 Behaviors That Protect Your Wealth: The Disciplines That Keep You From Losing What You’ve Built 21.04.2026 28min

  In the last episode, we broke down the behaviors that quietly destroy wealth—emotional decisions, lifestyle creep, and overconfidence. But avoiding mistakes is only half the equation. In this episode, Erik Garcia, CFP®, and Xavier Angel, CFP®, flip the conversation and focus on what actually protects wealth once you start building it. Because wealth isn’t just created—it has to be preserved with intention. We walk through three foundational disciplines: living below your means to create margin, reinvesting instead of extracting to keep your money working, and avoiding catastrophic mistakes that can undo years of progress. Grounded in behavioral finance and real-world experience, this episode shows why wealth is often less about big wins—and more about consistently doing the right things over time. Episode Highlights: Erik explains the behavioral economics foundation of today's episode, referencing Richard Thaler's book "Misbehaving" to highlight how humans often act irrationally in financial decision-making. (04:14) Xavier explains how building financial margin is what creates the space to save, invest, and pursue what matters most. (07:14) Erik shares the single most consistent pattern across people who successfully build wealth: they spend less than they earn and make building margin their priority. (10:10) Xavier discusses the second behavior, reinvesting instead of extracting, explaining that wealth grows when money is kept in the system and put back to work rather than pulled out early. (13:44) Erik explains the third behavior, avoiding catastrophic mistakes, using a golf analogy to share why minimizing financial damage matters more than chasing perfect results. (19:08) Erik discusses specific strategies for avoiding catastrophic financial mistakes: managing risk at the right level, maintaining sufficient liquidity, and diversifying rather than concentrating in speculative assets. (22:04) Xavier shares a sharp contrast between wealth lost and wealth built, explaining that losses often trace back to one risky decision while lasting wealth comes from thousands of small, consistent good ones. (25:25) Key Quotes: “When building wealth, the goal isn't to look wealthy, right? The goal is to be wealthy. I can be wealthy and not own the most expensive clothes or the biggest house or the most expensive car.” - Xavier Angel, CFP® “This is the common thread in financially successful people. It's what allows everything else to work. Without financial margin, there's nothing to invest. Nothing to save, no money to compound.” - Erik Garcia, CFP® “Reinvesting, not spending your investments involves an intentional, purposeful, conscious decision to choose the future over today. I'm saying no to myself today because I'm saying yes to something tomorrow” - Erik Garcia, CFP® Resources Mentioned: Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Episode 106: Before You Build Wealth… Stop Destroying It: The 3 Behaviors That Sabotage Your Financial Future (Part 1 of 4) 07.04.2026 29min

  Before you can build wealth, you have to stop destroying it. Nobel Prize-winning economist Richard Thaler said it best: “People don’t act rationally.” And when it comes to money, that shows up in ways that quietly cost us more than we realize. In this episode, Erik Garcia, CFP®, and Xavier Angel, CFP®, break down three wealth-destroying behaviors—emotional decisions, lifestyle creep, and overconfidence. These aren’t knowledge problems—they’re behavior problems. And over time, they compound in the wrong direction. This is Part 1 of a 4-part series to help you stop losing… and start building. Episode Highlights: Erik discusses that behavior, not market drops, is the biggest obstacle to building wealth, grounding the discussion in Richard Thaler's Nobel Prize-winning behavioral finance research. (02:56) Erik shares about a client who moved to cash during market volatility and ended up as the only negative portfolio that year, using it to show how emotional reactions impact returns. (06:39) Xavier explains lifestyle creep and how spending that rises faster than income eliminates the margin needed to build wealth. (10:51) Xavier mentions that inflation, not lifestyle choices, is forcing some listeners into tighter margins and asks what to do when spending rises without any upgrade in lifestyle. (15:17) Erik introduces overconfidence as the third wealth-killing behavior, noting people consistently overestimate their ability to time markets and spot opportunities. (18:21) Xavier connects bad financial behaviors to generational patterns, pointing out that children observe and absorb those habits into their own lives. (24:03) Erik closes with the heart of their practice philosophy: understanding how people think about money is just as important as knowing how to grow it. (26:26) Key Quotes: “You don't need to save as much today as you were yesterday because you can always come back and reevaluate it at a different time when the season is over and begin increasing those savings at a later date.” - Xavier Angel, CFP®,  “The best way for us to help you be successful is to understand how you think about money.” - Erik Garcia, CFP® Resources Mentioned: Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors 
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  Episode 105: Beyond the Salary: Real Money Decisions for New Pharmacists 26.03.2026 42min

  Landing that first job feels like the finish line, but for most young professionals, it is really just the beginning. In this episode, Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC®, sits down with Christopher Bland, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA, BCPS, Albert W. Jowdy Professor in Pharmacy Care at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, to unpack the real-world financial questions that pharmacists and other graduates face early in their careers. From understanding compensation packages to negotiating pay, evaluating retirement benefits, and using side income strategically, this conversation helps listeners look beyond the headline salary number and make more informed financial decisions from day one. The episode also dives into one of the biggest mindset shifts young earners need to make: high income does not equal wealth. Chris and Xavier discuss how lifestyle inflation, student debt, and poor planning can quietly eat away at even a strong paycheck, while time, discipline, and consistent investing can build real financial freedom over time. It’s a practical, honest conversation designed to help young professionals turn early career income into long-term opportunity. Episode Highlights: Christopher shares the one financial lesson he wished he had fully embraced coming out of school: the more time money has to compound, the more profound the long-term impact. (04:00) Christopher breaks down salary versus hourly pay for new pharmacists, noting how hourly work creates flexibility to earn overtime, shift differentials, and supplemental income. (09:07) Christopher recounts landing his first job at the lowest pay tier and explains why the beginning of a career is the most powerful moment to negotiate compensation. (14:54) Christopher encourages students to lean on faculty and mentors for career opportunities, sharing how he connects students with prospects through his own network. (20:09) Xavier explains the difference between Traditional and Roth 401k contributions and stresses the importance of adding a beneficiary to retirement accounts from day one. (25:52) Christopher uses his son's first paycheck experience to illustrate why new earners need an automated plan for their money from the start. (31:32) Christopher outlines three practical steps for young pharmacists: leverage time for investing, negotiate confidently, and evaluate every aspect of a job beyond salary. (38:26) Key Quotes: “As you are young in your career, be developing skills. Seek out these opportunities, network, because then things will begin to flow to you, especially in years, like three to five.” - Christopher Bland, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA, BCPS “No matter what degree of money you're making, if you have a plan, you're automatically giving yourself a raise.” - Christopher Bland, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA, BCPS “I want healthcare professionals, pharmacists, to really take ownership of this topic. We work too hard. You've gone to school for too long, to not have a plan for financial freedom and wealth long term.” - Christopher Bland, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA, BCPS Resources Mentioned: Christopher Bland, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA, BCPS University of Georgia College of Pharmacy Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Episode 104: Normal Returns, Broader Markets, Sexy Bonds and Lasagna With Phil Blancato 10.03.2026 47min

  Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™, welcomes back Phil Blancato for their annual market conversation, now a tradition on Stuff About Money They Didn't Teach You In School. Phil is Chief Market Strategist at Osaic Wealth, a regular on Fox Business, and an experienced portfolio manager who brings equal parts insight and humor, including a lightning round that somehow turns the 2026 market into a lasagna and ends with a debate on why pasta made in Italy is superior. Phil’s core headline for 2026 is a return to more normal market behavior: broader participation beyond a handful of mega-cap names and more average equity returns than the outsized gains investors have gotten used to. They unpack what a "defining year" for AI actually means, including winners, losers, and the infrastructure and energy needed to power the buildout, plus how productivity gains could change work and life. The conversation also hits international’s resurgence, why bonds are "sexy" again, and the discipline of staying invested through scary headlines. Phil closes with what keeps him up at night, with debt and renewed inflation risk at the top, and a reminder that diversification is the plan when market leadership shifts. Episode Highlights: Phil explains how treating colleagues and clients as friends and family has made a 35-year career feel like he's never worked a day in his life. (02:05) Phil's one headline for 2026: a return to normal market returns with broader participation across sectors. (08:00) Phil uses "Flippy the fryer," an AI arm completing 200,000 man hours at White Castle, to illustrate real-world AI productivity gains. (15:05) Phil emphasizes Finance 101: never panic based on headlines, as US economic fundamentals remain strong beneath the noise. (20:00) Erik highlights his favorite chart showing intra-year drawdowns versus final returns, making the case for staying invested through volatility. (26:28) Phil believes that AI overdependence is dangerous, pointing to GPS reliance and the Pope's ban on AI-written sermons as cautionary examples. (31:00) Phil identifies rising inflation and the US debt burden as his top black swan risks for markets. (39:25) Erik reflects on using AI-driven productivity for leisure, coaching basketball, and spending more time doing what matters most. (45:45) Key Quotes: “It's a defining year for AI. What companies can either continue to grow revenue or use AI to be more productive.” - Phil Blancato “I would say I've always been a big fan of why people like me are successful. We take advantage of when there's a panic in markets, and there's a panic in a software market right now.” - Phil Blancato “Being paid to wait around. You're getting real return, real income in your portfolio. It gives you safety and security and maybe a chance to see them go up as much as 7% or 8% this year.” - Phil Blancato Resources Mentioned: Phil Blancato Osaic Wealth Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Episode 103: 3 Myths About Building Wealth (Part 1) 24.02.2026 32min

  In this episode of Stuff About Money They Didn’t Teach You in School, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ and Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC® begin a two-part series on how wealth is actually built and why it often looks boring in real life. In Part 1, they tackle three common myths that derail people before wealth ever has a chance to compound. From the belief that wealth is built by luck or big breaks, to the assumption that it is reserved for the privileged few, to the misconception that a high income guarantees financial success, Erik and Xavier unpack the cultural narratives that cause people to quit too early. Drawing on research, real-life stories, and years of experience in financial planning, they explain why wealth is more accessible than most people believe but slower than most people expect. They emphasize that financial success is less about flashy wins and more about mindset, discipline, and intentional decision-making over time. If you have ever felt behind, discouraged, or tempted to chase the next big move, this episode reframes what real wealth-building looks like and sets the stage for Part 2, where they reveal the three ingredients that consistently build lasting wealth. Episode Highlights: Erik mentions that the episode was inspired by conversations at a business conference about what leads people to grow wealth and the myths they tell themselves along the way. (01:30) Erik discusses the idea that wealthy people made their money overnight through one big deal or a viral moment, noting these are exceptions rather than the rule. (06:40) Xavier shares that the average age of a successful business founder is 45, and how that statistic brought visible relief to a business owner who feared she was too late. (10:55) Erik mentions that eight out of ten wealthy people are first-generation, meaning wealth is more accessible than most believe, but requires patience and consistency. (16:20) Erik defines wealth as optionality: having low debt, financial margin, and the freedom to use money for what is most important rather than being backed into a corner. (21:35) Xavier discusses the discouragement that comes when progress feels invisible, reminding listeners that wealth is forming beneath the surface long before the outside world sees it. (26:10) Xavier shares the bonus myth that a high income is required to build wealth, and Erik shares the story of a woman who built a five-million-dollar estate while never earning much money. (29:30) Key Quotes: “Experience and industry familiarity were more important than just pure intelligence when it comes to building wealth. It's a slow grind sometimes to build wealth. It's not overnight.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “If you're following the right processes, if you're taking the right steps of what it leads to be successful, then it's going to come with time.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “ Wealth is built in the gaps between what you make and what you keep, and the behavior matters more than the income alone.” - Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC® Resources Mentioned: Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC® Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Episode 102: What 100 Conversations About Money Taught Us 10.02.2026 39min

  In this milestone episode of Stuff About Money They Didn’t Teach You in School, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™, and co-host Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC®, reflect on what they’ve learned after reaching 100 episodes of honest, practical money conversations.  This episode looks back at why the podcast started, the gaps in financial education that inspired it, and the themes that kept showing up again and again in conversations with clients, guests, and listeners. Erik and Xavier share the biggest money lessons reinforced over the past 100 episodes, the moments that challenged their thinking, and why behavior, mindset, and consistency matter far more than financial hacks or headlines. They also pull back the curtain on what it really takes to stay consistent, grow personally and professionally, and keep showing up for meaningful conversations about money. Episode Highlights: Xavier explains that his dress code changed in 2020 when he joined the firm after Erik's dad told him he could relax and wear polos instead of formal attire. (03:35) Erik discusses his podcasting history, including 65 episodes of Building Us with Dr. Matt Morris during COVID, before starting Stuff About Money. (06:10) Erik shares that the hardest part of podcasting isn't coming up with topics but maintaining consistency with recording every two weeks. (09:35) Erik explains the podcast is part of their vision to resource people for wise financial decisions and reinforce behaviors that lead to success. (11:25) Xavier highlights compounding interest as the most popular response when guests are asked what they wish they knew about money 20 years ago. (12:30) Xavier recalls Billy Williams' advice that stuck with him: if you can't pay for it twice, you can't afford it. (19:50) Erik discusses the responsibility of sharing information on the podcast since they're talking about money topics that could change people's lives. (24:20) Erik explains he pushes back against giving prescriptive advice because personal finance is as much personal as it is finance. (26:10) Erik shares three simple things to build wealth: spend less than you make, save as much as you can, and don't do anything foolish. (28:50) Erik announces two future episode series ideas: interviewing faith leaders about money and exploring emotions like greed and fear that drive financial decisions. (31:15) Xavier shares his key takeaway for listeners: if something is uncomfortable and hard, keep moving forward with intentionality instead of stopping. (33:15) Erik and Xavier announce they'll start doing solo episodes beginning in February to share personal experiences and lessons independently. (37:00) Key Quotes: "Our vision here of the firm is to really resource people to make wise financial decisions. The podcast is part of that vision." - Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA "Most financial decisions are not made on spreadsheets. They're made with emotions." - Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA "If something is uncomfortable, it's hard, and if it's hard, keep moving forward. Don't stop doing what you're doing. Make it comfortable." - Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Resources Mentioned: ⁠⁠Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA⁠ Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Episode 101: King Cake and the Seasons of Money 27.01.2026 29min

  In this solo episode of the Stuff About Money podcast, Erik Garcia CFP®, BFA™, ChFC®, reflects on King Cake season in New Orleans, an annual reminder that some things are wonderful precisely because they don’t last forever. Between questionable calorie intake and the collective sugar coma that sweeps the city, Erik is grateful that King cake is a season, not a lifestyle. That rhythm sparks a bigger conversation about money and how so much of our financial stress comes from forgetting that money, too, has seasons. Erik breaks down the three financial seasons he most often discusses with clients: laying the foundation, building on that foundation, and eventually spending down and distributing assets. Each season comes with different demands, priorities, and emotional pressures, and many “bad” financial decisions are only bad because they’re made in the wrong season of life. He also explores how these seasons show up for business owners, from startup to growth to exit. If money feels tight, confusing, or heavier than expected, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and a reminder that you’re probably not doing it wrong. You may just be in a different season. If it resonates, follow the show and share it with someone who could use that reminder. Episode Highlights: Erik discusses three financial phases: laying a foundation, building on it, and spending down your accumulated assets. (04:15) Erik shares his biggest financial mistake: trying to accumulate in five years everything that took his parents decades to build. (05:35) What makes a financial decision bad isn't always the decision itself, but making it in the wrong season of life. (07:45) The foundation-laying season is characterized by tight margins, high demands, and competing financial priorities like homeownership, transportation, and student loan repayment. (09:25) Erik explains that restraint doesn't mean selling yourself short, but preparing yourself for the future, and making hard decisions early makes transitions easier. (12:50) Regardless of income level, clients face a common challenge: people tend to spend or tie up their money in proportion to what they earn. (16:10) Not spending every dollar isn't a sign of missing out on life; it's good stewardship and wise money management. (18:30) Erik mentions that most small businesses fail not because they're bad ideas, but because they run out of cash. (22:00) Financial seasons have beginnings and endings, making it valuable to pause and reflect on where you currently are in your money journey. (24:50) Erik discusses the value of working with a financial planner who understands your values and the season of life you're in. (26:10) The reality that seasons are temporary makes having trusted guidance in your financial life incredibly valuable. (27:15) Key Quotes: “Restraint doesn't mean that you're selling yourself short. You're preparing yourself for the future.” - Erik Garcia CFP®, BFA™, ChFC® “Making good decisions that are in alignment with your values, that are in alignment with the season that you're in. It's important.” - Erik Garcia CFP®, BFA™, ChFC® “I love the fact that more and more people aren't just quitting or retiring completely, that they recognize they have something still to give. There's meaning, and there's purpose in working.” - Erik Garcia CFP®, BFA™, ChFC® Resources Mentioned: Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Episode 100: Caring for Aging Parents: Why Waiting Is the Most Expensive Option 13.01.2026 50min

  In this episode of Stuff About Money They Didn’t Teach You in School, Xavier Angel, CFP®, is joined by Shannon Mehaffey Ory, Owner and Senior Care Consultant at Avila Senior Advisors, for an honest conversation about something every family will face but few feel prepared for: caring for aging parents. Whether care needs change slowly or arrive overnight after a fall, hospitalization, or diagnosis, Xavier and Shannon unpack why families often find themselves making major financial and care decisions under stress, emotion, and time pressure, usually without a plan. With over a decade of experience across senior housing, memory care, home care, and mission-based work with the homebound and aging, Shannon brings clarity to a confusing and emotionally charged process. Together, she and Xavier walk through six essential things families need to understand about long-term care, including why crisis-based decisions are the most expensive, why Medicare assumptions can be dangerous, and how understanding care options like assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing changes everything. At the heart of this episode is a simple but powerful truth: early planning gives families options, peace of mind, and the ability to honor their loved one’s wishes. If you have aging parents, or hope someone will one day advocate well for you, this is a conversation worth starting now. If this episode resonates, follow the show and share it with someone who needs to hear it before life forces their hand. Episode Highlights: Shannon shares her background in Health Administration with a concentration in senior housing and her experience working across multiple states in assisted living, memory care, and sitter agencies. (03:04) Shannon explains how care needs can change overnight with an example of a healthy client whose wife fell after a medication change. (07:50) Shannon discusses the differences between sitter agencies and private independent sitters, recommending getting names ahead of time through church or friends. (13:30) Shannon describes dementia as a journey and explains factors that determine whether someone should stay home or move to memory care. (18:42) Shannon explains independent living retirement communities, including buy-in fees and how residents can lock in monthly rates as their needs increase. (22:01) Shannon defines activities of daily living (ADLs) including bathing, dressing, hygiene, feeding, and transfers. (26:36) Xavier discusses the importance of aligning care needs with financial ability and how crisis-based decisions become the most expensive. (32:42) Shannon discusses how clients discover VA benefits they had no idea they had access to, making senior living possible. (37:22) Shannon shares her main takeaway that there are options available for aging parents, including resources not widely known to the public. (42:48) Key Quotes: “Every family is unique in what they're experiencing and what their needs are, and they do need accompaniment through that to figure out what is available for them specifically.” - Shannon Mehaffey Ory “A lot of people forget what their long-term care insurance policies included, and adult children have no idea their parents have this, and finding that out means a whole world is possible to them that the children didn't know was possible.” - Shannon Mehaffey Ory “The benefit of independent living is you don't have any maintenance. You probably can pay an extra fee for housekeeping. You have a ton of social opportunities, lovely dining. People go on trips together in independent living communities all the time.” - Shannon Mehaffey Ory Resources Mentioned: Shannon Mehaffey Ory Avila Senior Advisors Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Episode 99: Should You Wait to Invest When the Market Feels Expensive? 30.12.2025 41min

  In this episode of Stuff About Money They Didn’t Teach You in School, Erik Garcia is joined by Miles Clark, Senior Analyst at Nasdaq Dorsey Wright, to explore a simple but important question: what’s better—time in the market or timing the market? The conversation opens with a long-term look at how markets have behaved over multi-decade periods and what that data can teach investors when they’re deciding what to do with new money, especially when markets are sitting at or near all-time highs. From there, Erik and Miles walk through three common investor approaches: investing a lump sum right away, waiting for a pullback, or easing in over time. They discuss which experiences tend to lead to better long-term outcomes and why those results often surprise people. The conversation also touches on momentum, relative strength, and market breadth, including what it means when market leadership becomes narrow and valuations stretch. The episode wraps up with Miles’ thoughts on what matters most heading into 2026, what investors tend to worry about too much, and what deserves more attention moving forward. If you found this episode helpful, follow the show and share it with someone who’s still waiting for the “right” time to invest. Episode Highlights: Miles discusses a study showing "Average Joe," who invests $500 monthly regardless of market conditions, outperforms market timers by about $1 million. (07:25) Miles breaks down market breadth through a football analogy: it tells investors whether the market is on offense or defense. (13:20) Miles mentions that in core-dominated markets, the real risk isn't beating the benchmark but simply keeping up with it. (18:55) Miles discusses how Dorsey Wright applies relative strength to identify which assets to hold, focusing on sustained trends rather than short-term news. (22:45) Miles explains how momentum investing rotated out of tech in 2022 into energy and utilities, then back into tech for 2023-2024. (29:30) Erik emphasizes that risk capacity matters more than risk tolerance, which is often driven by emotions about current market conditions. (36:25) Key Quotes: "We don't necessarily have to focus on protecting against the entire market washout. We really just need to protect ourselves against where we're over-concentrated in our portfolios." - Miles Clark "In core-dominated markets, a lot of the risk is actually just not keeping up with the benchmark because it is so strong." - Miles Clark "Finding and earning positive relative strength is just trying to pick those assets that are doing relatively better towards the up or downside than their benchmark." - Miles Clark Resources Mentioned: Miles Clark Nasdaq Dorsey Wright Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Episode 98: Plan Before Life Forces Your Hand: The Cost of Waiting 16.12.2025 8min

  In this solo episode of Stuff About Money They Didn't Teach You in School, Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC, steps behind the mic to wrestle with a tough truth: planning isn’t optional, not if you want control over your future. Fresh off his conversation with Giovanni Arenas about Gio’s life-threatening condition and remarkable double lung transplant, Xavier gets another call that hits just as hard. A dear friend's cancer has returned, and with it comes the realization that he never put proper business succession plans in place. It is a moment that reveals not just financial vulnerability but emotional fallout, the kind that compounds heartbreak when families are already hurting. Xavier digs deeper into why waiting to plan is one of the costliest decisions a business owner can make. He lays out how proactive planning protects the people you care about most and why delaying those decisions hands your future over to circumstances instead of intention. This episode is an honest call to action: don't wait until life forces your hand. If the message resonates, share the episode with someone who needs the nudge, and make sure you're following the show for more conversations that help you take control before life does it for you. Episode Highlights: Procrastination is a bill that silently compounds, delaying tasks makes them harder to complete, and weighs you down. (01:00) Time is the most valuable asset when building wealth. Every year of waiting meant losing opportunity, not just time. (01:30) Xavier references his previous episode with Giovanni Arenas about his double lung transplant and how quickly life can change. (02:30) Xavier shares a personal story: A close friend's rapidly progressing cancer forced immediate business and family decisions no one was prepared for. (04:10) Xavier outlines action steps: Create a will, establish an estate plan (not just for the wealthy), and build a business continuation plan. (07:10) Planning documents are acts of love and gifts of clarity that ensure your intentions, not others' emotions, guide what happens next. (07:50) Key Quotes: “Procrastination doesn't just slow you down. It widens the gap between where we are today and where we want to be.” - Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC “Planning isn't when life is perfect. Planning isn't when life happens, planning now it matters.” - Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC “ Take that first step today, no matter how small. Start planning today. Start the conversation, get the documents in place. Build the plan that protects the people and the legacy you want to fulfill your future self and your family will thank you later.” - Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC Resources Mentioned: Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors
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  Episode 97: Your Goals Need a Reframe 02.12.2025 13min

  In this solo episode of the Stuff About Money podcast, host Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ sits down for a candid one-on-one about goals. Not the shiny, New-Year’s-resolution kind, but the messy, honest kind we whisper to ourselves when no one’s listening. Erik shares two personal moments that reshaped how he thinks about goal setting, including the year Dr. Matt Morris bluntly told him, “You just made a bad goal,” and the overly ambitious golf objective that nearly convinced him to quit the game altogether. These stories spark a bigger conversation about why we so often overestimate what we can accomplish in the short term and underestimate what we’re capable of over the long haul. In the second half of the episode, Erik unpacks a healthier, more realistic framework for pursuing goals — especially financial ones. Instead of obsessing over hitting a number by a certain date, he encourages listeners to think of goals as direction and objectives as the checkpoints that keep them moving forward. Erik explores why grace, awareness, and better-designed goals lead to more progress and less burnout. If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who needs a fresh perspective on goal setting, and make sure you’re following the show for more conversations that help you move toward a wiser, more intentional financial life. Episode Highlights: Erik discusses why traditional goal-setting frameworks and New Year’s resolutions aren’t the focus, emphasizing the frustration goals often create. (01:10) Erik shares the moment Dr. Matt Morris looked at him and said he had simply made a bad goal, reframing how he viewed falling short. (02:30) A reminder surfaces about how people consistently overestimate short-term capacity and underestimate long-term potential. (04:00) Erik explains why he now treats goals as directions rather than destinations, using the New York-to-England swimming analogy. (05:30) Erik shares how an overly ambitious summer golf goal led to frustration and helped him rethink the difference between goals and objectives. (07:00) Financial goal setting follows the same pattern, as unrealistic expectations often lead to shame, frustration, or giving up entirely. (09:10) Two core takeaways: create better directional goals and recognize the bias of misjudging short- and long-term potential. (10:40) Why having someone walk alongside you, such as a financial planner, helps maintain direction and adjust objectives over time. (11:40) Erik encourages listeners to share the episode and continue reframing their approach to goal setting. (13:40) Key Quotes: “ I've stopped treating goals like a destination, like something I have to reach. Instead, I think of them like a direction.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “  You're not failing your goals, your goals just might need a reframe. Fix the direction, adjust the objectives, and trust the long-term journey.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ “ Set better goals, not bigger ones, not more detailed ones. Better ones. Goals that orient you long-term, meaningful directional goals, and then backfill that with objectives that guide your ” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ Resources Mentioned: Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors 
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  Episode 96: Faith, Finances, and Facing Mortality: A Conversation with Gio Arenas 18.11.2025 32min

  In this moving episode of the Stuff About Money They Didn’t Teach You in School podcast, Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC, sits down with Giovani Arenas, business partner of Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA™, ChFC®, at Garcia Insurance Services, to talk about life, death, and everything in between. Gio, who received a double lung transplant just two years ago, shares his remarkable story of resilience and faith. From being told as a child that he wouldn’t live past 40 to defying all odds and thriving in his late 40s, Gio opens up about what it’s like to face mortality head-on—and how that perspective reshapes every part of life, including how we plan for the future. In this powerful conversation, Gio and Xavier discuss the emotional and practical sides of end-of-life planning, from having honest family conversations to getting your estate in order. They explore what it means to prepare for death while choosing to live fully—with gratitude, purpose, and hope. Gio’s story reminds us that wise planning isn’t just about money; it’s about love, legacy, and peace of mind. Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to face life’s hardest truths with courage and grace. Episode Highlights: Gio discusses growing up with scleroderma, reconstructive surgeries, and the impact of bullying in his teenage years. (02:48) Gio shares how marriage and becoming a father transformed his outlook and fueled his desire to create a strong family legacy. (04:12) Gio discusses the emotional weight of planning for his family while living with limited life expectancy. (05:42) Gio explains the miracle of receiving a transplant call just one week after being placed on the list and the frantic race to the airport. (08:58) Gio recounts the airport gate reopening and his arrival in Houston before the organs, describing it as the first of many miracles. (14:08) Xavier emphasizes how essential it is to account for different scenarios when building a solid financial strategy. (18:18) Gio explains how he and Erik Garcia planned for financial and business continuity, including wills, trusts, and contingency strategies. (19:20) Gio reflects on the importance of legacy, emphasizing character, faith, and the example he hopes to leave for his children. (20:33) Xavier highlights how many families struggle to address conversations about wills, directives, and preparing for the unexpected. (24:58) Gio encourages listeners to confront difficult conversations about death, wills, and family preparedness. (25:36) Gio affirms that his faith is now “stronger than ever,” describing how the journey reshaped his belief. (28:41) Xavier encourages listeners to begin planning early and communicate the legacy they want to leave. (29:38) Key Quotes: “My actual transformation to a more concentrated person, and being a productive person and being someone happened when my kids were born, that completely changed my way of thinking, because to me, family, it's very important.” - Giovani Arenas “There were so many things that happened that have no explanation except the power of God working in the process, you know. And if I have to say something now is, I believe more now than before.” - Giovani Arenas Resources Mentioned: Giovani Arenas Garcia Insurance Services Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors