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Capitalize Your Fridays!

Capitalize Your Fridays!

By ALTIUS Financial Inc's Michael Williams CFP® & Taylor McGowen CFP®

Every other Friday Michael Williams & Taylor McGowen will share financial insight as two CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ with different generational perspectives. Maybe we'll even bring in a guest speaker too! Provided to you by ALTIUS Financial Inc.
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Alternatives to Alternative Investments

Capitalize Your Fridays!Jun 02, 2023

00:00
37:33
Alternatives to Alternative Investments

Alternatives to Alternative Investments

The most common types of alternative investments include real estate, collectibles, commodities, private equity, and derivatives. But in this episode, Mike and Taylor cover a couple new unique alternative investments in the wine and art industries. They discuss the potential risk and benefits of these newer investments.

Jun 02, 202337:33
Travel Credit Card - Tips & Tricks

Travel Credit Card - Tips & Tricks

With summer travel coming up, Mike and Taylor review the process of travel credit cards, and how to maximize credit card points. In this overview on credit card points and benefits, Taylor goes over some tips & tricks and things to look out for when considering a credit card.

May 06, 202338:13
Secure Act 2.0

Secure Act 2.0

The Secure Act 2.0 will likely have an impact on ALTIUS' clients, so in this episode Mike and Taylor give an overview of the Secure Act 2.0 and outline how they're thinking about it in the long-term. At the end of the episode, they also discuss the process of stock buybacks and how they affect shareholders.

Apr 21, 202331:11
AI Chat Bots: the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

AI Chat Bots: the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

What is this Chat GPT I hear people talking about? Listen along as Mike and Taylor introduce you to and implement the world's fastest growing new tech - Chat GPT. We cover the new artificial intelligence (AI) language processing chat bot technology that is currently at the forefront of bringing AI to the masses and how it relates to investing.


Apr 07, 202356:55
What to know about SVB & Banking

What to know about SVB & Banking

In this episode, Mike and Taylor discuss the current banking situation (SVB, Credit Suisse, etc) and explain the recent and historic events that led to this predicament.

Mar 25, 202359:55
Layoff Chaos

Layoff Chaos

In this episode we discuss some of the recent layoff turmoil and how this has spread beyond just the tech industries. We share our outlook on causes of these layoffs, our perspective on how this may or may not present investment opportunities, and our suggestions to any listener who may be directly experiencing this difficult time.

Feb 25, 202329:33
Mortgage Lending with Kim Crea

Mortgage Lending with Kim Crea

Our guest this week is Kim Crea, Senior Vice President of Residential Lending at Draper & Kramer Mortgage. Kim has a wealth of knowledge about mortgage lending and has been helping people with their home financing needs since 2003. She loves working with first-time homebuyers, repeat purchasers, or those looking to refinance, and her goal is to make the loan process as easy and smooth as possible. In this episode, Kim walks Mike through the process of “locking in” interest rates, the typical closing timing in the current market, and answers questions about the current housing market and whether now is a good time to buy a home.

Feb 11, 202359:24
Why is Big Tech Losing Trillions?

Why is Big Tech Losing Trillions?

ALTIUS recently had a client ask about investing in tech and what is going on with many of the large companies losing trillions based on their share price. So, in this episode, we discuss the chaos around big tech's layoffs and loss of capital, and what that means for ALTIUS' outlook on current market volatility.

Jan 28, 202318:27
Market Cap Confusion

Market Cap Confusion

Let’s dive into what Market Capitalization is and how it helps investors make allocation decisions.

Jan 13, 202331:02
New Year, New Client

New Year, New Client

In this episode, Mike and Taylor discuss what it means to become a new client. Such as, what questions to ask a new advisor, what it means to become a client with a financial advisor, and what the ALTIUS Financial client experience looks like.

Dec 30, 202223:37
Debunking the 60/40 Rule

Debunking the 60/40 Rule

Mike and Taylor discuss the 2022 market conditions and the failure of using the 60/40 Rule to protect one's nest egg.  What happened and should you throw out the old asset allocation rules?

Dec 16, 202232:02
FTX, What the Heck?

FTX, What the Heck?

The recent FTX drama has everyone wondering what’s in store for the future of crypto currency. Tune in to hear our thoughts on what has happened so far and our future outlook for decentralized finance.

Dec 03, 202238:23
Where's the (Debt) Ceiling?

Where's the (Debt) Ceiling?

Recently, we've had many clients ask about the Debt ceiling and with the government continuing to increase spending and assistance policies the current “debt ceiling” seems more of an open sunroof than an actual ceiling. So in this episode, Taylor questions Mike about his thoughts on government debt and how it may impact our client portfolios.

Nov 18, 202238:33
Employee Healthcare Elections

Employee Healthcare Elections

Let's clarify the employee healthcare policy election process by breaking down terminology and policy types to help you make the right selection. In this episode we cover coinsurance, copays, different types of health insurance plans, and most importantly how an HSA account can benefit your overall financial situation in the long-term.

Nov 05, 202223:36
Furry Family Finances

Furry Family Finances

Pets may be our furry family members, but we often overlook how their expenses quickly add up. Today we discuss the finances around adopting and supporting our favorite fluffy family members.

Oct 21, 202229:00
There's More to Life Than Retirement

There's More to Life Than Retirement

One of the main financial topics we discuss with clients is preparing for retirement, but here at ALTIUS we think being ready for retirement is not only about how much you've saved. So, in this episode, we discuss what it really takes to be retirement ready and how enjoying the journey shows that there's so much more to life than retirement.

Oct 07, 202235:10
Supply Chain Issues

Supply Chain Issues

With COVID on the downturn why are we still seeing challenges in our local and global supply chain? Mike and Taylor discuss their research on where these supply chain shortages are at and why - tune in to hear!

Sep 23, 202226:01
Why Do Millennials Hate Dave Ramsey?

Why Do Millennials Hate Dave Ramsey?

It’s a bit harsh to say that a whole generation hates an individual, but it is interesting to point out that much of the millennial generation doesn’t agree with Dave Ramsey's financial philosophy. Listen to this episode to find out why.

Sep 09, 202231:55
Is it Always (or Ever) Cheaper to Buy Direct?

Is it Always (or Ever) Cheaper to Buy Direct?

In this episode, Taylor tells Mike about some of her recent experiences of buying direct, which sparked the question "Is it always or ever cheaper to buy direct?" Listen to hear Taylor and Mike's thoughts on what is worth getting a deal for and what isn't. Also, at the beginning of this episode we give a brief update on President Biden's Student Loan Announcement and Updates.



Aug 27, 202243:42
Biden's Inflation Reduction Act

Biden's Inflation Reduction Act

Politicians have a knack for naming legislation to make it seem more palatable, especially in election years. This bill is no different since most people really are experiencing the effects of inflation with much higher prices on everyday items. Mike and Taylor discuss President Biden's most recent bill and its potential impact on the economy, markets and client portfolios.

Aug 20, 202233:37
The Psychology of Money

The Psychology of Money

In this episode, Taylor and Mike do a book review of The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan Housel. They discuss different principles of the book and the application of them in life and mindset. A book for anyone interested in how to think about money and how to let that mindset drive your monetary behaviors.

Aug 13, 202232:44
We're 50 Now!

We're 50 Now!

We're excited for our 50th episode release! Listen to find out why we created Capitalize Your Fridays and to hear more about what's coming next for our podcast.

Jul 30, 202221:35
Chew On It?

Chew On It?

Communication is key and in this episode Mike and Taylor talk about a particular miscommunication with a client that led first to some confusion, then laughter and finally to a history lesson.  Mike often talks about "chewing on" ideas, as in pondering and then digesting something new or different and he talks about the history of Judaism, finance, money-lending and finance.

Jul 15, 202225:41
Walking Tall on Independence Day

Walking Tall on Independence Day

In this special episode for Independence Day, Mike and Taylor read Walking Tall to show what it means to have financial freedom. They also discuss the meaning of Independence Day and why it's important to appreciate the founding and revolution - to be patriotic, but cautious of nationalism.

Jul 02, 202226:10
Sold on Gold?

Sold on Gold?

In this episode, Mike and Taylor discuss gold as an investment, and focus on the potential value of purchasing metals and how to hold those types of assets. Tune in to hear the answers to questions like - How is gold valuable? Is jewelry an adequate holding for precious metals? And can precious metals hedge inflation?

Jun 24, 202226:55
Are old financial rules only for old people?

Are old financial rules only for old people?

Has anyone ever told you, "You need 20% down to buy a house"? This is one of the financial industry's old "rules of thumb" and one that Mike & Taylor discuss in this episode. There are so many old financial rules, but it's hard to know whether or not they're actually applicable now or if they need to be adjusted. So Mike & Taylor take on this challenge to ask -- are the old rules only for the older generations?

Jun 11, 202250:14
The Envy Economy

The Envy Economy

Why do we hate people at the top? Is it the natural human need for drama or are billionaires really bad? Or are they truly good for the economy and people, but get vilified by society? Mike and Taylor discuss all these questions in this week's episode about the current envy economy mindset.

May 28, 202224:22
Active vs Passive Investing

Active vs Passive Investing

At ALTIUS, our investment approach is personalized and catered toward your life's goals, but we know that different investing techniques and strategies can get confusing. So on this Friday's podcast, Mike and Taylor dive into the specifics and differences between active and passive investing.

May 13, 202237:06
Twitter, Takeovers, & Talking Freely.

Twitter, Takeovers, & Talking Freely.

This week Mike and Taylor discuss the rollercoaster of Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter and clarify why it's important to understand the difference between private and publicly traded (still private property) companies. From there they evaluate free speech and more when it comes to company values and the role of shareholder voting.

Apr 29, 202232:34
Impending student loan repayments - with Debt Free Millennial’s Tara Miller

Impending student loan repayments - with Debt Free Millennial’s Tara Miller

Our guest this week is Tara Miller of Debt Free Millennial, who currently works in Fintech as an underwriter for student loans. Taylor, Mike, and Tara talk about the recent updates to the Student Loan Forbearance and answer other questions about options to pay off student loans, refinancing, and the possibility of student loan forgiveness.

Apr 15, 202244:42
Fun(d) with Vice Investing

Fun(d) with Vice Investing

Can it be good to invest in our vices? Like beer, tobacco, etc? In this episode discover more about vice investing with Taylor and Mike, and whether investing in our vices can be profitable. And even if it's profitable, is it good or ethical?

Apr 01, 202223:33
What to do when you win the lottery

What to do when you win the lottery

It's pretty low odds to win the lottery, but if you do here's some steps to take if you do! There's a lot of different options and situations you might come up against if you ever win the lottery or acquire a lot of money suddenly, so Mike & Taylor discuss what that could look like.

Mar 18, 202221:24
 Introduction to ALTIUS

Introduction to ALTIUS

In most episodes we talk a lot about ALTIUS as a business, but in this episode, we decided to let our listeners know a little bit more about our team. Listen to get to know Mike, Taylor, Jenn, and Krescent.

Mar 05, 202245:34
ESG Investing - Can feeling good actually be profitable?

ESG Investing - Can feeling good actually be profitable?

This week, Mike and Taylor have a conversation about Environmental, Social, and (Corporate) Governance Investing - more commonly known as ESG Investing. It's a controversial topic with a lot of different views across generations. They elaborate more on what this means and whether it actually might be profitable to invest in ESG.

Feb 19, 202233:31
What's the inflation situation?

What's the inflation situation?

Mike & Taylor talk through inflation and what's going on in the current market.

Feb 05, 202230:40
It's Credit Freezing Out!

It's Credit Freezing Out!

To go with the freezing weather in Denver this week, Mike and Taylor go over credit freezes. This episode is all about protecting your credit and the big difference in freezing an account versus freezing your credit. Taylor shares her own personal experience with freezing her credit and talks about why it can help protect you in emergency situations.

Jan 22, 202219:56
New Year, New Mindset

New Year, New Mindset

Happy New Year from ALTIUS Financial! This new year ALTIUS is changing the phrase "new year, new me" to "new year, new mindset." We love goals and planning, but we've found that their success all comes down to mindset. So in this episode, Mike and Taylor talk about their own goals and why developing a new mindset sets you up for success much more than checking off a list.

Jan 08, 202225:44
Hobby vs. Hustle

Hobby vs. Hustle

In this episode, hear Taylor interview our first ever guest, Mattie Kleist, on how she made some of her hobbies become her hustles. Mattie talks about her experience working three separate side hustles on top of her 8-5 job, and what that looks like financially.

Dec 25, 202137:18
Gratitude by Charitable Giving

Gratitude by Charitable Giving

This week Mike & Taylor discuss the importance of gratitude and how charitable giving can help both your mindset and your financial situation. 

Dec 11, 202120:42
ALTIUS's Philosophy in Quotes

ALTIUS's Philosophy in Quotes

Dive deep into the ALTIUS philosophy and how it came to be through 5 different quotes from Aristotle, John Adams, and a few other famous authors and figures. These quotes are our credos and have helped create ALTIUS's approach to building wealth.

Nov 26, 202115:35
Holiday Spending Reminders

Holiday Spending Reminders

Tune in for tips and reminders about planning your holiday spending and specifically why it's important this year due to the current global supply chain issues.

Nov 12, 202112:22
Causes of Market Volatility

Causes of Market Volatility

In this episode, Mike and Taylor discuss the current markets, tax code changes, and overall causes of market volatility.

Oct 30, 202135:24
What's in a Financial Plan?

What's in a Financial Plan?

Mike & Taylor talk about what the 6 areas of financial planning and why and how they are covered in a financial plan at ALTIUS Financial!

Oct 02, 202119:20
ALTIUS Updates

ALTIUS Updates

Tune in on this episode to hear about some updates around ALTIUS's team, office, covid-19 thoughts, and upcoming events/plans!

Sep 18, 202114:05
How Your Lifestyle Adds Up

How Your Lifestyle Adds Up

Every choice you make or habit you have can have an impact on your finances, and you might not realize how much these can add up. Maybe a coffee a day is the difference between going on a international trip that year or not. Dive into this episode to get an idea of how much your lifestyle might really be adding up.

Sep 03, 202129:58
Planning for College & Education

Planning for College & Education

Dive into funding education and more through a focus on the types, uses, and details of 529 College Savings Plans.

Aug 20, 202131:57
The Risk and Return of Investing

The Risk and Return of Investing

Sometimes in life you risk it all and sometimes you don’t, but what kind of risks are there in investing? Learn some of the ins and outs of investing with us this Friday to capitalize yours!

Aug 06, 202136:04
Small Businesses Starters
Jul 23, 202149:28
Maxing Your Savings

Maxing Your Savings

Time to maximize your savings! Learn how to grow your savings from what accounts you should pay into, saving vs. debt pay off, and how much you should be saving.

Jul 10, 202131:30
Credit Score Craziness

Credit Score Craziness

Tune in to hear our discussion about the craziness of credit scores -- what they are, what's a good score, how to find out yours, and how you can make it better. 

Jun 26, 202136:11
Buying into Business

Buying into Business

Bringing clarity to the concept of employee stock options and grants.

Jun 11, 202128:23
Conspiracy Theory Thoughts

Conspiracy Theory Thoughts

We love getting feedback from our listeners and one of our listeners/clients recommended the topic of addressing recent Conspiracy Theories, their legitimacy, and their potential impact on finances.

May 29, 202101:22:37
Stonks, SPACs, and NFTs please?

Stonks, SPACs, and NFTs please?

Clarifying, as best we can, some of the new alternative investment options that have been popular buzz words and topics. 

May 15, 202148:27
The Great Merge- Merging Finances and Goal Planning

The Great Merge- Merging Finances and Goal Planning

Sharing thoughts from two financial advisors who have personal and client experience with merging finances and planning. 

May 07, 202141:33
Financial Planning for Beyond the Grave

Financial Planning for Beyond the Grave

Is estate planning for everyone or just for wealthy people with a mansion vineyard estate? ha ha! Tune in to hear our perspective for planning for now and beyond. 

Apr 23, 202158:36
Where's the GROWTH for VALUE investors?

Where's the GROWTH for VALUE investors?

Let's dive into the concept of investing and weigh our thoughts on growth vs. value investing strategies. 

Apr 09, 202143:58
Tips for Travel Time

Tips for Travel Time

Tips for traveling during a pandemic. Budget and travel pricing thoughts for both those ballin on a budget and for the financially affluent adventurer. 

Mar 27, 202155:04
Tax Time Tips and Tricks

Tax Time Tips and Tricks

Tips, tricks, and thoughts heading into 2020 tax prep season.

Mar 13, 202148:53
Tribute to Tammy

Tribute to Tammy

Some of our favorite memories and thoughts of our loved and dearly missed coworker. 

Feb 27, 202129:17
Living The American Dream

Living The American Dream

People say home ownership is "The American Dream". Let's discuss the home shopping and buying process and discuss real estate as an investment. 

Feb 13, 202156:24
Making Cents of Crypto Currency

Making Cents of Crypto Currency

Should you buy crypto? Let's dive into the history of money, the concept of Crypto, how to hold it, and Crypto as an investment. 

Jan 29, 202147:31
World Meets Wallet

World Meets Wallet

It's been an interesting week to say the least-- How will what's going on in the world impact your current and future investments (your wallet)?

Jan 15, 202144:29
What to Ask an Advisor?

What to Ask an Advisor?

Do I need an advisor and what should I ask when shopping for one? 

Jan 08, 202130:31
No Free Christmas Trees

No Free Christmas Trees

This episode we discuss the unfortunate truth- the are no free Christmas trees. In all seriousness, we take this last episode of the year to discuss the concept of "free" stuff and weighing cost vs. value, we tie this into the purpose of a corporation and try to weigh the benefits of corporations of all sizes. Lastly, we'll finish off with an intro to our 53 week Finance Challenge and we invite all our listeners to join in on the next 53 weeks of financial engagement. 

Dec 19, 202036:28
It's December... Now What?

It's December... Now What?

Let's discuss a handful of helpful financial tips heading into year end focusing on: tax strategies, investment opportunities, and personal financial planning. 

Dec 05, 202041:46
#Blessed

#Blessed

#Blessed... But are we? Let's talk a bit about how we are all blessed and how both mindset and habits can greatly impact the results of your financial and personal goals. 

Nov 20, 202032:02
HMO, PPO, HSA-- What the Hell?

HMO, PPO, HSA-- What the Hell?

In this episode we break down the terminology you may see on your health insurance benefit options along with a quick analysis of different plan types. Hopefully this will be helpful for everyone in open enrollment looking to select their plans for next year.

Nov 13, 202031:16
Fireside Charity Chats

Fireside Charity Chats

Okay, okay, this episode has nothing to do with FDR or his Fireside chats. But, the recording process was Fireside as Taylor gazed out her window to the wildfire and clouds of smoke approaching her hotel. *Note: no employees were injured in the making of this podcast* In all seriousness, let's dive into the benefits of gifting your time and money to causes you care about. We'll touch on suggested gifting principles, tax benefits, and what makes this calendar year different from a charitable gifting perspective.   

Oct 31, 202058:04
Does My Vote Count

Does My Vote Count

What is the potential financial and social impact of the 2020 election? Pros and cons of a true democracy and our outlook on where Americas is heading as a society.   

Oct 16, 202048:29
Buying Cars and Paying Down Cards

Buying Cars and Paying Down Cards

Everyone will have a big purchase in their life. Maybe it's a car, or a boat, or a home- we're discussing how to consider the variables associated with planning for a car purchase and how to live within your means to save for large future expenses. 

Oct 02, 202025:07
Ep. 1: Intro to Finance Fridays & Current Markets

Ep. 1: Intro to Finance Fridays & Current Markets

We'll briefly introduce you to our speakers, Taylor and Mike, and share a bit of Q&A on current and general financial topics. 

Sep 25, 202027:04