Money questions from my new friends in Santa Barbara

This week I visited sunny Santa Barbara to watch my dear friends get married (nay, elope) at the city's beautiful courthouse.

It was a small, intimate group. Only 10 of us. Most of us had never met before. Some were childhood neighbors, college friends, or current work colleagues.

And when new friends find out you’re a financial planner, small talk turns into picking your brain on money questions.

Here’s what my new friends asked me about:

• 529 account Pros/Cons. Are they a good idea? Are the penalties actually that bad? Explaining the new 529>Roth IRA strategies.

• How to teach their young kids about money: instead of blowing it all on Slime, or begging for toys at every grocery store trip.

• When to start making estimated tax payments for a new photographer side gig in California.

I loved these questions. 

They were based on real things they were thinking about at home.

My favorite part was that I got zero questions about Crypto/AI, Nvidia stock, or GME. Always small talk that doesn't go anywhere.

Money professionals never get a break 

Since money is so relatable, it can sometimes feel like you can’t get a break in your free time.

But I’ve learned that most financial planners chose this work because they want to help people with real problems.

I’ll take solid questions from good people any day of the week.

Looking for Next Steps?

• Reply or just say Hi !

• Schedule an intro call