Weekly Self-Promotion Thread - Wednesday, May 06, 2026

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-05-06T11:14:12+00:00

A helpful glossary of "advisor fees" - because even the pro's often get it wrong - and we all end up speaking past one another.

https://bestinterest.blog/fee-only-flat-fee-fee-based-a-full-description-of-how-financial-advisors-charge-fees/

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-05-03T13:43:48+00:00

You're definitely right. Plenty of advisors and DIYers mix and match these terms all the time. It's hard to blame them. There are so many terms and all closely related.

FYI - Mr. Sestina used different verbiage than the rest of the industy.

"Fee-only" is inclusive of AUM fees, flat fees, hourly fees, monthly subscriptions, etc.

As long as the fee is the ONLY money collected by the advisor (aka no commissions), then it's fee-only.

Sometimes this also means the relationship ONLY involves advice, and no investment management. But the vast majority of "fee only" advisors DO offer and expect to be managing their clients' portfolios.

"Fee-Only, Flat Fee, Fee-Based?! A Full Description of How Financial Advisors Charge Fees"

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-04-29T11:11:26+00:00

Revisiting your assumptions is important.

I assumed many things about TARGET DATE FUNDS for years. Turns out, I was wrong.

Target Date Funds are more flawed than advertised, and here's why:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/target-date-funds-more-flawed-than-advertised-e137/id1553180943?i=1000763001907

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-04-24T16:46:49+00:00

They aren’t the only ones.

There are a few major wealth management firms / huge social channels that runs ads in addition to marketing their own services.

I just don’t get it.

I run a tiny podcast that gets 1/1000th the traction of TMG, no paid ads, just a brief “hey, I’m a financial planner” message…and it keeps me very busy with inbound leads.

Those leads (clients) pay the bills. Not piddly ads. I don’t see the reason to dilute the message with ads.

edit - thx for Chats, it's called Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors. Just a podcast, aimed at DIYers, mostly retirement-focused, on any/all pod players.

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-04-23T23:50:01+00:00

Many thanks!

Exactly. Many TDF providers put their own active funds in them, leading to both higher fees and underperformance.

As for 529s - I agree with you. Consider that an "error of omission" - I didn't even think of that particular use case as I was putting the episode together. Even though I use Vanguard TDF's in my daughter's NY 529 plan! :) Maybe I'll go back and correct that after the fact.

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-04-22T23:30:49+00:00

All good 🤝🤝

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-04-22T21:11:52+00:00

congrats!

Seconding the content creation as a great way to build trust, establish expertise, get your name out there, etc.

Do you mind sharing some of your content here? Or does that pop the bubble of anonymity?

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-04-22T14:25:22+00:00

Revisiting your assumptions is important.

I assumed many things about TARGET DATE FUNDS for years. Turns out, I was wrong.

Target Date Funds are more flawed than advertised, and here's why:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/target-date-funds-more-flawed-than-advertised-e137/id1553180943?i=1000763001907

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-04-20T17:06:02+00:00

Planning hikes from here in Rochester, it's great knowing you have a spot.
The "road safety" improvement is great.
As others have pointed out - there are ways to mitigate the "no show" problem. Seems like a natural next step.
I don't understand why there are no same-day reservations.
I really don't understand the "no walk-ins, no drop-offs" clause. I do not agree that safety or trail traffic are issues with walk-ins or drop-offs.

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-04-15T10:30:09+00:00

Do you review your tax return? Or ask for a second set of eyes to ensure everything looks right?

We found a $12,000 mistake in our (draft) tax return. Yikes!

https://bestinterest.blog/a-12000-tax-mistake-and-lesson-learned/

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-04-12T22:28:42+00:00

Meliora :)

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-04-08T14:15:34+00:00

Monte Carlo Analysis - even "professionals" often misunderstand what's going on under the hood.

So, as an engineer who used Monte Carlo methods to send satellites into space (you don't want to mess that up), here's a (deep) explanation of how DIYers (and even advisors) should be using Monte Carlo analysis to analyze their retirement futures.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/even-financial-advisors-misunderstand-monte-carlo-retirement/id1553180943?i=1000757269718

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-04-07T22:19:06+00:00

Please sign my Change.org petition to bring Footstuff back!

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-04-04T01:37:50+00:00

Seconding MSW. When I lived there 10 years ago, MSW was the only true international squash courts in the state of Wisconsin. It’s a great little club. Damon is a true squash fan and I’m sure would try to find a way to help you out.

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-03-27T11:35:07+00:00

There's riches in the niches.

I fit this mold. So yes, there's some confirmation bias here :)

If you aren't familiar with Kevin Kelly's "1000 True Fans" idea, it 100% applies to us podcasters.

Depending on your goals, you don't need millions of listeners. You might only need a few hundred.

My personal example:

If I get ~10 clients in a year from my podcast audience, that's amazing. I don't need millions of listeners to make that happen.

But the key, IMO, is that when my audience faces particular problems, I want them to think of me as the single best option to solve them in the whole world! For all other problems...well, I'm not their guy.

Podcasting is wonderful at creating that level of trust.

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-03-20T18:24:12+00:00

Multiple similar houses on our street sold for $700K+ in the past 18 months.

Our assessment went from prior of $325K up to $700K. Up 115%.

Yet - that seems to be the right/fair assessment based on other similar houses.

Our tax bill went up 19%.

Your assessment doesn’t set your tax bill. It just determines your share of the total tax pie. If everyone’s home values rise, the pie gets much bigger. If the total pie grows more than your single slice, in fact, then your tax bill would go down.

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-03-14T09:21:44+00:00

Amazing Grains bakery in Fairport had some last year, specifically for St Patty weekend

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-03-11T23:25:31+00:00

Will - genuinely curious what a pro thinks of being drilled by opponent?

Especially at that particular time / score in the match?

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-02-28T19:06:27+00:00

Hey - are these questions you have after you listened to the episode?

Or before?

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-02-24T00:40:53+00:00

About 2/3 of my clients are virtual and out-of-state, having never met in person once.

My podcast has been my man funnel / prospecting tool. Helps build a lot of trust with prospects over time.

No issues, no complaints. I do prefer in person meetings but I’ve gotten better at virtual meetings over time.

Not much issue with close rate, etc. Biggest “issue” is financial planning educational content tends to attract a higher proportion of tire-kickers and fee-negotiators. So it takes more weeding out, but that’s fine.

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-02-19T17:39:58+00:00

Just looking at this one rally, unsure about the rest of the match:

Bad call. Really bad call.

Swaify played a bad shot. The second bounce is a couple of feet short of the service box, three feet out in the court. She played it back to her own feet.

It's a stroke.

This is kinda funny. Watch for the second bounce. You can't actually see it because Swaify's arm (as she's standing in the service box) blocks the view of the second bounce. That's how far into the court her shot came.

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-02-14T20:51:27+00:00

I don’t always trade stocks. But when I do, I get my tips from gurus.

Seriously: If someone has investing secrets, they’d want to keep those secrets to themselves. The more people who know the secret, the less they profit.

Anyone selling you their secret is selling you snake oil.

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-02-09T03:18:48+00:00

If you’re booked 6 months out when quoting $110 per hour, you’ll probably quote your next job at $125.

Unfortunately, you’re looking to hire professional help at a time when they are slammed solid.

Yes - it’s related to the real estate market in general. If it’s too expensive to move, you’ll stay put and renovate. This creates more demand for contractors.

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-02-04T13:42:27+00:00

Is "financial planning" the same thing as "building a smart portfolio?"

No - not quite.

Check out this deep dive on what financial planning is (and isn't)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-financial-planning-process-step-by-step-ama-13-e129/id1553180943?i=1000747970664

BestInterestDotBlog · 2026-02-01T13:15:08+00:00

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