Michael and Brady dive headfirst into one of the most debated financial decisions of our time: renting vs. buying. With candid personal stories, professional insight, and a side-by-side breakdown of the emotional and mathematical realities, they unpack what truly makes sense for young professionals, growing families, and everyone caught in the housing dilemma. Whether you're saving for your first down payment or wondering if you missed the boat, this episode delivers clarity, strategy, and perspective you won’t want to miss.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) - Michael’s first home purchase story

(05:00) - Emotional and financial motivations for buying

(07:00) - Turning a home into an income-generating asset

(09:00) - Hidden costs and discomfort of first-year ownership

(13:00) - Brady’s experience and reasons for renting

(18:00) - Challenges of saving while renting

(22:00) - Market conditions, timing, and lifestyle alignment

(26:00) - Charlotte housing market appreciation stats

(31:00) - Rent vs. buy cost analysis setup

(39:00) - Comparing net worth: equity vs. liquidity

(44:00) - What renters must do to keep pace financially

(48:00) - Roommate strategy to reduce mortgage burden

(51:00) - Generational differences in housing mindset

Key Topics Discussed:

Financial Fortitude, Genesis Wealth Planning, Brady Hemmerle, Michael Acosta, Financial Wellness, Wealth Building, Financial Psychology, Financial Advisor, Finance Coach, Student Loan Debt, Finance Guidance for High Earners, Business Owner Finances, Hiring a Financial Advisor, Student Loan Forgiveness, Tax Strategies, Retirement Planning, Investing Strategies, The Dave Ramsey Show, BiggerPockets Podcast, The Motley Fool Money Show, We Study Billionaires, ChooseFI, Afford Anything, Renting vs Buying a Home, Homeownership Financial Planning, Real Estate Investment Strategy, First-Time Home Buyer Advice, Building Wealth Through Real Estate

Mentions:

Website: https://www.genesiswealthplanning.com/

Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelracosta/

Brady’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brady-hemmerle-cfp%C2%AE-75043013a/

Financial Health Checkup: https://www.livingbalancesheet.com/lbsVision/lite/michaelracosta

Rent vs. Buy Calculator: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/rent-vs-buy-calculator

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information should be relied upon only when coordinated with individual professional advice. Guest speakers and their firms are not affiliated with or endorsed by PAS, Guardian, or Genesis Wealth Planning and opinions stated are their own. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents, and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your individual situation. All investments and investment strategies contain risk and may lose value.

Michael Acosta is a Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). OSJ: 6115 PARK SOUTH...

Michael and Brady confront a challenge many retirees face but few openly talk about: when peace of mind outweighs the numbers on a spreadsheet. Is your aging car a financial liability or an emotional burden? Should you stretch your budget for a reliable vehicle, even if the math says “wait”? Together, Michael and Brady unpack the emotional crossroads where safety, lifestyle, and financial planning collide. You'll hear real client scenarios, practical tools to evaluate your options, and why a sound income plan gives you the freedom to say “yes” to what truly matters—even when the numbers don’t line up perfectly. Whether you’re retired, approaching retirement, or simply value peace of mind over perfect math, this episode will reshape the way you think about big-ticket decisions.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) - Purpose-driven decisions and emotional bias

(07:00) - Collecting key data before making a purchase

(10:00) - Defining what you want in your next car

(12:00) - Financing options and the role of interest rates

(14:00) - The importance of flexibility in retirement income plans

(17:00) - Balancing emotional comfort with financial impact

(20:00) - How a solid income plan supports confident decisions

Key Topics Discussed:

Financial Fortitude, Genesis Wealth Planning, Brady Hemmerle, Michael Acosta, Financial Wellness, Wealth Building, Financial Psychology, Financial Advisor, Finance Coach, Student Loan Debt, Finance Guidance for High Earners, Business Owner Finances, Hiring a Financial Advisor, Student Loan Forgiveness, Tax Strategies, Retirement Planning, Investing Strategies, The Dave Ramsey Show, BiggerPockets Podcast, The Motley Fool Money Show, We Study Billionaires, ChooseFI, Afford Anything, buying a car in retirement, new car on fixed income, should I buy a new car, retirement car buying guide, car purchase decision making, financial planning for retirees

Mentions:

Website: https://www.genesiswealthplanning.com/

Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelracosta/

Brady’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brady-hemmerle-cfp%C2%AE-75043013a/

Financial Health Checkup: https://www.livingbalancesheet.com/lbsVision/lite/michaelracosta

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information should be relied upon only when coordinated with individual professional advice. Guest speakers and their firms are not affiliated with or endorsed by PAS, Guardian, or Genesis Wealth Planning and opinions stated are their own. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents, and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your individual situation. All investments and investment strategies contain risk and may lose value.

Michael Acosta is a Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). OSJ: 6115 PARK SOUTH DRIVE, SUITE 200, CHARLOTTE NC, 28210, 704-5528507. Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of

Michael and Brady dig deep into a paradox affecting a generation: Millennials and Gen Z are planning their finances more than ever, yet still feel financially stuck. If you’ve ever felt like you’re checking all the boxes—budgeting, saving, investing—but still can’t shake the feeling of falling behind, this episode is for you. It’s not just about numbers—it’s about perspective, purpose, and progress. This isn’t your parents’ financial playbook, and that’s exactly why you need a new approach.

Key Takeaways:

• Why do younger Americans feel financially behind despite taking more proactive steps with their money?

• How have rising costs, shifting responsibilities, and social comparisons reshaped what financial success looks like today?

• What mindset and planning strategies can help Millennials and Gen Z find clarity, reduce stress, and build lasting financial momentum?

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) - Gen Z and Millennials: DIY financial planning trends

(05:00) - Major stressors: housing, student loans, and rising costs

(10:00) - Behavioral finance and anxiety-driven decision-making

(13:00) - Wage growth vs. cost of living: the uphill financial battle

(16:00) - Retirement savings shift: from pensions to 401(k)s

(19:00) - Rethinking the “standard” financial script

(22:00) - How to set goals that actually fit your life

(24:00) - The role of liquidity and flexibility in your financial plan

(27:00) - Why working with a coach or advisor makes a difference

(33:00) - Climbing the financial mountain: accumulation vs. decumulation

Key Topics Discussed:

Financial Fortitude, Genesis Wealth Planning, Brady Hemmerle, Michael Acosta, Financial Wellness, Wealth Building, Financial Psychology, Financial Advisor, Finance Coach, Student Loan Debt, Finance Guidance for High Earners, Business Owner Finances, Hiring a Financial Advisor, Student Loan Forgiveness, Tax Strategies, Retirement Planning, Investing Strategies, Stock Market Crashes, Millennial Financial Planning, Gen Z Money Struggles, Overcoming Financial Stress, Building Financial Confidence, Modern Financial Goals Strategy

Mentions:

Website: https://www.genesiswealthplanning.com/

Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelracosta/

Brady’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brady-hemmerle-cfp%C2%AE-75043013a/

Financial Health Checkup: https://www.livingbalancesheet.com/lbsVision/lite/michaelracosta

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information should be relied upon only when coordinated with individual professional advice. Guest speakers and their firms are not affiliated with or endorsed by PAS, Guardian, or Genesis Wealth Planning and opinions stated are their own. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents, and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your individual situation. All investments and investment strategies contain risk and may lose value.

Michael Acosta is a Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). OSJ: 6115 PARK SOUTH...