Think your investment accounts are quietly working for you? They might be quietly bleeding value. Ben and Megan Smith break down the hidden fees and underperforming products—from variable annuities to whole life insurance—that could be costing you more than you realize. This episode explores why understanding the fine print matters, how small details can add up over time, and why finding a trusted advisor is key. Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or want expert help, learn how to spot red flags and make informed decisions that fit your goals.

Schedule your discovery call with Ben to help calculate the future costs of current decisions at MyVisionWealth.com or call or text 503-831-9011.

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Is the American dream still within reach, or has it become a luxury reserved for a few? Ben and Megan Smith tackle the true cost of family, education, and retirement, exploring how shifting priorities and smart planning can help redefine financial success. This episode dives into the impact of social media, the value of freedom, and why aligning your money with your values matters more than ever. Discover how habits, mindset, and personal goals shape your journey—because the dream isn’t just about numbers, it’s about what matters most to you.

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What do dating and financial planning have in common? More than you think! In this episode, Ben Smith, president and lead wealth advisor at Vision Wealth, and his wife Megan Smith unpack the emotional layers of money talk—from transparency in relationships to bridging communication gaps between partners. This candid conversation reveals how trust, honesty, and shared goals can transform financial planning into a team sport. Whether you're the spreadsheet lover or the silent partner, this episode offers insights that go far beyond the numbers.

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Ben and Megan Smith of Vision wealth discuss the U.S. Mint’s decision to stop stamping pennies and how they rarely use cash. Then Ben talks about tools in people’s financial plans, such as mutual funds, that do not have the rate of returns they used to have. Ben also talks about refinancing annuities, since interest rates have increased and how no one tool is right for everyone. Ben explains how he puts a lot of effort into crafting plans and how financial strategies sometimes are worth their high fees. Megan then explains how she and Ben often have that same mindset with buying nice items for the house that end up lasting a long time.

Schedule your discovery call with Ben to help calculate the future costs of current decisions at MyVisionWealth.com or call or text 503-831-9011.

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Ben and Megan Smith of Vision Wealth talk about how Welsh soccer team Wrexham has gained almost 100 times its value in the nearly five years that Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McIlhenney have owned it. Ben discusses the importance of patience and the realization that one has to put in if they expect to get a return. Then Ben breaks down a deferred tax strategy and how that can help people who make big profit off of sales. He explains the process and how Vision Wealth determines if that process is right for someone. And Megan explains the lessons she and Ben teach their teenage daughter on the value of money and how they have to delay gratification sometimes. Ben and Megan also talk about taking the boat out on the river and why they prefer it to be less crowded out there.

Schedule your discovery call with Ben to help calculate the future costs of current decisions at MyVisionWealth.com or call or text 503-831-9011.

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Ben and Megan Smith talk about the phone call to partner with a car dealer that Nick Saban says changed his life and could soon make him a billionaire. Ben relates this to his deferred tax strategy and the potential savings it creates. But Ben also shares how some people are leery, because it seems too good to be true. So Ben and Megan talk about the importance of trust between advisors and clients and how finding that trust and spark could lead to a very prosperous relationship. They also compare this to the spark in cheerleading-coaching that Megan finds with some of her teammates.

Schedule your discovery call with Ben to help calculate the future costs of current decisions at MyVisionWealth.com or call or text 503-831-9011.

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Ben and Megan Smith talk about the prank call that QB Shedeur Sanders got during the NFL Draft and how other scams are much more costly. Ben and Megan share some recent scams they have uncovered and how easily people can fall for them. They give tips on things to look out for and Ben shares how an advisor can be an ally in this and part of their job is helping clients vet things that are fishy, so they do not lost parts of their nest eggs.

Schedule your discovery call with Ben to help calculate the future costs of current decisions at MyVisionWealth.com or call or text 503-831-9011.

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Ben and Megan Smith talk about the recent shark tooth of the market graph. Ben shares five tools inside and outside of the market that he and the Vision Wealth team can help people use for their financial plans – and they can account for market ups and downs. Megan then shares how she has to use a multi-pronged approach in coaching, since different programs work for different cheerleaders.

Schedule your discovery call with Ben to help calculate the future costs of current decisions at MyVisionWealth.com or call or text 503-831-9011.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/myvisionwealth

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.