Henssler Money Talks
Your trusted resource for your money, your future, your life.
August 22, 2026
August 22, 2026: Swipe, Spend, and Scroll
Playing Your Cards Right; Points, Perks & Premium Prices; Good Advice, Bad Advice & the Finfluencer
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Finfluencers and Financial Advice: Who Should You Trust?
The “Henssler Money Talks” hosts turn their attention to the financial advice filling social media feeds. “Finfluencers” can introduce younger investors to valuable concepts like building credit, saving, and opening a Roth IRA, but popularity doesn’t necessarily equal expertise. We discuss how to distinguish useful financial education from advice that’s oversimplified, self-serving, or potentially risky — and why good financial habits still matter no matter where you get your advice.
Henssler Money Talks - August 29, 2026
$40 Trillion in Debt: How Worried Should We Be?
A listener asks a question that goes back to an economics lesson from the 1970s: How worried should we really be about the national debt if the economy is growing along with it? We’ll compare the debt-to-GDP picture then and now, and use a recent debate over Treasury bond buybacks to explore a bigger question: At what point does the nation’s debt begin to influence interest rates, financial markets, and the government’s ability to respond?
Buying Down Mortgage Rates: Worth It or Waste?
Mortgage rates remain a major factor in affordability, so buyers may be looking for ways to lower their monthly payment. One option is to pay—or have the seller pay—to “buy down” the mortgage rate. But there’s more than one kind of buydown, and a lower advertised rate doesn’t necessarily mean the buyer comes out ahead.
Turning Stock Gains Into Charitable Giving
A listener is planning a sizable charitable gift and has two potential sources for the money: cash sitting in a brokerage account or a stock with such a large unrealized gain that selling it would come with a significant tax bill. Their idea? Donate the appreciated stock and then use the cash to buy it back. We’ll look at how donating appreciated securities can work, the potential tax advantages, and why the source of your charitable gift can matter just as much as the amount you give.
We discuss financial planning encompassing spending, saving, taxes, investments, insurance, retirement, estate plans, and more.
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