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EPISODE RESOURCES ESLD 2026 Employee Benefits and Your Student Loans  Qualifying Life Events Eligible FSA Expenses Eligible Dependent Care FSA Expenses 2026 Open Enrollment Guide: Health Plans, Insurance, FSAs/HSAs, and Retirement Contribution Limits Brenton Harrison presents the New Money New Problems Podcast’s annual 2026 open enrollment guide, and noting a companion episode on The Escape Student Loan Debt podcast about benefits and federal student loan payments. He explains which elections generally can’t be changed without a qualifying life event (health/dental/vision, life, disability), discusses tradeoffs of high-deductible health plans and eligibility for HSAs, and describes dental and vision as “gift card”-style coverage. He breaks down employer life insurance (imputed GTL, supplemental/spousal/child coverage) and criticizes AD&D. He outlines key disability policy issues (replacement percentage, monthly caps, exclusions, and own-occupation protection). He highlights 2026 FSA limits ($3,400 with $660 rollover) and dependent care FSA limits ($7,500; use-it-or-lose-it), then covers HSA features and 2026 limits ($4,400 self/$8,750 family plus $1,000 catch-up). He reviews 401(k)/403(b)/457 rules and 2026 limits ($24,500 plus catch-ups), including 457 advantages and Roth-only catch-up rules for certain earners, and ends with IRA/Roth IRA/spousal IRA income phase-outs and active-participant considerations. 00:00 2026 Open Enrollment Guide 00:08 Podcast Intro and Purpose 01:31 Ratings Request and Student Loan Note 02:55 Health Dental Vision Choices 08:09 Life Insurance Essentials 12:24 AD&D and Disability Coverage 17:34 FSAs and Dependent Care 21:15 HSAs Triple Tax Benefits 24:39 401k 403b 457 Limits 28:40 IRAs Roth and Spousal Rules 34:01 Wrap Up and Next Steps Support the show

EPISODE RESOURCES Why The Holidays Aren't Great for Money Talks A Place for Mom Elder Care Locator Benefits CheckUp Low- and No-Cost Ways to Financially Assist Aging Parents (The Sandwich Generation) Brenton discusses low- or no-cost ways for “sandwich generation” listeners—those supporting both aging parents and children—to begin organizing and assisting an elderly parent’s finances. He recommends planning effective, pre-scheduled money conversations (not during holidays) with clear outlines and required documents, creating secure shared systems for storing account locations and passwords plus physical safekeeping of key documents, and reviewing beneficiaries, transfer-on-death designations, and trusted contacts to simplify access and avoid probate. He warns against transferring property before death due to unfavorable cost-basis tax consequences versus receiving a step-up in basis after death. He also covers setting scam safeguards (education, spam filters, credit freezes), learning parents’ insurance details including Medicare parts and Medigap enrollment timing, finding senior-assistance resources, and completing power of attorney and simple estate documents using lower-cost services when appropriate. 00:00 Low Cost Elderly Care 00:07 Intro: the sandwich generation 02:32 1. Plan the conversation 05:37 2. Secure storage 08:46 3. Beneficiaries and trusted contacts 11:34 Cost basis and property transfers 14:07 4. Scam safeguards 16:37 5. Insurance and Medicare 21:26 6. Find assistance 22:13 7. Power of attorney 23:59 8. Wills and trusts Support the show

Is $2M of Life Insurance for Under $50/Month Actually a Bad Deal? In this episode, Brenton discusses Ethos Life, the online life insurance platform. He reviews the pros and cons of simplified issue policies that cap coverage, such as the reduced underwriting requirements in exchange for a narrower profile of people who qualify for affordable rates. He walks through key steps in buying life insurance—calculating needed coverage, choosing term length, comparing carriers and underwriting differences, understanding conversion privileges, and applying with a temporary insurance agreement. He then evaluates the pros and cons and how an online platform versus using an advisor and stresses professional guidance can prevent underinsuring or buying unsuitable terms. 00:00 Big Coverage Cheap 01:11 Why Ethos Exists 03:29 Simplified vs Guaranteed 06:17 How Much You Need 08:55 Picking Term Length 12:19 Comparing Real Quotes 14:43 Underwriting Gotchas 15:55 Conversion Privileges 19:05 Advisor Cost Myth 20:00 Applying and Beneficiaries 23:05 Full Underwriting Benefits 25:23 Accepting or Shopping 26:35 Final Takeaways Support the show

From Cigars to Call Centers: Peter Roth on Pivoting, Cold Calling, and Resilient Entrepreneurship Host Brenton Harrison interviews entrepreneur Peter Roth, who runs Scalify Call Centers (building remote outbound cold-calling appointment-setting teams for home services and real estate) and MDCWholesaleCigars.com (a long-running cigar wholesaler that recently expanded to B2C). Roth shares immigrating from the USSR as a child, his father’s necessity-driven entrepreneurship, and learning business through family ventures in Denver. After college he realized traditional jobs weren’t a fit and launched a cigar kiosk that grew into a successful cigar bar, later forced to close due to Colorado licensing limits, landlord conflict, and COVID timing. An HVAC remediation effort led to an HVAC partnership, then solar sales growth to 130 reps, where cold-calling call centers emerged as an effective lead engine and became its own business. He emphasizes networking, recurring-revenue models, “delusional” confidence/optimism, and recounts an employee’s attempted takeover via Slack ownership that cost clients and revenue but exposed operational weaknesses. 00:00 Show Introduction 01:27 Meet Peter Roth 03:04 Immigrant Roots 06:40 Growing Up Denver 08:00 Choosing Entrepreneurship 11:39 Launching Cigars 14:06 Cigar Bar Shutdown 17:18 Pivot To Call Centers 18:40 HVAC Detour Begins 20:56 Building Sales Team 22:23 Adding Solar Upsells 23:03 Selling HVAC Pivot 23:32 Scaling Solar Sales Team 24:29 Accidental Call Center Breakthrough 25:33 Demand for Call Center Services 28:04 Outbound vs Inbound Explained 29:18 Best Niches Homeowners Real Estate 30:32 Transferable Entrepreneur Skills 34:46 MRR Over Projects 35:56 Employee Coup Crisis 38:58 Rebuilding With Perspective 42:07 Networking Lessons Learned 44:58 Optimism Relationship Superpower 45:52 Podcast Wrap Up Support the show

EPISODE RESOURCES New Payment Guidelines Details Repayment Assistance Plan Explained Two Federal Student Loan “Deadlines” SAVE 90-Day Notices and the Auto-Pay Interest Discount Extension In an off-schedule New Money, New Problems/Escape Student Loan Debt episode, Brenton Harrison explains two federal student loan “pseudo deadlines” and related policy changes. First, some SAVE plan borrowers received a July 1 notice starting a 90-day window to switch repayment plans; those who don’t switch risk being moved to a potentially unaffordable Standard Repayment Plan, and Brenton recommends using studentaid.gov, reviewing whether IRS tax access should be granted or revoked, and using alternative income documentation when needed. He emphasizes the real deadline depends on each borrower’s notice date, with some not receiving notices until as late as spring 2027. Second, a hard September 30 deadline to enroll in auto-pay for a temporary 1% interest rate reduction was extended to December 31, 2026; he discusses savings, servicer autopay errors, and why autopay may help ensure forgiveness credit given new rules. He also warns that borrowers receiving RAP interest subsidies and principal reductions should not pay extra due to Department of Education processing limitations, and urges careful documentation and staying current on Department of Education announcements. 00:00 Two Key Loan Deadlines 00:49 Podcast Crossover Update 02:36 SAVE Plan 90 Day Clock 04:20 Switch Plans on StudentAid 06:35 Why Today May Not Matter 07:50 Autopay Discount Extension 12:01 Why Autopay Protects Credits 13:31 RAP Subsidy Explained 15:59 Dont Pay Extra Warning 17:14 Document Everything Next Steps Support the show

For long-term investors, years where the stock market goes down can represent an opportunity, not an obstacle. In this episode, we prove it to you. Support the show

EPISODE RESOURCES Check out our episode on PMI National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database Workers Owed Wages Database Mortgage Insurance Premium Refund Database Find Your Money Online: Unclaimed Property, PMI Refunds, Unpaid Wages & Lost 401(k)s Brenton opens the New Money, New Problems podcast by sharing recent heavy travel and an upcoming trip to São Paulo, Brazil to speak on building a digital footprint and niche as a financial advisor, thanking listeners for enabling the opportunity. He then explains legitimate ways to find money owed to you online, organized by where you’ve lived, worked, and how you live. He highlights state unclaimed property divisions for refunds like utilities or insurance reimbursements, noting claims may be larger than displayed and can include overlooked life insurance benefits. He discusses removing or refunding mortgage insurance premiums (PMI), including requesting removal at 80% loan-to-value, using appraisals after home value increases, or refinancing. He covers searching for unpaid wages and locating forgotten employer retirement accounts via a Department of Labor site, and suggests reviewing subscriptions with tools like Rocket Money or Monarch and reselling valuable unused clothing or shoes. 00:00 Free Money Intro 00:45 Host Update Thanks 02:43 Unclaimed Property Basics 05:49 PMI Refunds Removal 10:59 Unpaid Wages Old 401k 13:59 Subscriptions Reselling 16:23 Wrap Up Next Week Support the show

Estate Planning Starts Sooner Than You Think: Wills, Trusts, Incapacity, and Protecting Family Wealth EPISODE RESOURCES The Law Office of Sheuvaun Vernon Connect With Her Online! Host Brenton Harrison welcomes estate planning attorney Sheuvan Vernon (The Trusted Esquire), founder of the Law Office of Sheuvaun Vernon serving New York and New Jersey, to discuss how estate planning begins earlier than most people expect and intersects with every life stage. Using public examples like Chadwick Boseman and Nipsey Hussle, they explain common misconceptions (estate planning is only for older people, only a will is needed, trusts are only for the rich) and emphasize planning for incapacity through HIPAA authorizations, healthcare proxies, and powers of attorney. They outline needs across ages: at 18, parents lose automatic authority; in the 20s–30s, relationships, beneficiary forms, prenups, and guardianship become key; for parents, trusts can prevent an ex from controlling a minor child’s inheritance; in midlife, wills vs revocable living trusts, funding trusts, probate privacy, and Medicaid planning risks arise; in later years, documents should be reviewed for life changes, divorce, retirement, and long-term care. Vernon advises finding a trusted professional and shares how to contact her. 00:00 Estate Planning Matters 02:26 Meet The Trusted Esquire 04:17 Why Community Wealth 06:03 Common Estate Myths 08:06 Turning 18 Changes Everything 12:30 Mid 20s Money Moves 15:50 Prenups And Planning 18:50 Kids Guardians Trusts 21:24 Wills Vs Trusts 25:50 Medicaid Sandwich Generation 29:11 Retirement Plan Checkup 31:55 First Steps And Finding Help 34:05 Where To Find Shevonne Support the show

EPISODE RESOURCES Updated Payment Guidance from Department of Ed Federal Student Loan Updates: MOHELA Default Letters, IDR Recertification Tips, New On‑Time Rules, PSLF Tracker Issues, Borrowing Limits Lawsuit, and PSLF Buyback Progress In this episode, we share major federal student loan updates, focusing on errors and rule changes affecting forgiveness and repayment. MOHELA mistakenly sent default-risk notices to thousands of borrowers who were current. With income recertification restarting after the 2020 pause, we share alternate forms of documentation that might be preferable to a tax return. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the grace period for on-time payments is removed for IDR and PSLF credit, creating concerns about weekends and autopay timing; Repayment Assistance Plan borrowers also risk losing interest subsidy and $50 principal reduction if late, and guidance suggests extra payments may disrupt subsidies. The PSLF tracker temporarily disappeared and some counts were reduced, potentially correcting prior adjustment-era credits. A lawsuit has temporarily paused lower graduate borrowing limits, and PSLF Buyback processing appears to be improving after streamlining to a button-based application. 00:00 Student Loan News Intro 00:44 Back in Studio Updates 02:15 MOHELA Default Letter Error 03:37 Recertify Income Smartly 07:45 Grace Period Removed Shock 10:43 RAP Subsidy and Extra Pay 13:58 PSLF Tracker Disappears 18:11 Borrowing Limits Lawsuit 20:22 PSLF Buyback Speeds Up 21:57 Wrap Up and Next Steps Support the show

Trump Accounts Explained: Pros, Cons, and Whether Politics Should Matter In this episode we cover Trump Accounts, launched July 2026, which offer a $1,000 initial contribution for children born January 1, 2025–December 31, 2028. Brenton discusses the political and moral hesitation some parents feel, especially for marginalized communities. For those interested, we cover how to open the account current custody options, investment limitations, tax features and more. We then compare the functionality of the Trump Account to other accounts commonly used to save for children's futures: a custodial IRA, Uniform Gift to Minors Accounts, brokerage accounts and a 529 savings plan. 00:00 Can You Turn Down 191K 00:47 Back to School Chaos 01:33 What Are Trump Accounts 02:21 Politics and Parenting Pressure 05:33 Dave Ramsey Clips 07:13 How to Open and Invest 08:57 Comparing Kids Savings Options 11:34 Limits and Tax Basics 17:18 Withdrawals and Ownership Rules 21:54 Messenger vs Message Wrap Up 24:01 Compound Interest Reality Check 25:21 Final Takeaways Support the show

Why the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve May Not Be Worth It (and How to Get Out of the Trap) In this episode, we explain why premium rewards cards like the AmEx Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve can be a costly trap, especially for high-income earners who may feel less urgency about carrying balances. Citing research that rewards incentives increase spending and debt, we argue that multipliers often push luxury purchases whose rewards don’t cover the added cost. We review rising annual fees (Amex Platinum $895 plus $195 per authorized user; Chase Sapphire Reserve $795 plus nearly $200 per user), show how sign-up bonuses require high spend, and note that redeeming points for cash can be low-value (Chase ~1¢ per point; Amex ~0.6¢). Using an Amex Platinum example, we demonstrate how credits and points may still deliver limited net value after fees and overspending. In the second half, we give tips to listeners who realize they've fallen into the trap but desperately want to escape. 00:00 Premium Card Myth 00:46 Show Intro and Updates 01:26 Why Premium Cards Trap 03:46 High Income Debt Risk 05:31 Multipliers and Overspending 07:26 Signup Bonus Pressure 09:19 Points Cash Value Reality 12:18 Amex Annual Value Breakdown 14:59 Rescue Plan Basics 16:52 Downgrade Without New Cards 18:15 Exit Strategy and Credit 20:24 Wrap Up and Next Week Support the show

When You’re the One in the Family Who “Has the Money”: Boundaries, Planning, and Real Stories This week we join you from Maryland to share an episode on what it’s like to be the family member who “has the money". Brenton draws on what he observed with his parents and why it shaped New Money New Problems’ focus on high earners building wealth. Based on a Pew Research Center study, at least 70% if high-income households African American households and immigrants of any income help their extended family with money. We offer tools on communication and “scripting” to set giving boundaries, budgeting for family support, adjusting emergency reserves, and considering insurance needs (life, disability, long-term care). We also covers estate planning and property issues (POAs, wills, inheritance conflicts, trustees, custody roles) and the emotional toll and money disorders. In the second half of the episode, we share community stories describing the responsibility, saving pressure, feeling taken advantage of, guilt, marital strain, and perceived entitlement that comes from being the one with money. 0:00 — Intro & episode teaser0:46 — Welcome & episode overview (Brazil trip, why this topic matters)6:58 — Establishing when, why, and how you give to family12:31 — Estate planning and property management19:04 — Sponsor break / newsletter signup19:26 — Community Q1: How being "the one with money" impacts wealth-building23:42 — Community Q3: Negative experiences with extended family/spouse25:10 — Community Q4: Is your family "off-base" about you and money?28:07 — Wrap-up & closingSupport the show

How Childhood Trauma Shapes Money Disorders (Throwback Episode) This week we post a throwback wayyy back to the second New Money New Problems episode to set up a forthcoming discussion about being the only person in a family who “has money”. In the replay, we discuss how “money disorders” are foundational to understanding wealth building and reference a CNN article by Jean Sahadi on how early traumas and financially volatile childhoods can imprint adult money behaviors. Drawing from Brad and Ted Klontz’s book Mind Over Money, we talk through three examples relevant to first-generation high earners: financial denial (money avoidance), overspending (money worship), and financial infidelity (relational).  00:37 Why Money Stories Matter 02:41 Replay Begins Episode Setup 03:53 CNN Article Early Trauma 05:25 What Are Money Disorders 07:33 Money Avoidance Financial Denial 09:24 Money Worship Overspending 11:14 Relational Disorder Financial Infidelity 13:18 Break And Gap Finder 14:04 Confronting Your Money Disorder 14:49 My Trigger Workaholism Support the show

How Leases Work and Who Should Consider Them In this episode, we explain how car leasing works , comparing it to other overstated money “rules” like avoiding PMI on a home loan. We breaks down the elements of a lease payment: depreciation, interest, and taxes, and end-of-lease options such as walking away or a trade-in. We offer decision rules based on residual versus fair market value and highlights benefits like warranty coverage and sometimes included maintenance.  We then outline who leasing may fit: certain students, people who switch cars every 3–5 years (especially luxury vehicles, trucks, and SUVs), low-mileage drivers without cash to buy, and those with competing financial priorities. 00:00 Leasing Car Myth 01:09 Why Rules Stick 02:51 Lease Basics 04:48 Fees And Limits 06:14 End Of Lease Options 10:36 Walk Buy Or Trade 12:39 Ownership Cost Tradeoffs 15:09 Ad Break 16:19 Who Should Lease 18:27 Luxury And Trucks 20:12 Low Mileage Priorities 21:50 Personal Example 22:58 Wrap Up Takeaways Support the show

You Might Already Own SpaceX: How IPOs, Index Rules, and Heavy Weightings Can Increase Portfolio Risk In this episode, we explains how investors may already own SpaceX through index funds and 401(k)s, even without knowing it. Using SpaceX’s IPO as a case study, we distinguish stock exchanges (NYSE/Nasdaq) from stock indices (S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, FTSE Russell, MSCI ACWI), how each makes money (fees, data, licensing), and how index inclusion rules work (longevity, availability/float, profitability, location/industry). We then discuss the larger issue in the increasing concentration and interconnection among top tech/“Mag Seven” firms, making major indices less diversified than many assume. 00:00 SpaceX In Your Portfolio 00:48 Holiday Highs And Lows 01:50 Why SpaceX IPO Matters 03:50 Stock Exchange Basics 06:04 Stock Index Explained 09:09 S&P 500 Inclusion Rules 10:38 Indices Bend For SpaceX 13:23 How You Already Own It 14:42 Break And Gap Finder 15:51 Hidden Risk In Indices 16:49 Mag Seven Connections 18:51 Weighting And Concentration 21:50 Risk Tolerance Reality Check 22:47 Do Your Homework Closing Support the show