It's All Money
Finance isn't for you.Money is for "experts" and that's not you.Financial content is too "complicated" and it's not for you.In this day and age, those are common and valid statements to make.But what if it were different?It's All Money is that show.Imagine listening to a 20 minute episode and walking away with one nugget that could help you with money. Not a "system" you don't have time for or global "movement" to sap all your emotions. Just one tip that could help you feel informed in the moment of a financial decision. That's financial confidence, in...
4 Strategies When Interest Rates Won’t Drop
We’re in year 3 of interest rates being basically 2-4x what they were the prior 3 years. Just this past month, June 2025, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said “For the time being, we are well positioned to wait to learn more about the likely course of the economy before considering any adjustments to our policy stance.” In other words, NO.
At Sonoma Wealth, we plan toward potential futures and outcomes in finance, but also help clients operate under current circumstances. Life doesn't stop for some desired future. If interest rates remain high, how can you adjust? Or even take advantage?
In this...
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Reacts To Bad Internet Money Advice
We’ve all been doomscrolling on a phone at god-knows-AM when some stranger in a video says something that makes “sense” about money. Ever wonder what a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® might say to that same video? In this fun episode of It’s All Money, we open up the pandora’s box of internet money advice and let our Managing Principal, Daren Blonski CFP® give his take. Additionally, Marketing Director and Podcast host Dano Weir shares how an average person might process and logic through some of this content, and the pitfalls therein.
• Why not just put your emergency fund...
What Actually Happens When Social Security "Goes Broke"?
Everybody knows ‘Social Security is going to go broke’...but is it?
A Social Security discussion often becomes a political one, and a key question often gets ignored for a retiree- what functionally happens to the check I get every month when Social Security “goes broke”? Would you be surprised to find out you will likely still get a check?
In this episode focused on retirees (and not politics), Sonoma Wealth Managing Principal Daren Blonski CFP® and Marketing Director Dano Weir are joined by Certified National Social Security Advisor Clay Dunkle CFP® on the realities of what Social Security might...
Getting Real About Real Estate in 2025
Real Estate Headlines hurt these days don’t they?
“Pending Sales Hit All Time Low”
“Forecast Downgraded”
“Commision Litigation Could Impact Sales”
“REAL ESTATE HALTED”
While trends, data and comps matter, in real estate every deal is unique and individual. Your friend’s house price doesn’t matter as much as your list price, your offer price. This week on It's All Money, host Dano Weir and Sonoma Wealth Advisor Shelby Wirick go in search of real answers from realtors actually doing deals right now- Kristie Eddy and Mary Bienek from Sotheby’s, Morgan Devencenzi from eXp, Chri...
You Don't Want To Hear This Episode...About Estate Mistakes
You don’t want to hear this episode.
No one does.
But you probably need to watch this episode.If you’re in the orbit of Sonoma Wealth, then you’re a planner. You’ve planned your whole life, and yes, you can plan your death too.But why bother?Did you know depending on the situation, the government can take 40% of what you have just to transfer it from you to your loved ones? Did you know making every kid mutual trustee on your estate can actually be a problem for them? Wha...
8 Ways Sonoma Wealth *Thinks* About Money
“Money’s all in your mind” sounds pretty hokey, doesn’t it? But trace every decision you’ve ever made in life, including your money. Where did it all flow from? Right 😉🧠.At Sonoma Wealth Advisors, we offer a holistic approach for our clients (and future clients!). This includes starting at square 1, or even square 0- How do you think about money?What’s your behavior around it? What’s your history with it? Where did that come from? Are you happy with the results, or time for a reanalysis?In this introspective episode, hosts Dano Weir and Daren Blonski CFP® look at the 8 Way...
What Is Tax Planning?
We’ve all “done our taxes”. Gather up a mess of documents, send them in to your person or software program, weeks pass, maybe you get a check maybe you cut a check, depends on the year. Wash, rinse, repeat.
But have you ever had a conversation with a professional about the long-term tax burden of being in certain investments? How a move you make today could affect your taxes in 5 years? Has anyone ever told you that certain charitable contributions you’re making you thought weren’t deductible could be with a Donor-Advised Fund under certain...
Is It Time To Breakup With Your Broker?
It's that time of year...everyone's looking to start fresh, reassessing a lot of relationships in their life...is it time to look at your Broker relationship too? Do you even know if your "financial advisor" is a Broker? An insurance agent? Or a Fiduciary to you?
Host Dano Weir and Sonoma Wealth Managing Principals Daren Blonski CFP® and Chris Sipes CFP® look at the key questions around the broker v. fiduciary divide. How are they paid? Why is a "suitable" investment for you perhaps very different than something in your "best interest"?
Wait, why wouldn't yo...
From Carpenter To Cattle Rancher: Johnny Fagundes Of Full Circle Ranches
It's a New Year, and you might be dreaming of making that big leap.
That career you've always wondered and worried about. How would it affect your income? Would you make it? How could you afford it before you make it? How much would it cost?
This guy did it.
In 2020, union carpenter Johnny Fagundes saw meat shortages on TV as a result of the pandemic, and after years of raising cattle on the side, jumped in with both feet to follow his dream. It's All Money host Dano Weir sits down with Johnny at...
Back To School With A Billion (First Live Audience!)
Back To School after 20+ years to pay it forward. Dano Weir and Daren Blonski CFP® host the first episode of It’s All Money with a live audience back at their high school, Casa Grande High School in Petaluma, CA. The firm recently passed the billion dollars under management mark. A milestone in the financial services industry, a billion is an indicator that your services are resonating in the community and you’re more than just a 1 or 2 person “and a truck” operation. It felt like a good occasion to return to the place where both host’s educational foundation began and s...
Bitcoin Explained To A Guy Who Knows ZERO
Ok Cypto Bros, with the 100k milestone upon us, it's finally time to do an episode on Bitcoin.
As basic an episode as possible, because while host Daren Blonski CFP® has been wise to the coin world for some time, co-host Dano Weir only knows what he's seen in a few headlines.
So for educational purposes only, let's have a based conversation about the coins that exist but you can't hold in your hand. Maximalists will probably laugh and deniers might scoff. We just want to have an open conversation about (yes, at the time of t...
Why Gratitude Can Pay Dividends
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Dano and Daren discuss both data-based and anecdotal evidence how practicing gratitude could possibly benefit your health, wealth, business and more.
It's All Money is powered by Sonoma Wealth Advisors
Learn more about Sonoma Wealth here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/
Video also available for every episode of It’s All Money on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sonomawealth
References:
https://www.si.com/college/pittsburgh/football/pitt-panthers-larry-fitzgerald-highest-paid-wr-nfl-history#:~:text=With%20%24182%2C490%2C000%20under%20his%20belt,wide%20receiver%20in%20NFL%20history.&text=Only%20one%20other%20wide%20receiver,en...
Portfolios Don't Care Who's President
Well...Tuesday November 5th has come and gone, and as expected some people are excited and others are fearful. We try and keep our shows focused on finance, not politics. But considering the weight of the event and the concerns and opinions floating around, we decided to do an episode about the financial implications of the election. Headlines can be deceiving, and it's natural to draw conclusions as national events happen: "Markets do better under (insert party name)" or "I heard (insert industry) is going through through the floor." But is that really true? What does the data from the pa...
How Much Does Pain Cost?
It's a story you've heard before- you've got back pain, or knee pain, perhaps from running or too many years stuck at a computer. When you have a medical concern, if you have health coverage, you go to your health system, and whatever solution they present is all of what's available and is ultimately right for you. ...right?
Host Dano Weir challenges that thesis this week on It's All Money, with Doctor of Physical Therapy Josh Madonick DPT, PT, CSCS, Founder of Basecamp Physical Therapy in Petaluma, CA.
Depending on the condition, what if there were...
F Is For FIDUCIARY
What other industry has 15 names for essentially the same job?!
Good ol' Finance.
Host Dano Weir dives into a perhaps more important word that begins with F, FIDUCIARY. What is it? How is it different than a Broker? Why does that matter for YOU?
(Side note- in an industry whose entire purpose is purportedly to enhance their clients money, why would you *ever* put BROKE in your job title? Anyway...)
Sonoma Wealth's Managing Principal Chris Sipes CFP® and Director of Growth Rachel Schuyler have both seen the various twists and turns of t...
The 1 Answer That Could Determine Where All Your Money Is Invested
"Risk Tolerance" likely makes your eyes flutter and you start to yawn... ...but snag a coffee for a second. Did you know your reported risk tolerance could determine where and what investments your entire portfolio goes into? Perk up friend, it's that important. Hosts Dano Weir and Daren Blonski, CFP® sit down with Sonoma Wealth Financial Advisor Shelby Wirick for a first-hand account of how her client's answers about risk tolerance determine what can ultimately happen with their portfolio. Find out right here on this episode of It's All Money.
Learn more about Sonoma Wealth here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.c...
Trends From A Thirty Year Trader
FOR THE RECORD- this episode was recorded on Aug 21 2024. And just so happens to mention why Daren Blonski, CFP® typically in his experience advises against big portfolio moves in September/October. But why? Believe it or not, after years of doing this, Daren has noticed some unbelievably, potentially HUMAN excuses and cycles in the stock market. Often referred to as "Seasonality" these tropes are not a rule, but seem to be true more often than not. What's the "santa rally"? Why would things "go away in May"? And why is Fall potentially a "fall" ?
Hosts Dano Weir and Daren B...
Are CDs "No Risk" ?
That's right, it's an episode on CD'S!!!
WAIT
Before you hit the Snooze Bar 💤...
Why are some people seeking good ol' Certificates of Deposit in this high interest rate environment? How do they differ from Money Market accounts? Are they actually "no risk", "low risk" or something else? And just what IS the risk of a CD or Money Market?
Hosts Dano Weir and Daren Blonski, CFP® dig in the investment you thought you didn't care about, CD's on this episode of It's All Money.
Learn more about Sonoma Wealth here: https://sonomawealthadvisors.com/
...
The Back To School Choice That Could Be Costing you 155% MORE
Back to school costs are hitting all-time highs, but just what does that mean for the average family? Daren and Dan break down the averages category by category, float a theory about what's driving them and the shocking real-life test Dan ran that showed how your choice of store could increase your prices 155%. It's All Money is powered by Sonoma Wealth Advisors in Sonoma, CA. We value communication and education, and know that investments are just a piece of your financial puzzle. With this show, we offer our take on all the things that eventually hit your checking account.
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Why Does The Stock Market Even Exist?
You were born into this world and there just, *was* all this stuff- Nasdaq, S&P, futures, interest rates, bonds and now crypto.
Did you ever wonder where it all came from? WHY it all came from?
It's All Money Host and Sonoma Wealth Marketing Director Dano Weir sits down with Sonoma Wealth Co-Founder Chris Sipes CFP®, AIF® to discuss a tiny history of markets, why they happen and why they'll likely always happen. Plus enjoy a STUNNING story on why tulips in the Netherlands in the 1600s might mirror some of the biggest booms and bu...
Should I Put Everything In A 5% Money Market?
It seems simple enough- "money markets" and other instruments are "paying 5% right now". Who doesn't want to make 5% on their money doing nothing? So should you shift your entire portfolio to something with purported reliable returns and alleged "lack of risk"? Wait...WHY are savings accounts paying 5%? It's All Money Host and Sonoma Wealth Marketing Director Dano Weir sits down with Sonoma Wealth Co-Founder Chris Sipes CFP®, AIF® to discuss the circumstances which have led to savings rates "partying like it's 2009" and potential upsides and downsides to making a move there.
Video also available for every episode of It...
1 Change To Your Mortgage Could Save You 6 Figures
You pay your mortgage every month. But have you ever wondered what would happen if you paid it every 2 weeks instead? Daren and Dano run the numbers on a $500k scenario (which may work in some states, but perhaps not in others *cough* CALIFORNIA) and show the shocking impact of making just one more mortgage payment a year on your long-term financial picture. Plus enjoy a few fun financial happenings out the door including McDonald's new value meal and watch Daren's eyes roll back at the idea of a 24/7 stock market!
Learn more about Sonoma Wealth and take...
Episode 0 - 3 Moments From Your Life In Money
Introducing YET ANOTHER financial advisor podcast... It's All Money. But wait what's different? Your 401k, your kids Paw Patrol toy collection, quantitative easing and the rising cost of your Disney+ subscription all seem like wildly different topics. And yet to the average American, they all end up hitting your checking account one way or another. It's All Money draws the throughline for investing, sales, taxes, business stories, economics and day-to-day spending. Not every listener will become a CFP, but any listener can learn a few things to have financial confidence and take control of your financial life.
What...
