MyPocketFP Podcast

Your tax rate can feel personal, like the system picked favorites, until you see the mechanics underneath it. We sit down with Jason Taylor, certified financial planner and creator of MyPocketFP, to unpack why two people with similar incomes can pay very different taxes and what to do if you suspect you are overpaying. The first move is not a fancy deduction, it is clarity: we walk through how to find your effective tax rate and why it matters more than the bracket number you hear thrown around.

From there, we map the real drivers of tax...

Freelancing can feel like financial roulette: a $1,000 project lands, rent is due, and suddenly there’s nothing left to set aside for taxes. We get honest about why creative careers and independent contractor work are uniquely stressful, then lay out a practical framework to make your money steadier even when your income is not. From the first step of building a real budget to understanding what it actually costs to run your work like a business, we focus on clarity over hustle.

We also dig into the tax reality that blindsides so many new 1099 earners: self-employment tax. We...

If you could send one money message back in time, what would you say and would you actually follow it? We sit down for a personal conversation about the financial lessons Jason Taylor wishes he had locked in earlier, and the small decisions that can change your entire money trajectory. From first investments to first real paychecks, we get honest about what helps most when you are trying to build wealth without feeling deprived.

We talk about investing early, why being too conservative when you are young can limit long-term growth, and how time and consistency beat...

Your spending habits already reveal your priorities, even when your goals say something else. We sit down and get brutally practical about how to audit your lifestyle, cut the right costs, and turn “I should save more” into a plan you can actually follow.

Julie Schwenzer asks the questions we all have, and Jason Taylor, CFP, breaks down what he recommends to real clients: why spring is a smart time to review your money, how far back to look (three months), and how to separate normal spending from one time outliers like holidays or special trips. We also...

Leasing, financing, renting, buying… the labels are easy. The real challenge is figuring out which choice actually protects your future when the purchase is big and the sales pitch is bigger. Jason Taylor, CFP, gets practical about the buy vs lease decision and why the “best deal” is usually the one that fits your life, your cash flow, and your time horizon, not the one that looks cheapest on a monthly payment.

We start with the rent vs buy home question and the truth people hate to hear: housing is local. Appreciation can be steady in one city a...

College planning hits differently when you’re looking at it from both sides of the kitchen table. We sit down as a family team: me, Jason Taylor (certified financial planner), and my daughter Olivia, a high school junior staring straight at the “what comes next” moment. We talk honestly about what parents worry about, what students actually think about money, and why the best college savings plan is the one you can follow consistently.

We get specific about the decisions that drive the real cost of college: how much parents might cover, how to build financial responsibility withou...

 Do I Need To Pay Estimated Taxes?

Ever been blindsided by a tax bill that wipes out your month? We break down estimated taxes with clear rules, real examples, and a cash‑flow mindset so you can stop the April panic and stay ahead all year. Jason Taylor, CFP and creator of MyPocketFP, walks with us through who actually needs to pay estimates, when penalties kick in, and how to use profit—not just revenue—to set the right numbers.

We start by separating clean W‑2 situations from the messy middle: 1099 contractors, small business...

As A Business Owner, What Can I Do Now To Save On My Taxes?

Tax bills don’t shrink by accident—they shrink with timing, structure, and clean documentation. We sat down with CFP Jason Taylor to map out the moves business owners can still make right now, plus the habits that keep more profit in your pocket all year.

We start with the mindset shift: taxes are a year‑round project. Jason explains why accountability plans are the simplest way to capture gray-area costs like mileage, cell phone, internet, software, and education withou...

 What Are The Advantages Of Having Your Kids Work At Your Business?

Ever wondered how to turn family time into a masterclass in money, confidence, and character? We’re pulling back the curtain on what happens when your kids step into your business—not as spectators, but as contributors with real responsibilities and real payoff. From greeting clients and stamping envelopes to basic bookkeeping in QuickBooks, we show how age-appropriate tasks can spark public speaking skills, sharpen focus, and build a habit that changes futures: finish what you start.

We also get into the s...

When And How Do Employees Fill In The W-4 Form For Tax Withholdings?

Deadlines are creeping closer, but your tax withholding doesn’t have to feel like a black box. We break down a simple, reliable way to set up your W4, sanity-check your payroll, and avoid giving the IRS an interest-free loan. Whether you just started a new job, picked up a side gig, or went through a big life change like marriage or a new child, this conversation gives you a step-by-step path to get your numbers right and keep more predictable cash fl...

 What Do I Need To Know Before Launching A Small Business? 

Big dreams need sturdy foundations. We sat down to map the clearest path from idea to launch, focusing on the money moves that keep founders safe, nimble, and ready for growth. From choosing an entity to keeping the IRS happy, we walk through the decisions that turn hustle into a healthy business, with real-world examples you can use right away.

We start with the essentials—an emergency fund that protects your personal life while revenue ramps, and a small advisor team that punc...

Why Is Debt So Tricky To Pay Off—and How Can I Simplify It?

Debt doesn’t just drain your bank account; it drains your focus, confidence, and momentum. We brought clarity to a messy topic by breaking down why balances keep coming back, how to separate growth-focused borrowing from costly consumption, and what simple routines actually keep you paid off for good. Jason Taylor, CFP and creator of MyPocketFP, joins Julie Schwenzer to unpack delayed gratification, the psychology of spending, and the cash flow habits that make financial discipline feel easier, not harder.

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How Do I Protect Myself Financially During Life Transitions? 

Life doesn’t wait for your spreadsheet to catch up. Marriage, a new baby, a sudden job change, or a broken water heater can all test your finances at once, and we’re here to help you stay steady when everything shifts. Jason Taylor, CFP and creator of MyPocketFP breaks down a simple, durable approach: plan for the worst, automate the best, and adjust the rest.

We start with the foundation—how to map your essential expenses, choose the right savings targets, and decide what “e...

How Do I Know If I’m Saving Enough?

Ever wonder if your savings are actually on track or if you’re just crossing your fingers and hoping? We dig into a practical way to answer that question with clarity, starting from your emergency fund runway and moving through the habits and math that make a real difference. Jason Taylor, CFP and creator of MyPocketFP, joins Julie Schwenzer to unpack why flat rules like “save 10 percent” miss the point and how a personalized savings rate gives you a smarter, simpler target you can steadily improve.

Should I Invest In Crypto, Or Sit It Out?

Crypto might be everywhere right now, but that doesn’t mean it fits your plan by default. We dig into the real question people are asking: should you invest or sit it out? Jason Taylor, CFP and creator of MyPocketFP  separates hype from strategy, unpack key risks that don’t show up on price charts, and share simple ways to approach crypto without blowing up your budget.

We start by challenging the “easy money” myth and explaining how crypto differs from stocks and bonds. Stocks ti...

How Can Couples Build A Money Strategy Together? 

Ever wish money talks felt calm, clear, and actually productive? We bring a practical blueprint for couples who want fewer fights and more progress: align on joint goals, choose a simple account structure, and set a meeting rhythm that keeps decisions steady even when emotions run hot. No jargon, no lectures—just a system that respects both partners and makes day‑to‑day choices easier.

We start with the cornerstone: shared outcomes you both care about. From there, we map a hybrid setup that blends transpa...

When Should I Call In A Financial Advisor Vs. Using An App?

Your money deserves more than generic advice, and we’re here to prove it. We dive into the messy, human side of financial decisions—where benefits are uneven, taxes shift with every life change, and confidence comes from clarity, not complexity. With Jason Taylor, CFP and creator of MyPocketFP, we explore how to blend the speed of modern finance apps with the judgment of real planning so you can stop guessing and start moving.

We pull apart the myth that financial advi...

How Should I Budget For Irregular Income?

Money that shows up in waves doesn’t have to create a life lived on edge. We break down a steady, practical system for freelancers, gig workers, and commission-based pros to turn unpredictable income into a clear plan. Starting with your real monthly floor, we show how to map baseline expenses from a few months of statements, then size an emergency runway around your actual gap between gigs. You’ll learn how to use strong months to prepay lumpy bills, lower your monthly burn, and stash surplus in a si...

What Are The 11 Financial Vitals And Why Do They Matter?

What if understanding your financial health was as straightforward as checking your pulse? In this eye-opening episode, certified financial planner Jason Taylor breaks down the concept of "financial vital signs" – eleven key measurements that reveal the true state of your monetary wellbeing.

Jason introduces us to the "Core Four" measurements that form the foundation of financial assessment: your effective tax rate (which most people don't actually know), insurance coverage adequacy (which changes year by year), burn rate (how much you spend compared to wh...

What Does “Pocket-sized” Financial Planning Really Mean?

Ever wondered what your financial vital signs would look like? Just as doctors monitor your heart rate and blood pressure, certified financial planner Jason Taylor has created an innovative system that tracks the pulse of your money through a pocket-sized app. Gone are the days of intimidating binders and complex spreadsheets – financial planning now fits comfortably in your pocket and actually makes sense.

The MyPocketFP approach transforms abstract financial concepts into measurable indicators anyone can understand. By checking these vitals weekly, users witness their progress in real-t...

Meet the Host: Certified Financial Planner, Jason Taylor

Ever wondered what happens when a third-generation accountant decides the financial planning industry isn't serving enough people? Meet Jason Taylor, the founder of MyPocketFP, who's on a mission to revolutionize how we access financial guidance.

After 25 years in the financial world, Jason noticed a troubling pattern: quality financial planning remained inaccessible to many Americans, particularly younger people and those without significant assets. Traditional models charging 1% of assets under management simply price out those who might need guidance the most. Drawing from his background in accounting...