Money, Taxes & Freedom

What do Venus Williams and everyday retirees have in common? Even tennis legends worry about insurance. In this episode, Bryan and Shane Hopkins reveal how healthcare costs and long-term care can upend retirement plans—no matter your net worth. Discover why medical expenses are the biggest wild card, how to avoid staying in a job just for insurance, and the crucial questions to ask about long-term care. Whether you’re p...

What happens when a cherished family home becomes an inheritance—and a potential financial headache? This episode dives into the emotional and financial realities facing baby boomers and their millennial heirs as legacy homes pass from one generation to the next. Hosts Bryan and Shane Hopkins unpack common estate planning misconceptions, hidden costs, and the family dynamics that can turn wealth transfer into a source of conf...

Can love and money really work together? In this episode, CPA Bryan Hopkins, his son Shane, and celebrity matchmaker Rachel London explore how financial freedom and relationship compatibility go hand in hand. From the case for marriage to the importance of shared values, they discuss why trust, open communication, and growth matter in both finances and partnerships. Hear real stories about couples learning new things after decades ...

Finding the right financial advisor is a lot like finding the right relationship—compatibility, trust, and shared values matter. In this episode, CPA Bryan Hopkins, his son Shane, and celebrity matchmaker Rachel London explore how love and money intersect, why honesty is essential, and how compromise shapes both financial plans and partnerships. Hear real stories about navigating differences, red flags to watch for, and why i...

Ten million businesses are about to change hands—are their owners ready for what comes next? In this episode of Money, Taxes, and Freedom, Certified Exit Planning Advisor Bryan Hopkins and his son, Shane Hopkins unpack the emotional and financial realities of selling a business. From navigating the “Silver Tsunami” to avoiding seven-figure tax surprises, they explore strategies like seller financing, opportunity z...

What happens when your legacy is shaped not just by your wealth, but by how you choose to share it? In this episode, father-son financial advisors Bryan and Shane Hopkins explore the emotional and strategic layers of family financial planning. From gifting inheritance while alive to navigating conflicting retirement dreams between spouses, they unpack real-life stories that reveal how values drive money decisions. Whether you're pl...

Bryan and Shane Hopkins of Hopkins Wealth Management Group talk about the unpredictability of interest rates but also how they have changed so much in recent years. They share how financial plans should not be geared for the near future but also for the long game. They also discuss different retirement tools, such as annuities that are benefiting from the current interest rates and how people should not wait to make adjustments to ...

Bryan and Shane Hopkins of Hopkins Wealth Management Group define what Roth IRAs are and how both Roth conversions and backdoor Roth conversions work. They explain how each has limits, the tax benefits and implications, and how these tools are not right for every situation. Bryan also shares about his day trip to California to visit a client and how he and Shane give special attention to each of their clients.

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Bryan and Shane Hopkins of Hopkins Wealth Management group share the stories about why they became financial advisors. Bryan reveals some hardships he had at an early age and his gift with numbers. Shane discussed how he saw his dad helping people and noticed he was good with numbers himself. They also laugh about Braxton (Bryan’s grandson and Shane’s nephew) having a portfolio at less that one-year-old and reactions to...

Bryan and Shane Hopkins of Hopkins Wealth Management Group talk about the steps needed to save for a mega retirement vacation and how it is attainable with planning. Bryan dishes on his big Bora Bora anniversary/wife’s birthday trip and Shane shares what his perfect vacation is and compares that to what a survey of American travelers say. Bryan and Shane also share how vacation planning is often quite overlooked in retirement...

Bryan and Shane Hopkins discuss tariffs, market volatility, and people’s stomaching risk. Bryan and Shane break down how age, goals, timelines, assets, and health all determine how much market-exposure people should assume. They also share how advisors can lead these discussions and the big risk involved in not investing in the market. They also talk about their appearances at some local Boise car shows in June and July.

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Bryan and Shane Hopkins talk about tax-deductible retirement plans and the pros and cons of each. Shane talks about different types of IRAs and 401(k)s, while Bryan handles employer plans for profit-sharing and cash balance plans. They each discuss the tax implications of the plans and how best to make that tax money efficient. They also talk about the pitfalls of not using advisors on these complex plans.

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Bryan Hopkins & Shane Hopkins discuss how vital planning is in even enjoying one’s time in retirement. Bryan and Shane share some great stories on how successful people they know plan their travel, serve in their communities, and goal-plan in retirement. They also share the satisfaction that people have when they achieve their goals and how doing so seems to slow down the aging process.

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Bryan and Shane Hopkins talk about how moving to another state can be a big hit to the wallet. Bryan and Shane discuss insurance and taxes, along with basic utilities and vehicle registration. And they talk about not only healthcare costs, but healthcare availability and they share which states are ranked as the most affordable.

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Bryan Hopkins & Shane Hopkins examine the idea of owning versus renting, especially for business owners. Bryan and Shane lay out four pros of owning real estate, particularly appreciation. But they also share four cons, including expenses, that people need to consider. And they share why this decision – and any decision involving money – should be made with the consultation of a financial advisor who sees it all fro...

Bryan and Shane Hopkins discuss three big buckets where people should consider a financial advisor and why: life/career events, financial roadmap, and taxes. The father and son duo explain how they see these scenarios plan out every day and why financial planning – versus financial reactions – is the way to go.

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Bryan and Shane Hopkins do a deep dive on the retirement income vehicle known as an annuity. Bryan explains why they have a bad rap and how some advisors have misused annuities. Shane defines several different kinds of them and how they are an insurance for outliving your assets. Bryan also details how to balance fees with taxes paid on different types of annuities. And they both share how they are happy they got a white Christmas ...

Bryan and Shane Hopkins discuss funding college. Bryan and Shane break down five vehicles for saving money for it and how they can be beneficial to taxes. They also explain the benefits of starting this process early and what to do with leftover college funds. And Bryan shares a great story about a small financial gift his wife received that has grown exponentially.

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Bryan and Shane Hopkins discuss teaching children about money. Bryan covers six areas that he focused on with his sons and has learned about from his clients: allowance, tithing, savings goals, vacation budgeting, college planning, and first cars and phones. Shane shares some stories of growing up with Bryan’s tutelage and some tough lessons he had to learn about delayed gratification.

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