Oct. 17, 2022
3 Steps to Take When Building Your First Budget
Join Troutwood CEO Gene Natali for a quick episode on how to build a budget and build it well - in 3 steps!
Wondering how to get started on this easy 3-step budget? Listen to this episode of the Watching Trees Grow podcast to find out.
Don’t be intimida...
April 11, 2022
How to Save for College: With Virginia529 CEO
What is a 529 plan and why do you need one? On this week's episode, Mary Morris, CEO of the Virginia 529 College Savings Plan, joins Gene to discuss the in’s and out’s of the plan and why everyone can, and should, have one! A four year college might not be for everyon...
March 29, 2022
Speaker Series: Greg McBride, Chief Financial Advisor at Bankrate.com
In this Speaker Series episode, Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst for bankrate.com, joins the podcast. Greg is an advocate for financial literacy and education and has made it his life work to help bring resources and financial tools to young people....
March 23, 2022
Emergency Preparedness: Understanding Liquidity
Gene continues last week’s conversation on the importance of emergency preparedness. Rachel joins Gene on the podcast to talk more in depth about accessing your assets in an emergency. When does liquidity and easy access to your money become too tempting...
March 16, 2022
Mailbag Series: Emergency Preparedness for your Finances
What is Emergency preparedness? Maybe you’re prepared for an environmental emergency, but what about a health emergency or job loss? Gene and Jeff were inspired by the student questions while teaching a course at Grove City College. Gene answers some of ...
March 10, 2022
The ABCs of Investment Consulting with Kweku Obed
Gene and Kweku discuss the ABC’s of investment Consulting, and share lessons that individual investors can learn from investment consultants. Marquette Associates is an investment consultant based in Chicago, Illinois. The company consults on 255 billion...
March 8, 2022
Why We Built an Investment Simulation Game
Becoming a life-long investor doesn't happen over night. We know that. That's why we made a simulation for you to practice! In this episode, Gene and Jeff talk about the inspiration behind Buy Sell Hold and how you can use it to up your investing game!
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March 1, 2022
Students Owning Their Financial Future
What are the right financial questions to ask as you start your first job?
How do you start to file your own taxes for the very first time?
And more importantly, to whom do you ask these questions? In this episode, Gene tackles an email from a student th...
Feb. 15, 2022
Mailbag Series: Good Debt vs. Bad Debt
Only 15% of high school seniors will graduate with a financial plan, but 100% will make personal financial decisions.
Are your debt decisions helping or hurting your long-term financial goals? Gene talks about the importance of understanding types of deb...
Feb. 8, 2022
Mailbag Series: How Interest Rates Impact YOU
Interest rates have been in the news recently. How does a change in the federal interest rate affect me? From students to homeowners, everyone can feel an impact. Gene covers the basics in this short episode about interest rates and debt!
Feb. 1, 2022
Mailbag Series: A Post-Grad Perspective on Student Loans
You took out the student loans. Got the degree. What now?
Gene and Rachel discuss graduate school loans, planning for after graduation, and understanding repayment plans.
Jan. 25, 2022
Mailbag Series: Getting Real About Student Loans
What types of student loans are there? How do you know what's best for you? Gene and Rachel discuss the thought process of applying for and taking out student loans for college.
Jan. 19, 2022
Mailbag Series: Behind the Scenes of Charitable Giving with Goodwill
Gene meets with Andrew, VP of Retail at Goodwill to discuss charitable giving, volunteering, and working for a non-profit!
Jan. 11, 2022
The Story of My First Financial Plan
How do you write a financial plan? Why do you need one? Find out why you're more likely to accomplish your goals once you write them down.
Jan. 4, 2022
Exploring Panthers Forward
Are you nervous about student loans? Unsure what questions to ask, where to ask them, and who to ask? In this episode, Gene chats with Sarah from Pitt's Panthers Forward who helps students just like you understand their personal debt.
Dec. 14, 2021
Mailbag Series: Taxes & Charitable Giving?
Simone Quinerly, Troutwood CFO, joins the podcast to talk charitable giving and taxes with Gene.
Dec. 7, 2021
Mailbag Series: Giving Time vs. Money
As a student or young professional, how can you best support the organizations and social causes you care most about?
Nov. 30, 2021
Mailbag Series - Credit Card Pt 5: How NOT to use a Credit Card
What are the long-term affects of using your credit card the WRONG way? How do bad decisions affect your credit score long-term?
Nov. 23, 2021
Mailbag Series - Credit Cards Pt. 4: What happens after applying?
Have you ever considered what happens AFTER you apply for a credit card? What is the difference between a hard and soft credit inquiry?
Nov. 16, 2021
Mailbag Series - Credit Card Pt. 3: Nervous about applying for your first Credit Card?
We left off with Maggie & Aruj applying for their first Credit Card. Listen in as both share the results from their recent Credit applications.
Nov. 9, 2021
Mailbag Series - Credit Card Pt 2: Applying for Your First Credit Card
Aruj Bhargava and Maggie Mayer join the podcast in a continuation of a multi-part series on credit cards. Neither Maggie nor Aruj have a credit card, but both are pondering the possibility of applying for one.
Nov. 2, 2021
Mailbag Series - Credit Card Part 1: Are you a college student with questions?
Nervous about credit cards? If yes, you aren’t alone!
Oct. 26, 2021
Mailbox Series: Ep 1. Opportunity Cost - Buying a Car
For an 18-year old high school senior, what is the opportunity cost of buying a $13,000 car instead of a $10,000 car?
July 20, 2021
The Importance of Investing for Life
In this episode of Watching Trees Grow, Gene sits down with Mr. Craig Slaughter, CFA, CIMC, and Executive Director of the WVIMB, a fund with over $24 billion in assets under management, to discuss Craig's distinguished career path and how he got to wher...