DIY Financial Plan Part 4: Money Saving Systems – EP 641

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And that’s a wrap! For the final episode of the DIY Financial Plan series, Jen and Jill dives into money-saving strategies and the tools that can help you keep more of your hard-earned money. From tax-saving opportunities to college and estate planning, they’re covering the strategies that can make a real difference in your financial plan.

Most people put this stuff off because it’s considered “rich people” stuff, but you do so to your own detriment

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To help you get started, we created a free Google Sheet that walks you through building your own financial plan with everything we’re covering in this series. You can grab it at frugalfriendspodcast.com/plan

And if, at any point, you decide you’d rather have a professional guide you through the process head to frugalfriendspodcast.com/cfp We’ll help connect you with a financial planner who’s the right fit.

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How to Save Thousands With Smart Tax Planning

Jen and Jill wrap up their DIY Financial Plan series with one of the biggest money-saving strategies. Starting with why tax planning should be part of every financial plan and not just for wealthy people or business owners and how a few smart decisions can save you thousands over time.

They cover simple strategies like contributing to tax-advantaged accounts such as a 401(k), Traditional IRA, or HSA, taking advantage of the student loan interest deduction if eligible, and claiming the new 2026 charitable deduction. Instead of making hundreds of tiny money-saving choices, they show how one well-planned tax strategy can have an even bigger impact on your finances.

What Every Parent Needs to Know About College & Estate Planning

Jen and Jill talked through how to plan for college. The benefits of using a 529, from tax-free growth to tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses. And they covered what happens to the money if your child doesn’t use it all, including the possibility of rolling up to $35,000 into a Roth IRA.

And finally, they talked about how estate planning isn’t just for people with big estates, it’s about making sure your money, your kids, and your wishes are protected. They discussed the importance of checking your beneficiary designations, creating a will (especially if you have children), and setting up power of attorney and healthcare directives so someone you trust can make decisions for you if you can’t.

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