Stone Steps Financial

Stone Steps Financial A fee-only financial planning firm dedicated to helping professionals and families navigate through the complexities of personal finance.

07/20/2026

Stepping away from a demanding career sounds like the ultimate goal, but walking away from work without a plan for your time can create an unexpected void.

We often spend decades focusing entirely on the financial milestones required to exit the workforce, completely overlooking the emotional and psychological shift that follows.

If you don't identify what actually gives you energy and purpose before you hand in your notice, the stress you were running away from tends to follow you right into retirement.

Our latest episode highlights the questions couples might want to ask to ensure they are building a retirement that genuinely fulfills them.

Most retirement models are built to solve an equation. But math can't map out what a meaningful morning looks like to yo...
07/15/2026

Most retirement models are built to solve an equation. But math can't map out what a meaningful morning looks like to you.

The real risk isn't running out of money; it's running out of purpose. Escaping a stressful job without a clear vision for your time just moves the emotional friction rather than solving for it. A secure future requires engaging the side of your brain that handles fulfillment, not just the side that calculates withdrawal rates.

Join us on the latest episode of Real Personal Finance!

07/13/2026

The hardest part of planning your future with a partner isn't figuring out the math. It's learning how to truly listen to your spouse’s needs.

When one spouse talks about wanting to step away from work, it’s easy to instantly calculate how that choice impacts your own freedom. Resentment grows when we view retirement as a finite resource where only one person wins, rather than an opportunity to look at why we are working in the first place.

If watching your spouse retire makes you feel left behind, the real issue might have less to do with their timeline and more to do with your current career satisfaction.

Join us for the latest episode of Real Personal Finance to reframe how you support each other's career transitions.

07/09/2026

Your childhood experiences shape your relationship with money long before you open your first bank account.
If you grew up watching a parent navigate a job loss or a tight budget, that lingering scarcity fear doesn't just disappear when you become successful. It follows you into your marriage, quietly influencing how you view every financial decision, even if your spouse had a completely different experience.

When couples disagree on timing, risk, or retirement, they usually aren't arguing about the math on the screen. They are trying to reconcile two different life histories.

Recognizing that your partner is operating from a different set of memories is where real financial planning actually begins.

Catch the full conversation on Real Personal Finance to hear how these underlying money stories shape the way couples plan for the future.

07/07/2026

By the time an IPO reaches you, the people who built it are already out.

The VC firms, the early employees, the founders have been waiting years for this moment. The IPO isn't the starting line for them. It's the finish line.

And the retail investor is last in line, buying after the IPO at a premium, and holding through the lockup flood.
While getting in early isn’t a poor instinct, timing matters more than you think.

Tune in to the full episode of Real Personal Finance to explore new IPO strategies.

07/02/2026

Rooting for a company to change human history is completely different from treating its stock as a reliable wealth-building vehicle. It is easy to mistake cultural excitement and buzz for a safe investment.

When an asset is valued on hype and crazy multiples, the real question is how that asset will perform against the rest of your holdings. Buying in at the peak means locking your capital into an unproven trajectory instead of prioritizing things that are actually profitable and consistent.

Join us on Real Personal Finance to learn more!

06/29/2026

Projecting a massive 40% year-over-year expansion pace across an entire decade assumes a level of operational perfection that has never been achieved by any major company in market history.

When a multi-trillion-dollar evaluation models its base case on an unprecedented streak, it strips away any margin for error. Relying on an uninterrupted, historic run to justify your asset entry price turns a standard portfolio decision into a highly speculative bet.

Unpack the mathematics of IPOs in these growth projections by joining us for the full episode of Real Personal Finance.

06/20/2026

Navigating the gap between roles requires a strategy that looks past the initial sticker shock of immediate expenses.

When you lose employer-subsidized benefits, costs like private healthcare premiums can spike dramatically, but your overall tax reality often shifts at the same time. A lower income year can actually create a unique window to access retirement funds with less friction.

Understanding how these moving parts interact allows you to bridge the gap without feeling like you are draining your long-term security.

Scott and Nick map out how to handle these logistics and find your footing in the latest episode of Real Personal Finance. Join us on your favorite podcast site.

Apple Podcasts: https://loom.ly/mG3d6SU
Spotify: https://loom.ly/cqu_ZFQ
YouTube: https://loom.ly/5HekgEM

06/18/2026

Receiving a severance packet often feels like being handed a complex, technical manual during a moment of high stress.

Between the legal jargon and the various compensation buckets, like equity vesting schedules, built-up PTO, and performance bonuses, it is difficult to see the financial reality hidden inside the paperwork. Viewing these pieces as a single, consolidated number allows you to stop guessing and start measuring exactly how much breathing room you have to make your next professional move.

In this video, Scott and Nick break down how to pull apart a dense severance agreement and translate those individual components into a clear, visual runway for your family.

Join us wherever you listen to podcasts to hear the full breakdown and learn how to secure your financial footing after a layoff!

Apple Podcasts: https://loom.ly/mG3d6SU
Spotify: https://loom.ly/cqu_ZFQ
YouTube: https://loom.ly/5HekgEM

06/16/2026

It is easy to assume that sophisticated software automatically produces the correct strategy for your finances, but without a deep understanding of the underlying assumptions, those outputs can become a liability.

As technology increases, it's important to remember that systems can make mistakes. Relying only on a system or software without human knowledge to verify the results can create a dangerous gap in your planning. A human touch can verify numbers, look out for potential errors, and give you a more personalized strategy going forward.

In this episode, Scott and Nick explore why a human touch remains the most critical component of a digital financial plan when you’re transitioning jobs. Join us on Real Personal Finance where you like watching your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts: https://loom.ly/mG3d6SU
Spotify: https://loom.ly/cqu_ZFQ
YouTube: https://loom.ly/5HekgEM

Address

533 2nd Street Ste 207
Encinitas, CA
92024

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+17604567147

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