FinancialGinger is a podcast where real stories meet real value. Hosted by Jacob Johnson, an insurance agent with a passion for service, the show helps listeners build, protect, and grow their financial confidence. From renters-turned-landlords to local business owners and money pros, each guest shares actionable insights and stories that inspire smarter decisions and a stronger future. Because at FinancialGinger, it’s not about impressing you—it’s about serving you.
Why the S&P 500 Beats 90% of Professional Investors (Even Billionaires Use It)
Most people are paralyzed when it comes to investing… should they buy individual stocks, or Bitcoin, or just bet it all on black at the casino?
Jacob sits down with Tom Bernard, author of The Index of America, to reveal why the S&P 500 is the single greatest wealth-building tool in history, and why almost nobody fully understands how powerful and simple it really is.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why the S&P 500 represents ~85-90% of the U.S. public market
- How the index actually works (selection committee, market-cap weighting, float adjustment, rebalancing)
- The SPIVA report: Why the S&P 500 beats ~90% of active managers over time
- The power of low costs, tax efficiency, and share buybacks
- Real-world proof: Warren Buffett’s advice for his wife + Nevada Public Employees Retirement System
- Simple action steps for beginners to start investing in the S&P 500
~~About the Author~~
Tom Bernard is a finance professional with more than two decades of experience analyzing markets, taxation systems, and corporate economics. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Science in Taxation, and dual undergraduate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley.
Earlier in his career, he worked in financial analysis and valuation at firms including PwC and Arthur Andersen. A passionate educator, Tom has taught personal finance at the City College of San Francisco, helping students navigate the complexities of investing with clarity and confidence.
Connect with Tom Bernard:
Instagram: @INDEXOFAMERICA
YouTube: @INDEXOFAMERICA
Website: www.indexofamerica.com
Book available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target
Audiobook available on Spotify
~~Get on a call with Jacob~~
🌐 https://cal.com/financialginger
Text/Call: 801-216-8444
FB: https://www.facebook.com/FinancialGinger
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/financialginger/
(https://www.instagram.com/financialginger/)
🎤 FinancialGinger — Better Money Choices
🎤 Episode #54: FinancialGinger
30 May 2026
Car Accident Checklist: 6 Steps To Avoid Getting Screwed
Car accidents are stressful enough, don’t make them worse by not following these steps.
In this episode of FinancialGinger, Jacob Johnson (insurance agent with nearly 8 years of experience) I share the exact 5-step process you should follow after any car accident to protect yourself, strengthen your claim, and avoid denied claims, or worse, being found at-fault for something that wasn’t your fault!
Whether it’s a fender bender in a parking lot or a more serious collision, these steps can save you thousands in the long run.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why you should always get a police report (even for tiny bumps)
- The power of taking photos of everything (and the crazy story of a Walmart parking lot claim gone wrong)
- Why saying “I’m sorry” or offering money can make you at-fault (This one pisses me off)
- Who’s insurance should I call? My own or the guy who hit me? (and when you should file on your own policy vs. theirs)
- The bonus step most people skip: seeing a doctor (even after minor accidents)
- Real stories of claims that went bad, and how following these steps would have pretend big problems.
I also explain Utah-specific details like PIP/medical coverage and why timing matters so much.
Get on a call with Jacob for a free insurance review:
🌐 https://cal.com/financialginger
Text/Call: 801-216-8444
jacobinsuresutah@gmail.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/FinancialGinger
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/financialginger/
(https://www.instagram.com/financialginger/)
🎤FinancialGinger — Better Money Choices
🎤 Episode #53: FinancialGinger
22 May 2026
The Retirement Strategies High-Income Entrepreneurs Use to Slash Taxes
You’ve probably heard of a Roth IRA or a 401(k)…
But most entrepreneurs have no idea there are retirement accounts that can let business owners save FAR more money while potentially reducing taxes at the same time.
In Episode #52 of FinancialGinger, Jacob sits down with Certified Financial Planner Michael Espinosa (President of True North Retire, $200M+ AUM) to reveal the important retirement strategies that let business owners save dramatically more, with huge tax advantages.
Michael breaks down exactly when and how to use each type of plan as your income grows and business changes. Whether, you’re a self-employed solo-preneur, have a company with 10 employees, or are on the path to 100’s of employees.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why retirement accounts beat a normal brokerage account (the massive tax incentives most people miss)
- Traditional IRA vs Roth IRA – which one actually makes more sense for growing entrepreneurs
- SIMPLE IRA – when it’s worth using (and when it’s not)
- SEP IRA – contribution limits and who it’s best for
- Solo 401(k) – employee + employer contributions, profit sharing, and how to max it out
- Cash Balance Plans – the “pension on steroids” that lets some high earners put away $200K–$300K+ per year
- Income thresholds for moving from IRA → SEP/SIMPLE → Solo 401k → Cash Balance
- Roth strategies, catch-up contributions, and recent changes from Secure Act 2.0
- Why you should talk to a CPA before a financial advisor
- How to coordinate plans when you have employees (and common compliance traps)
Whether you’re just starting a side hustle or already making multiple six figures, this episode gives you the exact roadmap most financial advisors don’t explain to solopreneurs.
About The Guest:
Michael Espinosa is the president of True North Retire, where he specializes in helping businesses design and manage effective 401(k) plans. He’s a Certified Financial Planner with a passion for making complex financial decisions practical and approachable.
He’s currently writing a personal finance guidebook focused on clarity, values, and long-term progress. Outside of work, he’s an outdoors enthusiast, and he and his wife—also a Certified Financial Planner—often collaborate and exchange ideas around money and mindset.
Michael@tnrs.com - for 401(k) plan assistance
https://truenorthwealth.com/michael-espinosa/
(https://truenorthwealth.com/michael-espinosa/)
Get on a call with Jacob!
🌐 https://cal.com/financialginger
FB: https://www.facebook.com/FinancialGinger
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/financialginger/
🎤FinancialGinger — Better Money Choices
🎤 Episode #52: FinancialGinger
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