Build Wealth

by Katie Viola

Season 1

47. What to Do If Your 401k Doesn’t Have a Target Date Fund And Why the Best Investment Strategy Is Kinda Boring

If you’ve ever opened your 401(k), seen only a few investments, and thought… Wait. Is this really enough? Investing has a reputation for being complicated, which can make a simple portfolio feel almost too simple. Shouldn’t you own more funds? More stocks? More… stuff? In this episode, we’re breaking down what a strong, simple investment portfolio can actually look like — especially if you don’t have a target date fund in your 401(k). You’ll learn: ✨ The 4 things to look for in a strong core portfolio ✨ How just a few funds can give you exposure to thousands of companies ✨ What you might see in your 401(k) if you don’t have a target date fund ✨ Why owning more funds doesn’t necessarily mean you’re more diversified ✨ What to look for so you understand what you own, why you own it, and what you actually need to do next The goal isn’t to build the fanciest-looking portfolio. It’s to be able to open your investment account and think: I know what I own. I know why I own it. And I feel confident leaving my money here for the long haul. If you’ve been investing for years but still have that nagging feeling of “I hope I’m doing this right,” my 90-Minute Money Session is designed to help you finally answer that. We’ll look at your investments alongside the life you’re trying to build, so you can leave knowing: ✨ What you’re already doing right ✨ What, if anything, needs to change ✨ Whether your investments are actually supporting your goals ✨ Exactly what your next steps are Book your 90-Minute Money Session at buildwealthwithkatie.com/supportsession

S1 · E47

Aug 18, 2026

36:49

46. How to Tell If You’re Investing in Your 401k the Right Way

You’ve been contributing to your 401(k) for years. You know that’s what you’re supposed to do. But if someone asked you what you’re actually invested in, how much you’re paying in fees, or whether your investments make sense for your goals… would you know? If the answer is “not really,” you’re definitely not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what I would look at inside your 401(k) to figure out whether you’re actually investing the way you think you are — without needing to become an investing expert. We’ll talk about: ✨ How to make sure your money is actually invested (yes, it’s possible to contribute for YEARS and still have money sitting in cash) ✨ What you’re actually invested in — and how to make sense of all those confusing fund names ✨ The investment fees that could quietly be costing you thousands over time ✨ How to tell whether your investments are geared toward growth or stability ✨ How to know if you’re contributing enough ✨ The simple thing that makes sure your investing keeps happening automatically Blindly contributing to your 401(k) for decades and hoping everything works out isn't a strategy. You don’t need to understand every tiny detail of investing. You just need to understand enough to look at your own money and say, “Yep. I know what I own, why I own it, and I feel good about where I’m going.” Ready to feel totally clear on your investments and what they mean for you? In a 90-Minute Money Clarity & Decision Support Session, we’ll look at your accounts and your goals side by side so you can understand what you own, why you own it, and whether it’s actually helping you get where you want to go. You’ll leave with clarity on what’s working, what you may want to change, and exactly what your next steps are — so you can stop wondering if you’re doing this “right” and feel confident moving forward. 👉 Book your 90-Minute Money Clarity & Decision Support Session

S1 · E46

Aug 11, 2026

25:27

45. Renting vs. Buying a Home: How to Compare Your Options With Confidence

Thinking about buying a home but wondering if you should rent or buy? In this episode, you'll learn how to compare renting vs. buying, the hidden costs of homeownership, and why renting can still build wealth. Instead of relying on common advice like "rent is throwing away money," you'll learn how to make the best decision for your finances and your lifestyle. We break down the numbers most people leave out, including: Why a mortgage payment doesn't tell you the true cost of homeownership The hidden costs of buying How renting can still build long-term wealth Why "rent is throwing away money" is misleading and wrong The framework to compare renting and buying based on the true numbers—not someone else's opinion. Whether you're thinking about buying your first home or wondering if renting a little longer is the smarter move, this episode will help you compare your options with confidence. Ready to stop wondering if you're making the right financial decision? In a 90-Minute Money Clarity Session, you'll leave with a personalized roadmap for your finances, so you can move forward with confidence instead of second-guessing every big money decision.Learn more and reserve your session here: Learn More Here

S1 · E45

Aug 4, 2026

34:18

44. How Much House Can You Really Afford? What the Bank Won't Tell You About Buying A Home

A bigger mortgage can impact your ability to invest, change careers, travel, start a business, survive a layoff, retire early, or create the lifestyle you actually want. In this episode, I'll walk you through the framework I use to evaluate a home purchase, including the hidden costs most buyers overlook and the tradeoffs that rarely get discussed. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "Can I afford the payment?" is the wrong question The true cost of homeownership beyond the mortgage How much of your take-home pay should go toward housing The hidden expenses that catch many homeowners off guard How a house can impact your flexibility, retirement timeline, and future choices Questions to ask before buying a home Why the bank's approval amount isn't necessarily your budget How to determine whether a house supports the life you want to build 💰 Need help making a major financial decision with confidence? In a 90-Minute Money Clarity & Decision Support Session, we'll look at your full financial picture alongside your goals to understand the real tradeoffs of your options and what the numbers actually mean for your life, so you can move forward with total confidence. Book Your Session here: Build Wealth with Katie

S1 · E44

Jul 28, 2026

19:18

43. The Investment Account You Need for Freedom (And Why Some Millionaires Feel Stuck)

💬 Ready to get clear on what your money can make possible? My 90-Minute Money Clarity & Decision Support Session is designed to help you understand where you are, what your options are, and how to make confident financial decisions without second-guessing yourself. Learn more at: www.buildwealthwithkatie.com You can have a great income, a growing net worth, and hundreds of thousands of dollars invested...and still feel stuck. Stuck in a job that's draining you. Stuck waiting until retirement to enjoy your life. Stuck feeling like all of your hard work is building a future that always seems decades away. In this episode, we're talking about one of the commonly overlooked ways to build wealth—and how it creates something many women want even more than higher returns: Options. The option to take a career break, start a business, move closer to family, work less, or change your mind when life feels misaligned. I'll share how I started thinking about my investments differently when I realized that what I really wanted wasn't the biggest net worth possible—it was flexibility. We'll talk about: • Why some wealthy people still feel financially trapped • The type of wealth that creates freedom before retirement • How to build more flexibility into your financial life • Why your investments should support your goals—not just your future self • A simple way to evaluate whether your money is helping you create the life you actually want Building wealth isn't just about having more money. It's about having more choices. And sometimes the most valuable investment isn't the one that grows the fastest—it's the one that gives you the freedom to build a life that feels like your own.

S1 · E43

Jul 21, 2026

21:39

42. “How Can They Afford That??” How to Escape the Comparison Trap and Ask the Question That Actually Matters

Ever found yourself wondering how someone can afford the million-dollar house, luxury car, or endless vacations? The fascinating thing is... you're probably not actually wondering how they're doing financially. You're wondering how you're doing financially. In this episode, we're unpacking why comparison feels so powerful when it comes to money—and how to stop letting someone else's life make you question your own. You'll learn why comparing finances almost never gives you the full picture, how to use comparison as inspiration instead of self-doubt, and the three questions to ask yourself the next time you catch yourself thinking, "How can they afford that?" In this episode, we'll cover: Why financial comparison creates so much anxiety The hidden factors you never see behind someone else's lifestyle The difference between comparison that creates possibility vs. comparison that creates shame How getting clear on your own financial goals makes other people's choices far less distracting The three questions to ask whenever comparison creeps in Ready for personalized clarity? If you're tired of second-guessing your finances and want confidence that you're making the right decisions for your life, my 90-Minute Money Clarity & Decision Support Session is designed for exactly that. Together we'll look at your numbers, your goals, and your biggest financial decision so you leave with a clear roadmap and confidence in your next steps. ✨ Learn more here Enjoying the podcast? If this episode helped you, I'd be so grateful if you'd: Follow the show Leave a rating & review Share this episode with a friend who needs the reminder that someone else's financial life isn't the measuring stick for their own.

S1 · E42

Jul 14, 2026

21:31

41. "Is This Investing Advice Right for Me?" How to Know What Applies To You

You've heard the advice: "Just invest in the S&P 500." "You don’t need bonds." "Don't keep too much cash." So... is that good advice for YOU? In this episode, you'll learn how to: Feel more confident evaluating investing advice Stop wondering who to trust Understand how your portfolio changes as your life changes Make investment decisions that support the life you actually want Know when general advice is enough—and when your situation deserves a closer look ✨ Ready to stop guessing? In my 90-Minute Money Clarity Session, we'll look at your entire financial picture, help you understand what you own, and create a clear plan for your next financial decisions. Learn more & book your session

S1 · E41

Jul 7, 2026

31:40

40. Why Investing More Isn't Always the Right Move (Especially If You're a High Achiever)

In this episode, we're talking about why your financial strategy should evolve with your life—and how to stop sacrificing today's joy for a future you've already worked so hard to create. In this episode, we’ll cover... Why doing the "responsible" thing with your money may not be the right move forever How to know if you're prioritizing your investments… at the expense of your life. The mindset shift that's helped me feel more peaceful, intentional, and confident with my money. A surprisingly simple way to think about your finances that makes big decisions feel so much clearer. How to stop feeling guilty for slowing down, changing priorities, or wanting something different than you did five years ago. Why real financial freedom isn't just about having more money... it's about creating more life. The goal was never to build the biggest investment account. It was to build a life you can't wait to wake up to. Ready to stop guessing and start making money decisions that actually fit your life? Together in a 90-Minute Money Clarity & Decision Support Session, we'll look at your life and your money side by side so you can finally understand what's going on with your investments, know what they're actually working toward, and feel confident making decisions that support both your future and your life today. You'll leave with clarity, confidence, and a personalized action plan—not more financial overwhelm. 💵 Learn more & book your session: https://buildwealthwithkatie.com/supportsession

S1 · E40

Jun 30, 2026

24:34

39. The Missing Piece on Your Financial Team (And Why I Felt So Lost Without It)

You can have a 401k, a financial advisor, a CPA, and still feel weirdly… lost. There’s a gap many financial conversations don’t fill the space between your numbers and your actual life. In this episode, I'm talking about the gap that so many women experience between having information and actually feeling confident with their money—and why money coaching has naturally evolved to fill that space. We'll talk about the supported space where women can finally: Understand what investments they have and why they have them (without over-complicated jargon) Think through big life decisions and the tradeoffs that come with them (without finance bro energy) Build systems that make money feel simple and supportive (so you feel confident in your finances no matter what’s top of mind in your life) Work through the emotional side of wealth, from guilt and scarcity to learning how to actually enjoy what you've built And when you understand your money, you show up differently—in your life, in your decisions, and even in conversations with the rest of your financial team. Ready for that kind of support? ✨💫 Book a 90-Minute Money Clarity & Decision Support Session If this episode made you think I need someone to sit down and help me think through my actual life and money, this is exactly what my 90-minute session is for. Get Support!

S1 · E39

Jun 23, 2026

29:27

38. Successful But Still Stressed About Money? 5 Simple Systems to Feel More in Control

You can be earning good money, investing consistently, and doing all the “right” things… and still feel stressed about money. If you've ever found yourself lying awake wondering, "Am I doing enough?" or feeling guilty every time you spend money, this episode is for you. Today, we're talking about five simple systems that can help you feel more in control of your finances and bring more peace of mind—without overhauling your entire financial life. In this episode: 5 simple things you can do in 30 minutes or less to feel less stressed about money Small changes that can bring more clarity, confidence, and peace of mind Ways to stop second-guessing yourself and feel more supported by your finances Practical shifts that can help you feel calmer and more in control—without overhauling your entire financial life Simple systems that can help you feel more financially secure and stop wondering if you're doing enough Ready to stop spiraling and finally get clarity? If you're tired of piecing together financial advice from podcasts, books, and social media, and you want personalized support to understand what your numbers mean for your life, I'd love to help. ✨ My 90-Minute Money Clarity & Decision Support Session is designed to help you. Whether you're wondering if you're investing enough, trying to make a big financial decision, or simply want to feel more confident and less stressed about money, this session is designed to help. ✨ [ Learn more and reserve your spot here. ] Mentioned in this episode: Betterment High-Yield Cash Reserve (use this link for an extra +0.75% APY boost) Debt payoff calculators

S1 · E38

Jun 16, 2026

23:37

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