Michael Kitces
Co-Founder, XY Planning Network
Michael Kitces is a recognized thought leader in the financial planning industry, known for his expertise in strategic financial advice and fee structures.
Financial Technology (FinTech)
Is Fintech Democratizing Finance — or Just Giving More People Faster Access to Products That Still Don't Work in Their Favor?Over 1.7 billion adults worldwide still lack access to basic financial services — and fintech promises to change that. But Kathryn Petralia, Ruth Hedges, and Michael Kitces debate whether these innovations are genuinely empowering underserved communities or just giving more people faster access to products that still don't work in their favor.
Credit & Personal Finance
Is Holding Cash Right Now a Smart Defensive Move — or Are You Just Losing to Inflation While Waiting for Certainty That Never Comes?Inflation is eating away at every dollar sitting idle — but markets feel shaky enough that "stay liquid" still sounds reasonable. Michael Kitces, Samantha Sharf, and David Stein debate whether holding cash right now is smart defense or just a slow bleed while you wait for certainty that may never come.
Global Business / Economy
Is Your Business Generating Revenue or Just Keeping You Busy — and Do You Actually Know the Difference?Nearly 20% of small businesses fail in their first year — and one of the quietest killers is mistaking busyness for productivity. Barbara Weltman, Michael Kitces, and Karen Miller help entrepreneurs ask the hard question: is all that activity actually showing up in revenue?
Global Business / Economy
Is Paying for Premium Software Tools Actually Making Your Business More Profitable — or Just More Comfortable?Every SaaS subscription promises to make your business run better — but are all those premium tools actually showing up in your profits, or just making work feel more organized? Ryan Holiday, Seth Godin, and Michael Kitces debate when software investment pays off and when it's just expensive comfort.
Global Business / Economy
Is the 4% Withdrawal Rule Still a Reliable Retirement Strategy — or a Formula Built for a World That No Longer Exists?The 4% withdrawal rule has guided retirement planning for decades — but it was built for a world of high returns and low inflation that may no longer exist. Michael Kitces, Christine Benz, and Blaine Aikin debate whether retirees can still trust this formula or need a smarter, more flexible approach.
Credit & Personal Finance
Should You Tell Your Clients What You Charge Other People — or Is Pricing Transparency a Competitive Mistake?Should you tell a client what you charge someone else? It sounds simple, but pricing transparency in financial services is a minefield. Julie Littlechild, Michael Kitces, and Ed Slott debate whether openness builds trust or just invites a race to the bottom.
Global Business / Economy
Should You Pay for a Financial Plan Upfront — or Is a Free Consultation All You Really Need?Only 30% of Americans feel confident in their financial decisions — so when you sit down with an advisor, should you pay for a full plan or start with a free consultation? Sallie Krawcheck, Michael Kitces, and Jean Chatzky weigh in.
Credit & Personal Finance
When Is the Right Time to Fire Your Accountant — and How Do You Know You've Outgrown Them?Most business owners wait too long to make this call — and it costs them. The accountant who handled your first tax return may not be the right partner for the business you're building now. A financial planner, a CPA firm consultant, and a tax strategist explain how to know when it's time to move on. One verdict.
Investments / Wealth Building
Is Dollar-Cost Averaging the Smartest Way to Invest — or Are You Just Avoiding the Real Decision?Dollar-cost averaging feels disciplined, safe, and smart. But is it a proven investment strategy — or a way to feel like you're making a decision without actually making one? A veteran investment author, a leading financial planner, and a renowned financial expert disagree on what DCA actually delivers. One verdict.
Credit & Personal Finance
Should You Pay a Financial Advisor a Flat Fee or a Percentage of Assets — and Does It Even Matter?How you pay your financial advisor shapes what advice you get — and most investors never think about it. A fee-only planner, a CPA partner, and a co-founder of one of the largest advisor networks in the country disagree on which model actually serves you better. One verdict.