WHAT MOST PEOPLE MISS IN THEIR FINANCIAL PLANNING
FROM BALTIMORE WASHINGTON FINANCIAL ADVISORS

with
Thad Ismart | CFP®, ChFEBC, CEPS
 Senior Financial Planner

About This Episode

Even when your finances feel “on track,” hidden blind spots can quietly undermine your progress. In this episode, Thad Ismart explains how overlooked behaviors, assumptions, and habits can create financial risk—and how to identify them early.

Full Description

Many people assume that once they have a budget, an emergency fund, and a basic investment strategy, their financial life is in good shape. But confidence can sometimes create blind spots—areas that go unexamined simply because they’re unfamiliar, uncomfortable, or easy to postpone.

In this episode of Healthy, Wealthy & Wise, Thad Ismart, CFP®, ChFEBC, CEPS, Senior Financial Planner at Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors, explores common financial blind spots and why they matter. He explains how people often focus on the parts of money management they understand while overlooking equally important areas that can impact long-term outcomes.

Thad discusses how phrases like “spend money to make money” can be misunderstood and lead to unnecessary risk. He also explains why common financial rules of thumb—such as avoiding tax refunds at all costs—don’t always apply to every situation. What works for one person may not work for another, and rigid thinking can prevent better solutions.

Another major blind spot is comparison. Social media and lifestyle envy can distort priorities, pushing people to spend, invest, or borrow in ways that don’t align with their goals. Thad also highlights how early life experiences shape our beliefs about money, often influencing decisions without us realizing it.

Finally, the episode addresses one of the most common blind spots of all: retirement planning procrastination. Many people delay planning because the future feels uncertain or overwhelming. Thad emphasizes that financial planning is an ongoing process—one that evolves as life changes.

This episode encourages listeners to step back, reassess assumptions, and address the gaps they may not even know exist.

At BWFA, our financial planning process is designed to identify gaps and help clients make informed decisions over time. For more information, visit BWFA’s Financial Planning Services.