Agency Intelligence

In this solo episode of the Stuff About Money podcast, Erik Garcia CFP®, BFA™, ChFC®, reflects on King Cake season in New Orleans, an annual reminder that some things are wonderful precisely because they don’t last forever. Between questionable calorie intake and the collective sugar coma that sweeps the city, Erik is grateful that King cake is a season, not a lifestyle. That rhythm sparks a bigger conversation about money and how so much of our financial stress comes from forgetting that money, too, has seasons. Erik breaks down the three financial seasons he most often discusses with clients: laying the foundation, building on that foundation, and eventually spending down and distributing assets. Each season comes with different demands, priorities, and emotional pressures, and many “bad” financial decisions are only bad because they’re made in the wrong season of life. He also explores how these seasons show up for business owners, from startup to growth to exit. If money feels tight, confusing, or heav