Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor (and Lawyer!)

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer , Mike and Madison unpack Jason Zweig’s Wall Street Journal article, “ Colleges Fail This Basic Test .” They explore how some of the nation’s wealthiest universities, with billions in endowments, still find themselves scrambling for cash during downturns. Mike explains why liquidity is es...

Send us Fan Mail Millennials are entering midlife with more wealth than previous generations at the same age, yet many remain anxious about their financial futures. In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, Madison and Mike sit down with Maureen to unpack what’s driving this paradox. They explore how economic challenges shaped millennials’ money...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer , Madison and Mike break down the sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a new tax law signed into effect in July. At 887 pages, this legislation makes several provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent while introducing new deductions, exemptions, and planning opportunit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers, Madison and Mike explore how our personal financial memories, whether shaped by market crashes, bull runs, or housing booms, can cloud judgment and influence investing decisions. Inspired by Jason Zweig’s Wall Street Journal article, they unpack the dangers of recency bias, the evolving role of cash in portfolios, and the importance of balancin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Madison and Mike break down the upcoming 2025 changes to inherited IRA rules, and why beneficiaries and financial planners alike need to pay close attention. They discuss how the SECURE Act has already reshaped the way IRAs are passed on and what’s coming next as the IRS begins enforcing the 10-year distribution rule more strictly. Mike explai...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Madison and Mike break down “Mailed, Stolen, and Cashed,” a New York Times article by Ron Lieber that uncovers a disturbing trend: checks being stolen from the mail, altered, and cashed. Mike shares insight into the systemic issues that make this possible, how consumers are being left in the dark, and what to do if it happens to you. From financial literacy to ins...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, Madison and Mike are joined by Certified Financial Planner Practitioner Maureen Donahue to unpack one of the most misunderstood, and potentially most valuable parts of employee compensation: equity. From stock options to RSUs, the team dives into what these benefits actually are, how to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers, Madison and Mike dive into one of the most common questions clients ask: How do I turn my retirement savings into reliable income? Mike explains the importance of timing Social Security benefits, strategies for minimizing lifetime taxes through smart withdrawal planning, and how to protect your portfolio against market downturns with proper ass...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Madison and Mike break down a recent Wall Street Journal article that challenges the popular belief that moving to a no-income-tax state guarantees retirement savings. From skyrocketing insurance costs to hidden fees and property taxes, Mike explains why retirees need to think beyond just income tax rates when relocating. Learn how financial s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer , Madison and Mike dive into a New York Times article about the mental and emotional challenges of retirement. They discuss why thoughtful preparation beyond finances is essential for a successful and fulfilling retirement, the importance of finding purpose after leaving the workforce, an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer , hosts Madison Demora and Mike Garry introduce April’s Employee Spotlight, Amy Garry—financial planning associate at Yardley Wealth Management. Amy shares her journey into the industry, her dedication to the firm's mission, and a few fun personal details. Mike also dives into a cand...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers, hosts Mike Garry and Madison DeMora sit down with Dr. Emily Koochel, a leading expert in financial wellness, behavioral finance, and financial psychology. As the Manager of Financial Wellness at eMoney Advisor, Dr. Koochel shares insights on how our relationship with money is shaped from an early age, the impact of financial transparency on tru...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mike and Maddie welcome Apollo Lupescu, Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors, a premier investment manager with over $800 billion in assets. With a Ph. D. in Economics and Finance from UC Santa Barbara and 21 years at Dimensional, Apollo offers deep insights into the firm’s data-driven approach to investing. He explains key investment concepts, including th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, hosts Madison Demora and Mike Garry break down everything you need to know about Roth IRA conversions. If you're considering converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA but aren’t sure if it’s the right move, this episode is for you. Mike explains the key differences between tradi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers, Madison Demora and Mike Garry discuss the surprising trend of wealthy retirees underspending in retirement despite having the financial means to enjoy it. They explore the "retirement consumption puzzle" and the psychological shift from decades of saving to spending. Mike shares insights from client experiences, explains the importanc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, Madison Demora and Mike Garry break down a recent Wall Street Journal article, "Paying More Tax Can Be a Smart Play" by Laura Saunders. They discuss why traditional tax-deferral strategies may backfire, especially for retirees with large tax-deferred accounts like 401(k)s and I...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, Madison and Mike discuss the fascinating story of Steve Mitchell, a Texas engineer who became determined to achieve a perfect 850 credit score. They explore Mitchell's journey, the strategies he used, and whether perfection is truly necessary when it comes to credit scores. Mike sha...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, hosts Madison Demora and Mike Garry break down the essentials of employer stock awards, including Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), stock options, and the key financial strategies you need to know. Learn how vesting schedules, strike prices, and cashless exercises work, and discover how to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, Madison and Mike discuss the critical importance of living wills and advance directives. Inspired by a recent Wall Street Journal article, "When Making a Living Will, Talk to Your Loved Ones." If you’ve ever wondered how to ensure your medical wishes are honored or how to prepa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, hosts Madison Demora and Mike Garry discuss the hidden financial impacts of job changes on 401(k) savings. Reviewing insights from a recent Wall Street Journal article by Anne Tergesen, they explore how job-switching can disrupt retirement planning, often leading to neglected 401(k) enro...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, hosts Madison and Mike discuss the growing trend of including pets in estate planning. They explore why more people are designating guardians and funds for pets in their wills, a practice once limited to the wealthy. Key topics include the benefits and risks of including pets in estate p...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, hosts Madison Demora and Mike Garry dive into an article from the Wall Street Journal titled "These Mutual-Fund Holders Should Brace Themselves for a Big Tax Bill" by Daisy Maxey. They discuss the tax implications of capital gains distributions in mutual funds, why these distri...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, Madison and Mike dive into the fascinating world of stock market gains. They discuss a recent article by Russ Wiles, highlighting research by Dr. Hendrik Bessembinder, which reveals that just over 4% of stocks account for all net wealth growth in the stock market over the last 100 years....

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, hosts Madison Demora and Mike Garry explore the complexities of managing your retirement savings. In the beginning of the episode, they tackle a listener's question on long-term care insurance. Then, dive into a Wall Street Journal article by Olivia Mitchell, discussing the pros and...

Send us Fan Mail Madison and Mike discuss three articles from the Wall Street Journal related to the financial industry, focusing on the implementation of a fiduciary rule, the pros and cons of interval funds, and the high fees and lack of transparency in closed-end funds. They also explore the potential risks and returns of interval funds, the importance of educating investors about complex inves...