MILMO Show

It's hard to believe we are winding down Veteran's Appreciation Month and rolling into the holidays. Before we know it, it will be the new year. A new year is a great time to set yourself up for success all year long. But, a new year also means the beginning of a new tax season.  Even though we know it's coming, it can be a dreadful time of the year for people. I'm bringing back a popular episode...

Building a successful tech-driven business is no small feat, but Sam Ingrassia has made it his specialty. As the CEO of BudgetSimple, Sam helps financial professionals, advisors, and brands grow their impact while generating recurring income. With more than 15 years of experience in engineering, marketing, and finance, Sam has built and scaled multiple web-based businesses, blending innovation wit...

The day you join the countdown to separation or retirement begins. Your days of being labeled a "service member" are numbered. At some point, you'll become a "veteran" of military service. In a snap, your life and identity will change. Are you ready for veteranhood? How can you make the best life after the military for you and your family? In this episode, I'm sharing how veterans can embrace thei...

Building a real estate investing empire while on active duty may seem like a monumental task, but it's entirely possible with the right strategies. Johnny Lynum, a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, has done just that, growing his portfolio to over 115 properties worth $14 million. In this episode, Johnny shares his journey into real estate investing, the methods he used to build wealth whi...

Serving in the military comes with some perks. The VA home loan guarantee is one of the more popular benefits. It helps service members and veterans with home ownership. While it's generally talked about, sometimes the exact details aren't and can lead to not getting the most out of your benefit. In this episode, Dr. Paul Lawrence discusses VA home loans in detail. He shares how the benefit works,...

Members of the military are involved in problem-solving. It's at the heart of a successful mission. Many don't realize that it is also at the heart of STEM, or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It's all about data and problem-solving. In this episode, Navy veteran Anne Gibbon discusses how she is building a business to help others use data to its fullest potential to make better d...

It's no secret that I've had some trademark issues. When you build a business, you're bound to be touched by trademarks in some way. You could file for your own trademark, or someone could be infringing on yours or you could be trying to be preventative. There are a lot of areas.  One that is particularly unnerving is getting a notice from an attorney or, even worse, the United States Trademark an...

Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding a new career path in entrepreneurship. Not only are you starting something new, you have to make your own paycheck. In episode 305, I'm joined by Justin Brock, a Marine veteran who went from aviation operations in the Marine Corps to building a successful career in financial services and ru...

Service members and their families are a protected group when it comes to their finances. The Department of Defense intentionally protects the military community from predatory financial sales practices while they are serving. Those protections are no longer there when you separate or retire, making transitioning service members top targets of predatory sales practices.  In this episode, Drew Stam...

The relationship between money and marriage can be complex especially when you add military service to the mix. When you bring two different backgrounds to a relationship and if you've had marital problems, managing money together can be all the more challenging.  In this episode, veteran and military spouse Tyron White and I discuss the financial challenges military couples face, the importance o...

Separating or retiring comes with changes in many areas of your life and money. One of those often overlooked big changes is your taxes.  What you did or didn't pay in taxes looks a lot different after military service.  In this episode, Matt Stephens and I discuss what the tax differential wage equivalent is, why it matters, and how it can significantly impact your financial decisions as you move...

It's my Birthday Week on the MILMO® Show. Every year for my birthday, I like to interview someone special in my life. In past years, I've interviewed my Mom, Dad, and my 97-year-old grandmother. This year is no different. I have a very special guest to help me celebrate my birthday on the show.  In this episode, my brother, Brian Flanigan is in the hot seat answering all of my questions. He shares...

It's my 300th episode. When I started, I never imagined being where I'm at now. Having a podcast is like being on a roller-coaster. There are ups and downs, twists and turns, but it's all exhilarating.  In this special episode, I'm sharing a look back on podcasting 300 episodes of the MILMO Show, a behind-the-scenes look at what I do, lessons learned, and the questions and answers I'm asked about...

I love that I get to talk to you every week about money and entrepreneurship. I'm getting real close to my 300th episode, which means a lot to me. While I love that I have the privilege to be one of the podcasts you listen to, I want to do more. I want to go beyond devices and connect with members of the MILMO® community in a more meaningful and impactful way. I've been planning something for a wh...

A PCS or Permanent Change of Station impacts every part of your life, including your finances and jobs. Understanding the basics of PCSing can help you avoid costly mistakes and maybe make some money on it.  In this episode, Kate Horrell breaks down the financial basics of a PCS, the allowances provided by the DoD for your move, and advice to make everything go smoother.  Kate is an Accredited Fin...

Not everyone tracks the state of the economy, but when the news reports that it's taking a nosedive, that usually gets people's attention. There is one thing at the heart of our economy that can help you have a better understanding of how it all works, and that's the federal funds rate.   In this episode, I'm going to break down what the federal funds rate is. Who sets it? And most importantly, wh...

Have you ever had an idea to make a product that other people might be willing to buy? Many of us have, but how do you take your idea and get it produced and packaged to sell? You also need to have the resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit to get it done.  In this episode, Air Force veteran, Haley McClain Hill shares her behind-the-scenes experience building TORCH Warriorwear, a compa...

You know that feeling when you bite off way more of a burrito than you can chew? It's overwhelming. Instead of enjoying the taste and appreciating the awesome sustenance, you're panicky and scared you'll choke to death. Well, that's exactly what many of us do with our finances. We set massive goals, take it too much information, and try to tackle everything at once. Then we end up feeling overwhel...

The world is packed full of information. With the Internet and a cell phone, we have all the knowledge in the world in the palm of our hand. No matter the situation, if you need information, it's there. But how do you distinguish between key information you need to make decisions and unnecessary noise?  In this episode, Bob Hayward, retired Vice Admiral and former Navy SEAL, discusses how you can...

You've heard me and every other financial person say it before: Spend less than you make and save. It's a fundamental of personal finance, but then what? Once you've done the savings part, what are your next steps with the money? Today's the fifth and final episode of my "Back to Basics" series about being brilliant at finance's basics or core principles. So far, I've covered the Thrift Savings Pl...

Today's the fourth episode of my "Back to Basics" series about being brilliant at the basics or core principles of finance. So far, I've covered the Thrift Savings Plan, cash flow, and saving smarter, and today, I'm going over another important topic that is often misunderstood: insurance.  Understanding insurance is essential for managing risk and protecting your financial gains and well-being, b...

Today's the third episode of my "Back to Basics" series that is about being brilliant at the basics or core principles of finance. Last time, I covered cash flow management. Before that the Thrift Savings Plan and today, I'm going over a critical topic: saving your money. People say, "Money can't buy you happiness." That one is crazy because renting a yacht for two weeks to eat, drink and be merry...

A firm grasp of your current money situation is foundational to your peace of mind and financial success. One of the best ways to take control of your finances is with a cash flow statement.  Today is the second episode of my "Back to the Basics" series, which is all about being brilliant at the basics or core principles of finance. Last time, I covered the basics of the Thrift Savings Plan, and t...

There will always be a new trend everyone is talking about. Money included. Go anywhere on social media, Instagram, or TikTok, and there is a money trend. All that noise can make it easy to get caught up in trying to keep up instead of being focused on what is core to your financial success. Instead of jumping on a bandwagon that can crash and burn, we should focus on the basics. Or, more importan...

Many people dream of becoming writers one day. The possibility of making money selling books filled with their creative writing, stories, or solutions is exciting. However, many don't know what it takes to get their books traditionally or self-published or how much money they can make as writers.  In this episode, long-time MILMO Show listener Randy Surles gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what...