Five Minute Finance

The wealthy don't avoid taxes because they have secret tricks—they operate under a completely different financial framework built around ownership rather than income. Would the "Buy, Borrow, Die" strategy work for you? No, probably not. Learn why most people can't replicate it, and the practical lessons everyday investors can apply to build wealth more tax-efficiently. Shifting from earning to own...

Delaying Social Security is often one of the most valuable retirement decisions you can make. Want to learn why Social Security should be viewed as longevity insurance rather than a savings account? This episode is for you. Matt and I will also discuss how delaying benefits increases guaranteed income, why break-even calculations can be misleading, and the often-overlooked psychological benefits o...

Most people don’t need another side hustle; they need a smarter framework for building financial flexibility. This week, Matt and I explore the difference between true passive income and expensive distractions, including equity compensation, rental real estate, angel investing, and the hidden cost of time and energy. Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at...

AI promises efficiency, but what if the real effect is simply raising expectations rather than freeing time? Join Matt and I for this first ever BONUS Five Minute Finance that riffs off our latest episode about AI. Why do productivity gains often disappear? How does convenience change our standards? Where does AI help versus where could it be quietly weakening creativity, judgment, and long-term s...

AI is changing how people approach personal finance, but the smartest use isn’t asking it to make decisions; it’s using it to surface ideas, explain strategies, and help you ask better questions faster. Join Matt and me this week as we discuss where AI genuinely adds value, where it can confidently lead you astray, and why human judgment still matters most when real money is on the line. Find out...

After 200 episodes, the biggest financial lesson is that success comes from structure—not complexity. Mike Morton and Matt Robison look back on the top ten most popular episodes in the past five years and revisit the things that matter most to you: taxes, optimization, family and legacy, and the emotional side of money. Top Ten Most Listened to Episodes of Five Minute Finance: Masterclass: EFT vs....

Most people think doing their taxes correctly is enough—but the real opportunity lies in planning ahead. Join CFP® Mike Morton and Matt Robison as they break down the critical difference between tax preparation and tax strategy, showing how high earners can reduce surprise tax bills by understanding their marginal tax rate, coordinating multiple income sources, and making smarter year-round decisi...

High earners often feel like they’re living paycheck to paycheck, but the real issue isn’t income—it’s visibility and alignment. As earnings increase, so do expenses and expectations, while savings happen quietly in the background, making progress feel invisible. Join Matt Robison and Mike Morton as they break down why this happens, how to tell if it’s actually a problem, and what to do to ensure...

Company stock: one of the most confusing—and potentially valuable—parts of your compensation. From RSUs to ISOs and NSOs, learn what you actually own, how vesting and exercising work, and where people commonly make costly tax and risk mistakes. The key takeaway: equity compensation is often a great opportunity, but it’s not simple—and without a clear plan around timing, taxes, and concentration ri...

In this episode of Five Minute Finance , Mike Morton and Matt Robison unpack the world of private assets—investments like private equity, private credit, and private real estate that aren’t traded on public markets. They explain how these opportunities differ from traditional index funds, who qualifies to invest in them, and the key trade-offs investors should understand, including limited liquidi...

In this episode of Five Minute Finance, CFP® Mike Morton and Matt Robison walk through 10 smart tax-saving strategies for 2026, from maximizing retirement accounts and using HSAs to capital loss harvesting, 529 planning, small business strategies, and income timing. Rather than overwhelming listeners, they present a practical “buffet” approach — choose one idea, take a five-minute action step, and...

You’ve been told index funds are safe — and they are. But what if your “diversified” portfolio is more concentrated than you realize? In this episode, Certified Financial Planner Mike Morton and Five Minute Finance host Matt Robison unpack how market-cap weighting has quietly increased risk inside popular index funds, why mega-cap stocks dominate your portfolio, and what simple adjustments (not pa...

Want a fast, simple way to feel more in control of your finances without budgeting apps or tracking every purchase? In this episode of Five Minute Finance , Mike Morton explains why tracking your net worth once a year is one of the highest-impact “small effort” money habits you can build. You’ll learn what net worth really means, what to include (and what to skip), why this snapshot creates confid...

In this New Year’s episode of Five Minute Finance , Matt Robison and CFP® Mike Morton ditch the pressure to “optimize everything” and focus on five simple moves that can meaningfully improve your financial year. From setting a clear intention for 2026 to checking emergency funds, excess cash, automation, and portfolio alignment, the conversation emphasizes progress over perfection. The result is a...

In this episode of Five Minute Finance , Mike Morton and Matt Robison preview The Juggling Act: A Financial Guide for High-Achieving Parents , Mike’s new book due out in 2026. They offer a high-level tour of modern financial planning, from values and organization to taxes, investing, college planning, and career flexibility, designed to help busy parents enjoy life now and later without overwhelm....

This week on Five Minute Finance , Mike Morton and host Matt Robison dive into end-of-year charitable giving—how to make it reflect your family’s values, how to simplify it with donor-advised funds, and how to unlock powerful tax benefits by donating appreciated stock or using a “bunching” strategy. If you’re thinking about giving more this season (or just want your giving to work harder), this ep...

Talking to your parents about money may be the most awkward conversation you ever have—right up there with “the talk” from your teenage years—but avoiding it can cost your family serious time, stress, and money. In this episode of Five Minute Finance , Mike Morton and host Matt Robison break the topic into five practical areas: organizing your parents’ finances, navigating taxes and gifting, plann...

In this episode of Five Minute Finance , Matt Robison and Mike Morton tackle the “when later becomes now” moment for parents approaching college costs. They explain how to review and adjust your 529 investments, what a glide path is, when to rebalance, and how to make sure your plan matches your goals.  Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://w...

In this week’s Five Minute Finance , Matt Robison and Mike Morton explore whether money can really buy happiness, and what science says about it. From research on income thresholds to practical advice on using wealth to create joy, the duo breaks down how to shift your mindset from accumulating money to investing in meaningful experiences. Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadv...

Found money feels great, until it’s gone. In this episode of Five Minute Finance , Mike Morton and Matt Robison tackle the psychology and strategy of handling unexpected cash. From splitting your windfall wisely to creating “presents in progress” for future goals, they’ll help you turn surprise money into long-term satisfaction (and maybe even a guilt-free splurge). Find out more about Mike at htt...

Got an inherited IRA, or think you might someday? On this episode of Five Minute Finance , Matt Robison and Certified Financial Planner Mike Morton give you the no-nonsense playbook. You’ll learn the nuances of the 10-year rule, how to build a simple distribution plan, and strategies for maximizing your inheritance. Don’t pay more in taxes than is absolutely necessary. Make a plan.  Find out...

In this episode of Five Minute Finance , Mike Morton and Matt Robison unpack the latest tax legislation, the “One Big, Beautiful Bill.” They cover the most important updates, including permanent tax brackets, a higher SALT cap, charitable giving changes, expanded 529 plan uses, estate tax exemptions, and family tax credits. They also highlight overlooked provisions like car loan interest deduction...

In this episode of Five Minute Finance , Mike Morton and Matt Robison dig into the reality of the midlife “cash squeeze.” From kids’ sports and college to aging parents and the uptick in everyday expenses, money feels tight. They’ll discuss when it’s actually okay to pause retirement contributions, the dangers to watch out for, and how to create a smart, temporary plan that keeps your long-term go...

In this episode of Five Minute Finance , Certified Financial Planner Mike Morton reveals why the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) is one of the most underutilized workplace benefits, despite offering free money in the form of discounted stock. He and host Matt Robison walk through how ESPPs work, whether to sell or hold, common mistakes to avoid, and why simply signing up can make a big differe...

This week on Five Minute Finance , Mike Morton and Matt Robison dig into how automating your finances can dramatically reduce decision fatigue and increase financial well-being. Savings, investments, bills, donations, and even calendar tasks can all be automated. From "touch it once" productivity tips to smart strategies like using a separate credit card for subscriptions and automating 529 contri...