Ideas by Mike™

Financial planning isn’t just about numbers; it’s about trust, connection, and understanding life’s goals. How do you create meaningful client relationships? What does it take to navigate the ups and downs of the market while remaining grounded? In this episode, Mike Milligan sits down with Christina Hill, Client Service Specialist at Ideas by Mike , to discuss her approach to making financial pla...

In this episode, Mike Milligan introduces Liz Mundey, Senior Client Services Manager at Ideas by Mike , who shares her unexpected path from massage therapist to financial services, driven by a desire to make a lasting impact. Liz discusses her motivations, how she found a home in the firm, and the importance of practical, personalized support in clients’ lives. Mike and Liz discuss: Liz&#821...

Have you ever wondered how similar healthcare and financial planning can be?  It’s all about helping people get back on their feet, whether physically or financially. In this episode, Mike Milligan chats with Barb Gleason, who transitioned from a career in healthcare to financial planning, about her experiences and insights. She shares her journey, the parallels between physical therapy and...

What’s the secret to navigating your financial future with confidence? Join Mike Milligan as he sits down with Tom Haines from Annexus to demystify fixed index annuities and their strategic role in crafting one-of-a-kind financial plans tailored for your unique retirement journey. Tom shares insights from his distinguished career, highlighting how indexing strategies can safeguard your finan...

From former college hockey player to a leading retirement specialist. Join host Mike Milligan as he sits down with team member Josef Mehall, a talented entrepreneurial spirit that is passionate about leaving things better than he found them.  With his engaging story of growth to becoming a financial expert, Josef shares how he helps clients shape their retirement dreams with personalized financial...

In this episode, Mike Milligan introduces Scotty, a dedicated team member at Ideas by Mike . Scotty shares his journey from his roots on the Ohio-West Virginia border to becoming a legacy specialist, exploring life insurance, legacy planning, and self-care strategies for life’s later stages. Join them as Scotty shares his personal story and uncovers the significance of personalized financial...

What do planning for the future and teaching financial literacy to the next generation have in common? In this unique episode, Mike Milligan welcomes January Liddell to the show. Money isn’t just about numbers; it’s about narratives. Explore how January, a dynamic financial professional, balances roles as a mother, wife, and author, while fiercely advocating for financial literacy begi...

Ever faced a mountain and thought, “I can’t do this?” This episode serves as a way to combat this thought. As the calendar turns to 2025, Mike Milligan recounts an incredible journey to Peru’s Rainbow Mountain and draws parallels to the journey of retirement planning. Learn how each individual step, supported by a trusted guide, can lead you to breathtaking highs in your fi...

What makes a team truly one of a kind? Join host Mike Milligan, a Certified Financial Planner® with over two decades of experience, as he delves into the power of individuality with team members Kelsey Vollmer and Marcus Washington. Together, they explore how their personal experiences influence their communities.  Mike, Kelsey and Marcus discuss:  The power of a supportive community (04:03) Uniqu...

How can simple actions lead to meaningful change? Mike Milligan sits down with his daughter Grace, to explore what it truly means to make an impact. Grace shares her inspiring journey from creating fly swatters out of thrift store finds to leading charitable efforts at Grace Klein Community’s food rescue mission. This discussion dives deep into personal stories, community-focused initiatives...

What makes a financial plan truly stand out? Mike Milligan explores how strategic partnerships are key to creating personalized, effective financial plans. Joined by Tiffany Saunders and Liz Mundey, they discuss how working together and embracing new ways of thinking are changing the financial planning landscape. Find out how partnerships with innovative platforms like Halo and Asset Map are makin...

Financial planning can truly change lives, not just through numbers but by making a real impact in our communities. Mike, Kaitlan, and Katie shed light on how they’re redefining financial planning through community impact. They dive into how Ideas by Mike is not only crafting unique financial plans but also investing in meaningful change from local neighborhoods to global communities.  Learn...

Are you ready to transform your financial approach and make 2025 the year you finally achieve your one-of-a-kind life goals? Engage with captivating insights into tax planning, retirement income, and the paramount importance of having a genuinely personalized financial plan. Plus, look out for an engaging revelation of how 2025 can be your groundbreaking year. Mike Milligan looks forward to helpin...

Can a legacy be more than assets?  Discover how to leave a love letter to your family… This week on Ideas by Mike , Mike Milligan, CFP®, welcomes Scott Cary, Founder of Snug, to unveil how his groundbreaking platform is transforming estate planning.  From safe document storage to AI-powered updates, Snug offers a modern, affordable approach to creating a legacy that reflects your values. Whether p...

Can your financial strategy unlock the secret to a longer, healthier life? This week on Ideas by Mike , Mike Milligan, CFP®, welcomes Heather Holmes, Founder and CEO of Lumiant, and Nicola Perry, VP of Sales at Lumiant, to explore the game-changing connection between health and wealth. Drawing from their expertise, Heather and Nicola unveil Halo , a revolutionary tool that personalizes long-term c...

Is your portfolio working toward your dreams—or just chasing the market? This week on Ideas by Mike , Mike Milligan, CFP®, sits down with Steve Osterink, CEO and Chief Investment Officer at Advisory Alpha, to explore the art and science of investment planning. Drawing from his vast experience managing $3.8 billion in assets, Steve shares practical insights on aligning your investments with your fi...

Retirement planning goes beyond numbers—it’s about building a future that aligns with your values. This week on Ideas by Mike , Mike Milligan, CFP®, and Jim Fisher unveils the value of developing a retirement income plan that remains adaptable and reliable. They cover the transition from growth to income strategies and how the Forecaster tool provides clear insights into managing potential risks,...

Taxes may be inevitable, but they don’t have to drain your wealth. Here’s how to turn them into a powerful tool for financial growth Mike Milligan, CFP® teams up with Ben Birkin from Holistiplan to reveal how this powerful software is transforming tax planning from a headache into a strategic advantage. It’s not just about lowering tax bills—it’s about turning tax strategies into a key driver of l...

Imagine a financial plan that not only builds your wealth but also enriches your life. This week, Mike reflects on the values he learned from his grandmother’s sandwich shop — values that now shape his approach to financial planning.  For Mike, wealth is more than money. It’s about aligning your finances with what matters most, like a secure retirement, supporting loved ones, or giving back. So, h...

Legacy planning is more than just dividing up financial assets; it’s about preserving the values, traditions, and harmony within a family. This week on Ideas by Mike , Mike Milligan, CFP®, highlights the importance of this often-overlooked step in his unique financial planning approach.  By incorporating SNUG — a powerful platform designed to streamline the organization of essential documents, fin...

Did you know that over 70% of people aged 65 and older will need some form of long-term care services in their lifetime?  This week, Mike Milligan, CFP ®, dives into the world of long-term care planning, highlighting the difference it can make in our lives.  Follow along to explore HALO, an innovative tool designed to simplify and enhance the planning process. Learn about its features, benefits, a...

Investing is an important piece of retirement planning, but there is much more to it than just picking “the right” stocks. This week on Ideas by Mike , Mike Milligan, CFP®, breaks down the third step in his one-of-a-kind financial planning processes, investment management. Mike explains the importance of setting specific goals and developing strategies to achieve those goals through investments. ...

Paychecks do not need to stop in retirement… With the right financial plan, it’s entirely possible to keep those “paychecks” coming, even after you stop working. This week on Ideas by Mike , Mike Milligan, CFP®, dives into the second critical element of the Ideas by Mike one-of-a-kind financial planning process, retirement income. Highlighting personal experiences and historical...

Did you know that over 56% of Americans now feel they pay more than their fair share in taxes? This frustration is only growing.  So, let’s dive into how you can approach tax planning to keep more of your hard-earned money! Join Mike Milligan, CFP ®, as he unpacks the history of taxes in the United States, the impact of tax planning on your financial future, and practical steps to take control of...

Your financial journey is as unique as you are. So, in order to plan for a bright future you first need to ask yourself one simple question: Why is money important to you? This week on Ideas by Mike , Mike Milligan, CFP® brings on a few members of his dynamic team, including Kaitlan Costner, Marcus Washington, Nicole Stam, and Liz Mundey, to dive into this fundamental question they ask all their c...