Make it Make Cents

Most people think of a 401(k) or IRA when they hear the term tax-advantaged account. But there may be an even more powerful option hiding in your employee benefits package. In this episode of Make It Make Cents, Michelle Cropley and financial advisor Cash Armstrong break down the differences between Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), why one of them offers a uniq...

Bringing home a new baby changes just about everything—including your finances. In this episode of Make It Make Cents, Michelle Cropley and financial advisor Michael Bradley discuss the financial decisions that often come with a growing family and how parents can build a strong foundation for the years ahead.  They cover: ●    Why life insurance should be one of the first financial priorities for...

When it comes to investing, young people have one advantage that no one can buy: time.  In this episode of Make It Make Cents, Michelle Cropley and financial advisor Brendan Hayes discuss the different ways parents, grandparents, and guardians can help children and young adults begin building wealth—and why starting early can make such a dramatic difference over time.  They cover: ●    Why investi...

Most people focus on growing their wealth—but one unexpected event can derail years of financial progress. In this episode of Make It Make Cents, Michelle Cropley and financial advisor Scott Wilson discuss the often-overlooked side of financial planning: protecting your income, assets, and family from life's biggest financial risks. They cover: ●    Why income protection may be more important than...

Most people claim Social Security at age 62—but that decision could reduce your lifetime benefits by far more than you realize. In this episode of Make It Make Cents, Michelle Cropley and financial advisor Cash Armstrong break down the biggest factors to consider before deciding when to claim Social Security—and why fear often leads people to make costly mistakes. They cover: ●    How Social Secur...

Cash feels safe—but holding too much of it could quietly cost you over time. In this episode of Make It Make Cents, Michelle Cropley and financial advisor Paul Lane explore the role cash should play in a financial plan, the emotional comfort it provides, and the risks investors often overlook. They cover: ●    Why cash isn’t as risk-free as many people assume ●    The impact of inflation and lost...

Your financial priorities should change as you move through different stages of life—but many people never adjust their strategy. In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Michelle Cropley and financial advisor Michael Bradley break down the key financial goals and mistakes to watch for in every decade leading up to retirement. They cover: ●    What people in their 30s should prioritize beyond just s...

Most financial planning mistakes don’t show up until it’s too late—after someone passes away. In this episode of Make It Make Cents , Michele Cropley and financial advisor Brendan Hayes break down the most common (and costly) planning mistakes families make—and how to avoid them before they create real problems. They cover: ●      Why account ownership and titling matter more than most people real...

Just filed your taxes? That might be the most important time to start planning for next year. In this episode of Make It Make Cents , Michele Cropley and financial advisor Scott Wilson explain why tax planning shouldn’t happen once a year—and how small decisions now can lead to better outcomes later.    They cover: ●      The difference between tax preparation vs. tax planning ●      Why reviewing...

Ever get a raise—and still feel like you’re not getting ahead? In this episode of Make It Make Cents , Michele Cropley and financial advisor Cash Armstrong break down the hidden psychology behind spending—and why earning more doesn’t always translate into building wealth. They cover: ●        The psychology behind stress spending, retail therapy, and dopamine triggers ●        How anchoring and su...

Life insurance is often seen as a must-have—but do you actually need it? In this episode of Make It Make Cents , Michelle Cropley is joined by financial advisor Paul Lane to break down the role of life insurance in a financial plan—and how to decide what’s right for you. They cover: ●      The key differences between term life and whole life insurance ●      How universal and variable life policie...

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home—it’s one of the best times to reset your finances. In this episode of Make It Make Cents , Michele Cropley and Michael Bradley walk through a practical financial checklist to help you stay organized, avoid costly mistakes, and make smarter decisions throughout the year. Also covered: ●      Why outdated beneficiaries can override your will ●      How to rev...

Stock compensation can be a powerful wealth-building tool—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood parts of your paycheck. In this episode of Make It Make Cents, Michele Cropley sits down with financial advisor Paul Lane to break down how stock compensation actually works—and how to make smarter decisions around it. They cover: ●    The key differences between stock options, RSUs, and ESPPs ●  ...

What does retirement look like when you’re going it alone—and what does it cost ? In this episode of Make It Make Cents , Michele Cropley is joined by financial advisor Scott Wilson to break down the growing trend of “solo agers”—retirees navigating life without a spouse, partner, or built-in support system. With nearly 30% of older adults living alone—and even higher percentages among women over...

In this episode of Make It Make Cents (powered by Armstrong Advisory Group), Michele Cropley is joined by financial advisor Brendan Hayes to explore one of the biggest life decisions many people face: should I retire? They examine retirement from multiple angles — financial, strategic, and emotional — and explain why the answer isn’t always as straightforward as “can I afford it?” They discuss:  ·...

In this episode of Make It Make Cents (powered by Armstrong Advisory Group), Michele Cropley is joined by financial advisor Paul Lane to discuss estate planning — and why it’s important at every stage of life. They begin with the basics for newly married couples and young families, covering foundational documents like wills, durable powers of attorney, and healthcare proxies. Paul explains why est...

In this episode of Make It Make Cents (powered by Armstrong Advisory Group), Michele Cropley is joineIn this episode of Make It Make Cents (powered by Armstrong Advisory Group), Michelle Cropley is joined by financial advisor Michael Bradley to discuss one of the most important — and often overlooked — foundations of financial stability: the emergency fund. They explain what qualifies as a true em...

In this episode of Make It Make Cents (powered by Armstrong Advisory Group), Michele Cropley is joined by financial advisor Cash Armstrong to discuss how travelers can avoid hidden fees and protect their money while abroad. From surprise ATM charges to rental car insurance confusion, Michelle and Cash walk through the financial traps that can quietly drain your travel budget — and the practical to...

Making Sense of Retirement Income Planning In this episode of Make It Make Cents (powered by Armstrong Advisory Group), Michele Cropley is joined by financial advisor Scott Wilson to explore retirement withdrawal strategies — including the well-known 4% rule and flexible withdrawal approaches. They discuss:  · What the 4% rule is and where it originated  · Why it remains popular — and its key limi...

On this episode of Make It Make Cents , Michele Cropley is joined by financial advisor Brendan Hayes to explore the emotional and behavioral side of personal finance, and how our relationship with money shapes everyday decisions. In this episode, you’ll learn: ●      How early experiences influence spending and saving habits ●      Why money should be viewed as a tool—not an identity ●      Common...

Building wealth isn’t just about math—it’s also about behavior. In this episode of Make It Make Cents, Michelle Cropley and Cash Armstrong explore how strong financial foundations and self-awareness go hand in hand. Topics include: ●    Emergency savings as a financial shock absorber ●    Consumer debt ratios and why 20% is a critical threshold ●    Housing cost guidelines and total debt-to-income...

Scams are on the rise—and they’re designed to trigger urgency, fear, and emotional decision-making. In this episode of Make It Make Cents (powered by Armstrong Advisory Group), Michele Cropley and Michael Bradley walk through the most common financial scams and the smartest ways to protect your money. Topics include: ●      Why “smart people” still fall for scams (urgency + emotion + secrecy) ●   ...

In this episode of Make It Make Cents (powered by Armstrong Advisory Group), Michele Cropley is joined by financial advisor Scott Wilson to discuss two important financial topics: navigating inherited investment accounts and setting meaningful financial goals for the year ahead. They begin by exploring what to do when you inherit an investment account — including why most decisions aren’t urgent a...

In this episode of Make It Make Sense (powered by Armstrong Advisory Group), Michele Cropley and Paul Lane cover two foundational topics: what a financial advisor does and why asset allocation matters . ●      How advisors help organize accounts, liabilities, income streams, and goals ●      Planning topics by life stage (college planning, insurance, retirement, Social Security, tax buckets) ●    ...

Are you saving enough to retire—or working longer than you really need to? In this episode of Make It Make Cents (powered by Armstrong Advisory Group), Michele Cropley and Brendan Hayes unpack the realities of early retirement planning and how to calculate the amount you actually need to retire with confidence. Topics include: ●      What “early retirement” really means vs. simply not working long...