Mondays With Matt Podcast

Dave Ramsey has built one of the most recognized brands in personal finance. Millions of people have followed his advice out of debt and into savings. But when it comes to how much you should pull from your retirement accounts each year, Ramsey takes a position that some financial professionals find hard to get behind. Today we're breaking it down: what he says, what the research says, and what yo...

It's summer — and nothing says summer quite like Tom Cruise as Maverick soaring across the sky in Top Gun. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the original film, and with Tom Cruise's birthday on July 3rd, we figured it was the perfect excuse to revisit some of the most iconic quotes from the franchise and see what they have to say about your financial life.   Contact: Great Lakes Retirement W...

SpaceX. OpenAI. These and other names have been dominating the headlines. The IPO market is heating up and clients are asking questions. Today we're keeping it simple. What do retirees and pre-retirees need to understand about IPOs before they get caught up in the excitement?   Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

If you want unfiltered financial advice, don’t just read a book — scroll the comments. Spend five minutes on Reddit or YouTube, and you’ll find people being brutally honest about what they wish they had done differently with money. Today, we’re pulling from some of those real conversations and breaking down the lessons behind them. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesret...

For most people, financial planning isn't really about spreadsheets or market returns. It's about the people you love. It's about making sure that if something happens (expected or not), the people who depend on you are taken care of. Today we're talking about what it looks like to provide financial protection for your family.   Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretire...

We got a great question from a listener: "My investments didn't do as well in the last 12 months as the overall market has done. Should I be re-evaluating my advisor based on this lack of performance?" It’s a question a lot of people ask at some point in their investing lives. Let’s break it down on today’s episode. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions...

Most retirement conversations are about saving enough. Today we're talking about the other side of that. What happens when you've saved, you're there, and you still can't bring yourself to spend it. It's more common than people admit. And it can quietly rob you of the retirement you worked so hard to build.   Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ C...

This week on Mondays with Matt, listener questions take center stage as Matt tackles what to do with extra cash flow after paying off a mortgage and how to put that money to work. He also breaks down the tax implications of inheriting an IRA, including the 10-year withdrawal rule and strategies to help minimize the tax hit. Tune in and see what you can learn today!   Contact: Great Lakes Retiremen...

Nobody likes tax season. But for new retirees, it can come with a few unwelcome surprises. The rules have changed, the income sources have shifted, and strategies that made sense during your working years may no longer apply. Today we're looking at some of the biggest tax mistakes retirees make as discussed in a recent Kiplinger article and whether these match what we see in the real world.   Cont...

Financial media loves simple answers: always do this or never do that. But real financial planning doesn’t work that way. Most of the biggest decisions people face in retirement live in the gray.   Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Everyone’s got an opinion about money (especially the people with a book deal or a TV show). Some of that advice is useful. Some of it sounds better on a stage than it works in real life. Let’s break it down.   Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

One of the most important retirement decisions doesn’t show up on your paycheck. It shows up in how your contributions are taxed. That’s exactly what prompted a question we recently received… Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

After a year marked by volatility, uncertainty, and more than a few economic curveballs, it’s understandable if optimism doesn’t come easily. But at least one economist is arguing that the outlook for 2026 may be brighter than many people expect. Allison Schrager's Article: https://www.fa-mag.com/news/five-reasons-to-be-optimistic-about-the-2026-economy-85324.html?section=68   Contact: Great Lakes...

Turning 62 might not feel like a milestone birthday… until you realize the Social Security clock just started ticking. Filing now could put money in your pocket sooner or cost you tens of thousands over a lifetime. How do you pick the right strategy? Let’s break down how to think through one of the biggest retirement decisions you’ll ever make. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www....

You’ve heard of Baby’s First Christmas, but what about Retiree’s First Christmas? Your first holiday season after leaving the workforce is a milestone all its own. The schedule, the spending, the traditions… everything feels a little different. On this episode, we’ll talk about what to expect and how to navigate the differences this year and beyond. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http:/...

You’ve heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a bad question.” But in retirement planning… some questions are definitely better than others. The way you frame your question often determines the quality of your answer and, in some cases, the quality of your retirement. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Most people think financial planning is about calculators, spreadsheets, and strategies. But that’s only half the story. The truth is, your feelings about money can have just as much impact on your retirement as the numbers do. Today, we’re exploring the emotional side of planning.   Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Some people believe having two financial advisors means double the wisdom. But does it really equal double the problems? Today, we’ll tackle a person’s question about this very dilemma. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

October is known for cooler weather, pumpkins, and Halloween. But did you know it’s also Financial Planning Month? While it might not come with costumes or candy, it’s a perfect reminder to pause, take stock, and be intentional with your money. Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Today’s listener question gets right to the heart of retirement planning: how much is enough? They’ve saved a lot, but not quite what they hoped. So can they still retire comfortably, or is that magic number just out of reach? Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Well, you’re retired. Now what? Some people subscribe to the “first year rule” which says that the majority of your best retirement months will all take place in the first year of retirement. So how can you be strategic during that first year and set the tone in the right way, both emotionally and financially? Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/...

Inflation may not be in the headlines like it was in 2022, but for most Americans, it’s still public enemy number one when it comes to saving for retirement. A new Schwab survey reveals just how many people still feel unprepared and how that affects their confidence in their financial future. Schwab Survey: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2025/07/29/inflation-retirement-saving...

The kids may be heading back to class, but it’s not a bad time for adults to hit the books too, especially when it comes to retirement. So, let’s test your knowledge with a quick financial pop quiz and see how ready you really are.   Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/ Call: 989-401-2949

Just because something used to be true doesn’t mean it still is, especially in retirement planning. In 2025, rising interest rates, tax uncertainty, and longer retirements mean it’s time to rethink some of the old advice. These seven assumptions sound smart at first… but they could quietly hurt your plan if you’re not careful.   Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakesretire...

A new tax bill has officially passed (you’ve probably heard it mentioned as the “Big Beautiful Bill”). And while most headlines are focused on politics, we’re focused on what it means for your retirement. The choices you make in the next year or two could have a significant impact on how much you keep and how much goes to Uncle Sam.   Contact: Great Lakes Retirement Website:  http://www.greatlakes...