Money Wisdom

At some point, managing your finances becomes less about picking investments and more about making important life decisions with confidence. Today, Nick and Eric discuss how to recognize when you're approaching a financial crossroads and why having a clear plan can help you move forward with greater certainty. Whether retirement is years away or right around the corner, knowing when to seek guidan...

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are one of the most misunderstood—and potentially costly—parts of retirement planning. Nick and Eric break down exactly what RMDs are and why they can have a significant impact on your taxes, Social Security benefits, Medicare premiums, and overall retirement strategy. They also discuss common mistakes retirees make and how strategies like Qualified Charitable...

Many retirees assume they've missed their chance to take advantage of Roth conversions, but the reality is that age 65 may be one of the best times to start the conversation. Today, Nick and Eric explain how Roth conversions work and how strategic conversions may help reduce overall tax exposure. Roth conversions may not be beneficial for everyone, but every retiree deserves to explore whether thi...

There's no shortage of retirement advice out there, but not all of it is accurate. In fact, some of the most common beliefs about retirement can quietly derail your plan if you take them at face value. In this episode, Nick reveals five of the biggest retirement myths and explains what actually matters when it comes to planning for your future. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 🎯 Magic Numb...

In this episode, Nick and Eric break down what it really means to plan for retirement as a single. They discuss the unique challenges that come with being single, from financial decision-making to long-term care and income planning. The conversation highlights why being proactive is critical when there's no partner to share responsibilities. It's a thoughtful look at how to build confidence and cl...

College costs aren't getting cheaper, which has more families asking whether a 529 plan is the right way to save for education. Nick and Eric break down how these accounts work, why they've become more flexible in recent years, and what parents and grandparents should think about before opening one. Before you decide how to save for education, it's important to understand how these decisions have...

In this episode, Alex Karaban, forward for the UConn Huskies, joins host Joel Johnson, CFP® to talk about the mindset behind high-level performance and learning to handle setbacks as he prepares for the 2026 NBA Draft. Alex shares how his upbringing, work ethic, and mindset have shaped his journey from late-blooming hooper to championship-level player. They explore the discipline, pressure, and gr...

More than half of Americans are missing a critical step in their retirement plan, and it has nothing to do with investments or savings. Despite knowing it's important, many people delay or avoid putting the right protections in place for their families. Nick walks through the essential estate planning documents you need, what happens if you don't have them, and how proper planning can protect your...

A pension buyout might be one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make, and once it's done, there's no going back. Today, Nick talks through how to think about this choice in a way that fits your bigger financial picture. It's not just about numbers—it's about control, flexibility, and what you want your retirement to look like. The right answer depends entirely on your goals.   Here's...

Tax season may be over, but the smartest planning starts now. Nick walks through simple, proactive steps you can take today to avoid stress, surprises, and missed opportunities next year. He focuses on how to approach the year ahead with intention so you're not reacting when deadlines hit again. A little planning now can make a big difference later.   Here's what we discuss in this episode: 💰 Max...

It's a simple question with a surprisingly complex answer: how often should you actually check your investment portfolio? For many investors, it becomes a habit, sometimes daily, sometimes even hourly. But that constant monitoring can create more harm than good, leading to emotional decisions that derail long-term results. Nick and Jake elaborate on the real dangers of checking your portfolio too...

Financial decisions don't exist in a vacuum, and the cost of getting them wrong can quietly add up over time. Studies show that a lack of financial knowledge costs the average adult hundreds of dollars each year, often through missed tax opportunities, poor allocation decisions, or simply not understanding how different pieces of a plan work together. Today, Jake and Nick break down five practical...

If you're nearing retirement with a solid nest egg, the next big question isn't how much you've saved, it's how much you'll actually keep. In this episode, Nick answers a listener question from a 62-year-old with $800,000 saved who wants to know how to lower taxes in retirement. It's a scenario many people face, and the decisions made in these final working years can have a major impact on long-te...

It sounds unbelievable, but millions of Americans have lost track of old retirement accounts, and the total adds up to over a trillion dollars. If you've changed jobs over the years, there's a real chance money could still be sitting with a former employer. In this episode, Nick walks through how to recover these lost accounts, because nothing feels better than "found money" especially when it's y...

To celebrate Women's Day, Nick is joined by his colleague and financial advisor Jen Killilea to explore why women investors often outperform men, drawing on insights from a major Fidelity study. They highlight the behavioral advantages many women bring to investing and why those traits can lead to stronger long-term results. You'll also hear about the unique financial challenges women face, from l...

Social Security might be one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make, and it's rarely as simple as "take it early" or "wait until 70." Nick is joined by Eric Hogarth, CFPⓇ  and senior partner at Johnson Brunetti, to walk through how filing decisions affect income, taxes, and long-term retirement confidence. With hundreds of potential filing combinations and real consequences for spouse...

If you're thinking about retiring before 59½, you've probably assumed your 401(k) is locked up. Not always. Nick unpacks the Rule of 55, a lesser-known provision that can allow penalty-free withdrawals from certain employer retirement plans starting at age 55. But like most tax rules, the opportunity comes with caveats. Used correctly, the Rule of 55 can create flexibility. Used carelessly, it can...

New year. New goals. Same money habits? In this episode, Nick is joined by special guest Eric Hogarth, senior partner and CFP®, to talk about five financial habits that can quietly derail retirement, especially during the transition from saving to spending. The strategies that helped you build wealth during your working years don't always serve you the same way once the paychecks stop. Suddenly, r...

Olympic athletes don't rely on talent alone. They prepare, adjust, and stay disciplined long before the moment arrives. In this episode, Nick and Jake use the Olympics as a lens to talk about what real retirement preparation looks like. The conversation centers on setting clear targets, staying consistent, and managing emotions when conditions change. It's a practical reminder that confidence in r...

Love is in the air, and so is smart retirement planning. In this Valentine's Day edition, Nick and Jake show you how to move from a "day‑to‑day fling" with your finances to a long‑term, committed retirement plan by really knowing your numbers and your income needs. They break down how to balance safety, income, and growth so you can enjoy life now while still being prepared for curveballs like hea...

Unlock the secrets most retirees wish they'd known about taxes before leaving the workforce. This episode cuts through the confusion and dives into smart, proactive tax planning for your retirement years. Join Jake and Nick for essential strategies and eye-opening insights that could safeguard your nest egg. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 📊 Survey Insights – Why retirees underestimated t...

AI can answer questions instantly, but should it be trusted with your financial future? Dive into today's episode as Jake and Nick tackle whether AI can truly replace human financial advisors. You'll hear the real risks, and hidden potential when using AI for money decisions. Tune in and learn what to ask before trusting your finances to technology! Here's what we discuss in this episode: 🤖 AI in...

How has retirement changed over the last decade, and why does it matter now? If you're planning for retirement the same way people did ten years ago, you may be relying on assumptions that no longer apply. In this episode, Nick and Jake discuss how retirement planning has fundamentally shifted over the past decade and what those changes could mean for your financial future. Here's what we discuss...

Every January, people focus on getting back in shape, but what about their finances? In this episode, Nick and Jake walk through six practical steps to improving your financial fitness as retirement approaches. The conversation reframes what it really means to be "financially fit" and offers tips on a clear path forward. Tune in if you're looking for a smarter reset and a more confident way to sta...

Turning 59½ opens the door to a set of retirement decisions many people don't realize they have. In this episode, Nick is joined by Eric Hogarth, Senior Partner Johnson Brunetti, to discuss why 59½ is a major planning milestone and what options become available for your 401(k). If you're approaching 59½ and want more control, flexibility, and clarity around your retirement savings, this conversati...