Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor (and Lawyer!)

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison discuss the new Trump Accounts and what families should understand before opening or funding one. They cover who may qualify for the federal $1,000 seed contribution, how the accounts work, contribution limits, employer and grandparent contributions, investment restrictions, tax treatment, recordkeeping concerns, and how Trump...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison unpack three recent Wall Street Journal articles that raise timely questions about stocks, bonds, and cash. They discuss why the equity risk premium has narrowed, what higher bond yields may mean for investors, and why holding too much cash can quietly erode purchasing power over time. Mike explains how investors can think bey...

Send us Fan Mail What really happens when someone suddenly comes into a large amount of money? In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison unpack the emotional, psychological, and financial realities that follow inheritances, business sales, bonuses, and other major windfalls. From lifestyle creep and family pressure to “sudden wealth syndrome” and analysis paralysis, they explore the p...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison take a closer look at one of the biggest questions in retirement planning: should you save in a traditional retirement account, a Roth account, or both? Inspired by a recent Wall Street Journal article, they unpack the popular “50/50 split” strategy and explain why the right answer depends far more on your personal tax situati...

Send us Fan Mail Graduation is often seen as a finish line, but financially, it’s really a turning point. In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison explore what happens when college tuition payments end and a significant amount of cash flow is suddenly freed up. Without a plan, that money can quickly disappear into lifestyle spending or ongoing support for adult children—something mor...

Send us Fan Mail Are you still using rules like “100 minus your age” to guide your investments? In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison unpack a Wall Street Journal article featuring a Yale professor’s new approach to portfolio allocation. Instead of focusing on age alone, this framework considers your full financial picture—income, savings, future earnings, and risk tolerance.  Mik...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison are joined by financial advisor Maureen Donahue to tackle a challenge many families face: how to teach teens and young adults to make smart money decisions before the stakes are high. Through real client stories and practical strategies, they explore why financial lessons stick best when kids experience real-world consequences...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison break down the often confusing world of credit scores—why they can drop even when you’re making smart financial moves, and why they matter more than most people realize. Drawing on a Wall Street Journal article and Mike’s real-life mortgage experience, they explain how credit scores measure risk, not success. They explore why...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer , Mike and Madison discuss three key numbers shaping the financial future of women: 45, 5, and 59. Women are projected to control 45% of investable assets by 2030, live about five years longer than men, and often face major financial transitions such as widowhood earlier than many expect....

Send us Fan Mail Many investors assume that owning the S&P 500 means they’re fully diversified. But in today’s market, that may not be true. In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison discuss growing concentration in the U.S. stock market and why broad index funds may carry more risk than investors realize. With a small group of mega-cap companies driving a large portion of returns...

Send us Fan Mail Taxes are often treated as a once-a-year obligation, but they play a much bigger role in your overall financial life. In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison explore the difference between tax preparation and tax strategy—and why planning ahead can make a meaningful impact over time. They discuss how a year-round, coordinated approach to taxes can help shape future...

Send us Fan Mail As we head into 2026, what lessons can we take from a year of major change? In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison break down the biggest developments of 2025 and what they mean for planning ahead. The discussion focuses on the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA), including permanent tax law changes, higher standard deductions, new benefits for seniors, expanded SALT ca...

Send us Fan Mail Most people think financial advice is something you do once — get a plan, make a few changes, and move on. In reality, that mindset can cost you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. In this episode, Mike and Madison unpack why ongoing financial planning matters far more than people realize. They dive into the hidden tax mistakes even smart retirees make, how wi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison sit down to unpack the world of stock market pundits, the personalities who make sweeping predictions that often grab headlines but rarely stand the test of time. From Jospeh Granville’s market-moving calls to Michael Burry’s dramatic warnings, Madison and Mike explore why bold voices attract so much attention, why even the mo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison unpack the major retirement plan updates arriving in 2026. They break down new 401(k) contribution limits, expanded catch-up opportunities, and the significant shift to Roth-only catch-up contributions for higher earners. They explain who will be most affected, how these changes could impact taxes and take-home pay, and what s...

Send us Fan Mail As the year draws to a close, charitable giving surges — and with thoughtful planning, those gifts can become even more meaningful. In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison explore how to make your generosity truly count, both for the causes you care about and for your long-term financial plan. They discuss why December is such a powerful month for charitable contrib...

Send us Fan Mail Caring for aging parents is one of the most emotional, and financially complex, challenges many families will face. In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Mike and Madison dive into the realities of caregiving, what it looks like, why it’s becoming more common, and how families can prepare before it becomes a crisis. They discuss the growing prevalence of caregiving in America, the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers, Mike and Madison break down a costly estate planning mistake that led one family to pay $1.5 million in unnecessary taxes. Using a recent Wall Street Journal case as an example, they explain how filing errors and missed portability elections can erase major tax benefits for heirs. Tune in to learn how to avoid these common estate tax pitfalls,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer , Mike and Madison dive into one of the most common financial questions: Should I pay off my mortgage early ? They break down the advantages and disadvantages of paying down your mortgage ahead of schedule. From interest savings and peace of mind to opportunity costs and tax consideration...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer , Mike and Madison unpack Jason Zweig’s Wall Street Journal article, “ Colleges Fail This Basic Test .” They explore how some of the nation’s wealthiest universities, with billions in endowments, still find themselves scrambling for cash during downturns. Mike explains why liquidity is es...

Send us Fan Mail Millennials are entering midlife with more wealth than previous generations at the same age, yet many remain anxious about their financial futures. In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer, Madison and Mike sit down with Maureen to unpack what’s driving this paradox. They explore how economic challenges shaped millennials’ money...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers: Honest Conversations with a Financial Advisor and Lawyer , Madison and Mike break down the sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a new tax law signed into effect in July. At 887 pages, this legislation makes several provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent while introducing new deductions, exemptions, and planning opportunit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers, Madison and Mike explore how our personal financial memories, whether shaped by market crashes, bull runs, or housing booms, can cloud judgment and influence investing decisions. Inspired by Jason Zweig’s Wall Street Journal article, they unpack the dangers of recency bias, the evolving role of cash in portfolios, and the importance of balancin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Just Numbers , Madison and Mike break down the upcoming 2025 changes to inherited IRA rules, and why beneficiaries and financial planners alike need to pay close attention. They discuss how the SECURE Act has already reshaped the way IRAs are passed on and what’s coming next as the IRS begins enforcing the 10-year distribution rule more strictly. Mike explai...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Madison and Mike break down “Mailed, Stolen, and Cashed,” a New York Times article by Ron Lieber that uncovers a disturbing trend: checks being stolen from the mail, altered, and cashed. Mike shares insight into the systemic issues that make this possible, how consumers are being left in the dark, and what to do if it happens to you. From financial literacy to ins...