See The Forest Through the Trees

Is Trump really offering $1,000 for every child through a new MAGA Account? In this video, Certified Financial Planner Colin Exelby breaks down what the MAGA Account actually is, how it works, and whether it’s a smart move for your child’s financial future. From federal contributions and compounding investment growth to the pros and cons of contributing your own money, Colin compares it to 529 pla...

Colin Exelby, CFP® Dives Deep into the JP Morgan study breaking down 3 shocking spending surprises. Are you still planning your retirement with outdated advice? This video breaks down groundbreaking research from JP Morgan that analyzed over 5 million Chase households and revealed how real retiree spending patterns differ dramatically from what most financial planners still use. From the “retireme...

Colin Exelby, CFP® Explains Trumps new "Big Beautiful Bill" and how it will impact you. In this video, we dive deep into President Trump’s newly introduced "Big Beautiful Bill" — a sweeping tax proposal with major implications for nearly every American. From making tips and overtime tax-free, to boosting the standard deduction, expanding the child tax credit, and reviving 2017’s tax cuts, this bil...

Colin Exelby, CFP® Explains Strategies to access your retirement accounts in the right order. How you access your nest egg can significantly impact how long your savings last and how much you pay in taxes. It’s not just about saving for retirement, but about strategically pulling from the right accounts at the right time. Let’s make sure you’re not leaving money on the table. #RetirementPlanning #...

Is working one more year really worth it? In this video, I break down a real-world retirement scenario of Marcus and Sophia—both 67 and financially prepared to retire, yet tempted to delay for more security. On paper, working another year boosts their success rate dramatically. But what about their health, dreams, and time? We explore how delaying retirement can cost more than money—and why health...

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains the reason why retiring at 65 may be a huge mistake Most people plan to retire at 65—but what if that’s too late? In this video, I explain why healthy life expectancy—not just how long you live, but how long you stay active and mobile—is the real factor that could make or break your retirement. I’ll break down what the data actually shows, why the U.S. ra...

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains the most common RMD mistake 84% of people might be making—taking only the minimum withdrawal—why it's happening, and how it could quietly cost you thousands in taxes and missed opportunities. You'll learn how RMDs are calculated, the tax implications of growing account balances, and when it might make sense to take more than the minimum. We also cover tax...

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® breaks down Trump's plan for eliminating taxes on Social Security. Nearly 40% of retirees pay taxes on their benefits, despite contributing 12.4% of their income for years. Now, Trump is proposing to eliminate these taxes—potentially the biggest Social Security change in 40 years. But can America afford it? Will it actually happen? #SocialSecurity #Retirement #Tru...

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® breaks down how social security is taxed and he provides three specific examples of social security taxation in retirement. Want to know if your Social Security benefits will be taxed? In this video, I break down the government's complex formula that determines how much—if any—of your Social Security is taxable. While some retirees pay taxes on up to 85% of their...

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® breaks down Elon Musk’s shocking claim about 20 million active Social Security numbers belonging to people over 100 years old. Is this a lie? If he is correct, it could be a huge deal for the solvency of the Social Security System. Join me and uncover whether this is a massive fraud, if there are millions of payments to 150 year old dead people and if there is tru...

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains the financial struggles facing Gen X also called "the sandwich generation" and shares actionable strategies to overcome them. Gen X is in financial trouble, and many won’t realize it until it’s too late. With the oldest Gen Xers turning 60, major retirement decisions are looming, yet many are vastly underprepared. This generation faces unique challenges—f...

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains the new 2025 IRS Tax Bracket Changes and how they'll impact you. The 2025 tax season is here, and there are some key changes you need to know! In this video, we break down updates to the standard deduction, income and capital gains tax brackets, the net investment income tax, and Medicare premium surcharges. Plus, I’ll share smart strategies to lower your...

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® breaks down a key segment from Dave Ramsey's discussion on the best time to collect Social Security. With over 24 years of experience as a financial advisor, I’ve seen firsthand that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Together, we’ll analyze the pros and cons of filing early, the impact of income limits, potential tax consequences, and whether investing early be...

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP® explains 5 things you need to know before opening up a High Yield Savings Account. In this video, I’m sharing 5 lessons I learned with my first HYSA so you don't have the same surprises. #PersonalFinance #HighYieldSavings #MoneyTips #FinancialFreedom #SavingsAccount #WealthBuilding #InvestSmart #MoneyManagement #FinanceTips #Savings 00:00-Introduction 01:00-The in...

Navigating Social Security benefits can be complex, and this video breaks down key strategies for deciding when to file. Discover why the traditional break-even analysis is outdated, learn 7 compelling reasons to collect benefits early, and understand how personal circumstances like health, family dynamics, and financial markets can influence your optimal filing strategy. Whether you're approachin...

During his campaign, President Trump promised not to cut Social Security or Medicare benefits and proposed eliminating federal taxes on Social Security distributions—a move that could benefit millions of retirees. But how realistic is this plan, and what are the potential consequences? In this video, we’ll unpack the history of Social Security taxation, analyze the impact of Trump's proposal, and...

What if you could be leaving $250,000 on the table with ONE retirement decision? 🤔 In this video, we compare two retirees - Professor Pat and Nurse Nancy - to show how their different Social Security claiming strategies lead to drastically different outcomes in retirement. We break down: - The basics of how Social Security benefits are calculated - Why claiming Social Security at 62 vs 70 could m...

Retirement isn’t just about saving—it’s about learning to spend without fear. Many retirees struggle to use the wealth they’ve built, stuck in a “savings trap.” In this video, we’ll tackle why this happens and how to confidently enjoy your retirement. #RetirementPlanning #FinancialFreedom #WealthManagement #RetireSmart #MoneyMindset #SavingsTrap #RetirementGoals #FinancialPlanning #SpendWisely #re...

Ever found yourself working late and asking, ‘Why haven’t I retired yet?’ Retirement is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, and knowing when it’s time can be tough. From health concerns to reconnecting with family, and even deciding what your retirement could look like – there’s so much to consider. In this video, I’ll guide you through 6 essential questions to help you decide if you’re...

Thinking of retiring at 55? Leaving the 9-to-5 grind early is an incredible milestone, but it comes with unique challenges. Social Security benefits won’t kick in until at least age 62, which means you’ll need a solid plan to cover your living expenses in the interim. In this video, we’ll break down how retiring early affects your Social Security payments, explore strategies like the Rule of 55 an...

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP®, interviews Jamie Finn the co-founder and president of Securitize to explore how the Blockchain and tokenization allows additional access to private equity. Colin shows historical returns of private equity versus stocks, and explains how private equity works. Learn more about Securitize👇 ★☆★ https://securitize.io/ ★☆★ Are you curious where the next big companies...

When does it make sense to break up with your CPA? In this video, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, Colin Exelby and Matt Bralove, CPA, Zone Accounting in Maryland Discuss: •The proper mindset for tax planning •The signs to look for to know if you should be breaking up with your tax planner •How to search for a new tax planner •Why reviewing past tax returns is important for future tax pl...

Thanks For Watching - Elder Care Planning 101 | What Am I Missing? According to recent Census data, the oldest baby boomers will turn 76 next year. By 2030 all baby boomers will be at least age 65. 👴 Many of us are having to help our aging parents make both health and financial decisions. Planning for aging parents is becoming a larger and larger part of people’s wealth planning. 📝 Unfortunately...

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP®, explains the steps you should be taking when that paycheck hits your bank account. (Part 2) In part two of this series, we dive into steps 6 through 9, where Colin discusses how to maximize your retirement contributions and whether you should use a Roth 401(k) or a traditional 401(k). At what point should you acquire investment real estate? When should you save f...

In this video, Colin Exelby, CFP®, explains the ideal payday paycheck routine. As payday swiftly comes and goes, most people don't have a set payday routine, leaving many to wonder where their hard-earned money has vanished,. Today, we delve into the crucial steps every individual should take the moment their paycheck lands. This video aims to unravel the complexities of paycheck management. From...