Trust the Plan Podcast with Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP®

Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management discuss the repercussions we are still experiencing from the policies that were set in place during the height of the Coronavirus. This includes seeing businesses in the area still vacant three years after the businesses were shutdown.  Listen to our podcast or watch our video to learn more.  — Peak Wealth Management is a financial p...

Nick Hopwood, CFP® is joined by James Reid, one of Michigan's best-known and most accomplished labor attorneys. James counsels business owners, entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, in-house counsel, and human resources directors to make strategic business decisions. In this episode, he talks about how he's continued to grow his law firm to how he's found the sport of cycling to support his successes...

Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® share their annual State of the Union Address where they recap highlights of Peak Wealth Management. From rolling out new financial programs to the expansion of the Peak team, learn about all that has been going on at Peak HQ.  — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and gu...

Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management is joined by Frank and Hillary Sanchez, owners/operators of a Little Caesars Franchise. In this episode, Frank and Hillary share their entrepreneurial journey — and how it led them to find success in the franchise world. The couple share beneficial tips and advice for someone interested in getting involved in owning their own business. This is an episod...

Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management talk about an article they read on MarketWatch- with the focus on GoFundMe campaigns created to help older Walmart employees retire. It is being said to be a "failure of our retirement system," according to financial analysts. Nick and Jim discuss their thoughts on GoFundMe financed retirement. — Peak Wealth Management is a financial...

As a recent college graduate, Preston Gee of Peak Wealth Management is sharing his financial goals with us on the Trust the Plan Podcast. Preston joins Nick Hopwood, CFP® to talk finances on everything from his upcoming August wedding to how he's paying off his student loans — and so much more! This is an excellent episode for college students and recent graduates — If you have a child or grandchi...

Families can make a tax-free rollover from 529 plans to Roth Individual retirement accounts starting in 2024. In this episode, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Preston Gee, Peak wealth advisor, discuss the provision that has been included in the $1.7 trillion government funding package that lets savers roll the money free of income tax or tax penalties.  — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and...

Nick Hopwood, CFP® is joined by Larry McDonald for this special episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast. Larry McDonald is currently a keynote speaker, founder of The Bear Traps Report Investment Newsletter and partner at ACG Analytics. He's also a financial consultant, global lecture speaker, and New York Times bestselling author of the book A Colossal Failure of Common Sense. — Peak Wealth Managem...

In this episode, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat,CFP® of Peak Wealth Management discuss the U.S. economy — from inflation to interest and a possible recession. Gain knowledge and insight from this financial powerhouse duo.  — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make gre...

In this episode, it is now Jim Pilat, CFP®'s turn to dive deeper into the financial plan his family has for 2023. Gain an insight into his thoughts on the importance of disability coverage, how to teach kids to be smart with their own finances, and why we need to plan ahead for college.  — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by prov...

Join Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management for this special annual episode. Nick digs deeper into the plans his family has when it comes to their financial goals for the new year. From shifting his mindset on debt to maxing out Roths and more- This is an episode you have to listen to as you start off 2023!  — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth mana...

In this episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® discuss a case study where the person was seeking a second opinion on retirement. Learn more about why it is beneficial to get a full, balanced analysis so you have peace of mind in retirement decision making.  — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe...

Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management discuss the money people are losing when social security benefits are taken too early — and what you need to consider when making the decision to claim your SS in retirement.  — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our cli...

Fees are eating away at Americans' retirement savings. According to a recent study , 40% of 401(k) plan participants don't understand the fees they are paying and 41% don't even think they're paying any fees at all.  In this episode, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management dive in on what you can expect when it comes to 401(k) fees. — Peak Wealth Management is a financial...

Join Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management as they share "the biggest no-brainer in the history of the world for real" AKA money markets! Nick and Jim encourage listeners to take advantage of the raising interest rates when it comes to money markets. No more lazy money in 2023! Grab a pen and paper because you'll want to take notes during this podcast.  — Peak Wealth Man...

Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management discuss a recent article talking about a person who makes $350K a year - and yet is still living paycheck to paycheck. Bad money habits and living cash rich, house poor are contributing factors to the position they are in. Nick and Jim share their insight on what needs to be done in order for this person to take hold of their finance...

In this episode, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management talk about how you can take advantage of the Airbnb process to generate extra income. Grab a notebook and pen because this episode is loaded with takeaways!  — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clie...

In this episode, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management talk about the contribution limit and social security increases coming in 2023. Learn more about what this means for your 401K, IRA, and more.  — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make gr...

'Tis the season for open enrollment - From health and life insurance to HSA's, it is a good time to evaluate what your current coverage plan is - to see if it is in need of tweaking. In this episode, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management talk about what you need to consider when selecting these plans.  — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth managemen...

Too often we see people have large balances in accounts with low bank rates - In this episode, we are encouraging you to have your money work for you! We shouldn't leave our money sitting in an account doing nothing. Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® discuss the topic of bank rates and how money markets work.  As a bonus, you'll hear Nick and Jim recap the Michigan vs. Michigan State Football...

In this episode, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management discuss treating college as a business decision. In a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, it talked about which major tends to have the most people regret their college field of choice - and how it is frequently tied to lower income positions. — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth managem...

In a recent survey , it highlighted the percentage of people in different generations who believe whether or not they'll collect Social Security in retirement. Millennials are convinced Social Security will vanish by the time they retire. The reality is less dire—but big changes are looming. Join Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management as they share their insight on this t...

Join Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management as they dive in on the hot topic of retiring in a down market. Learn more about how to pivot during times of uncertainty. — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire W...

In a recent study, 38% of people said they have a mortgage payment to take care of after they've retired. In this episode, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management discuss the importance of paying it off as soon as possible to open up more cash flow. Learn tips and gain insight from this financial powerhouse duo!    — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealt...

Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management join together this week to dive in on what the phrase "trust the plan" means - as it is said frequently during meetings with clients who are seeking to retire confidently. Learn more about what it means to build an investment foundation with a team you trust. — Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm...