Ultra Money Mindset with Mike Smith

Summer's here. And somewhere between the excitement of planning a big trip and the anxiety of what it costs, a lot of retirees end up doing something that surprises us… they feel guilty about it. They worked hard, they saved, they planned for decades, and then they second-guess a beach vacation. Today, let's talk about how travel fits into a real retirement plan and how to enjoy it witho...

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. Get in touch with Mike:...

We heard from a listener who has managed their own money for years and done well. So why would they need an advisor now that retirement is around the corner? Let's break it down... Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧 Email: msmith@legacybridgewealth.com

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. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com...

You've seen the headlines. The IMF says AI is hitting the labor market "like a tsunami." Elon Musk says work will be "optional" within 20 years. Sam Altman says superintelligence could outperform top executives. It's a lot. And if you're within ten years of retirement, it's hard not to lose a little sleep over the implications of it all. Today, we’ll try to...

Quick question before we get started... which Easter candy are you most looking forward to this year? Whatever your answer is, we're going to use it. Because today we're building a financial Easter basket and matching some of your favorite candies to the products and tools that belong in a solid retirement plan. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone...

When a parent passes away, emotions and finances tend to collide, especially when real estate is involved. One of the most common things that stalls families is fear of taxes, even when that fear isn’t fully understood. Today’s listener question is about an inherited home and hesitant siblings. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧 Email: m...

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. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧 Email: msmith@legacybridgewealth.com

Ramit Sethi, a Stanford grad who claims most money advice is outdated, wrote the book, “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” and hosted a Netflix show, “How to Get Rich.” Today, we’re putting that best-selling book under the microscope to see where popular money advice aligns with real-world financial planning. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧...

A new government-backed savings account for kids is coming. On the surface, it sounds like a win. Free money for newborns, long-term investing, and a head start on adulthood. But once you look under the hood, Trump Accounts raise some real questions about taxes, flexibility, and whether they beat existing options. Today, we’re walking through the pros and cons and asking if this new account is wor...

Before you rewatch White Christmas this season, remember that buried in the songs and snowstorms are some surprisingly good retirement lessons. Let’s pull a few gems from Bing Crosby and the gang. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧 Email: msmith@legacybridgewealth.com

How do you know if your financial advisor is a bad fit for you? What about an advisor that you’re thinking about working with? In today's episode, we'll talk about 5 potential red flags you might not want to ignore. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧 Email: msmith@legacybridgewealth.com

From the Macy’s parade to carving the turkey, Thanksgiving traditions can teach us a lot about what makes a great financial plan. Let’s match some of the most loved parts of the holiday with the money lessons they represent. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧 Email: msmith@legacybridgewealth.com

Getting married in your 50s often means you’re combining lives, but not necessarily combining finances. How do you build a retirement plan together when you’ve both already built your own? On this episode, we’ll answer a listener’s question about this topic. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧 Email: msmith@legacybridgewealth.com

What would you do if a client came in with $1 million in cash to invest? That was the question put to three financial advisors in a recent article . Today, we’re going to react to their takes, but also add an important layer: how the answers might change depending on your age… Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧 Email: msmith@legacybridge...

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. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧 Email: msmith@legacybridgewealth.com

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? Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-...

We all know there are things in life you probably shouldn’t trust — like gas station sushi or an email from a Nigerian prince. But the same principle applies in retirement planning. Sometimes what looks safe, easy, or even “guaranteed” isn’t so trustworthy when you peel back the layers. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧 Email: msmith@le...

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. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧 Email: msmith@legacybridgewealth.com

Most people don’t feel wealthy. But what if your day-to-day habits are quietly building serious financial strength? A recent article from Kiplinger outlined five surprising signs that you might be richer than you think. And none of them involve yachts or private jets… Let’s analyze the habits that signal real, lasting wealth and what to do if you are (or aren’t) on the right track. Get in touch wi...

Dave Ramsey is one of the most recognized voices in personal finance. His 9-step retirement plan is simple, direct, and built for mass appeal. But is it really the best path for your retirement? On today’s show, we’re digging into where we agree, where we diverge, and what’s missing from his approach entirely. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-...

Cue the mixtape of Nirvana, Madonna, and Prince… Gen X, it’s your turn to get ready for retirement. And the stakes are high. You were the first 401(k) generation, hit by two major market crashes, and now you’re entering retirement with more financial uncertainty than the Boomers before you. But you also have something else: resilience. If you're in between your mid-40s and early 60s, it’s tim...

The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision? Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/...

Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They’re now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice… or just the easiest one? Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483-0452 📧 Email: msmith@legacybridgewealth.com

Graduation season is an exciting milestone, not just for the grads, but for parents and grandparents who have supported them along the way. Today, we want to share practical ways you can help your graduate make smart financial decisions early, along with actions that could have a lasting impact on their future. Get in touch with Mike: 🌐 Website: https://legacybridgewealth.com/ 📞 Phone: (912) 483...