Un Eff Your Finances

Before I ever recommend an investment, I ask five questions. Not about stocks. Not about the market. Not about what your neighbor is buying. Because great retirement planning has very little to do with chasing returns—and everything to do with building a strategy around your actual life. In this episode, I walk through the five questions I ask every new client to uncover: What “work optional” real...

Most high-income W-2 employees are doing exactly what they were told to do: Max out the 401(k). Save aggressively. Keep building. The problem? Almost nobody is showing them what happens later. In this episode, I break down one of the most overlooked tax strategies I see with professionals in their 40s and 50s—and why waiting too long to address it can create a massive tax problem in retirement. We...

You don’t mess up retirement at 65… You lock in the mistakes at 45. In this episode, I break down why I focus on the Retirement Red Zone—the 10–20 years before you retire—and why that’s where the biggest financial decisions actually get made.

🔥 Fall Money Fire Drill: Time to Un-Eff Your Finances 🍁💸 It’s that time again — the leaves are falling, pumpkin spice is attacking everything, and your money might be feeling a little… crispy around the edges. So here’s your 5-step Fall Money Fire Drill to go from Hot Mess Express to Game Day Ready : 1️⃣ Cash-Flow Reset – Give your money a job. Bills. Buffer. Goals. (No freeloaders allowed.) 2️...

💼 Open Enrollment: The Annual Game of “Guess What These Benefits Actually Mean” Every fall, HR drops that mysterious email: “It’s time for open enrollment!” And suddenly, you’re scrolling through options that sound like they were written by a committee of lawyers and robots. ☠️ “High-Deductible Health Plan” sounds scary. 💰 “Health Savings Account” sounds like a trap. 💡 And “Flexible Spending Ac...

The Parent 529 Playbook: How to Pull Money the Right Way (and What to Do with Leftovers) If you’re paying college bills with a 529, this is your 4-minute, no-nonsense guide. You’ll learn exactly when to take distributions, what actually qualifies , how to keep an audit-proof paper trail , and smart moves for leftover funds (yes, including the Roth IRA path). No fluff. No “my kid needed the laptop...

Retirement Red Zone: The 20-Year Game Plan (From the 20 to the Goal Line) 🏈 You can’t “cram” for retirement. That’s not a plan—that’s a Hail Mary with a flat football. In this video, I (Nick St. George, CFP®) lay out a clear, yard-by-yard blueprint from 20 years out to 24 months before retirement—so you’re not guessing at the goal line. What you’ll learn How to set your savings rate, kill high-in...

👮‍♂️ In the Retirement Unit, financially-motivated crimes against common sense are considered especially heinous… These are their stories. DUN DUN. Hi, I’m Nick St. George, CFP®, and in today’s episode of Retirement & Order , we meet Rob and Jen Langston. (Not their real names, of course—the names and some details have been changed to protect the financially innocent.) They’re retired. Living...

🎓💸 Got RSUs and college-bound kids? Then you might be playing a dangerous game of financial Jenga — and Uncle Sam is just waiting to topple your tower. In my latest video, I break down two real-life families navigating college costs, RSUs, and the ever-persistent tax goblin that shows up uninvited (and never brings snacks). 👨‍👩‍👦 The Daltons? College bills are now . 👶 The Simmons? Planning w...

We’ve all been there: 🔹 Debating if your adult kids need another “loan” or just a reality check. 🔹 Arguing about who inherits grandma’s prized casserole dish. 🔹 Rolling your eyes at yet another Amazon box mysteriously appearing at your doorstep. Money fights happen. But they don’t have to turn your relationship into a Netflix drama. Here are 5 common money battles couples face—and how to fix th...

🎬 If you believe retirement is just about having enough money, then you’re missing the bigger picture. Sure, money matters, but retirement isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s about experiences. It’s trading your morning commute for sunrise tee times, swapping endless meetings for endless adventures, and replacing your daily grind with checking off your bucket list. 🏌️‍♂️🌴⛵ Retirement is th...

Volatility Isn’t the Villain—Your Reaction Might Be ⚠️ Breaking news: The market went down. 🎉 Also breaking: It went back up. And down again. And… you get the idea. If market swings give you anxiety and make you want to cash out faster than a kid with birthday money at Target—this one’s for you. Because here’s the truth: Volatility isn’t the enemy. Panic is. 📉 The Market Is a Roller Coaster—Not...

How to Save for Your Kids and Your Retirement (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money) Let’s play a game: You’ve got one dollar. 🍼 Your kid wants to go to college (and preferably not be buried under student loan debt). 🧓 You’d like to retire someday without eating cat food. So… who gets the dollar? Welcome to one of the most common—and emotional—financial dilemmas: Do I save for my kid’s future...

3 Creative Ways to Teach Your Kids About Money (Without Putting Them to Sleep) Let’s be honest: most kids think money just comes out of the wall . Or worse—“Can’t you just use the card?” If you’ve ever watched your child blow through their birthday cash like it’s Monopoly money, this post (and video 👇) is for you. We want to raise Game Changers and Wealth Builders —not future adults who learn the...

💸 Your kid can explain Minecraft strategy in painstaking detail… But ask them what a Roth IRA is, and it’s 🦗🦗🦗. 📚 It’s time we taught our kids more than just how to swipe a debit card. In this episode of Un Eff Your Finances, I break down how to get your kids started with real-world money smarts—without boring them to tears (or making it feel like detention). 🙌 Let’s raise the first generati...

What can market pullbacks teach us about investing? Tune into this round of Un Eff Your Finances, Nicholas St. George dives into the intricacies of market pullbacks. Buckle up as Nick unravels the chaos and gets to the heart of why these pullbacks aren’t just unavoidable but can actually work in your favor! Nick discusses: (00:03:00) The normalcy of market pullbacks and how history shows they’re n...

Could you be leaving money on the table when it comes to taxes?   Nicholas St. George unravels the mysteries of effective tax planning. This episode is your lowdown on how proactive tax strategies can prevent unnecessary stress and ensure that Uncle Sam doesn’t get more than his fair share. With relatable humor and real-life examples, Nick dives into: (03:27) The importance of proactive tax planni...

What’s the secret sauce for building wealth while juggling life’s chaos? Nick St. George from St. George Wealth Management kicks off the latest episode of Un Eff Your Finances with an engaging discussion on the importance of a structured financial plan for busy executives and business owners. With a mix of humor and expertise, he breaks down why starting early is key, the risks of an unstructured...

What questions should you ask before entrusting your finances to an advisor?  Dive into this episode where Nicholas St. George uncovers the essentials to choosing the perfect financial partner. Whether you’re a hotshot business owner or just getting started in the financial game, these insights will keep you on the straight and narrow. Nick breaks it down with humor and honesty, so you don’t end u...

Do you find yourself tangled in tax season chaos every year? You’re not alone! Dive into this episode for a laugh and some clarity! In this episode, Nicholas chats with his brother from another mother, Mark Carrison, a seasoned tax pro from Verdolino and Lowey. Prepare to unwind those tax-time worries and learn how to save the bucks you’ve been unknowingly sacrificing to Uncle Sam. Grab your headp...

Wondering how to navigate your tax forms this season without losing your cool—or your cash? Don’t worry, we’re here to break it down. In this episode, Nicholas St. George teams up with Anthony Ruffalo, a social media legend and financial advisor, to get real about taxes and smart financial planning. Join us for full transparency and a few good laughs as Nicholas and Anthony help un-eff your financ...

Ever wonder why your retirement portfolio might resemble a messy clearance aisle at TJ Maxx? In this episode, Nick St. George sits down with Eric Woodraska, Client Portfolio Manager from Helios, a financial wizard who knows his way around a portfolio like no other! They dig into the good, the bad, and the downright “what were they thinking” moments of investment management. This conversation is br...

Want to make 2025 your most financially fit year yet? Discover how small tweaks can bring big wins to your wallet! This week on Un Eff Your Finance, Nicholas St. George explores practical steps to kickstart your financial goals for the new year. They dive into simple yet powerful habits that help busy individuals take control of their finances without feeling overwhelmed. Nick shares his advice on...

Are you ready to navigate the unpredictable seas of retirement? What if your golden years could be generously funded and worry-free? In this episode, Nicholas tackles the burning question of how to make your money last in retirement amid rising inflation and longer lifespans. He addresses the realities of longevity risk, the importance of planning for healthcare and housing in retirement, and the...

What does it mean to root for the pilot in the world of finance and elections? Dive into today’s conversation to find out why staying the course is essential, no matter who’s at the political helm. In this episode, Nicholas St. George talks about how election outcomes really impact your finances. He dives into the numbers behind red and blue administrations, revealing some surprising insights on m...