See The Forest Through the Trees

Most people think their mortgage is just about the monthly payment—but that’s only part of the story. In this video, we break down the real cost of mortgage interest, how it’s calculated, and how much you’re really paying over the life of the loan. Then we dive into 4 proven strategies (plus one powerful bonus tactic) to help you pay off your mortgage faster and save tens—if not hundreds—of thousa...

In this video Colin Exelby, CFP® breaks down the average savings in America vs the number you actually need for retirement. Wondering how much you really need to retire at 60? You’re not alone—and the answer might surprise you. While headlines throw out scary numbers like $800,000 based on outdated “rules of thumb,” the truth is far more personal. In this video, we break down the real average and...

In this video Colin Exelby, CFP® breaks down how spousal social security works. You may have heard that spousal Social Security benefits can pay up to half of your spouse’s benefit—but that’s not always how it works. In fact, many people are surprised when they receive much less than expected, often because they misunderstood the rules or listened to outdated advice. In this video, I break down ex...

In this video Colin Exelby, CFP® explains 5 crucial things you must do now if you are planning on retiring in 5 years. Imagine two 60-year-olds—same age, same income, same timeline to retirement. Yet in just five years, one comfortably retires while the other runs out of money. What made the difference? In this video, I’ll break down the 5 guiding principles you need to take in the final 5 years b...

In this video Colin Exelby, CFP® explains the 6 levels of wealth in America Most people focus on how much money they make—but that’s the wrong question. In this video, we reveal the real measure of financial success: your net worth, not your income. Using the latest data from the Federal Reserve, we break down the six wealth levels that define where you stand in today’s economy—from financial surv...

Colin Exelby, CFP® explains how retirement changes when you have a pension. After 20 years of helping retirees navigate life after work, I can tell you—your pension decision might be one of the most critical financial moves you ever make. Whether you’re choosing between a lump sum or monthly payments, weighing the risk of outliving your money, or deciding how to protect your spouse, there’s a lot...

Colin Exelby, CFP® breaks down if a fully paid off home is actually worth it in retirement. Is it always best to retire mortgage-free? In this video, we dive into one of the biggest retirement debates: should you pay off your mortgage or keep it? While conventional wisdom suggests eliminating all debt before retirement, the numbers tell a more nuanced story. From average housing expenses across th...

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...