Financial Planning Explained

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP is joined by Joe Trave. Joe is the owner and CEO at Village Handcrafted Cabinetry. This is part one of a two-part series on financial planning for small business owners. In this episode, Joe and Mike discuss how Joe began his business in his parents back yard, to having 35 employees today. They also discuss the struggles of business ownership and maintaining the business during the Covid-19 pandemic. Finally, they discuss navigating through the current tariffs and how that affects getting good from suppliers. This is a great episode for business owners of any size business. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP and Nick DeVito, CFP welcome back Adam Hunt, CFP. Adam is the founder & president of EZTPA. His firm brings the best practices of institutional retirement consulting to small and mid-sized organizations. This is part two of a two-part series on retirement plan ideas for business owners. In this episode, Adam, Mike and Nick talk about the fundamental basics of 401(k) plans, other types of retirement plans, and interesting tricks to "supercharge" your 401(k) that may be beneficial to business owners. This is a great episode for any small business owner that currently has a 401(k) plan, or is seeking to implement on for their business. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP and Nick DeVito, CFP welcome Adam Hunt, CFP. Adam is the founder & president of EZTPA. His firm brings the best practices of institutional retirement consulting to small and mid-sized organizations. This is part one of a two-part series on retirement plan ideas for business owners. In this episode, Adam, Mike and Nick discuss the importance of a third party administrator as we see the growth of 401(k) being offered in businesses across the United States. The guys then discuss the SECURE 2.0 Act and the changes that it made to retirement plans. This is a great episode for any small business owner that currently has a 401(k) plan, or is seeking to implement on for their business. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP is joined by Nick DeVito, CFP. Nick is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This episode discusses the not so popular topic of bonds. In this episode, Mike and Nick go into detail about what a bond is, some of the misconceptions about bonds, and the inverse relationship between interest rates and the value of bonds. This is a great episode for anyone who knows about bonds, but never looked further into the complexity of how they work. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Rachael Packer. Rachael is a senior living specialist at Senior Living Specialists Philly. This is part two of a two-part series on senior living care. In this episode, Rachael and Mike discuss the tell-tale signs that someone should consider extra care. They also discuss the benefits of bringing in a third party to check all the boxes while transitioning someone to a community. This is a great episode for anyone with a loved one who may benefit from the support of an assisted living community. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com Meet Mike Menninger, CFP the host of

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP is joined by Rachael Packer. Rachael is a senior living specialist at Senior Living Specialists Philly. This is part one of a two-part series on senior living care. In this episode, Rachael and Mike talk about senior living. They also talk about independent vs assisted living. They discuss dementia and signs leading up to it. Rachael and Mike also talk about the logistics of living in a memory care community. This is a great episode for anyone with a loved one who may benefit from the support of an assisted living community. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is join by with Nick DeVito, CFP. Nick is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. Of the six areas of financial planning, this episode covers cash management. In this episode, Mike and Nick discuss a case study of a recent prospect. The guys discuss switching to a Roth 401(k), maximizing 401(k) match, HELOCs, and paying down debt. This is a great episode for anyone who is unsure about the best channels to not only manage cash flow, but pay down your debt. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Annalisa Smithson. Annalisa is the founder and director of Unleashed Counseling. Unleashed Counseling is a mental health practice offering various services including talk therapy. Their therapists create a joyful, authentic experience for people overcoming depression, anxiety, and addiction – people who need something more than traditional talk therapy. In this episode, Annalisa and Mike discuss the structure and benefits of animal-assisted therapy. They also talk about who might benefit from this innovative form of therapy along with insurance coverage for it. Lastly, they discuss business franchising and the benefits/hurdles involved. This is a great episode that could greatly benefit someone you know. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Brad Sorensen, CFA. Brad is a portfolio manager and outsourced Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research. This is a timely episode, as it discusses the first quarter performance in the markets, but also the recent effect of President Trump's tariffs. In this episode, Brad and Mike discuss how the markets performed over the first quarter of 2025. Then, they get into the current discussion of the recent tariffs that President Trump has implemented. This is a great episode for those concerned about the current state of the market and where we go from here. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Kyle Ryan CFP. ChFC. Kyle is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the final episode of a nine-part episode Q&A series. In this episode, Mike and Kyle discuss frequently asked questions regarding tax planning. The guys touch on tax implications of selling your home, Roth IRA conversions, when to start withdrawing for retirement, RMDs, HSAs, and charitable giving. This is a great episode for those looking to minimize their taxes. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is join again by Kyle Ryan CFP. ChFC. Kyle is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the eighth episode of a nine-part Q&A series. In this episode, Mike and Kyle answer frequently asked questions regarding tax planning. The guys discuss tax brackets, common tax mistakes, tax impacts on investing, tax benefits of contributing to a 401(k) and taxes for self-employed individuals. This is a great episode for anyone looking to better understand taxes with an emphasis on investing. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Kyle Ryan CFP. ChFC. Kyle is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the seventh episode of a nine-part episode Q&A series. In this episode, Mike and Kyle answer frequently asked questions regarding tax planning. The guys discuss tax-deferred vs tax-free investment accounts, tax-loss harvesting, and capital gains tax. This is a great episode for anyone who is looking to better understand the complex U.S. tax code. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is join again by Kyle Ryan CFP. ChFC. Kyle is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the sixth episode of a multi-episode Q&A series. In this episode, Mike and Kyle continue to address common questions regarding investment planning. The guys cover individual stocks vs index funds, alternative investments (such as real estate or commodities), employee sponsored retirement plans, and tax implications of investments. This is a great episode for anyone who wants to understand the more technical side of investing. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Kyle Ryan CFP. ChFC. Kyle is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the fifth episode of a multi-episode Q&A series. In this episode, Mike and Kyle answer common questions regarding investment planning. In this episode, the guys cover the basics of investing, including: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, asset allocation, diversification, index funds, and risk. This is a great episode for anyone who is looking to invest in any type of retirement fund. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is join again by with Ryan Keefe, CFP. Ryan is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the fourth episode of a multi-episode Q&A series. In this episode, Mike and Ryan answer frequently asked questions regarding risk management and insurance. Topics covered include: term care vs whole life policies, disability insurance, long-term care insurance, and umbrella liability insurance. This is a great episode for anyone seeking basic information on insurance coverage. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is sits down with Ryan Keefe, CFP. Ryan is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the third episode of a multi-episode Q&A series. In this episode, Mike and Ryan discuss debt management. Debt management is a broad subject, but the guys answer commonly asked questions regarding multiple debts, the snowball vs. avalanche approach, credit cards, credit scores, and secured vs. unsecured loans. This is a great episode for anyone who is exploring ways to manage their current debt. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is join again by with Nick DeVito, CFP. Nick is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the second episode of a multi-episode Q&A series. In this episode, Mike and Nick discuss frequently asked retirement planning questions. This episode covers questions like 401(k) vs. Roth, Social Security, the 4% rule, and when to start planning for retirement. This is a great episode for anyone, at any age, that is ready to start saving for retirement. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is join by with Nick DeVito, CFP. Nick is a financial planners at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the first episode of a multi-episode Q&A series. In this episode, the guys address general financial planning questions. This episode covers basic, commonly asked financial planning questions like, "What's the first step in getting started with financial planning?" and "How often should I update my financial plan?" This is a great episode for anyone that is interested in educating themselves in the world of financial planning. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Brad Sorensen, CFA and Kyle Ryan, CFP. Brad is a portfolio manager and outsourced Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research, and Kyle is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. In this episode, the guys discuss what to expect from the markets in 2025. Topics include: earnings expectations, Fed rate cuts, inflation, nuclear energy, and AI. This is a great episode for anyone investing in 2025! For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Brad Sorensen, CFA and Kyle Ryan, CFP. Brad is a portfolio manager and outsourced Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research, and Kyle is a financial planners at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. In this episode, the guys recap the markets over the past year. Topics include: the magnificent seven stocks, inflation, job markets, and corporate earnings. This is a great episode for anyone looking to better understand how and why the stock market performed in 2024. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is joined again by with Nick DeVito, CFP and Ryan Keefe, CFP. Nick and Ryan are both financial planners at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. In this episode, the guys wrap up part two of a two-part series on financial planning considerations for the start of the new year. They discuss the final three topics of financial planning, including: Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, and Estate Planning. This covers everything from risk tolerance and retirement planning to beneficiaries in your will. This is a great episode for anyone looking to create good financial planning habits for the new year. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Nick DeVito, CFP and Ryan Keefe, CFP. Nick and Ryan are both financial planners at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. In this episode, the guys discuss financial planning considerations for the start of the new year. They detail cash management with topics like emergency funds, HELOCs, understanding expenses, and managing debt. This is a great episode for anyone looking to create good financial planning habits for the new year. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Mike Guman. Mike is a retired NFL running back, former Penn State alumni, and recent inductee to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. This is the final part of a four-part series discussing Mike's journey through his football career. In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss life in the NFL regarding injuries, travel, and the offseason. They also discuss the evolution of the sport and recent rule changes in the NFL in order to increase player safety. This is a great episode to bring this four-part series to a close. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Mike Guman. Mike is a retired NFL running back, former Penn State alumni, and recent inductee to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. This is part three of a four-part series discussing Mike's journey through his football career. In this episode, Mike and Mike talk about the NFL draft process and life as a rookie. They also discuss the structure and debates surrounding the NIL and transfer portal in college football. This is a great episode for any college football fan. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Mike Guman. Mike is a retired NFL running back, former Penn State alumni, and recent inductee to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. This is part two of a four-part series discussing Mike's journey through his football career. In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss the transition into college football as a freshman. They also talk about some of Mike's career highlights in championship and bowl games, as well as the new 12-team playoff structure in college football. This is a great episode packed with a lot of history discussing old players and coaches. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is sits down with Mike Guman. Mike is a retired NFL running back, former Penn State alumni, and recent inductee to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. This is part one of a four-part series discussing Mike's journey through his football career. In this episode, Mike and Mike talk about high school football and the college recruiting process. They discuss Mike's undefeated senior high school season, his recruiting visits to the top schools in the country, and then close with his first game at Penn State as a freshman. This is a great series for any football fan or even just those curious about the journey of an NFL player starting in high school. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is welcomes Heather Esham. Heather is the owner & founder of SILC (Senior Independent Living Companions). SILC provides active and engaging care services to seniors aging in place. In this episode, Heather and Mike discuss options that seniors have when it comes to aging in place on their terms. They also discuss the different types of care as well as affordability and insurance coverage. This is a great episode for anyone that has a loved one who wants to remain independent but could use a little help. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is welcomes back Nick DeVito, CFP. Nick is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the second half of a two-part case study on retirement planning solutions. In this episode, Mike and Nick really dig into the solutions of this particular case study. The guys uncover efficient tax planning strategies, investment strategies, and retirement/social security strategies that would best suit this particular couple's situation. This is a great case study as it touches on nearly all of the aspects of financial planning. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is joined again by Nick DeVito, CFP. Nick is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This is the first half of a two-part case study on retirement planning solutions. In this episode, Mike and Nick discuss a case study that cover many topics of financial planning, including: retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, and investment planning. In part one, the guys give an overview of this couples financial facts as well as their goals, and then they go into a huge opportunity that the couple missed in the prior years tax season. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is joined again by Kyle Ryan, CFP, ChFC. Kyle is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This episode is the final leg of a three-part series on understanding the rules and nuances of social security. In this episode, Mike and Kyle discuss when to apply for social security, specific strategies to consider, and the taxation of social security. This is a great episode that really dives into the heart of the topic and answers a lot of questions that you may have. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Kyle Ryan, CFP, ChFC. Kyle is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This episode is part two of a three-part series on understanding the rules and nuances of social security. In this episode, Mike and Kyle talk about the types of social security benefits. The guys also discuss full retirement age, as well as specific case studies that they have personally come across in their careers. This is a great series for anyone coming up on or currently collecting social security. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is joined by Kyle Ryan, CFP, ChFC. Kyle is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This episode is part one of a three-part series on understanding the rules and nuances of social security. In this episode, Mike and Kyle discuss the history of social security and the wage tax, the different types of social security benefits, and the full retirement age bracket. This is a great series for anyone coming up on or currently collecting social security. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Jeff Schubert. Jeff is the owner of three local franchises of Budget Blinds. Budget Blinds offers a wide range of innovative and stylish cordless and motorized window covering solutions. In this episode, Jeff and Mike discuss the many different facets of owning a franchise. This episode provides an overview of business franchising, how it works, and many of the advantages of franchising. Topics include: franchising vs. owning a business, tax incentives of a franchise, franchise flexibility and freedoms, and prior experience needed. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is welcomes Brad Sorensen, CFA. Brad is a portfolio manager and outsourced Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research. This is a timely episode, as it discusses the recent interest rate cut by the Fed. In this episode, Brad and Mike discuss how the Fed has recently cut rates by 0.5%, which is the first time since the beginning of Covid. The guys talk about what that means for the markets moving forward, the history of Fed rates, and the labor market. This is a great episode for all, as Brad helps to clear up some common misconceptions people have about the Fed and their rate cuts. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this weeks episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is joined by Bryan Nester. Bryan is the founder and President at Nester Insurance Inc. Nester Insurance is an independent insurance and financial services firm with offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In this episode, Bryan and Mike discuss employer-sponsored insurance benefits. In the first half of the episode, they guys discuss medical benefits and after break they talk about more specific offerings. Topics include: medical insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, accident insurance, long-term care, HRA and HSA planning. This is a great episode for all to learn more about medical insurance planning. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is joined again by Nick DeVito, CFP. This is the second half of a two-part case study on employer sponsored investment plans. Nick is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. In this episode, Mike and Nick recap a case study of an individual nearing retirement. After laying out the facts and background of the individual, the guys discuss possible solutions for the client to consider. Topics include: stock options, Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), Life & Disability Insurance, and 401(k)s. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this weeks episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Nick DeVito, CFP. This is a two-part case study on employer benefits. Nick is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. In this episode, Mike and Nick discuss a case study for a single individual nearing retirement. They guys lay out the facts and background of this individual in terms of assets, goals, and investment allocation. Tune in next week when they uncover specific strategies that this individual could utilize to maximize their employer benefits for retirement. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Ryan Keefe, CFP. This is the second episode of a two-part case study on retirement planning. Ryan is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. In this episode, Mike and Ryan talk about a case study of a married couple approaching retirement. They begin by recapping specifics of the couples background with a few facts, along with their objectives and goals. Then, the guys dive into possible solutions for the client to consider. Topics include: Roth IRA conversions, HELOCs, beneficiaries, and trusts. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this weeks episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Ryan Keefe, CFP. This is a two-part case study on retirement planning. Ryan is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. In this episode, Mike and Ryan discuss a case study of a married couple approaching retirement. They get into the specifics of the couples background and a few facts, along with their objectives and goals. Tune in next week when they uncover specific strategies that this couple could utilize to maximize their retirement and ensure their estate. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Thomas Balis, CFA. This is part three of a three-part series discussing the mid-year economic update and forecasts. Thomas is the founder and Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research. In this episode, Thomas and Mike talk about the Federal Reserve and interest rates, along with deficit spending, and risks of inflation. They also discuss the "Mag 7" stocks and their significant impact on the US markets. This is a great episode for investors at any level. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Brad Sorensen, CFA. Brad is a portfolio manager and outsourced Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research. In this episode, Brad and Mike discuss exactly what happened this past Monday, August 5th. From the roller-coaster ride of the Japanese markets to the affect it had on global markets including the United States, the guys dig into what exactly happened and where we go from here. This is a great episode to give perspective on the ripple effect that one country can have globally. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP is joined again by Thomas Balis, CFA. This is part two of a three-part series discussing the mid-year economic update and forecasts. Thomas is the founder and Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research. In this episode, Thomas and Mike discuss the upcoming election and traditionally how the markets react to each party. Other topics include deficit spending, upcoming tax law changes, and inflation forecasts. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

On this weeks episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Thomas Balis, CFA for a three-part series discussing the mid-year economic update and forecasts. Thomas is the founder and Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research. In this episode, Thomas and Mike examine how the markets performed in Q2 as well as year to date. They also discuss the impact of AI and its future. Then, they briefly get into inflation and what we can expect moving forward. This is a great series for anyone interested in the current hot topics in the markets. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP and Kyle Ryan, CFP, ChFC welcome back Dr. Maggie Baker for the finale of this three-part series discussing Financial Therapy & Psychology. Dr. Maggie is a Licensed Psychologist and author of Crazy About Money at Baker & Baker Psychology/Psychiatry Associates. In this episode, Maggie, Mike, and Kyle discuss the concept of when to sell a stock, impulsive buying, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This is a great episode that ties the series together. If you haven't watched the first two episodes, go back and check them out! For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit https://maaplanning.com

On this weeks episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP and Kyle Ryan, CFP, ChFC are happy to welcome back Dr. Maggie Baker for part two of a three-part series discussing Financial Therapy & Psychology. Dr. Maggie is a Licensed Psychologist and author of Crazy About Money at Baker & Baker Psychology/Psychiatry Associates. In this episode, Maggie, Mike, and Kyle talk about budgeting and how we often overlook simple saving measures. They also discuss the value of working with a financial advisor to further educate yourself on financial decisions. This is a great episode for all! For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP and Kyle Ryan, CFP, ChFC are excited to welcome Dr. Maggie Baker for a three part series discussing Financial Therapy & Psychology. Dr. Maggie is a Licensed Psychologist and author of Crazy About Money at Baker & Baker Psychology/Psychiatry Associates. In this episode, Maggie, Mike, and Kyle discuss Maggie's history with finances and her journey to where she is today. They also discuss the psychology behind our first memories of money and how that influences our relationship with money for the rest of our lives. This is a fantastic series that is a great watch for anyone! For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of “Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Kyle Ryan, CFP, ChFC. Kyle is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This episode is part two of a two-part episode case study regarding tax planning. In this episode, Mike and Kyle review the specifics of the case study, and the dig into tax strategies as it pertains to a self-employed individual. Topics include: NUA (Net Unrealized Appreciation), Roth IRA conversions, and SEP IRAs. This is a great episode discussing taxes for anyone who is a business owner or is self-employed. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on “Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Kyle Ryan, CFP, ChFC. Kyle is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This episode is part one of a two-part episode discussing a case study revolving around tax planning. In this episode, Mike and Kyle lay out the groundwork for this case study, discussing the clients goals, and facts about their specific financial picture. They then get into their assets, current investments, and debts. After break, they uncover some key factors to be used as one of the two is self-employed. This is a great episode discussing taxes for anyone who is a business owner or is self-employed. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of “Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Ryan Keefe, CFP. Ryan is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This episode discusses the ins and outs of tax deferred investments. In this episode, Mike and Ryan cover the tax differences between non-qualified annuities, non-deductible, and after0tax 401Ks. They also touch on the advantages and disadvantages of these type of plans. This is a great episode for anyone with questions on investment strategies for tax deferred accounts. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit https://maaplanning.com

This week on “Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Andres Maldonado and Ryan Keefe, CFP. Andres is the Operations Manager and Ryan is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates Financial Planning. This episode tackles cybersecurity risks and how to navigate them. In this episode, the guys discuss simple cybersecurity safeguards and prevention, as well as identity theft, along with what to do if your identity is stolen. This is a great episode for anyone, as we all know someone who has had an issue with cybersecurity. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit https://maaplanning.com

On this week's episode of Financial Planning: Explained", host Michael Menninger, CFP is again joined by Nick DeVito, CFP. Nick is a financial planner at Menninger & Associates. This is the conclusion of a three-part series on the upcoming tax law changes in 2025. In this episode, Mike and Nick discuss the phantom taxation of social security, income tax brackets, IRMAA, and surviving spouses. These factors may result in individual finding themselves in a higher tax bracket in retirement. This episode is great for all ages regarding tax laws. For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit https://maaplanning.com