Certified Financial Planner – Un Eff Your Finances

The Parent 529 Playbook: EP 24

By Un Eff Your Finances | September 16, 2025

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 for Netflix.”

What you’ll learn

Timing rules: Match the 529 distribution to the expense in the same calendar year
Qualified expenses: Tuition, required fees, on-campus room & board, school-billed meal plans, required books/software
Off-campus housing: Eligible up to the school’s published allowance
Two clean payment paths: 529 → school (simplest) or reimburse yourself (with prompt, documented receipts)
Paper trail that won’t crack under audit: Bills, confirmations, housing docs, receipts, 1098-T, and a simple spreadsheet log
Leftovers: Change beneficiaries, use for grad/trade programs, scholarship exception, and the 529 → Roth IRA strategy (within rules)
Pro tip: Coordinate grandparent-owned 529s to avoid financial-aid landmines

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Retirement Red Zone EP. 23

By Un Eff Your Finances | September 2, 2025

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-interest debt, and build smart tax buckets (pre-tax, Roth, brokerage)
When to use Roth strategies, avoid concentration risk, and optimize benefits (HSA, ESPP, deferred comp)
How to defend against sequence-of-returns risk and start income design early (pensions, RSUs, options)
Why Social Security timing (62 vs. FRA vs. 70) is a math problem, not a vibe
The 5-to-2-year “two-minute drill”: targeted Roth conversions, Medicare/IRMAA planning, mock paychecks
The final 24-month checklist: cash reserves, withdrawal guardrails, paperwork order—so Day One feels boring (which is beautiful)

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Helping Without Derailing Your Retirement

By Un Eff Your Finances | August 18, 2025

👮‍♂️ 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 the good life. Then BOOM 💥—curveball. One of their adult kids hits a financial snag.

Rather than torch their retirement plan with capital gains or mortgage stress, we got creative. No, not “hide your money in a coffee can” creative—strategic creative.

We used an asset-backed loan against their taxable investment account.
✅ No closing costs
✅ No tax returns or underwriting drama
✅ No capital gains
✅ No disruption to their portfolio

Just fast, flexible help—with structure, boundaries, and peace of mind.

🎯 Moral of the story: You can be generous without going broke.

If you’re in the same boat, don’t play financial detective solo. Book a quick call—let’s protect your retirement and your sanity.

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What to do with RSU’s

By Un Eff Your Finances | August 4, 2025

🎓💸 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 way ahead.
Different stages. Different strategies. One simple truth: planning always wins.

And yes — in the spirit of Law & Order — the stories are real, but the names have been changed to protect the innocent (and the occasionally tax-confused).

If you’ve got RSUs vesting and aren’t sure whether to sell, hold, or hide…
Watch this before you let the tax tail wag your financial dog.

📦 Bonus: I explain RSUs in plain English — no CPA required.

🎥 Watch the full video or catch the podcast version — your future self (and your accountant) will thank you.

#FinancialPlanning #RSUs #CollegePlanning #TaxStrategy #SmartMoneyMoves #FinancialAdvisor #HighIncomeFamilies #DunDun

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5 Money Fights

By Un Eff Your Finances | July 28, 2025

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 them:

1️⃣ Supporting Adult Kids:
They’re adults, but somehow your payroll keeps growing. Time to draw some boundaries before your home turns into a wildlife preserve (you know, “Don’t feed the animals,” right?).

2️⃣ Inheritance Drama:
Decide together who gets what before your kids decide with lawyers. (Spoiler alert: No one enjoys a family feud sequel).

3️⃣ Opposite Spending Styles:
Whether you’re the “budget wizard” or the “flash sale aficionado,” create space for BOTH styles. A little compromise = fewer glares at dinner.

4️⃣ Hidden Spending:
If you’re hiding packages or credit card statements, you’re not hiding money—you’re hiding trust issues. Pour some bourbon, and have the talk regularly. No judgment, just honesty.

5️⃣ Conflicting Goals:
Camper vs. 401(k)? Retirement vs. adventure? It’s not “either/or,” it’s “yes, and.” Dream together, plan together, thrive together.

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Retirement is About Experiences

By Un Eff Your Finances | July 14, 2025

🎬 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 the freedom to choose how you spend your days—making memories, traveling, and finally taking the time to truly enjoy what you’ve earned.

I’d love to hear what’s at the top of YOUR retirement bucket list. Skydiving? A month in Italy? Finally beating your personal best on the golf course?

👇 Share your dream retirement experience below! 👇

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3 Creative Ways to Teach Children About Money

By Un Eff Your Finances | June 9, 2025

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 hard way that “0% interest for 12 months” is not free money.

1. Gamify the Basics

Kids love games. So make saving and budgeting one.

Set up a “family bank” where they earn interest on savings.
Match their savings like a 401(k) for chores.
Let them “invest” in snack stocks—buy Goldfish at 10 cents today, sell at 15 cents next week.

Suddenly, compound interest is cooler than Roblox coins.

2. Use Real-Life Scenarios (a.k.a. Don’t Be Boring)

Skip the PowerPoint presentation. Teach money in the wild:

Grocery shopping? Show them unit pricing.
Eating out? Let them help calculate the tip.
Road trip? Hand them a gas budget and let them play CFO.

They’ll absorb way more from hands-on money moments than any lecture.

3. Give Them Control—And Let Them Mess Up

Yep, you read that right. Let. Them. Blow. It.

Nothing drives home the value of money like watching $20 vanish in a flash on the worst claw machine in America. It’s a lesson in budgeting, buyer’s remorse, and decision-making all in one go.

You’re not raising perfection. You’re raising confidence. And confidence comes from experience—even the oops kind.

🎥 Watch the full video for more tips and a few laughs along the way. I’ll show you how to plant the seeds for financial literacy that actually stick.

Because let’s face it—your kid knows 84 YouTubers by name. It’s time they learn who Warren Buffett is, too.

Ready to raise a money-smart kid (and maybe brush up on your own skills too)?
Let’s un-eff the next generation’s finances, one piggy bank at a time. 💪🐷💸

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Real Talk – Kids, Money, and the News

By Un Eff Your Finances | June 2, 2025

💸 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 generation that actually understands compound interest before they sign for student loans.

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Navigating Market Pullbacks: What You Need to Know

By Un Eff Your Finances | May 19, 2025

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 nothing to fear
(00:06:04) Strategies to use pullbacks to your advantage through smart planning
(00:08:16). Keeping emotions in check during volatile times and sticking to your plan
(00:14:3) The impact of inflation on spending power and why long-term growth is vital
(00:25:20) The importance of having a solid and adaptable financial plan in place

Connect with Nicholas St. George:

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Tax Planning Secrets

By Un Eff Your Finances | May 5, 2025

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 planning and reassessing withholding and estimated payments
(07:43) Maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts to boost your financial health
(11:52)Strategies for a smart portfolio rebalance and the importance of understanding tax efficiency
(23:02) The nitty-gritty of keeping track of new tax changes to stay ahead
(25:55)Why filing an extension isn’t the end of the world, but an opportunity for better planning