Tag: Financial Planning

Helping Without Derailing Your Retirement

Helping Without Derailing Your Retirement

šŸ‘®ā€ā™‚ļø 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, CFPĀ®, 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 šŸ’„ā€”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.
āœ… No closing costs
āœ… No tax returns or underwriting drama
āœ… No capital gains
āœ… No disruption to their portfolio

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

šŸŽÆ 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.

What to do with RSU’s

What to do with RSU’s

šŸŽ“šŸ’ø 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).

šŸ‘Øā€šŸ‘©ā€šŸ‘¦ The Daltons? College bills are now.
šŸ‘¶ 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.

šŸ“¦ Bonus: I explain RSUs in plain English — no CPA required.

šŸŽ„ 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

5 Money Fights

5 Money Fights

We’ve all been there:
šŸ”¹ Debating if your adult kids need another “loan” or just a reality check.
šŸ”¹ Arguing about who inherits grandma’s prized casserole dish.
šŸ”¹ 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:

1ļøāƒ£ 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?).

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

3ļøāƒ£ 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.

4ļøāƒ£ 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.

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

Retirement is About Experiences

Retirement is About Experiences

šŸŽ¬ 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. šŸŒļøā€ā™‚ļøšŸŒ“ā›µ

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?

šŸ‘‡ Share your dream retirement experience below! šŸ‘‡

Volatility Isn’t the Enemy

Volatility Isn’t the Enemy

Volatility Isn’t the Villain—Your Reaction Might Be

āš ļø Breaking news: The market went down.
šŸŽ‰ 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.


šŸ“‰ The Market Is a Roller Coaster—Not a Death Trap

Yes, it goes up and down. But like a roller coaster, unless you jump off mid-ride, you’ll end up back on solid ground. Investors who stay buckled in, even through the loops and dips, historically come out ahead.

🧠 The Cost of Freaking Out

Missing just a handful of the best market days can crush your long-term returns. And spoiler alert: those ā€œbest daysā€ often come right after the worst ones. Selling out during chaos feels safe… until you realize you locked in your losses and missed the rebound party.

šŸ›Ÿ What Should You Do Instead?

  • Stick to your plan.

  • Don’t try to outsmart the headlines.

  • And for the love of compounding interest—don’t turn your portfolio into a panic button.


šŸŽ™ļø In the latest Real Talk audio, I break down exactly why staying invested matters, how volatility can actually be your friend (yep), and why your financial future deserves more than emotional decision-making.


Bottom line:
The market will swing. That’s its job.
Your job? Stay grounded. Stay invested. Stay smart.

Let’s un-eff your finances—one mindset shift at a time.

#UnEffYourFinances #VolatilityIsNormal #StayInvested #GameChangersAndWealthBuilders #RealTalkMoney #BehavioralFinance #LongTermWins

3 Creative Ways to Teach Children About Money

3 Creative Ways to Teach Children About Money

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 worseā€”ā€œCan’t you just use the card?ā€

If you’ve ever watched your child blow through their birthday cash like it’s Monopoly money, this post (and video šŸ‘‡) is for you.

We want to raise Game Changers and Wealth Builders—not future adults who learn the hard way that ā€œ0% interest for 12 monthsā€ is not free money.

1. Gamify the Basics

Kids love games. So make saving and budgeting one.

  • Set up a ā€œfamily bankā€ where they earn interest on savings.

  • Match their savings like a 401(k) for chores.

  • Let them ā€œinvestā€ 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.


šŸŽ„ 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. šŸ’ŖšŸ·šŸ’ø

Navigating Market Pullbacks: What You Need to Know

Navigating Market Pullbacks: What You Need to Know

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

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Tax Planning Secrets

Tax Planning Secrets

Could you be leaving moneyĀ 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

Resources:

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Navigating Financial Challenges: Expert Tips for Busy Professionals (Ep. 12)

Navigating Financial Challenges: Expert Tips for Busy Professionals (Ep. 12)

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 approach, and how failing to plan is essentially planning to fail. This episode dives into the mindset of strategic achievers—those who are too busy to manage every financial detail but want their money to work just as hard as they do.

Nicholas discusses:

  1. (00:02:22) Strategic financial planning for busy professionalsĀ 
  2. (00:04:20) The importance of starting retirement savings earlyĀ 
  3. Ā (00:06:13) Real-life investment missteps and successes
  4. (00:12:27) Creating a flexible financial game planĀ 
  5. (00:20:03) The role of a financial advisor in managing emotions and legacy planningĀ 

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How to Choose the Right Financial Advisor: Essential Questions (Ep. 11)

How to Choose the Right Financial Advisor: Essential Questions (Ep. 11)

What questions should you ask before entrusting your finances to an advisor?Ā 

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 up with regrets.

This installment of Un Eff Your Finances highlights:

  • (04:36) What is a fiduciary?Ā 
  • (06:05) How advisors get paid and why it mattersĀ 
  • (11:09) Why knowing your advisor’s qualifications upfront saves headachesĀ 
  • (12:06) The real deal on financial planning licensesĀ 
  • (15:14) A philosophy that stands the test of financial timeĀ 

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