Tag: Money Management

Retirement Red Zone EP. 23

Retirement Red Zone EP. 23

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)

Helping Without Derailing Your Retirement

Helping Without Derailing Your Retirement

👮‍♂️ 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.

Retirement is About Experiences

Retirement is About Experiences

🎬 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! 👇

Real Talk on Taxes with Anthony R. Ruffalo (Ep. 9)

Real Talk on Taxes with Anthony R. Ruffalo (Ep. 9)

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 finances just in time for tax season.

Nicholas and Anthony discuss: 

  • (05:02) Deductible Dilemmas: Understanding what you can and can’t deduct
  • (12:42) Tax Time Preparedness: Anthony shares practical advice on not getting blindsided by missing paperwork
  • (15:11) Tax Loss Harvesting: Why selling a loss might be your new favorite strategy
  • (26:54) RMDs and Tax Planning: Simplifying your taxes in retirement planning
  • And more

Connect with Nicholas St. George:

Connect with Anthony R. Ruffalo:

About our Guest: 

Anthony R. Ruffalo is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner. The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification; no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold a CFP® certification. It is recognized in the United States and a number of other countries for its (1) high standard of professional education; (2) stringent code of conduct and standards of practice; and (3) ethical requirements that govern professional engagements with clients. Currently, only 62,000 individuals have obtained CFP® certification in the United States.

Anthony holds the series 24, 7, 66 securities licenses through LPL Financial as well as Life, Health, Long Term Care, Medicare Supplement, and Annuity licensures.

Small Steps to Big Financial Wins (Ep.7)

Small Steps to Big Financial Wins (Ep.7)

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 how you can reach your financial goals, while still enjoying life, and how to find balance. 

Nicholas discusses: 

  • Trimming the excess and save (02:16)
  • Assigning a goal to your money (06:32)
  • Strategies to avoid interest pitfalls (10:46)
  • Setting and forget for future growth (13:52)
  • Staying aligned with your financial goals (19:10)
  • Finding a balance between saving and enjoying life (22:02)
  • And more

Connect with Nicholas St. George: