Tag: Podcast

What to do with RSU’s

What to do with RSU’s

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🎓💸 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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Volatility Isn’t the Enemy

Volatility Isn’t the Enemy

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Volatility Isn’t the Villain—Your Reaction Might Be

⚠️ Breaking news: The market went down.
🎉 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.

📉 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 “best days” 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.

🛟 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.

🎙️ 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

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3 Creative Ways to Teach Children About Money

3 Creative Ways to Teach Children About Money

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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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Navigating Market Pullbacks: What You Need to Know

Navigating Market Pullbacks: What You Need to Know

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

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

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

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? 
  • (06:05) How advisors get paid and why it matters 
  • (11:09) Why knowing your advisor’s qualifications upfront saves headaches 
  • (12:06) The real deal on financial planning licenses 
  • (15:14) A philosophy that stands the test of financial time 

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Tackle Tax Season Like a Pro with Mark Carrison (Ep. 10)

Tackle Tax Season Like a Pro with Mark Carrison (Ep. 10)

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Do you find yourself tangled in tax season chaos every year? You’re not alone! Dive into this episode for a laugh and some clarity!

In this episode, Nicholas chats with his brother from another mother, Mark Carrison, a seasoned tax pro from Verdolino and Lowey. Prepare to unwind those tax-time worries and learn how to save the bucks you’ve been unknowingly sacrificing to Uncle Sam. Grab your headphones as Nick and Mark highlight common mistakes, from last-minute filing frenzies to the myths about tax refunds, and unravel how proactive planning can save you from pulling your hair out come March!

Mark and Nick discuss: 

  • (02:48) Top three tax mistakes – procrastination, reactive planning, and poor communication 
  • (06:36) Differences between tax deductions and credits and why mixing them up can cost you 
  • (13:26) The importance of building a team of trusted advisors for holistic financial well-being 
  • (21:59) Creative gifting strategies for leaving a meaningful legacy while optimizing your taxes
  • (22:40) The value of real-time tax planning over delayed fixes and how “Google” isn’t your perfect tax advisor
  • And more

Connect with Nicholas St. George:

Connect with Mark Carrison:

About our Guest: 

Mark Carrison is a Tax Supervisor for Verdolino & Lowey, P.C. Mark joined the firm in January 2020 and has more than 15 years of public accounting experience.  Mark provides accounting and advisory services in tax, accounting, financial reporting, and consulting services for individuals, privately held companies, and trusts.  Mark is a member of the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.  He has had active roles on numerous not-for-profit boards in Rhode Island and Massachusetts including Treasurer and Board of Director of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Boy Scouts of America, and Rhode Island Wild Plant Society.  Mark received a Bachelor of Science degree from Bryant University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Saint Leo University in Accounting with a Fraud Examination concentration.

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

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

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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

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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.

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Avoiding Financial Train Wrecks with Eric Woodraska (Ep. 8)

Avoiding Financial Train Wrecks with Eric Woodraska (Ep. 8)

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Ever wonder why your retirement portfolio might resemble a messy clearance aisle at TJ Maxx?

In this episode, Nick St. George sits down with Eric Woodraska, Client Portfolio Manager from Helios, a financial wizard who knows his way around a portfolio like no other! They dig into the good, the bad, and the downright “what were they thinking” moments of investment management. This conversation is brimming with real-life portfolio mishaps and tips to steer clear of those financial train wrecks. Plus, it’s not all business – find out their bourbon favorites, because hey, life’s about balance, right?

Nicholas and Eric discuss: 

  • (02:12) The risks of concentrating investments in one fund family and how diversification should really look  
  • (06:28) A simple guide to understanding fund performance metrics, from flashy returns to actual sustainability 
  • (13:45) How to avoid the ‘latest-and-greatest’ investment traps and stick to what’s proven 
  • (22:01) The impact of risk tolerance on portfolio choices, especially during unpredictable markets 
  • And more

Connect with Nicholas St. George:

Connect with Eric Woodraska:

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Small Steps to Big Financial Wins (Ep.7)

Small Steps to Big Financial Wins (Ep.7)

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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:

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Crushing Retirement Risks: Making Your Money Last in Retirement (Ep. 6)

Crushing Retirement Risks: Making Your Money Last in Retirement (Ep. 6)

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Are you ready to navigate the unpredictable seas of retirement? What if your golden years could be generously funded and worry-free?

In this episode, Nicholas tackles the burning question of how to make your money last in retirement amid rising inflation and longer lifespans. He addresses the realities of longevity risk, the importance of planning for healthcare and housing in retirement, and the often-overlooked inflation factor that can chip away at your nest egg. This episode is packed with humorous, yet brutally honest, insights to help you keep your financial future secure.

Nick discusses: 

  • (01:22) Retirement Risks and How to Navigate Them
  • (02:22) The Impact of Increased Life Expectancy
  • (04:55) Balancing Enjoyment with Financial Security 
  • (05:58) Healthcare and Housing Costs
  • (09:27) Embracing Flexible Working During Retirement
  • (13:53) The Reality of Inflation on Your Savings
  • (19:15) The Importance of Emergency Planning and Communication
  • And more

Connect with Nicholas St. George:

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Nicholas St George, CFPÂŽ, CRPCÂŽ, CPFA Direct 828-481-8836

www.stgeorgewealth.com

Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA & SIPC. For hyperlinks to FINRA and SIPC, please refer to links section.

The financial professionals associated with LPL Financial may discuss and/or transact business only with residents of the states in which they are properly registered or licensed. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident of any other state.

The financial professionals associated with LPL Financial may discuss and/or transact business only with residents of the states in which they are properly registered or licensed. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident of any other state.

SIPC https://www.sipc.org/

FINRA https://www.finra.org/#/

7781 S Little Egypt Rd, Suite 109 Stanley NC 28164