Retirement Red Zone: The 20-Year Game Plan (From the 20 to the Goal Line) đ
You canât âcramâ for retirement. Thatâs not a planâthatâs a Hail Mary with a flat football. In this video, I (Nick St. George, CFPÂŽ) lay out a clear, yard-by-yard blueprint from 20 years out to 24 months before retirementâso youâre not guessing at the goal line.
What youâll 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
đŽââď¸ In the Retirement Unit, financially-motivated crimes against common sense are considered especially heinousâŚ
These are their stories. DUN DUN.
Hi, Iâm Nick St. George, CFPÂŽ, and in todayâs episode of Retirement & Order, we meet Rob and Jen Langston. (Not their real names, of courseâthe names and some details have been changed to protect the financially innocent.)
Theyâre retired. Living the good life. Then BOOM đĽâcurveball. 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” creativeâstrategic creative.
We used an asset-backed loan against their taxable investment account. â No closing costs â No tax returns or underwriting drama â No capital gains â No disruption to their portfolio
Just fast, flexible helpâwith structure, boundaries, and peace of mind.
đŻ Moral of the story: You can be generous without going broke.
If you’re in the same boat, donât play financial detective solo. Book a quick callâletâs protect your retirement and your sanity.
đŹ If you believe retirement is just about having enough money, then you’re missing the bigger picture.
Sure, money matters, but retirement isnât just numbers on a spreadsheetâit’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. đď¸ââď¸đ´âľ
Retirement is the freedom to choose how you spend your daysâmaking 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?
đ Share your dream retirement experience below! đ
Volatility Isnât the VillainâYour Reaction Might Be
â ď¸ Breaking news: The market went down. đ 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 Targetâthis one’s for you.
Because here’s the truth: Volatility isnât the enemy. Panic is.
đ The Market Is a Roller CoasterâNot a Death Trap
Yes, it goes up and down. But like a roller coaster, unless you jump off mid-ride, youâll end up back on solid ground. Investors who stay buckled in, even through the loops and dips, historically come out ahead.
đ§ The Cost of Freaking Out
Missing just a handful of the best market days can crush your long-term returns. And spoiler alert: those âbest daysâ 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.
đ What Should You Do Instead?
Stick to your plan.
Donât try to outsmart the headlines.
And for the love of compounding interestâdonât turn your portfolio into a panic button.
đď¸ 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. Thatâs its job. Your job? Stay grounded. Stay invested. Stay smart.
Letâs un-eff your financesâone mindset shift at a time.
How to Save for Your Kids and Your Retirement (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money)
Letâs play a game: Youâve got one dollar.
đź Your kid wants to go to college (and preferably not be buried under student loan debt). đ§ Youâd like to retire someday without eating cat food.
So… who gets the dollar?
Welcome to one of the most commonâand emotionalâfinancial dilemmas: Do I save for my kidâs future or secure my own retirement?
Hereâs the answer: đ You can do both. You just need a strategy that doesnât come from the back of a cereal box.
1. Secure Your Oxygen Mask First
You know the airplane analogyâand itâs true. If youâre not okay financially, your kidâs future isnât either. Prioritize building your retirement foundation first. Your kids can get scholarships, part-time jobs, or choose a more affordable school. But thereâs no financial aid for retirement (unless your kid becomes a billionaire and returns the favor).
2. Automate Both Goals (Even If It’s Uneven)
Donât overthink perfection. Set up automatic contributions to your retirement and a 529 or custodial account for your child. Even small, consistent contributions compound over timeâand you wonât have to decide which goal wins every month. Youâre funding the future on autopilot.
3. Donât Guilt-Trip Yourself
This isnât a competition of love. Choosing to prioritize your long-term stability doesnât mean you donât care about your kids. It means you want to avoid becoming a financial burden on them later. (And letâs be honestâtheyâre already going to blame you for something, might as well not add âfinancial stressâ to the list.)
đď¸ Give the full audio a listenâI unpack this balancing act with a dose of real talk, some strategy, and a little humor (because letâs face it, finances can be stressful enough without sounding like a spreadsheet).
Remember: đĄ Youâre not choosing between your future and theirs. Youâre building a plan where everyone wins.
Letâs un-eff your financesâone smart move at a time.
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
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 doesnât 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 isnât the end of the world, but an opportunity for better planning
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 youâve 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:Â
(02:48) Top three tax mistakes – procrastination, reactive planning, and poor communicationÂ
(06:36) Differences between tax deductions and credits and why mixing them up can cost youÂ
(13:26) The importance of building a team of trusted advisors for holistic financial well-beingÂ
(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 âGoogleâ isnât your perfect tax advisor
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.
Wondering how to navigate your tax forms this season without losing your coolâor 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:Â
(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
Anthony R. Ruffalo is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER⢠Practitioner. The CFPŽ certification is a voluntary certification; no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold a CFPŽ 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 CFPŽ 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.
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:Â
(02:12) The risks of concentrating investments in one fund family and how diversification should really look Â
(06:28) A simple guide to understanding fund performance metrics, from flashy returns to actual sustainabilityÂ
(13:45) How to avoid the ‘latest-and-greatest’ investment traps and stick to what’s provenÂ
(22:01) The impact of risk tolerance on portfolio choices, especially during unpredictable marketsÂ
