Wealth Management – 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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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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How Do I Balance Saving for my Kids and Retirement

By Un Eff Your Finances | June 16, 2025

**How to Save for Your Kids and Your Retirement (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money)**

Let’s play a game:
You’ve got one dollar.

🍼 Your kid wants to go to college (and preferably not be buried under student loan debt).
🧓 You’d like to retire someday without eating cat food.

So… who gets the dollar?

Welcome to one of the most common—and emotional—financial dilemmas: Do I save for my kid’s future or secure my own retirement?

Here’s the answer:
👉 You can do both. You just need a strategy that doesn’t come from the back of a cereal box.

1. Secure Your Oxygen Mask First

You know the airplane analogy—and it’s true. If you’re not okay financially, your kid’s future isn’t either. Prioritize building your retirement foundation first. Your kids can get scholarships, part-time jobs, or choose a more affordable school. But there’s no financial aid for retirement (unless your kid becomes a billionaire and returns the favor).

2. Automate Both Goals (Even If It’s Uneven)

Don’t overthink perfection. Set up automatic contributions to your retirement and a 529 or custodial account for your child. Even small, consistent contributions compound over time—and you won’t have to decide which goal wins every month. You’re funding the future on autopilot.

3. Don’t Guilt-Trip Yourself

This isn’t a competition of love. Choosing to prioritize your long-term stability doesn’t mean you don’t care about your kids. It means you want to avoid becoming a financial burden on them later. (And let’s be honest—they’re already going to blame you for something, might as well not add “financial stress” to the list.)

🎙️ Give the full audio a listen—I unpack this balancing act with a dose of real talk, some strategy, and a little humor (because let’s face it, finances can be stressful enough without sounding like a spreadsheet).

Remember:
💡 You’re not choosing between your future and theirs.
You’re building a plan where everyone wins.

Let’s un-eff your finances—one smart move at a time.

#ParentMoneyMoves #UnEffYourFinances #GameChangersAndWealthBuilders #RetirementPlanning #CollegeSavings #RealTalkMoney

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

By Un Eff Your Finances | March 27, 2025

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:

(00:02:22) Strategic financial planning for busy professionals
(00:04:20) The importance of starting retirement savings early
(00:06:13) Real-life investment missteps and successes
(00:12:27) Creating a flexible financial game plan
(00:20:03) The role of a financial advisor in managing emotions and legacy planning

Connect with Nicholas St. George:

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

By Un Eff Your Finances | March 13, 2025

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)

By Un Eff Your Finances | February 27, 2025

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

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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)

By Un Eff Your Finances | February 13, 2025

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)

By Un Eff Your Finances | January 30, 2025

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

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Connect with Eric Woodraska:

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