Make It Personal Podcast
Make It Personal Podcast is a financial education show from Mutual of Omaha Advisors. It covers personal finance topics such as insurance, retirement planning, and investment strategies. Episodes aim to help listeners understand their options and make informed financial decisions. The podcast is for educational purposes only and does not provide tax or legal advice. Securities and advisory services are offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc.
Episodes
Your RMD Is Higher Than 4%, Should You Be Worried? | EP 92
What happens when your required minimum distribution is higher than the amount your retirement plan says you can safely withdraw? Does that mean you are overspending, or putting yourself at risk of running out of money?For many retirees, a large RMD can feel like the IRS is forcing them to break the 4% rule or abandon their safe withdrawal strategy. But a required minimum distribution is a withdra
Why You Have to Qualify for Life Insurance | EP 91
Life insurance is different from many other financial products. Having enough money to pay the premium does not necessarily mean you can obtain any amount of coverage you choose. Before a life insurance policy is issued, applicants generally go through underwriting, a process that evaluates both medical risk and whether the requested coverage makes financial sense.In Episode 91 of Make It Personal
Making $3M a Year Didn’t Make Them Feel Secure | EP 90
What if making more money did not actually make your financial life feel more secure? In this episode of Make It Personal, we share a real financial planning story about a high-income physician family earning over $3 million a year who still felt pressure from taxes, lifestyle creep, retirement planning, college savings, insurance decisions, and the fear that their income might not last forev
Could the Social Security Fairness Act Raise Your Benefit? | EP 89
Could the Social Security Fairness Act increase your monthly Social Security benefit, or change the retirement income plan you built years ago?For decades, the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset reduced Social Security benefits for many people who also received pensions from work that was not covered by Social Security. Teachers, firefighters, police officers, government
The Financial Habits That Quietly Build Wealth | EP 88
Every day, companies compete for your attention and encourage you to spend money. Buy now. Upgrade today. Take advantage of the limited-time offer. Consumer culture is built around transactions, but financial stability and long-term wealth are built through behavior.In Episode 88 of Make It Personal, Mark Zagurski explains why one perfect investment, clever financial hack, or major money decision
How to Use College Savings Without Costly Mistakes | EP 87
You spent years saving for college. You made regular contributions, watched the account grow, and worked toward the goal of helping your child pay for higher education. Then the first college bill arrived, and a completely different set of financial planning questions began.How do you access your college savings? Which education expenses can the money cover? How should tuition, housing, meal plans
AI Knows Your Money, But It Doesn’t Know Your Life | EP 86
What happens when AI manages your money perfectly, but creates a financial plan that does not reflect the life you actually want?Artificial intelligence can track spending, automate savings, rebalance investments, improve tax efficiency, and build an optimized retirement plan. But personal financial planning involves more than numbers. Your family history, life experiences, fears, priorities, rela
Don’t Mortgage Your Retirement for Your Kids’ College | EP 85
From the outside, this family looked like they had everything together: strong careers, a nice home, and three kids in college. But behind the scenes, credit card debt, college expenses, retirement pressure, and quiet money stress were starting to take over their lives.In this episode of Make It Personal, we share a real financial planning story about a family in their early 50s who wondered if th
The Roth Catch-Up Rule Most People Misunderstand | EP 84
Do 401(k) catch-up contributions have to be Roth in 2026? Many people aged 50 and older have heard that catch-up contributions are changing, but the headlines have created a lot of confusion. Some retirement savers think all catch-up contributions now have to go into a Roth account, while others worry that catch-up contributions are going away completely. In this episode of Make It Personal,
An RMD Is Not a Retirement Spending Rule | EP 83
Required Minimum Distributions, or RMDs, can create stress for retirees when the IRS tells them to withdraw more money from their IRA or retirement account than they actually need to spend. Many people wonder if a larger RMD means their retirement plan is off track, if they are spending too much, or if they are at risk of running out of money. In this episode of Make It Personal, we explain a
Why Retirement Feels Lonely (and How to Fix It) | EP 82
Retirement sounds like freedom, until the calendar disappears and the questions get loud. If you’ve ever wondered why retirement can feel lonely, uncertain, or oddly unstructured (even when your finances look “fine”), this episode is for you. In Episode 82, we break down a better way to navigate retirement decisions without carrying them by yourself: building a Retirement Board of Directors.
The Retirement Risk Most Families Never Plan For | EP 81
What if the biggest threat to your retirement plan is not the stock market, inflation, or taxes, but a long-term care event your family never saw coming? In this episode of Make It Personal, we share a real retirement planning story about a couple in their late 50s and early 60s who had saved well, invested carefully, and prepared for the future, but were still worried one unexpected health event
Roth 401(k) to Roth IRA: The Tax Rule Most People Miss | EP 80
Thinking about rolling over a Roth 401(k) to a Roth IRA after leaving your employer? Before you do, it’s important to understand how Roth 401(k) rollovers actually work, especially when your account includes employer matching contributions, pre-tax money, and after-tax Roth contributions. Many people assume that because an account says “Roth,” every dollar inside it is automatically tax-free
Social Security Secrets That Could Add Thousands to Your Retirement | EP 79
What if you’re leaving thousands of dollars in Social Security benefits on the table every year, money you earned and may still be able to claim?In this episode of Make It Personal, we reveal Social Security secrets and claiming strategies most people never hear about, including hidden spousal benefits, divorced spouse benefits, survivor benefits, and timing moves that can dramatically increase yo
How Reverse Mortgages Work (And Why the Bank Doesn’t “Take” Your Home) | EP 78
Your home isn’t just where your memories live, it may be the missing piece in your retirement plan. In this episode of Make It Personal, we unpack the reverse mortgage reality and explain how a reverse mortgage can help eligible homeowners 62 and older access home equity for retirement income without selling the house or moving out. If you’ve ever heard “the bank takes your home” or that reverse m
If Your Business Vanished, Would Your Wealth Survive? | Ep 77
If your business disappeared tomorrow, would your financial security disappear with it? Many business owners work hard to grow revenue, increase profit, and build enterprise value, but their entire financial life is often tied to one place: the business. Their income comes from the business, their net worth depends on the business, and their retirement plan may rely on a future sale that may or ma
Your Business Shouldn’t Be Your Only Retirement Plan | Ep 76
If your business disappeared tomorrow, would your financial security disappear with it too? In this episode of Make It Personal, we unpack why building wealth beyond your business is one of the most important financial moves a business owner can make. This conversation is for entrepreneurs, founders, and owners who have most of their income, net worth, and retirement tied directly to their co
What If One Hospital Visit Destroys Your Retirement Plan? | EP 75
What if a sudden medical emergency wiped out years of careful retirement planning? One hospitalization, unexpected surgery, chronic condition, or long-term care need can quietly become the silent killer of retirement savings, especially when Medicare doesn’t cover everything. In this episode of Make It Personal, we break down the “what if” of healthcare costs in retirement and how proactive r
The Real Problem With Debt Isn’t the Interest Rate | EP 74
It is a simple but powerful framework for evaluating whether your current debt strategy is helping you build a stronger business or just helping you survive from month to month.You’ll Learn:→ Why matching the length of a loan to the life of the asset matters so much.→ How short-term debt can create long-term cash flow pressure.→ Why borrowing for operational shortfalls is often a warning sign.→ Ho
Hope Is Not a Strategy for Business Protection | EP 73
Most business owners work hard to grow revenue, serve clients, and build something that lasts. But one unexpected event can undo years of progress if the business is not protected the right way. In this episode of the Seven Pillars mini-series based on Profit, Protect, Prosper, we break down why hope is not a business strategy and what real protection planning looks like. This conversation is for
How to Fund Your Retirement AND Your Family’s Future| EP 72
What if your money could do more than just cover retirement, what if it could build a legacy that empowers your children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren? In this episode of Make It Personal, we introduce the Legacy Loop, a long-term wealth strategy designed to help you enjoy life now while creating a multi-generational financial foundation. This isn’t about get-rich-quick schemes
Why Waiting Until April Could Cost You More in Taxes | EP 71
If April is the only time you think about taxes, you may be paying more than necessary. In this episode of Make It Personal, we break down why tax strategy is not just about filing returns or staying compliant. It is about building year-round control over your income, expenses, cash flow, and long-term financial decisions. This episode is for business owners, entrepreneurs, and S-corp owners
How to Build a Business You Can Actually Walk Away From | EP 70
If your business could not run without you tomorrow, your retirement plan may be more fragile than you think. In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, we continue the Seven Pillars series from Profit, Protect, Prosper by breaking down retirement planning and exit planning for business owners. This conversation is for entrepreneurs, founders, and owner-operators who want more than just
The Empty Nest ‘Money Shift’ No One Warns You About| EP 69
No one tells you this part: when the kids leave home, it’s not just the house that feels different, it’s your money. Your grocery bill drops, your calendar opens up, and suddenly the financial rules you lived by for decades don’t apply the same way. If you’re an empty nester (or about to be), this is the moment most people skip… and it can cost you years of financial momentum. In this episode
How to Pay Yourself Consistently as a Small Business Owner
Are you a small business owner who keeps saying, “I’ll pay myself later”? In this episode, we talk about how to pay yourself consistently as a small business owner without guilt, stress, or guesswork. Too many entrepreneurs pour every dollar back into the business and call it discipline, but if your business cannot pay you reliably, it may not be a sustainable business model. This episode is
How a 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast Can Save Your Business | Ep 67
Cash flow is the difference between running your business with confidence and checking your bank account in panic mode every day. In this episode, we break down why revenue is vanity, profit is opinion, and cash is survival for small-business owners who want more stability, less stress, and better decision-making. If you have ever wondered why your business can look healthy on paper but still
The Truth About Reverse Mortgages (It’s Not What You Think)
Reverse mortgages have a reputation, and not a good one. Many people believe they’re risky, predatory, or only for those in financial trouble. But is that actually true? In this episode of Make It Personal, we break down the real story behind reverse mortgages, separating fact from fiction so you can make smarter retirement decisions.If you’re a homeowner nearing retirement or already retired, you
Making Sense of Your HSA: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Get One| EP 65
Could one account help you save on taxes, cover healthcare costs, and support your long-term financial goals?In this episode of Make It Personal, we’re diving into the Health Savings Account, or HSA, a powerful but often misunderstood tool that can help you manage today’s healthcare costs and prepare for future ones. Whether you’ve heard the term or are already enrolled in a high-deductible heal
You Asked: Addressing Inflation in Retirement| EP 64
What if the greatest threat to your retirement isn’t market loss… but rising prices over time?In today’s “You Asked” episode of Make It Personal, we dive into a smart question from listener Kurt: “Do we need to plan for inflation in retirement, even if we’ve saved well?” The answer is a resounding yes. Because when retirement lasts 20, 30, or even 40 years, inflation becomes more than a background
The Reverse Retirement: Redefining Purpose Post-Career| EP 63
What if retirement wasn’t about slowing down… but stepping into something greater?In this episode of Make It Personal, we’re rewriting the retirement playbook, and flipping old assumptions on their head. Forget the outdated picture of golf carts and idle time. This is Reverse Retirement, a bold, purpose-driven approach to your post-career years, where meaning, creativity, and even new income strea
You Asked: Will Long-Term Care Needs Drain Retirement Savings?| EP 62
You’ve saved for retirement. You’ve followed the plan. But what happens if a long-term care need enters the picture, and threatens to unravel everything?In this special “You Asked” episode of Make It Personal, we’re answering a heartfelt question from listener Barb: “If we’ve done the right things and saved enough, could long-term care still drain our retirement savings?” It’s a question more and
How Fixed Indexed Annuities Help Address Sequence of Returns Risk| EP 61
What if it’s not just how much you earn in retirement, but when you earn it, that makes all the difference?In this episode of Make It Personal, we dive into a critical but often overlooked challenge in retirement planning: Sequence of Returns Risk. Through the real-life stories of Linda and James, two retirees with similar savings and returns, but drastically different outcomes, we explore how tim
There’s Moore to Life: Living for Today While Saving for Tomorrow| EP 60
What if your greatest financial breakthrough doesn’t start with more money, but with a better plan?In this inspiring real-life episode of Make It Personal, we meet Martin and Natascha Moore, a couple juggling work-from-home jobs, three young kids, and over $20,000 in credit card debt. Their house was tight, their budget tighter, and their dreams felt just out of reach. But with the right mindset a
The Financial Advice I’d Give My 51-Year-Old Self | EP 59
In this episode of Make It Personal, we step into a unique perspective: what would I say to my 51-year-old self, not from the view of retirement, but right in the middle of the journey? If you’re in your 40s or 50s and wondering whether you’re really on track, this conversation is for you.Unlike advice from retirees looking in the rearview mirror, this episode speaks from the front lines of real l
Asset Allocation and Asset Location: Two Tools, One Plan | EP 58
What if two simple financial concepts could help you bring more clarity, coordination, and confidence to your investment strategy?In this episode of Make It Personal, we’re unpacking two often-confused, but incredibly important, terms in financial planning: asset allocation and asset location. While they may sound alike, these tools serve very different purposes. And understanding how they work to
Annuities: The Most Misunderstood Tool in Retirement Planning | EP 57
Is there a “secret weapon” for retirement income that most people overlook or misunderstand?When it comes to retirement planning, most of us think 401(k)s, IRAs, or market-based investments. But there’s a tool you’ve probably heard of, maybe even avoided, that could play a crucial role in securing your future: annuities. Are they helpful or hype? Simple or overly complex? In this episode of Make I
Should You Be Paying Taxes on Your Employer Match? Here’s What Changed | EP 56
Ever wonder if your employer's 401(k) match can grow tax-free like your Roth contributions? You’re not alone, and thanks to a recent law change, the answer might surprise you.In this episode of Make It Personal, we tackle a smart question from Jennifer about how employer contributions work when you’re saving into a Roth 401(k). For years, the rules were straightforward: your contributions could be
Welcome to Saturday Every Day: A Retiree’s First-Year Report | EP 55
What really happens the day after your last day of work? One retiree opens up about the surprises, joys, and real-life challenges of life after 42 years on the job.Rick gives us a deeply honest look at his first year of retirement, not the highlight-reel version, but the real one. From relearning how to structure his days to facing the emotional shift of losing his professional identity, Rick walk
The Gen X Balancing Act: Are You Saving Your Family or Sacrificing Yourself? | EP 54
You’re helping everyone, but who’s helping you?If you’re a Gen Xer, you might feel like the glue holding it all together, launching kids, checking in on aging parents, grinding at work, and still trying to save for your own retirement. This episode dives into the invisible load so many Gen Xers carry, and what it’s costing them.In this episode of Make It Personal, we unpack the quiet sacrifices Ge
8 Genius Ways to Use RMD Money You Don’t Need (Yet) | EP 53
If you're in retirement, or approaching it, you know about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). The IRS says you have to start withdrawing money from your retirement accounts. But what if you don’t actually need the money right now? What if it feels more like a tax trap than a reward for decades of saving? You're not alone, and you’re not stuck.In this episode of Make It Personal, we tackle the
Traditional vs Roth 401(k): Which One's Right for You Now? | EP 52
Roth or traditional: how do you choose? If you've ever wondered when it's time to shift from a traditional 401(k) to a Roth, you're not alone. In this listener-led episode of Make It Personal, we tackle a smart, real-life question from Nicholle about taxes, timing, and how to plan ahead for retirement without getting stuck in a higher tax bracket down the road.In this episode, you’ll learn:→ The
From Saver to Spender: The Mindset Shift That Shapes Retirement | EP 51
You planned, saved, and sacrificed for decades, so why is spending in retirement so hard?After a lifetime of discipline and diligent saving, retirement arrives… and with it, an unexpected emotional hurdle: switching from saving to spending. Not because the numbers don’t add up, but because the mindset does. In this episode of Make It Personal, we dive deep into one of retirement’s most overlooked
Why Paying Off Your House Isn’t the Finish Line (and What Actually Comes Next) | EP 50
They did it, the Bridstons paid off their home in Southern California. No loan. No mortgage. Just freedom.But what happens after the big goal is reached? In this episode of Make It Personal, we explore the surprising truth about life after paying off your house, and why the hardest (and most important) financial planning starts after the last payment.What You’ll Learn / Highlights→ Why financial f
The Hard Truth About Instant Gratification You Don’t Want to Hear | EP 49
What if the things that make us feel good right now are quietly stealing our future joy?From one-click purchases to endless scrolling, we’re surrounded by temptation, and it’s costing us more than we realize. In this episode of Make It Personal, we uncover “The Instant Gratification Trap”, and how to build real peace, patience, and purpose in a world that’s always chasing “now.”What You’ll Learn /
From Overwhelmed to Confident: The Step Nobody Talks About When You Start Investing | EP 48
If your money could work for you while you sleep, would you let it?In this episode, you’ll learn how to start investing, even if you’ve never bought a single stock or still think you’re “bad with money.” This is your beginner-friendly roadmap to build wealth confidently, one simple, personal step at a time.What You’ll Learn / Highlights→ Why saving alone rarely builds wealth, and how compounding
The Lie You’ve Been Told About “Playing It Safe” with Your Money | EP 47
Want to retire together on your timeline and still build generational wealth? This episode breaks down a real couple’s plan, cars, handbags, pension choices, and all, to show exactly what works. For professionals who earn well but want a coordinated retirement plan that actually lasts.What You’ll Learn / Highlights→ The simple math behind a 7-year retirement target, and why “savings only” falls sh
Why Most People Fail at Beating Money Stress (and What Actually Works) with Dr. Rebecca Heiss | EP 46
Financial stress isn’t “just in your head”, it’s your brain doing ancient survival work in a modern money world. In this episode, biologist and author Dr. Rebecca Heiss breaks down the science of financial stress and how to retrain your mind for calmer, smarter decisions. For anyone who’s ever felt that knot-in-your-stomach money moment, this one’s for you.What You’ll Learn / Highlights→ Why your
When the Fed Cuts Rates, Here’s How It Hits Your Wallet | EP 45
How Do Lower Interest Rates Actually Affect You?Ever heard the news say, “The Fed cut rates,” and wondered what that means for your everyday life? This episode breaks it all down, no jargon, no confusion, just real talk about how the Federal Reserve’s decisions affect your mortgage, credit cards, and even your savings account.In Episode 45 of the Make It Personal Podcast, we dive into what “Fed l
Unseen Millionaire Habits, The Quiet Path to Wealth | EP 44
What if the secret to becoming a millionaire has nothing to do with luck, and everything to do with daily, quiet decisions?Here’s the truth: most millionaires don’t look like the ones you see on social media. No flashy sports cars, no massive mansions, and no viral success stories. About 80% of millionaires are self-made, and they’ve built wealth by following simple, repeatable habits that anyone
Beyond the Checkbook, Defining Your Legacy | EP 43
Is your legacy something you’re building... or something you’re hoping will just happen?Most people say they want to leave a legacy. But here’s the hard truth: nearly 70% never take steps to define what that means for them, or put a plan in place to make it happen. In this episode of Make It Personal, we’re challenging the narrow idea that legacy is just about money. Because when you pause and ask
Why Most Americans Feel Unprepared, And What to Do About It | EP 42
We say we want to protect our families. So why don’t we feel ready to? 9 out of 10 Americans feel a deep responsibility to protect their loved ones, but only 2 in 10 believe they’re financially prepared to do it. That disconnect is more than just a stat, it’s a wake-up call. In this episode of Make It Personal, we get honest about the gap between good intentions and real-life readiness, and how to
Can Artificial Intelligence or AI Replace Your Financial Advisor? Unpacking the Hype | EP 41
Is your financial future safe in the hands of a robot?With all the hype around artificial intelligence, it’s tempting to think AI might soon handle everything, even your money. But can it really replace the personal insight, emotional intelligence, and deep care that a human financial advisor brings to the table?In this episode of Make It Personal, Mark Zagurski explores the limits of artificial i
Tooth Fairy Money – Teaching Your Kids About Money | EP 40
Ever wonder if the Tooth Fairy could double as a financial advisor?That first wiggly tooth isn’t just a rite of passage, it’s a golden opportunity to start teaching your kids about money. While you’re fumbling for spare change and sneaking into bedrooms by moonlight, there’s a bigger story unfolding… one that could shape your child’s relationship with money for life.In this episode of Make It Pers
Trapped in the Middle: Why Your Wealth Feels Out of Reach | EP 39
You’ve done everything “right”, steady job, 401(k), a house, maybe even an emergency fund. So why does it feel like you’re stuck on a financial treadmill, running hard but not getting ahead? Welcome to the middle-class trap, where you're technically wealthy, but not actually free.In this eye-opening episode, host Mark Zagurski exposes the hidden tension so many middle-class earners feel: finan
Early Retirement: Dream Life or Financial Trap? - The Pros and Cons of Early Retirement | EP 38
Is early retirement the ultimate freedom, or a financial mirage? We’ve all seen the highlight reels: 35-year-olds living it up on tropical beaches, posting #retiredlife on Instagram. But behind the filtered photos is a deeper question: Is early retirement everything it’s cracked up to be… or are there hidden costs that could derail your future? In this episode, we take a real-world look at the gro
The Psychology of Money: Why We Make Bad Financial Decisions | EP 37
Ever wonder why you keep making the same money mistakes, even when you know better? Why saving feels so hard, spending feels so easy, and your paycheck seems to disappear without a trace? In this episode, we’re digging deep into the surprising science of why we make bad financial decisions, and how to stop.Our brains weren’t built for modern money. They were designed for survival, not savings acco
Play #7: Finding a Financial Coach to Help You Plan in Decades | 36
Are you navigating your finances without a map? For many, the path to retirement feels like a maze, filled with confusing options, emotional decisions, and the constant fear of falling behind. In our final episode of the “Game of the Decade” mini-series, we unpack Play #7: Finding a Financial Coach to Help You Plan in Decades, and show why this step may be your most important move yet.Host Mark Za
Play #6: Planning for Healthcare in Retirement | 35
Retirement isn't just about the money, it's also about managing the health challenges that come with aging. And if you’re not prepared, healthcare costs can sneak up and derail your financial plans. So the real question is: do you have a strategy for healthcare in retirement?In this episode of Make It Personal, Mark Zagurski walks you through Play #6: Planning for Healthcare in Retirement,
Play #5: Retiring Early and Pivoting to Time Freedom | 34
More and more Americans are asking a game-changing question: What if I don’t want to wait until 65 to retire? In today`s episode of Make It Personal, we tackle the bold and often misunderstood concept of early retirement, not as an escape, but as a purposeful pivot toward “time freedom.”What happens when retirement comes earlier than expected, whether by choice or circumstance? Mark Zagurski dives
Play #4: Optimizing Social Security Retirement Benefits | Ep 33
Is there really a “right age” to claim Social Security?It’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as you approach retirement, and one of the easiest to get wrong. Play #4 in our “Game of the Decade” series zooms in on how to optimize your Social Security benefits and why this move could make or break your financial security in retirement.In this episode, Mark Zagurski, Director of Strategy and
Play #3: The Do’s and Don’ts of Retirement Taxes | Ep 32
In this episode, Mark Zagurski tackles Play #3 of the Seven Plays series: mastering the do’s and don’ts of retirement taxes. Taxes can be one of the biggest expenses in retirement, especially with pre-tax accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. Mark explains the importance of asset location, strategically choosing taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts to minimize tax liability. He debunks the myth
Play #2: Determining How Much You Need in Retirement | Ep 31
Mark Zagurski explores Play #2 of the Seven Plays series: determining how much money you need in retirement. He challenges the conventional rule of thumb of replacing 70-80% of pre-retirement income, citing Morningstar research showing replacement rates vary from 54% to 87% based on lifestyle and expenses. Mark discusses the “go-go,” “slow-go,” and “no-go” phases of retirement and how expenses lik
Play #1: Maximizing the Five Years Before and After Retirement | Ep 130
In this episode, Mark Zagurski dives into Play #1 of the Seven Plays series: maximizing the five years before and after retirement, dubbed the "Game of the Decade." He explains the shift from the accumulation phase (saving and investing) to the distribution phase (generating income) and the challenges of modern retirement, including longer life expectancies and the decline of pensions. M
Seven Plays for Winning the Most Important Ten Years to Retirement Success | Ep 29
Mark Zagurski introduces the eBook The Game of the Decade: Seven Plays for Winning the Most Important Ten Years to Retirement Success, targeting pre-retirees who need a personalized action plan. He outlines the seven plays: maximizing the five years before and after retirement, determining retirement income needs, managing taxes, optimizing Social Security, planning for early retirement, addressin
4 Ways to Pay for the Cost of Long-Term Care | Ep 28
In this episode, Mark Zagurski shares a personal story about his grandmother to underscore the importance of planning for long-term care, which 70% of 65-year-olds will need. He outlines four options to manage these costs: paying out of pocket, long-term care insurance, hybrid policies combining life insurance or annuities, and deferred income annuities like QLACs. Mark explains how each option wo
4 Key Ages for Generation X in Retirement Planning | Ep 27
Mark Zagurski, a proud Gen Xer, dives into the four critical ages for Generation X (born 1965–1980) in retirement planning: 50, 59½, 62, and 73. As Gen Xers juggle peak earning years with expenses like mortgages and kids’ education, Mark highlights the importance of these milestones. At 50, catch-up contributions allow for boosted retirement savings. At 59½, penalty-free access to retirement funds
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement? | Ep 26
In this episode, Mark Zagurski tackles the hotly debated question: should you pay off your mortgage before retirement? With nearly 20% of homes in major U.S. metros owned by people 65 and older still carrying mortgages, this decision carries significant financial and emotional weight. Mark breaks down four reasons to pay off your mortgage, peace of mind, lower expenses, interest savings, and housi
Two Ways for Crowdfunding Your Future | Ep 25
In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, Mark Zagurski explores two time-tested strategies, life insurance and annuities, that act as a form of “crowdfunding” to secure your financial future and that of your family. While modern crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe have become popular for addressing unexpected expenses, Mark explains why relying on them for critical needs, like funeral cos
Is a Financial Advisor Really Worth It? The Value of Trusted Guidance
In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, host Mark Zagurski tackles one of the most common, and important, questions people ask: Do I really need a financial advisor? With so much financial content flooding the internet, from talking heads to self-proclaimed “gurus”, it’s hard to know what’s credible and what’s truly in your best interest. Mark offers an honest, inside look at what a trust
The Truth About Investment Assumptions: Average vs. Actual Returns
In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, host Mark Zagurski tackles one of the most overlooked yet critical components of financial planning: assumptions. Every solid financial plan relies on a mix of facts, like your age and income, and assumptions, such as how long you’ll live, what inflation will look like, and most importantly, your expected rate of return. But what happens when those
The Hidden Cost of Subscription Creep: How to Take Back Control of Your Finances | EP 22
In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, host Mark Zagurski takes a lighthearted but impactful look at a growing financial trap many of us fall into: subscription creep. With humor, a nod to classic Gen X TV, and real-world data, Mark explores how small, recurring charges, whether for streaming services, news sites, or monthly deliveries, quietly drain your wallet over time. According to r
Navigating Medicare: Making the Right Healthcare Choice in Retirement | EP 21
In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, host Mark Zagurski tackles one of the most confusing and critical aspects of retirement: planning for healthcare. With nearly 99% of retirees age 65 and older qualifying for Medicare, understanding your options is essential for safeguarding your financial and physical well-being in retirement. Mark breaks down the differences between Medicare Supple
The Big 4: Financial Steps Every College Grad Should Take Now | EP 20
In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, Mark Zagurski takes recent college graduates, and those advising them, through the essential first steps to financial success after graduation. From ancient graduation traditions like diplomas and gowns to the more modern tradition of student loan debt, this episode highlights both the history and the current challenges facing today’s grads.With stu
The Top 10 Financial Choices That Define Your Future (Part 2) | Ep 19
In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, Mark wraps up the two-part series on the 10 most important financial decisions that shape your long-term success. Building on last week’s exploration of education, career, budgeting, and saving, this episode tackles the next five pivotal choices that deepen and secure your financial foundation.Mark revisits the crucial difference between saving and
The Top 10 Financial Choices That Define Your Future (Part 1) | Ep 18
In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, the team dives into one of life’s most overwhelming and yet critical arenas: financial decision-making. Host Mark walks listeners through the sheer volume of choices we make daily, estimated at 35,000 per day, and zooms in on the 10 most important financial decisions that shape long-term success. This episode kicks off with the first five, helping l
Reddit, Credit Karma, and the Myth of the Perfect Plan | Ep 17
In this episode of the Make It Personal Podcast, host Mark Zagurski pulls back the curtain on DIY financial planning. With over 30 years of experience in insurance, investments, and strategic communication, Mark takes you on a journey into what today’s internet really says about “doing it yourself" when it comes to finances—and why that might not be your best move.From Google searches to Redd
Is the Roth IRA Worth It’s Weight in Gold? The Truth About Retirement Savings | Ep 16
In this episode, Mark Zagurski tackles a crucial financial question sparked by a conversation with his video producer—Is the Roth IRA the gold standard? With nearly 30 years of experience in training and developing financial advisors at Mutual of Omaha Advisors, Mark breaks down the differences between Roth and Traditional IRAs, explaining the advantages and trade-offs of each.Listeners will gain
Memories vs. Money: Should You Spend on Family Trips or Save for the Future? | Ep 15
Time moves fast, and for parents, the reality is stark—by the time a child turns 18, 80-90% of your time together has already passed. This episode dives deep into the importance of family vacations, financial planning, and balancing present experiences with future security.Drawing from studies on childhood memories, vacation spending statistics, and financial planning insights, host Mark Zagurski
How Millionaires Are REALLY Made (The Truth No One Tells You) | Ep 14
What does it really take to become a millionaire? In this episode, host Mark Zagurski explores the realities behind wealth accumulation, challenging the myth that millionaires are simply born into money. Drawing from Ramsey Solutions’ National Study of Millionaires and the insights of The Millionaire Next Door, Mark uncovers how financial success is built through intentional habits, smart investme
How 401(k) Withdrawals Are Really Taxed (Most People Get This Wrong!) | Ep 13
In this episode, host Mark Zagurski takes a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood aspects of personal finance—taxes in retirement. Many people assume that once they stop working, their tax burden will automatically decrease, but the reality is far more complex. With a tax code that grows more complicated every year, understanding how federal income tax applies to your retirement savings is
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