Financial Life Planning for Busy Parents

In this episode of Practical Finance for Parents, Mike Morton and Matt Robison explore how grandparents can effectively save for their grandchild’s college education using 529 plans. They break down the best strategies, including whether grandparents should contribute to an existing parent-owned 529 or open their own account. With recent FAFSA changes, grandparent-owned 529 plans now offer even greater advantages, as withdrawals no longer impact the student’s financial aid eligibility. The episode also introduces the “Rule of Thirds” as a simple framework for planning college costs and emphasizes practical, stress-free solutions for families.

Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle?  Let’s Connect.

Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

In this episode, Mike Morton and Matt Robison dive into a commonly overlooked step in managing rollover and inherited IRAs: making sure your funds are invested and not just sitting in cash. They share practical tips on how to avoid leaving money idle, like setting a yearly reminder to check your accounts, opting for simple investment choices, and keeping track of dividends. They’ll show you how a few quick actions can ensure your money is working for you, so tune in to get easy strategies that keep your finances on track without the stress!

Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle?  Let’s Connect.

Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

Make the most of your employee benefits and unlock “free money” that could add up to thousands yearly! In this episode, we break down essential perks, from maximizing retirement savings with 401(k) matching to the tax advantages of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). We also explore the value of education and tuition benefits, affordable insurance options, wellness programs, and unique perks like legal aid and tech discounts. Tune in to discover how a quick review of your benefits package could lead to major financial wins. Don’t miss out—learn how to maximize everything your employer offers!

Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle?  Let’s Connect.

Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

As Halloween approaches, it's not just ghosts and ghouls that can be scary—financial planning can have its own terrifying elements. Join Mike Morton and Matt Robison as they demystify the top five fears in managing money. The risk of running out of funds in retirement, the uncomfortable reality of planning for death and inheritance, the rising costs of healthcare in old age, the trap of debt and poor credit, and the unpredictability of market volatility would make anyone scream in horror.

However, facing these fears is possible with the right strategies: creating a detailed retirement plan, establishing essential estate documents to protect your family, exploring healthcare cost solutions like long-term care insurance, committing to a realistic debt reduction plan, and building a financial safety net for market downturns. By taking proactive steps and making small, consistent changes, you can alleviate the fear around financial planning and approach the future with confidence. Remember, while Halloween is all about scares, your financial future shouldn’t be! 🎃

Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle?  Let’s Connect.

Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

"How are you going to pay for college?" “How much should you save now?” Matt and Mike break down the current costs of higher education, from public in-state schools to high-end private institutions, and offer strategies for saving. Whether you're just getting started or have significant resources to allocate, you’ll get actionable advice on how to plan effectively. They cover the benefits of 529 plans, the "rule of thirds" savings approach, and why having a plan—any plan—is more important than aiming for perfection. Tune in to learn how to support your child's education without breaking the bank.

Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle?  Let’s Connect.

Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

In this episode, Mike Morton and Matt Robison dive into the often-overlooked topic of homeowners insurance and why spending just five minutes reviewing your policy could save you thousands of dollars.

They explain the importance of ensuring your coverage is adequate, especially with rising costs of rebuilding due to inflation and natural disasters. They walk through key elements to check, such as dwelling and personal property coverage, and share practical tips like taking a quick video walkthrough of your home. Tune in to learn how a few simple steps can provide peace of mind and financial protection.

Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle?  Let’s Connect.

Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

Join Matt Robison and Mike Morton this week as they teach you how to help boost your teenager's credit score. Learn the proactive steps you can take early on, such as adding your child as an authorized user on a credit card. This allows teens to start building credit history without the responsibility of managing payments themselves, and you remain in control of the account.

It’s important to educate teens about responsible credit card use, such as keeping balances low and paying off the card monthly. Alternatives for older teens and young adults include co-signing loans or credit cards, student or starter credit cards, and secured credit cards for those just beginning to establish credit. These steps can help lay a solid financial foundation and save significant money in the long run.

Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle?  Let’s Connect.

Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

Join Matt Robison and Mike Morton in this week’s episode to explore the common myth that election outcomes can predict stock market performance. They discuss real-life examples, such as the 2016 Trump election and the 2008 Obama election, highlighting how initial market reactions often mislead investors. They emphasize the importance of not overreacting to short-term volatility, noting that global events and market irrationality play a larger role than who's in office. Their key takeaway? Stick to your long-term investment plan, and don’t let election anxiety drive financial decisions.

Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle?  Let’s Connect.

Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

Join Matt Robison and me for this week’s episode in which we tackle the age-old question: actively managed funds or low-cost index funds? Brokers often promise better returns with active management through expert stock picking, but the data tells a different story.

We’ll break down the numbers, starting with the SPIVA report, which compares active funds to their benchmarks and reveals that a staggering 87.42% of U.S. Large Cap funds underperformed the S&P 500 over the last decade. We explore why index funds consistently outperform, highlighting the impact of fees, market efficiency, and diversification. Tune in to learn why index investing is the smarter, more reliable choice.

Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle?  Let’s Connect.

Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

Securities lending lets you lend your stocks or bonds to someone else and earn interest in return. It’s legit and has been around for a long time, with the borrower often using your securities to "short sell." You could make some nice passive income, like $800 a month, without doing much. Plus, you still own your stocks and can sell them whenever you want. But there are some catches—like losing the tax benefits of dividends, giving up voting rights, and the small risk that the borrower could default. You also lose SIPC insurance protection on lent securities. Overall, it can be a good way to make some extra money, but you need to weigh the risks and read the fine print before jumping in.

Are you ready to create your ideal lifestyle?  Let’s Connect.

Learn more about Mike and my services at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/