Five Minute Finance

Delaying Social Security is often one of the most valuable retirement decisions you can make. Want to learn why Social Security should be viewed as longevity insurance rather than a savings account? This episode is for you. Matt and I will also discuss how delaying benefits increases guaranteed income, why break-even calculations can be misleading, and the often-overlooked psychological benefits of guaranteed retirement income. We’ll cover situations where claiming earlier may make sense and offer a practical framework for making a retirement decision that balances both financial optimization and peace of mind.

Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

Most people don’t need another side hustle; they need a smarter framework for building financial flexibility. This week, Matt and I explore the difference between true passive income and expensive distractions, including equity compensation, rental real estate, angel investing, and the hidden cost of time and energy.

Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

AI promises efficiency, but what if the real effect is simply raising expectations rather than freeing time? Join Matt and I for this first ever BONUS Five Minute Finance that riffs off our latest episode about AI. Why do productivity gains often disappear? How does convenience change our standards? Where does AI help versus where could it be quietly weakening creativity, judgment, and long-term skill development?

Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

AI is changing how people approach personal finance, but the smartest use isn’t asking it to make decisions; it’s using it to surface ideas, explain strategies, and help you ask better questions faster. Join Matt and me this week as we discuss where AI genuinely adds value, where it can confidently lead you astray, and why human judgment still matters most when real money is on the line.

Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

After 200 episodes, the biggest financial lesson is that success comes from structure—not complexity. Mike Morton and Matt Robison look back on the top ten most popular episodes in the past five years and revisit the things that matter most to you: taxes, optimization, family and legacy, and the emotional side of money.

• Masterclass: EFT vs. Mutual Funds Part 1; Part 2
• How to use your After Tax 401k Contributions
• Clean Backdoor Roth
• Roth IRA for Minors
• Traditional 401k vs. Roth 401k: Which is truly better?
• Permission to Spend
• How to maximize employee benefits
• Traditional or Roth: Choose the right 401k
• Top Five Brilliant Money Hacks
• HSA’s: Healthy Retirement Savings

Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

Most people think doing their taxes correctly is enough—but the real opportunity lies in planning ahead. Join CFP® Mike Morton and Matt Robison as they break down the critical difference between tax preparation and tax strategy, showing how high earners can reduce surprise tax bills by understanding their marginal tax rate, coordinating multiple income sources, and making smarter year-round decisions.

Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

High earners often feel like they’re living paycheck to paycheck, but the real issue isn’t income—it’s visibility and alignment. As earnings increase, so do expenses and expectations, while savings happen quietly in the background, making progress feel invisible. Join Matt Robison and Mike Morton as they break down why this happens, how to tell if it’s actually a problem, and what to do to ensure your spending, saving, and lifestyle are working together—not against you.

Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

Company stock: one of the most confusing—and potentially valuable—parts of your compensation. From RSUs to ISOs and NSOs, learn what you actually own, how vesting and exercising work, and where people commonly make costly tax and risk mistakes. The key takeaway: equity compensation is often a great opportunity, but it’s not simple—and without a clear plan around timing, taxes, and concentration risk, it’s easy to leave money on the table or create avoidable problems.

Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

In this episode of Five Minute Finance, Mike Morton and Matt Robison unpack the world of private assets—investments like private equity, private credit, and private real estate that aren’t traded on public markets. They explain how these opportunities differ from traditional index funds, who qualifies to invest in them, and the key trade-offs investors should understand, including limited liquidity, higher fees, lower transparency, and added tax complexity. While private investments can offer diversification and unique opportunities for high earners with substantial portfolios, the hosts emphasize that for most investors, a simple strategy built around low-cost public investments is still the most effective foundation.

Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/

In this episode of Five Minute Finance, CFP® Mike Morton and Matt Robison walk through 10 smart tax-saving strategies for 2026, from maximizing retirement accounts and using HSAs to capital loss harvesting, 529 planning, small business strategies, and income timing. Rather than overwhelming listeners, they present a practical “buffet” approach — choose one idea, take a five-minute action step, and keep more of what you earn without overcomplicating your financial life.

Find out more about Mike at https://www.mortonfinancialadvice.com and connect at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwsmorton/